Page 86 of The Importance of Being Emma
‘Figure of speech, Harriet. Although I wonder what he was doing in Highbury at that time of the morning? Kate says he’s never usually up before ten.’ I added with a laugh, ‘Obviously looking for a damsel in distress.’
Just then, a stony-faced Jane scraped back her chair, gathered a few papers together and stalked out of the office, presumably to find somewhere less distracting. I didn’t pay much attention; I was too busy visualising how appealing Harriet must have looked as she grappled with the Goths. Vulnerable yet feisty, a combination that would be irresistible to most men — and I had no reason to believe Flynn was an exception. Not that I’d make the same mistake again and put unsuitable ideas into Harriet’s head; but there was no harm in pointing out the facts, was there?
‘A man likes a woman with spirit,’ I told her, ‘but he also likes to come to her rescue once in a while. It does his ego no end of good.’
A dreamy look came into her eyes. ‘I could get used to being rescued, by one geezer in particular.’
I was just congratulating myself on this new turn of events when I noticed the time. ‘Right, we’ve got lots to do this morning. Why don’t you go and tidy yourself up? Here’s a new pair of tights, I always keep one in my drawer—’
That was as far as I got. Into my office swept Gusty, resplendent in a bright yellow jumpsuit which reminded me of rather lumpy custard. Philip followed dutifully at her heels, hismatching yellow shirt and tie providing a startling contrast with his usual sober suit.
The timing was most unfortunate. There we were, four of us crammed into one little room: Philip, the woman who was now dominating his life, the woman he’d wanted in his life and the woman who’d fantasised about it. No wonder he wore the expression of a man with a particularly friendly ferret negotiating his nether regions.
‘Yes?’ I said shortly. ‘What can I do for you?’
Gusty gave a disparaging sniff. ‘It’s not what you can do for us, Emmurrr, it’s what we can do for Jane. Isn’t she here? Naughty girl, she knew we were coming to see her at ten o’clock. Never mind, she can’t have gone far, I’ll sit here and wait for her. Pipkin, get me a coffee.’
‘Of course, babe.’ Philip scuttled out of the office, obviously glad to escape.
I rounded on Gusty. ‘You can’t stay here, we’re busy. You’ll have to go and wait in Philip’s room.’
She ignored me, sat down and glanced at some papers Jane had left on the table. ‘Just as I thought,’ she mused. ‘This sort of stuff is child’s play to someone like Jane. She doesn’t know it yet, but I’ve got her a much better job. Actually, it was my sister who clinched it, she pulled a few strings at a client company, Sucklings of Bristol. You must have heard of them, big in organic meat products.’
‘No, I haven’t,’ I said, with a scowl, ‘and I’d like you to go—’
She cut in with, ‘I’ve almost persuaded Marrrk to talk to them about a partnership. You know,organicmeats and DonwellOrganics, there must be huge business potential.’
I felt my voice rising in anger. ‘I hardly think so, since Donwell are all about dried goods, with completely different storage and distribution requirements.’
She favoured me with a particularly nasty stare. ‘Obviously, Emmurrr, you’re just starting in the food business whereas Marrrk and I — well, all I can say is it’s a true meeting of minds on the subject. On any subject, in fact. Gorrrgeous man, really gorrrgeous. If I wasn’t already spoken for, I’d be appreciatinghisassets, I can tell you.’
Her words triggered memories that I fought to suppress: that first glimpse of Mark naked, the taste of his skin, the feel of him, slow and controlled — and then suddenly no control at all . . .
I found myself gripping the edge of the table so hard that I wondered why my fingernails hadn’t gouged chunks out of it. ‘For the last frigging time, I’m telling you to leave!’
Her eyes narrowed; she got to her feet, though, and drawled, ‘I think I’ll call in on Henrrry for a few minutes. But send Jane to Philip’s office as soon as you see her, it’s terribly urgent. Opportunities like this don’t grow on trees.’
When she’d gone, I slammed the door shut, leaned back against it and let out a long shaky breath. ‘Please God, keep me from wringing that woman’s neck because I have no doubt she’d visit me in prison . . . Sorry, Harriet, did you want to get past?’
I managed a grim smile, however, as Harriet went off to the Ladies. Given the two previous men she’d fancied, who’d have thought she and I would ever be interested in the same person? Of course, that wasn’t a problem now that I’d decided Flynn wasn’t for me. Everything would work out beautifully, I was sure.
* * *
~~MARK~~
Izzy was not the sort of woman who took setbacks in her stride, especially if they involved her children. When I told her that her preferred babysitter wasn’t available for the night of the DonwellOrganics Christmas party, she became almost hysterical on the other end of the phone.
‘What do you mean, Sarah Perry’s sitting for another family? Why didn’t you get in first? You’ve known the date for weeks!’
‘Sorry, it slipped my mind, I’ve had a lot to think about recently.’
Such as your younger sister . . .
Izzy gave an exasperated sigh. ‘I’ll just have to miss the party and look after the children myself and John will be furious.’
‘Sarah did say she’d ask round her friends—’
‘Her friends? Good grief, Mark, you may as well just pluck someone off the streets! Or why don’t you advertise — only drug addicts and paedophiles need apply?’
