Can You Keep A Secret?

'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.

'No,' I say, managing to keep a straight face. 'I'm not going out with Tristan.'

'Well!' says Co

what to do with them. 'Well. I just don't see why you feel it necessary to lie to me.' He lifts his

chin in wounded dignity. 'That's all. I just would have thought we could be a little honest with

each other.'

'Co

'Fine. Whatever. It's your boat, Emma.'

There's a slight pause.

'It's my what?' I say puzzledly. 'My boat?'

'Court,' he says with a flash of a

'Oh right,' I say, none the wiser. 'Er… OK. I'll bear that in mind.'

'Good.' He gives me his most wounded-martyr look, and starts walking away.

'Wait!' I say suddenly. 'Hang on a minute! Co

until he turns, then pull a wheedling face. 'Could you possibly man the phones here while I

quickly go and watch Jack Harper's interview?'

I know Co

choice.

'Could I do what?' Co

'Could you man the phones? Just for half an hour. I'd be so incredibly grateful…'

'I can't believe you're even asking me that!' says Co

important Jack Harper is to me! Emma, I really don't know what you've turned into.'

After he's stalked off, I sit there for twenty minutes. I take several messages for Paul, one for

Nick and one for Caroline. I file a couple of letters. I address a couple of envelopes. And then

suddenly, I've had it.

This is stupid. This is more than stupid. It's ridiculous. I love Jack. He loves me. I should be

there, supporting him. I pick up my coffee and hurry along the corridor. The meeting room is

crowded with people, but I edge in at the back, and squeeze between two guys who aren't

even watching Jack, but are discussing some football match.

'What are you doing here?' says Artemis, as I arrive at her side. 'What about the phones?'

'No taxation without representation,' I hear myself responding coolly, which perhaps isn't

exactly appropriate (I'm not even sure what it means), but has the desired effect of shutting

her up.

I crane my neck so I can see over everyone's heads, and my eyes focus on the screen — and

there he is. Sitting on a chair in a studio, in jeans and a white T-shirt. There's a bright blue

backdrop and the words 'Business Inspirations' behind him, and two smart-looking

interviewers sitting opposite him.

There he is. The man I love.

This is the first time I've seen him since we slept together, it suddenly occurs to me. But his

face is as warm as ever, and his eyes look all dark and glossy under the studio lights.

Oh God, I want to kiss him.

If no-one else was here I would go up to the television set and kiss it. I honestly would.

'What have they asked him so far?' I murmur to Artemis.

'They're talking to him about how he works. His inspirations, his partnership with Pete Laidler,

stuff like that.'

'Sssh!' says someone else.

'Of course it was tough after Pete died,' Jack's saying. 'It was tough for all of us. But recently

…' He pauses. 'Recently my life has turned around and I'm finding inspiration again. I'm

enjoying it again.'

A small tingle runs over me.

He has to be referring to me. He has to be. I've turned his life around! Oh my God. That's

even more romantic than 'I was gripped'.

'You've already expanded into the sports drinks market,' the male interviewer is saying. 'Now

I believe you're looking to expand into the women's market.'