Page 149 of The Last Love Song
‘I know, I know. There are many options we can talk about. Just keep going until tonight. We can discuss everything over a glass of wine. Well, perhaps an orange juice!’ She forced a chuckle, but Sorcha did not respond in kind. ‘Sorry.’
‘That’s all right. I’ll do my best.’
‘Good girl. See you later.’
‘Thanks for ringing, Helen.’
‘That’s okay. Courage, Sorcha. Bye for now.’
Helen made a couple more telephone calls, then picked up her briefcase and left her office.
‘I’ll be out until after lunch,’ she said to Mags.
‘Okay. Have a nice time.’
Helen raised her eyebrows and took the lift downstairs.
‘Come in, why don’t you?’ Con looked as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Helen followed him across the hall and into his study. ‘I don’t want to see you, you know.’
‘Tough shit.’ Helen watched as Con slumped onto his sofa and picked up his guitar. She slung her briefcase into a chair.
‘What do you want, Helen?’ he asked, strumming aimlessly.
‘To talk.’
He turned to look at her. There was a week’s growth ofbeard on his chin and purple bruises under his eyes from his broken nose.
‘You look dreadful.’
‘Thanks.’ Con looked away again. ‘I don’t want you in my house for any longer than necessary, so get on with it.’
‘I will. You’re intent on leaving The Fishermen, I presume?’
‘I’ve an idea there’s no band left to leave, but yes, I’m out.’
‘You haven’t announced this yet to the media?’
‘No.’
‘Don’t. If you’re prepared to hang on for six months without breathing a word of the split, I’m prepared not to sue you for the uncompleted album.’
‘That’s very kind of you, Helen, but don’t you think the media might have guessed something is up already?’
‘Yes, but all the gossip can be nipped in the bud by a press release. All you’d have to do is to lie low for a while.’
‘And what about Todd? Do you think he’ll be keeping his mouth shut too? Will he be prepared to pretend everything’s okay?’
‘We’ll see. If he’s sensible and doesn’t want a lengthy court battle which Metropolitan are sure to win, then he’ll play ball.’
‘Helen, can I ask why it’s so important to you that we wait to announce our split?’
‘Metropolitan’s going public in November. The value of the company will plummet if The Fishermen announce a split now.’
Con smiled. ‘It always comes down to money with you, doesn’t it, Helen McCarthy?’
‘Yes, I suppose it does. I’ve worked very hard to build my company—’
