by Clare Lydon
“Anyway. Our spread, Chocolate Delight. We’re producing it at a new factory with brand-new machinery. A lot of money has gone into this launch, so it has to go right.”
Eden nodded. “Understood.”
India tapped her delicate, long fingers on the stem of her champagne flute. “But we have a problem. Every time one of the jars is filled, a device with a metal circle pushes the spread down to make the top smooth, and then the lid is put in place. Makes sense so far?”
Eden nodded again.
“This was working like clockwork until recently, when someone stopped the line after they realised some of the metal discs were missing. Six of them, to be precise. They’re changed every few hours because otherwise, they get too clogged with spread. They’re cleaned and then they go back to work on the production line. But somehow, six of them have disappeared. A bit of investigation and peering at CCTV would suggest they’ve fallen into six jars. But we don’t know which or where those jars are.
“When we’re just about to launch a massive marketing campaign nationwide, we don’t need some kid opening a jar of chocolate spread and cutting themselves on a metal disc. That would be the ultimate PR nightmare.”
Eden clenched her fists into balls, thinking hard. “Are the discs sharp? Have they got edges that cut?”
“Not razor-sharp, but they are metal.”
She nodded. “I can think of a clear solution.”
India raised her eyebrows. “Which is?”
“You’ve got to make it a treasure hunt. Tell the public there are six discs inside the jars, and if they find one, they win a prize. Say, £5,000 to five of those who find them, and one lucky winner wins ten grand. That way, even if a child does cut their finger, the parents won’t sue if you’re giving them money. And they can afford plasters, too.” Eden didn’t take her eyes from India, taking a sip of her champagne. She was the queen of multitasking. “Happy customers, great publicity, no lawsuit. What do you think?”
India sat back, her gaze never leaving Eden. “I think I could lean across the table and kiss you.”
Blood rushed to Eden’s cheeks. “Just doing my job. Are you happy with that? If you are, I can get our departments working on some press releases and we can splash it everywhere so that everyone knows.”
“Yes, that sounds perfect.”
“What’s the timeframe?”
“ASAP. The discs are out there. Could you get something rushed out tomorrow?”
Eden blew out a long breath. “If you throw enough money at it, yes. We can pull some strings with contacts, but this will cost, obviously.”
India nodded. “Obviously. But it’s something you can jump on quickly?”
Eden’s nod was without hesitation. “Of course.”
“Great.” India exhaled. “You’re very calm about this.”
“I have experience of crisis management. It’s all part of good PR. Nothing’s really a crisis. More an opportunity. It’s how you frame it.”
India held Eden’s gaze, then shook her head. “You’re a little too good to be true, you know that?”
Eden squirmed under her gaze, clenching her buttocks. The blush on her cheeks reflected in the shiny cutlery. She was glad when the food arrived. The starter of quail looked incredible.
“I think only my grandmother ever thought that.” Definitely not Eden’s mother. Definitely not Heidi.
Eden’s stomach churned anew. Heidi. At least work had taken her mind off her for a while.
“You know, I did have an ulterior motive for inviting just you here today, and not Johan too. Although I’m very glad he’s on board because he seemed very capable.”
Something twisted in Eden’s gut. She wasn’t sure where this was heading.
“Your calm and your confidence are also very appealing.” A heated stare. “I wonder, would you like to go out for dinner with me?” India smiled, and for the first time, her smile wasn’t quite so certain.
Eden frowned. “We’re already out.” She cast her gaze around the room, before bringing it back to India. “Or did I get that wrong?”
India’s face gave nothing away. “We are, but I don’t mean a work dinner. I’m talking about you and me going out on a date-type dinner. Although it wouldn’t be for a little while, as I’m going away on business.” She paused. “Or did I get it wrong in assuming you were interested in women?”
Eden shook her head. She was flattered, of course. But Eden was just Eden. Whereas India was, well, India. “No, I very much am interested in women.”
Eden tried to control her face, even though her insides had just begun to churn. India was asking her out on a date? Fucking hell, what kind of a week was this turning into? First, she went out on her first date in years and fucked it up royally. Then, she went out for a work dinner and the gorgeous client hit on her.
India’s suggestion left her in an awkward position. This woman was going to bring in a lot of business to the firm. Could she turn her down? Did the job depend on it? She’d never been put in this position before, and she had no idea what to do. Wasn’t it a cardinal rule never to mix business with pleasure? All Eden knew was, India was gorgeous, rich, available, child-free. Ordinarily, she’d jump on this opportunity.
Yet all she was thinking about was Heidi.
But could she say no? She got on with India. She was attractive, there was no denying that. Would it be the worst thing in the world? After all, she wasn’t exactly going out with Heidi, was she? In fact, as evidenced by Heidi’s silence, things between them were over in the real world, even if they weren’t quite over in Eden’s head.
Maybe a date with India would shake her out of her Heidi funk. Plus, if she wanted to keep her sweet for work, it was probably wise to have at least one dinner. She didn’t have to sleep with her. What could dinner hurt?
“Unless you’re seeing someone?” That was India speaking again.
Heidi flashed into Eden’s mind. But she wasn’t seeing her, was she? They’d shared one dynamite kiss, and then, nothing. Eden’s heart slumped at the thought there might be nothing more, full stop.
“No, I’m not. I’d love to have dinner with you.” Eden frowned. This didn’t feel right, but then, nothing had since she’d met Heidi. “So long as this would be completely separate from business?” She knew that was impossible, but she wanted to ask it all the same.
“Of course. I promise not to judge your performance at dinner against your performance at work.”
Eden swallowed. Somehow, it felt like the performance clock had already started ticking.
Chapter 14
Heidi had just finished her second wedding of the week and she was ready to drop. Instead, she had to pick up Maya from Kate and Meg’s. Heidi loved them both, they were her sort of people: funny, and also honest about parenting and how hard it could be. Their son Finn was three and gorgeous, but a handful, too.
When Heidi had told them about her weekend childcare dilemmas, they’d volunteered to help when they could. Finn and Maya got on, so Heidi had taken them up on their offer, insisting on paying them in cash or wine. They were her fallback if family or childcare failed, and Heidi didn’t know what she’d do without them.
Tonight, as she pulled up to their flat just off Hoxton Square, she stilled. There was a woman laughing with her friend on the pavement who looked just like Eden. The sway of her blond hair made Heidi catch her breath. She’d been focused all day, but now her heart lurched. It wasn’t the first time this had happened since their ill-fated date.
A week had passed and she’d heard nothing. Eden had sent an apologetic text the night of the failed date and promised to follow up, but since then, tumbleweed. Heidi had thought that once Eden got over the shock, she might have contacted her. She’d been wrong. She was wondering whether she should take the reins, but it wasn’t that easy. Her ego was fragile and she didn’t want to get knocked back again. Once had been enough.
She got out of the car and rapped her knuckles on Kate and Meg’s
door; it was shiny and red with the number 73 in chrome. Kate and Meg lived in a first-floor flat in Shoreditch, making them the coolest lesbians Heidi knew. It also meant they were only a 15-minute drive from her on a good day, another plus of her recent move.
She heard someone coming down the stairs, then the barked instruction: “Finn! Stay there!” A pause. “Meg! Can you get him!” She smiled as she waited. The door opened and Kate gave her a grin, followed by a hug. “Come in. Mind the bike.” Kate said the same thing every time Heidi turned up at their house. She knew the drill.
“Can Finn undo the stair gate, now?” Heidi followed Kate up the stairs.
“I wouldn’t put anything past our son. Little cunning genius, that’s what he is.” Kate picked him up when she was through the gate, kissing his cheek. “What are you?”
“A sodding genius!” Finn replied.
From out of sight, Heidi heard Meg laugh. “He learned that from Kate, not me!” she shouted.
“Lies, all lies,” Kate replied as she walked into the lounge.
When Maya saw Heidi, she toddled over, clapping her hands. “Mummy!” It was a far cry from the pout she’d left her with this morning.
Heidi bent down to give her a kiss. No matter how tired she was, seeing Maya always lifted her mood. “How’s my best girl? Have you been good for Aunty Kate and Aunty Meg?”
“She’s been a little gem, haven’t you?” Meg shifted on the sofa as Heidi sat down. “She’s been playing with Finn and we watched Mary Poppins, didn’t we? Apart from the bit where she fell asleep.”
“Mare-wee!” Maya spun round in circles in front of Heidi, her excitement topped up.
“Was it Dick Van Dyke’s terrible accent she gave up on?”
“Snored all the way through it.” Meg grinned. “Let me get you a drink and you can tell me all about your day.”
“Yes to the drink, but the day was pretty regular. Bride, groom, guests, cake, dinner, dancing. Just once, I’d love a different wedding. I get them occasionally, but I’d like more. People don’t seem to realise photographers need variety, too.”
“Sounds like working in magazines. Same shit, different day,” Kate said, sitting on the brown leather couch opposite.
“How is the world of Female Health & Fitness?” Heidi asked.
“Hanging by a thread, like most magazines.” Kate shrugged. “But we’re still afloat, just. One of the only magazines that is. I’m looking into alternatives before I get pushed. Maybe I should become a wedding photographer?”
“No thanks, I’d never see you.” Meg squeezed Kate’s knee as she walked past her. “Plus, we can’t have two people working for themselves. That would be mayhem. And a recipe for disaster.” Meg paused. “Have you eaten? We’ve still got some spaghetti Bolognese if you want some. Kate’s speciality.”
Heidi shook her head. “I ate the wedding meal. Just a cup of tea would be great before I get Maya home and to bed.”
Meg disappeared to get Heidi’s drink.
Out of the corner of her eye, Heidi saw Finn smack Maya on the head with a plastic brick. She waited for the wailing, but it never came. Instead, Maya simply picked up the brick and hit herself with it again. Heidi shook her head and turned her attention back to Kate.
“How did your date go the other week, by the way? You were pretty upbeat about that woman beforehand.”
Heidi stuck out her bottom lip. “Not good. We didn’t even order food. Once I revealed I had a child, she couldn’t shut the date down fast enough. Granted, I should have told her when I met her, but still.” Maya was now smacking Finn in the face with a brick. It was a game they both seemed to be loving. “It wasn’t for her, so best to find that out now.”
Kate frowned. “Sorry to hear that.”
Meg walked in and put Heidi’s tea on the bookcase, out of the reach of tiny hands. These were things Heidi hadn’t understood before she had children, but now she got it fully.
“What were you talking about?”
Heidi filled her in.
Meg shook her head. “I don’t get it when people do that. Kids are part of life, aren’t they? You can’t avoid them, even if you don’t want them.”
“Some people just don’t. Some of our best friends don’t want kids.” Kate sat back. “And having had them, I completely understand it.” She smirked at Meg.
“I don’t know if it’s the not wanting kids, me being a single mum or me lying to her that was the issue. They all seemed to blend into one by the end of the shortest date of my life. She did send a text after saying she was sorry things hadn’t worked out, as she really liked me.” Heidi sighed. “I really liked her, too. There was a spark and it was pretty powerful. I’m just a bit loath to leave it, but then again, I don’t want more rejection.”
Maya walked over and Heidi pulled her onto her lap. She snuggled into her, and Heidi breathed in her smell. She didn’t think she’d ever tire of it.
“Maybe some things just aren’t meant to work out,” Meg said.
“Or maybe some things need a little nudge to get them going.” Kate raised an eyebrow as she spoke.
Heidi blew out a breath. “The many computations are making me dizzy. Can you pass my tea? I have a dead weight on me, now.” Heidi kissed Maya’s curls as she accepted the glass from Meg. Maya’s breathing was slowing as she leaned into Heidi. She was tired.
“But if you did want to pursue it, send one last message to see if she fancies meeting again now all your cards are on the table. We’d be happy to watch Maya. We could even have her overnight so you could let the evening play out any way you like.” Meg sat forward as she spoke, excitement creasing her face.
“Are you trying to live vicariously through me?” Heidi grinned as she asked.
“Totally.” Meg flopped backwards, arms in the air. “Our lives are so set now, it’s criminal. My younger self would have shot me. Florist, childcare, bath time, wine.” She sat up. “But it’s what we ordered, so we can’t send it back.” She glanced up at Kate, giving her a wink. “And I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
Meg glanced around the room, noticing what was missing around the same time as Heidi and Kate.
“Where’s Finn? Oh god, it’s too quiet for him to be up to any good.” Kate took off down the hallway, and Heidi heard her groan. Seconds later, she walked in carrying Finn, whose face was now covered in something brown, which was also smeared across his hands and top. His face-splitting grin was also laced with triumph. “Before I clean him up, I just thought I’d show you the damage that can be achieved when the chocolate spread is left open on the table, especially when he can now climb onto the chairs.”
Meg let out a howl of laughter. “What was I just saying about our lives? I guess it’s bath time. You want to do the honours, darling?”
Kate nodded, walking out of the room.
Heidi glanced back at Meg, whose gaze was assessing her. “What do you think about our plan, anyhow? Invite this woman… what’s her name?”
“Eden.”
“Very biblical. Invite her out for dinner, drinks, whatever, and we’ll have Maya. Your child’s not part of the getting-to-know-each-other deal anyhow, so try Eden on and see how you fit. You shouldn’t be worrying about kids till you’re past that stage.”
It wasn’t anything Heidi hadn’t considered, and yet, she hadn’t been brave enough to do it.
“If you don’t do it now, the window will close and you’ll never know. And then, you’ll always be wondering ‘what if’?” Meg pulled her knees up to her chest as she spoke. “When Kate and I got together, there was a point where things could have gone off track.”
Heidi sat up. This was news. She’d always just assumed Kate and Meg met, knew instantly they were meant for each other, and had sailed off into the sunset of marriage and kids. Apparently not. “What happened?”
Meg pulled her lips into a thin line. “Kate’s mum started seeing someone. That someone was my dad, but Kate had no idea of the link. At the time, I hadn
’t seen my dad for years. Our relationship was rocky.
“Kate had met him and liked him, and mentioned her mum was seeing someone. Kate’s sister had a birthday, we all turned up for the party, my dad was there with Kate’s mum, and the shit hit the fan. I didn’t want anything to do with him. When I realised the truth, I bolted. I didn’t want to be pushed into a situation I wasn’t ready for.”
Heidi’s mouth dropped open. “That is some leftfield shit. I never knew.” She couldn’t imagine what that would feel like. Meg loved Kate, but not the whole package she came with.
“Why would you?” Meg shrugged. “At that point, I could have left. I mean, I did leave, I ran off. However, Kate wouldn’t let it lie. She pursued me, because she thought we had something special. I’m glad she did, but at the time, it took a while to get my head around.” Meg gave her a wry smile.
Did Kate and Meg’s situation have shades of her own? It did. The chemistry between her and Eden had been incredible, but Eden had to accept the whole package, or nothing at all.
“What did Kate do, by the way?”
Meg took a few moments to respond. “She sent me flowers. Which was a pretty bold move considering I’m a florist.”
Heidi nearly choked laughing, but then swallowed it down. She didn’t want to wake Maya. She moved her delicately onto the cushion beside her, then turned her attention back to Meg. “She sent you flowers? Did she order them from you, too?”
Meg laughed. “She didn’t, but I still remember the face of the Interflora delivery bloke when he dropped them off to my shop. Priceless. I once complained nobody ever bought me flowers because I’m a florist, but nobody had ever taken me seriously.”
“I love that. Was that when you knew?”
Meg’s smile was now the width of her face as she nodded. “Yep. I couldn’t let her go, could I?”
“And how did it work out with your dad?” Heidi had to know. It was one thing acting on a situation, but she needed to know the outcome, too.
Meg tensed a little before she answered; that didn’t go unnoticed. “Things are as good as they can be. He can’t make up for some stuff, but he’s certainly changed. Plus, he makes Kate’s mum happy, so who am I to stand in his way? My brother gets on better with him, always has. But there’s always a bit of me that feels like I’m being disloyal to my mum if I give him too much attention.”