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Two dots of pink appear on Lissy's cheeks.

'No, of course I haven't!' she says in an u

for the TV guide and starts to flip through it, avoiding my gaze. 'You know. Just out of

interest.'

'Yes, well.' I give a shrug. 'So was I.'

Wow. Lissy's got a secret. I wonder what it-

Of course. Like she was really going over case notes with that guy. Does she think I'm a

complete moron?

EIGHT

I arrive at work the next morning with exactly one aim. Avoid Jack Harper.

It should be easy enough. The Panther Corporation is a huge company in a huge building.

He'll be busy in other departments today. He'll probably be tied up in loads of meetings. He'll

probably spend all day on the eleventh floor or something.

Even so, as I approach the big glass doors, my pace slows down and I find myself peering

inside to see if he's about.

'All right, Emma?' says Dave the security guard, coming to open the door for me. 'You look

lost.'

'No! I'm fine, thanks!' I give a relaxed little laugh, my eyes darting about the foyer.

I can't see him anywhere. OK. This is going to be fine. He probably isn't in yet. He probably

isn't even coming in today. I throw my hair back confidently, walk briskly across the marble

floor, and start to walk up the stairs.

'Jack!' I suddenly hear as I'm nearing the first floor. 'Have you got a minute?'

'Sure.'

It's his voice. Where on earth-

I turn around, bewildered, and spot him on the landing above, talking to Graham Hillingdon.

My heart gives a huge jump, and I clutch the brass banister. Shit. If he looked down now he'd

see me.

Why does he have to stand right there? Doesn't he have some big important office he can go

to?

Anyway. It doesn't matter. I'll just… take a different route. Very slowly I take a few steps

back down the stairs, trying not to click my heels on the marble or move suddenly in case I

attract his attention. Moira from Accounts walks past as I'm carefully stepping backwards and

gives me an odd look, but I don't care. I have to get away.

As soon as I'm out of his view I feel myself relax, and walk more quickly back down to the

foyer. I'll go by lift, instead. No problem. I step confidently across the floor, and I'm right in

the middle of the huge expanse of marble when I freeze.

'That's right.' It's his voice again. And it seems to be getting nearer. Or am I just paranoid?

'… think I'll take a good look at…'

My head swivels around. Where is he now? Which direction is he going in?

'… really think that…'

Shit. He's coming down the stairs. There's nowhere to hide!

Without thinking twice I almost run to the glass doors, push them open, and hurry out of the

building. I scuttle down the steps, run about a hundred yards down the road and stop, panting.

This is not going well.

I stand on the pavement for a few minutes in the morning sunshine, trying to estimate how

long he will stay in the foyer, then cautiously approach the glass doors again. New tactic. I

will walk to my office so incredibly quickly, I can't catch anyone's eye. So it won't matter if I

pass Jack Harper or not. I will simply stride along without looking right or left and oh my God

there he is, talking to Dave.

Without quite meaning to, I find myself ru

again.

This is getting ridiculous. I can't stay out here on the street all day. I have to get to my desk.

Come on, think. There must be a way round this. There must be-

Yes! I have a totally brilliant idea. This will definitely work.

Three minutes later I approach the doors of the Panther building once more, totally engrossed

in an article in The Times. I can't see anything around me. And no-one can see my face. This

is the perfect disguise!