Twenties Girl

“Let’s go!” Her legs are twitching. “I can’t wait to start dancing!”

For God’s sake. She’s obsessed. And if she thinks I’m dancing with Ed in the middle of the bar for a second time, she needs to think again.

“Sadie, listen,” I say firmly. “It’s a business di

“We’ll find some,” she says confidently. “You can always find dancing.”

Yeah. Whatever.

As I get out, people in evening dress are everywhere, shaking hands confidently and laughing and posing for the cameras. Several of them I recognize from Business People photo spreads. For a moment I feel all twingey with nerves. But then I glance at Sadie and raise my chin, just like she does. So what if they’re important? I’m as good as they are. I’m a partner in my own company. Even if it consists of two people and a dodgy coffee machine.

“Hi. Lara.” Ed’s voice greets me from behind, and I turn. There he is, looking as square-cut and handsome as I might have expected. His di

Josh never wears a standard DJ. He always wears something offbeat, like a Nehru jacket over jeans. But then, Josh is really cool.

“Hi.” I take Ed’s hand before he gets any idea of kissing me. Not that I think he would. He’s looking my outfit up and down with a quizzical expression.

“You look very… twenties.”

Well spotted, Einstein. “Yes, well.” I shrug. “I like twenties clothes.”

“No kidding,” he says, deadpan.

“You look delicious!” says Sadie joyfully to Ed. She flings herself at him, wraps both arms around his chest, and nuzzles his neck.

Urgh. Is she going to do that all night?

We’re approaching a small group of photographers, and at a signal from a lady with an earpiece, Ed stops with a slight roll of his eyes. “Sorry. I have to do this, I’m afraid.”

“Shit!” I say in panic as the camera flashes blind me. “What do I do?”

“Stand a little side-on,” he murmurs reassuringly. “Chin up and smile. Don’t worry, it’s natural to freak out. I did media training for this stuff. The first time, I was so stiff I looked like a Thunderbird puppet.”

I can’t help smiling. Actually, he does look a bit like a Thunderbird, with his square jaw and dark brows.

“I know what you’re thinking,” he says, as the flashes keep coming. “I look like a Thunderbird anyway. It’s OK. I can take the truth.”

“I wasn’t thinking that!” I say unconvincingly. We move on to another group of photographers. “How come you know about Thunderbirds, anyway?”

“Are you kidding? I saw it when I was a kid. I was obsessed. I wanted to be Scott Tracy.”

“I wanted to be Lady Penelope.” I glance up at him. “So you’re interested in one piece of British culture, at least.”

I’m not sure if a children’s TV show counts as “culture,” but I can’t resist making my point. Ed looks surprised and draws breath as though to answer-but before he can, the earpiece lady comes to escort us onward, and the moment’s gone.

As we head into the hotel, I’m looking around, trying to suss out all the people, trying to see if there’s anyone I could approach about the Leonidas Sports job. I have to circulate quickly, before everyone sits down to eat.

Meanwhile, Sadie has been glued to Ed’s side, stroking his hair and rubbing her face against his and ru

“Sadie!” I mutter furiously behind Ed’s back. “What are you doing?”

“Having a look at his things!” she says, standing up. “There wasn’t anything very interesting, just some papers and a pack of cards. I wonder what’s in his trouser pockets… hmm…” Her eyes focus on his crotch, and a gleam appears.

“Sadie!” I hiss in horror. “No!”

“Mr. Harrison!” A woman in a chic navy cocktail dress has swooped down on Ed. “I’m Sonia Taylor, head of PR at Dewhurst Publishing. We’re so looking forward to your speech.”

“Pleased to be here.” Ed nods. “May I introduce Lara Lington, my…” He looks at me dubiously, as though searching for the word. “Date.”

“Hello, Lara.” Sonia turns to me with a warm smile. “What line are you in?”

Oh wow. The head of PR at Dewhurst Publishing.

“Hi, Sonia.” I shake her hand in my most professional ma

Sadie has bent down and plunged her face into Ed’s trouser pocket.

“Are you all right?” Sonia Taylor looks concerned.

“I’m fine!” My eyes are darting all around, anywhere but at the sight in front of me. “Fine. Really, really fine…”

“That’s good.” Sonia gives me a slightly strange look. “I’ll just find your name badges.”

Sadie’s head reappears briefly, then plunges back in again. What’s she doing in there?

“Lara, is something wrong?” Ed turns to me with a puzzled frown.

“Um… no!” I manage. “It’s all good, all good…”

“Goodness!” Sadie’s head suddenly reappears. “I got a good view there.”

I clap a hand over my mouth. Ed eyes me suspiciously.

“Sorry,” I manage. “Just… coughing.”

“Here we are!” Sonia turns back from the table and hands us each a badge. “Ed, can I steal you for a moment to run through the order of events?” She smiles stiffly, then leads Ed away.

At once, I pull out my phone as camouflage, then wheel around to Sadie.

“Don’t do that again! You put me off! I didn’t know where to look!”

Sadie raises her eyebrows wickedly. “Just wanted to satisfy my curiosity.”

I’m not even going to ask what that means.

“Well, don’t! That woman Sonia thinks I’m a complete flake now. She didn’t even take my business card.”

“So what?” Sadie gives an insouciant shrug. “Who cares what she thinks?”

It’s as if a switch flips inside me. Doesn’t she realize how desperate I am? Hasn’t she noticed me and Kate working thirteen-hour days?

“I care!” I round on her furiously and she shrinks back. “Sadie, why d’you think I’m here? I’m trying to build up my business! I’m trying to meet important people!” I gesture around at the milling hall. “I’ve got to find a candidate for Leonidas Sports by tomorrow! If I don’t do something soon, we’ll go bust. We practically are bust. I’ve been totally stressed out and you don’t even care. You haven’t even noticed.” My voice is suddenly shaking a bit, which must be because of all the double-shot lattes I’ve drunk today. “Anyway. Whatever. Do what you like. Just stay away from me.”

“Lara-” Sadie starts to speak, but I stride away from her toward the double doors to the main banqueting room. Ed and Sonia are on the podium, and I can see her explaining the microphone to him. Around me, tables are filling up with dynamic-looking men and women. I can hear snatches of conversation about markets and retail sectors and TV campaigns.

This is my big chance. Come on, Lara. Plucking up all my courage, I take a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, then approach a group of business types, all laughing merrily away about something.

“Hi!” I plunge in brightly. “I’m Lara Lington, L &N Executive Recruitment. Let me give you my card!”

“Hello,” says a friendly-looking man with red hair. He makes introductions around the group, and I hand cards to everyone. From their name badges, it seems they all work for software companies.

“So, does anyone here work in marketing?” I ask casually. All eyes turn to a blond-haired man.

“Guilty.” He smiles.

“Would you like a new job?” I blurt out. “It’s at a sports-equipment company-great benefits, a really fab opportunity!”

There’s silence. I can’t breathe for hope. Then everyone bursts into laughter.

“I like your style,” says the red-haired guy, and turns to his neighbor. “Can I interest you in an Asian software subsidiary, only ten years on the clock?”