Страница 50

'It will,'I say desperately. 'He's… he's my boss too!'

'Yes, well,' says Artemis sarcastically, 'I think there's a slight difference. You've barely even

spoken to Jack Harper.'

'I have!' I say before I can stop myself. 'I have! I…' I break off, my cheeks turning pink. 'I…

once went to a meeting he was at…'

'And served him a cup of tea?' Artemis meets Nick's eyes with a little smirk.

I stare at her furiously, blood pounding through my ears, wishing just once I could think of

something really scathing and clever to put Artemis down.

'Enough, Artemis,' says Paul. 'Emma, you're staying here, and that's settled.'

By five to twelve the office is completely empty. Apart from me, a fly and a whirring fax

machine. Disconsolately I reach into my desk drawer and take out an Aero. And a Flake for

good measure. I'm just unwrapping the Aero and taking a big bite when the phone rings.

'OK,' comes Lissy's voice down the line. 'I've set the video.'

'Thanks, Liss,' I say through a mouthful of chocolate. 'You're a star.'

'I can't believe you're not allowed to watch.'

'I know. It's completely unfair.' I slump deeper in my chair and take another bite of Aero.

'Well, never mind, we'll watch it again tonight. Jemima's going to put the video on in her

room too, so we should definitely catch it.'

'What's Jemima doing at home?' I say in surprise.

'She's taken a sickie so she can do a home spa day. Oh, and your dad rang,' she adds

cautiously.

'Oh right.' I feel a flicker of apprehension. 'What did he say?'

I haven't talked to Mum or Dad since the debacle at the Corporate Family Day. I just can't

bring myself to. It was all too painful and embarrassing, and for all I know, they've

completely taken Kerry's side.

So when Dad rang here on the following Monday, I said I was really busy and I'd call him

back — and, never did. And the same thing at home.

I know I'll have to talk to them some time. But not now. Not while I'm so happy.

'He'd seen the trailer for the interview,' says Lissy. 'He recognized Jack and just wondered if

you knew about it. And he said…' She pauses. 'He really wanted to talk to you about a few

things.'

'Oh.' I stare at my notepad, where I've doodled a huge spiral over a telephone number I was

supposed to be keeping.

'Anyway, he and your mum are going to be watching it,' says Lissy. 'And your grandpa.'

Great. Just great. The entire world is watching Jack on television. The entire world except me.

When I've put the phone down, I go and get myself a coffee from the new machine, which

actually does make a very nice cafe au lait. I come back and look around the quiet office, then

go and pour orange juice into Artemis's spider plant. And some photocopier toner for good

measure.

Then I feel a bit mean. It's not the plant's fault, after all.

'Sorry,' I say out loud, and touch one of its leaves. 'It's just your owner is a real cow. But then,

you probably knew that.'

'Talking to your mystery man?' comes a sarcastic voice from behind me, and I turn round in

shock, to see Co

'Co

'I'm on my way to watch the TV interview. But I just wanted a quick word.' He takes a few

steps into the office, and fixes me with an accusing stare. 'So. You lied to me.'

Oh shit. Has Co

'What do you mean?' I say nervously.

'I've just had a little chat with Tristan from Design.' Co

'He's gay! You're not going out with him at all, are you?'

He ca

did he? I mean, Tristan could not look more gay if he wore leopardskin hotpants, carried a

handbag, and walked around humming Barbra Streisand hits.