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are kind of my specialism. I learned a lot from Nick,” he adds. “He can tell people that their
company is a pile of shit, and they lap out of his hand. Or even that their country is a pile of
shit.”
“Wow.” I’m a bit awestruck.
“Come and sit in on the meeting. If you’re not busy. There’ll be a couple of other
people.”
“Really?”
He shrugs. “It’s how you learn.”
I had no idea you could be a specialist at awkward conversations. I’m trying to picture
myself telling someone that their personal hygiene is an issue. I can’t imagine finding the words
to do that in a million years.
Oh, come on. I have to see this.
“OK!” I find myself smiling. “I will. Thanks.”
He hasn’t picked up the phone, I suddenly notice. It’s still lying on the table.
“So … shall I bring this along to your office?” I say casually.
“Sure.” He’s shrugging on his jacket. “Thanks.”
Excellent. I get to check my texts again. Result!
72 soup, duck, etc. Which I know looks all cool and streamlined, but what sort of soup?
What sort of duck?
73 Isn’t that illegal? What if I wanted to pay in dollars? Would they have to let me?
74 OK, this is ridiculous. You write a menu which no one understands and then you pay
someone to explain it.
75 Why are all her suppliers in such odd places? Whenever I ask her, she talks vaguely
about sourcing. Ruby reckons it’s so she can charge more for driving hours.
76 Magnus was a gasper. Then he gripped me tight between both hands and said he’d
known I was vulnerable and that just added to my beauty.
10
It must be so amazing to work in a place like this. Everything about Sam’s building is a
novelty to me—from the massive escalator to the whizzy lifts to the laminated card with my
photo on it, which got made by a machine in about three seconds. When visitors come to First Fit
Physio, we just sign them in with a book from Staples.
We go up to the sixteenth floor and along a corridor with a bright green carpet,
black-and-white photos of London on the wall, and funky seating in random shapes. On the right
are individual glass-fronted offices, and on the left is a big open-plan area with multicolored
desks. Everything here is so cool. There’s a water machine, like we have, but there’s also a
coffee station with a real Nespresso machine and a Smeg fridge and a massive bowl of fruit.
I am so talking to Ruby about staff conditions at First Fit Physio.
“Sam!” A man in a navy linen jacket greets Sam, and as they talk, I peer all around at the
open-plan office area, wondering if I might spot Willow. That girl with wavy blond hair, talking
into a headset, sitting with her feet up on a chair. Could that be her?
“OK.” Sam seems to be wrapping up the conversation. “That’s interesting, Nihal. I’ll
have a think.”
Nihal. My ears prick up. I know that name from somewhere. I’m sure I do. What was it,
now? Nihal … Nihal …
“Thanks, Sam,” Nihal is saying. “I’ll just forward that document to you right now.… ”
As he’s tapping at his phone, I suddenly remember.
“Congratulate him on his baby!” I whisper to Sam. “Nihal’s wife just had a baby last
week. Yasmin. Seven pounds. She’s gorgeous! Didn’t you see the email?”
“Oh.” Sam looks taken aback but recovers smoothly. “Hey, Nihal, congrats on the baby,
by the way. Fantastic news.”
“Yasmin’s a lovely name.” I beam at Nihal. “And seven pounds! What a good size! How
is she doing?”
“How’s Anita?” joins in Sam.
“They’re both very well, thanks! I’m sorry … I’m not sure we’ve met?” Nihal glances at
Sam for help.
“This is Poppy,” says Sam. “She’s here to do some … consultation.”
“Right.” Nihal shakes my hand, still looking puzzled. “So, how did you know about the
baby?”
“Because Sam mentioned it to me,” I lie smoothly. “He was so thrilled for you, he
couldn’t help telling me. Isn’t that right, Sam?”
Ha! Sam’s face!
“That’s right,” he says finally. “Delighted.”
“Wow.” Nihal’s face suffuses with pleasure. “Thanks, Sam. I didn’t realize you’d be
so—” He breaks off awkwardly.
“No problem.” Sam lifts a hand. “Congratulations again. Poppy, we should really be
getting on.”
As Sam and I walk away down the office, I want to giggle at his expression.
“Can you cut it out, please?” Sam murmurs without moving his head. “First animals, now
babies. What kind of reputation are you going to give me?”
“A good one!” I retort. “Everyone will love you!”
“Hey, Sam.” A voice hails us from behind, and we turn to see Matt Mitchell, glowing
with delight. “I just heard the news! Sir Nicholas is joining the Guatemala trip! That’s
awesome!”
“Yes.” Sam nods brusquely. “We spoke about it last night.”
“Well, I wanted to thank you,” he says earnestly. “I know this was your influence. You
two guys will add so much heft to the cause. Oh, and thanks for the donation. We really
appreciate it.”
I stare in astonishment. Sam gave a donation to the Guatemala trip? He gave a donation?
Now Matt is beaming at me. “Hello again. Are you interested in the Guatemala trip?”
Oh my God, I would love to go to Guatemala.
“’Well—” I begin enthusiastically, before Sam cuts me off firmly:
“No. She’s not.”
Honestly. What a spoilsport.
“Maybe next time,” I say politely. “I hope it goes well!”
As Matt Mitchell heads back down the corridor and we walk on, I’m mulling hard on
what I just heard.
“You never told me Sir Nicholas was going to Guatemala,” I say at last.
“No?” Sam doesn’t sound remotely interested. “Well, he is.”
“And you gave them a donation,” I add. “So you do think it’s a good cause. You think
it’s worth supporting.”
“I gave them a small donation.” He corrects me with me a forbidding look, but I’m
undeterred.
“So actually … that situation turned out really well. Not a disaster at all.” I count off
thoughtfully on my fingers. “And the girls in admin think you’re wonderful and the whole ideas
initiative is brilliant. And you’ve got some interesting new thoughts for the company. And Nihal
thinks you’re the bee’s knees, and so does Chloe and all her department, and Rachel loves you
for doing the Fun Run.”
“Where exactly are you going with this?” Sam’s expression is so ominous, I quail
slightly.
“Er … nowhere!” I backtrack. “Just saying.”
Maybe I’ll keep quiet now, for a while.
After the lobby I was expecting to be impressed by Sam’s office—but I’m more than
impressed. I’m awestruck.
It’s a huge corner space, with windows overlooking Blackfriars Bridge, a designer light
sculpture hanging from the ceiling, and a massive desk. There’s another, smaller desk outside,
which I guess is where Violet used to sit. By the window is a sofa, which is where Sam ushers
me.
“The meeting’s not for twenty minutes. I’ve got to catch up with some stuff. Make
yourself comfortable.”
I sit on the sofa quietly for a few minutes, but it’s quite boring just sitting on a sofa. At
last I get up and wander to the window, gazing down at all the little cars whizzing over the