Eliza’s jaw had dropped. ‘Seriously, Rob? How are you not scared of her? How did she not say fuck off and get your arse in here now?’
‘Nah, she loves me. Probably ’cause I give as good as I get. Come on, let’s get out of the rain and into the Vaj. Oops, sorry. Probably shouldn’t call it that in front of you.’
After The Rose had opened, Londoners had quickly given it a special nickname.
‘Dad hates that name.’
‘How is dear old Harry?’
‘Same as ever.’
They made their way through the atrium and up to the cafe, and Eliza didn’t miss the many pairs of eyes clocking the boss’s daughter – or sister now, to be technically correct – with a good-looking junior member of staff. Gossip was ever a thing at Rose.
They sat down at a table overlooking the gloom of London on a wet Monday. She sighed as she sipped her coffee and took in the view. Low cloud hung across the city, and the Thames looked like sludge.
‘Oh dear,’ said Rob. ‘Missing the sun? You’re looking good, anyway. Is that a tan? Must be a first for you, Snow White.’
‘Rude. It’s probably joined-up freckles. My skin doesn’t do gold. You look different, Rob. What’ve you done?’
‘Smartened myself up now I’ve got a proper job. Discovered hair product. You like?’ He ran his fingers through his pretty black curls, mussing them up.
She smiled. ‘You always were ugly.’
‘You too. Hideous.’
She felt the gloom lifting. Rob had always been great company. Full of fun. Full of . . . well, himself. But she didn’t mind that; he was such a charmer, and nice with it. And this new look was pretty easy on the eye.
She admonished herself. Wretched DNA. Far too much of her father’s.
‘How do you like working here?’ she asked.
‘Love it. These offices – it’s like Google, but without the teethgnashingly annoying part. And being on The Rack’s brilliant. Terri even lets me write the odd word.’
‘Didn’t you do maths at uni?’
‘Only because it was easy.’
‘Hey, I hear Chess is going out with Gil. How did that happen?’
‘Arranged marriage,’ he said, taking a bite of his blueberry muffin.
‘What?’
‘Ha. They knew each other vaguely – we met the Lisles a few times, if you remember? You know Charles, Harry and Dad are big mates. I’m convinced they’re plotting to create an empire. They’ll be marrying you off to me, if you’re not careful.’
He paused for a moment, looking out of the window.
‘Gil and Chess are great together, actually.’ He met her eye again. ‘She’s bloody clever, isn’t she? First from Cambridge, no less. Not sure Gil’s up to the job, to be honest, but Dad’s whipping him along, keeps asking when he’s going to propose.’
‘Seriously?’
‘He’s a military man; he has a strategic plan for everything in life, and that most certainly includes his sons. Like I say, watch out, Eliza Rose.’ He winked. ‘Right, we’d better get to work before Cruella notices we’re not there.’
‘You call her that?’
‘You’ve seen the hair.’
‘My mum gave her that nickname.’
‘Did she? Ana Rose.’ He got up to leave, putting a hand on her shoulder. ‘It was so sad that she died. Poor you.’
‘Yep. Well, like you say, we’d better go.’ She pushed her own chair back. ‘Hey, Rob?’
‘Mm?’
‘It’s great you’re here. This weather was bringing me down, but you just cheered me right back up.’
He smiled. ‘You were always my favourite girl, Lizzie.’
They made their way to the third floor, and Eliza carried on into Terri’s office.
‘Hi, Terri!’
The Rack’s editor raised her head. She didn’t look happy.
‘I’m back! What can I do?’
‘Ask Harry to arrange a hit on your bloody sister?’
Eliza’s smile faded, and she looked over her shoulder.
‘Sorry, pet. Bad-taste joke. I’m just . . . Maria has to stop this. She’s Acting CEO. We’ve moved on from body-shaming issues to abortion. Needless to say she’s anti, under any circumstances.’
‘Oh my god. Can I sit down?’
‘Do. Where’s my bloody coffee?’
‘Rob’s just coming, someone grabbed him.’
Terri sat back in her chair, scowling. ‘I wish I’d known you two were mates. My nepotism detector seriously malfunctioned. Sent Harry’s niece away only to get a bloody godson.’
Eliza laughed. ‘I can’t imagine you offering anyone a job unless you thought they were highly capable. In fact, I’d have thought a privileged background would have the opposite effect.’
Terri went still.
‘Sorry, Terri. You didn’t ask my opinion.’
‘No, it’s . . . fuck it, Eliza. Sometimes you’re so like your mum.’
‘Am I?’
‘Where’s that coffee?’
‘Please tell me, Terri? How am I like her?’
She sighed. ‘I was “encouraged” by Harry to employ Ana. It was a favour to Ana’s sister, who Harry was having an affair with at the time.’
‘Aunt Merry.’
‘Yes. Her. This was way before there was anything between him and your mum. We were recruiting for The Rack, and the art director and I spotted her talent immediately. Otherwise no way would we have agreed to it. As things turned out she was a brilliant designer, but I was forever niggling her about that foot in the door.’
‘I can imagine,’ said Eliza.
‘Harry fell for her and promoted her way too quickly. She thought it was because of her talent, but I was suspicious right from the start. I can see her now, standing in my office saying, “I would hope any career success is down to my talent and hard work.” I told her she was deluded. I guess we were both right, in the end.’
Terri looked away, and Eliza saw her remembering. Given this news about their working relationship, it was surprising they’d become so close.
‘Honestly,’ said Eliza, ‘I can’t believe Dad had relationships with both sisters, and while he was still married to Katie.’
‘He was quite the lothario. Ah, Rob. About bloody time.’
‘Sorry, boss,’ he said, bouncing over and placing her coffee and something in a paper bag in front of her. ‘Got waylaid by Ellie. She wasn’t happy with my review of Ed Sheeran.’
‘I liked it. What was her problem?’
‘Didn’t like my use of the word “lame”.’
Eliza snorted.
Terri picked up her coffee, back in editor mode. ‘Right, you two. Get the fuck to work, and I don’t care if you’ve known each other since the sixteenth century, I don’t want you sloping off to the cafe every five minutes to catch up on family gossip. Eliza, you can proofread everything I’m about to email you. Hot-desking as usual, find one as far from him as possible.’ She jabbed her pen in Rob’s direction.
ELIZA: Hiiii!
CHESS: Eliiiiiza!
ELIZA: free for lunch?
CHESS: no :( but drink after work?
ELIZA: even better! The George 6 p.m.?
CHESS: c u there xxx
Eliza’s proofreading was coming along slowly. She was still jet-lagged, and found her eyes drifting away from the screen to the view out of the window, or across the office to where Rob was sitting round a table with a group of editors and designers. He seemed to be doing most of the talking, even though he was probably the most junior member of the team.
He’d do well at Rose. And life here would be a lot more fun with him in it. Perhaps, later on, she could bring him onto her production team.
She should probably go and see Maria – and start actioning the spy-recruitment plan she’d discussed with Harry and Terri.
Before she could talk herself out of it, she took the pink glass lift to the top floor.
‘Hi, Pippa,’ she said to
Maria’s PA.
‘Eliza! How lovely to see you again!’
Pippa had been promoted to replace Harry’s assistant, Aleesha, who’d left in a huff just after Eliza’s return to Oxford last year. According to Terri, Aleesha had ‘missed Harry terribly’, stayed ‘for Eliza’s sake’, then walked out after a dressing-down from Maria on the subject of her too-transparent blouses.
‘How are you enjoying working up here?’ said Eliza.
‘It’s very . . . interesting, thanks.’
The moment’s hesitancy was exactly what Eliza had been hoping for.
‘I hope we gave you a good pay increase.’ She smiled conspiratorially, raising her eyebrows in the direction of Maria’s closed office door.
‘Haha, yes. Quite a good one.’
‘I expect you deserve every penny.’ Eliza winked. ‘I hope my sister isn’t too . . . demanding, Pippa. It’s important to my father and me that key staff are happy in their positions. If ever you feel uncomfortable with anything . . . ’
Eliza let her words hang in the air. Pippa would be aware Eliza was due to return to Rose full time next year, and the reminder that Harry was there in the background wouldn’t hurt.
She saw Pippa working it out.
‘There have been one or two things I’ve been a little worried about. Bearing in mind my loyalty is to Rose, rather than to any one particular person.’
‘I’d imagine things have been a little difficult, at times?’
‘More than a little, truth be told.’
‘Oh, that’s disappointing. I’d be happy to discuss your concerns, off the record of course. Are you free for lunch sometime this week? Off base, perhaps? No need to inform Maria.’
‘That would be great, Eliza.’
‘Cool. Why don’t you book us somewhere and email me.’
She looked over at Maria’s office door again. ‘Is it OK if I go through?’
‘I’m afraid she’s got someone with her—’
Just then the door opened and a dark-haired man in an expensive-looking suit emerged, Maria behind him.
‘What are you doing up here, Eliza?’ said Maria.
‘Eliza Rose?’ The man stopped and looked Eliza over. His accent was American, and he was attractive in that clean-living, all-American, square-jawed way.
‘That’s me,’ said Eliza, ‘Mister . . . ?’
‘Seville. Call me Phil.’ He held out his hand, and she shook it. His grip was firm and his nails beautifully manicured.
‘Eliza’s doing work experience,’ said Maria, coming to stand next to him. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and she seemed . . . fluttery.
‘I came to say hi, as it’s my first day back,’ said Eliza.
‘I’m busy. Now, if you’d move, so I can show Mr Seville out?’
‘It’s a real pleasure to meet you, ma’am,’ said Phil to Eliza. ‘I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of each other.’ He smiled, revealing perfectly straight, blue-white teeth. He probably had those ‘walk with me’ meetings and used Bluetooth things a lot.
‘Will we?’
‘Oh yes. Goodbye now.’ His rather intense blue eyes lingered on her before he turned to Maria. ‘A pleasure, Ms Rose.’
‘Do call me Maria, please.’
‘Maria. I look forward very much to seeing you again soon.’
Maria touched her hair and . . . simpered.
Phil left, and Eliza followed Maria into her office.
‘Who’s he?’
‘He has media interests in America.’ Maria sat down and started reading a document.
‘Oh? Wait.’ Eliza realized the name was familiar. ‘Phil Seville? Isn’t he the evangelist guy with all the God TV channels?’
‘God TV?’ Maria gave Eliza a withering look. ‘You mean Christian broadcasting and media. He’s head of Hapsburg Inc.’ Her demeanour changed. ‘A most interesting man.’ Her eyes were definitely sparkling. ‘We have similar views on many things.’
‘But isn’t he, like, a fundamentalist? Not your religious bag, I’d have thought.’
‘The most important principles and beliefs tend to transcend religious boundaries. Pro-life, family values – we see eye to eye on many things.’
Eliza felt uneasy. ‘OK. Well, I came to say hi, but I guess this is a good time to remind you about, you know, our conversation. About copying me in on things.’
‘You’re doing work experience, you’re not management.’ Maria looked down again, carried on reading.
‘I’m on the board, and I’m technically on study leave before coming back full time. You’ve got to keep me in the loop. Dad talked to me about it while we were away.’
‘Oh, I’m sure he did.’ She didn’t look up. ‘How was your holiday?’
‘It was lovely! Clare and Dad are having a great time. It’s not so bad for him, being retired, I think.’
Maria said nothing.
‘So, this Phil. Is he just a business contact?’
As Maria looked up, Eliza cocked her head to one side and smiled.
Maria blushed. ‘He’s an inspiring man, and I’m delighted to have made his acquaintance. He wanted advice regarding the media landscape in Britain, as he has an interest in increasing his involvement here.’
‘Mutual interests as well as a cool few billions in the bank – can’t be bad!’
‘I need to get on.’
‘I’m meeting Chess for a drink after work. Don’t suppose you’d like to come?’
‘I don’t drink, and it wouldn’t be appropriate. She’s very junior. Eliza, please go. I’m busy.’
The rain had stopped, so Eliza and Chess carried their drinks to an outside table. Eliza was looking forward to a serious catch-up with her cousin; they’d been close all their lives.
‘So . . . I’ve been hearing all about you and Gil.’ She grinned. ‘Rob thinks John’s looking to create a dynasty.’
‘Oh god, John’s a pain,’ said Chess. ‘He keeps asking Gil when he’s going to “make it official”. Embarrassing, much?’
Her pale-red hair, a straight version of her mother Megan’s, hung like a well-behaved curtain around her shoulders. Eliza had always been envious of it when they were girls, despairing of her own unruly curls.
‘I call him the Major,’ Chess continued. ‘He’s like one of those throwback British Empire dudes from India.’
Eliza laughed. ‘I saw him in Australia. He’s well pleased about you two.’
‘Hm. I should imagine that has little to do with my personality.’
‘Rob called it an arranged marriage.’
‘Well, if we do tie the knot, he can forget about little heirs to his empire for many, many years to come. I’m loving Rose – the company, if not the job. I suppose you’ll be my boss after uni? Hope that won’t make things awkward.’
‘I think all sorts of shit might be about to hit the fan. Probably shouldn’t talk about it, but you’re going to be a shareholder, right? On the board?’
‘Already am. Mum’s signed her shares over to Helena and me. She never could be bothered taking an interest.’
‘Why did you choose admin?’ said Eliza. Chess’s degree was in modern languages, but she was good at just about everything.
‘I didn’t. Maria put me forward for it. She said as a graduate trainee I should get inter-departmental experience, and this was a starting point.’
‘I see.’
‘Bloody Rob, getting a job on The Rack. I interviewed for that, thought I did quite well. Obviously Terri Robbins-More wasn’t impressed. Or maybe she was just beguiled by Rob’s twinkly eyes.’
‘No – she hates people getting jobs because of who they know,’ said Eliza. ‘If she hadn’t been aware you were my cousin, you’d have walked it. Ha, she didn’t realize I know Rob, she’s really pissed off about it.’
‘Not surprised. You and Rob together always meant trouble.’
Chapter 10
Eliza
‘What’s up, Busy Lizzie?’ said Rob, perching on El
iza’s desk. She was thumping her keyboard unnecessarily hard as she fired off emails chasing overdue copy.
Eliza didn’t look up. ‘I had an argument on FaceTime with Dad this morning.’
‘What about?’
‘Brexit, again. He still thinks it’s totally the right thing for Britain! Dad and Boris are chums – they were at Eton and Oxford together. What a pair.’ She stabbed at the delete key, erasing the word ‘please’.
‘You’re a remainer, then?’
Finally, Eliza looked up.
And all at once, her mood improved.
Rob was wearing jeans and a white linen shirt, and there was designer stubble. He looked – there was no other word for it – hot.
‘Well?’
Eliza realized she was staring. ‘Sorry. I’m still coming to terms with Fashion-Forward Rob. Yes, of course I’m a remainer. It’s all so frustrating!’
‘Chill, Lizzie. I actually came to see if you fancied A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Globe tonight – me, you, Chess and Gil. Amy’s got to work, so I’ve got a spare ticket.’
‘Amy? Who’s Amy?’
‘The missus. Did I not mention her?’
‘You’ve got a missus? How did I not know that?’
‘You did not ask that.’
‘Who is she?’
‘Rob, you stupid arse!’ a voice hollered from across the office. ‘I said where’s my coffee, not copy!’
‘Sorry, Terri – on my way! Bloody hell,’ he muttered. ‘What’s up with the boss? Her cage is rattling fit to burst.’
‘Maria’s really ramping things up. That’s why Dad FaceTimed me. He thinks we’ll have to call a board meeting to bring her under control. Wait, why am I telling you this? Go and get Terri’s coffee – and forget you heard that.’
‘Right. Globe tonight. Yes?’
‘You’re on.’
Before heading to the theatre, the four of them went for a drink at The George. They sat fanning themselves with beer mats on this hot, sultry, midsummer-ish night. England was in the grip of a record-breaking heatwave; today the temperature had topped thirty-seven degrees.
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