by Jen Silver
“All right. But don’t blame me when you find out you’ve missed the marketing opportunity of the century.”
“What do you mean?”
“If you’re afraid to approach them, I’ll do it myself.”
“Now wait a minute. I worked my butt off to get this account. I don’t want you destroying all my hard work. Dani!”
She had picked up the phone and dialled the number. “May I speak to Camila Callaghan, please? Yes, I’ll hold.”
Gordon sat back in his chair and linked his hands behind his head. “This is a windup. I’m not going to buy it.”
“Gordon McKenzie wants to speak to her. Yes, she knows him. MD of MBE—we did your recent TV ad. Yes, it is good, isn’t it?” She winked at Gordon. “Oh, hello, Miss Callaghan. It’s Dani Barker here, of MBE. Yes. I just wanted to let you know we’ve done some T-shirt designs, you know, to tie in with the ad, and Gordon would like to arrange a time to come and talk to you about them.” Pause. “Yes, he’s here.” She passed the phone over. “She wants to speak to you.”
“Dani, I’m going to kill you,” he hissed, taking the phone from her. A look of total amazement crossed his face as he listened to the voice on the other end and realised it wasn’t Declan in the next room. “Yes. I see. Tomorrow at ten. No problem. We will be there. Thank you, goodbye.” He stared at the phone before glancing across at Dani, who was grinning broadly at him. “That’s amazing. The bitch has hardly even acknowledged my presence before and suddenly she wants to order ten thousand T-shirts.”
“See, I knew it was a good idea.”
“What are we going to show her tomorrow?”
“Oh, don’t worry. I’ll knock something into shape.”
†
After he’d gone, she slipped the pages of designs she had created the night before out from under the furniture company’s storyboard. Giving them a critical once-over, she selected four that just needed a little tweaking. Only two were likely to be chosen, and she could have presented just the ones she knew they would pick, but it was always good to give clients more than they expected.
The finishing touches didn’t take long. She pasted the pages onto presentation boards and propped them up in a line on her windowsill. All this to impress a woman who possibly wasn’t even interested in her. There had been a hint of warmth in her tone when she said she liked the flowers and invited Dani to lunch. But in the restaurant, Camila reverted to the cool tone of a meeting with a business colleague.
A knock on the door brought her out of her reverie. “Come in.” Not many staff members would still be in the office, so she expected to see either Gordon or Penny when the door opened.
“Hiya, boss. I was in the neighbourhood, so thought I’d pop in.” Jan’s grin gave away what she was going to say next. “Did they work?”
Dani smiled at the young courier’s enthusiasm. “Not sure yet. We did go out for lunch yesterday, but….”
“What! She didn’t instantly fall at your feet? Mind you, she is one classy chick.”
“You met her?”
“Yeah. I told the receptionist my instructions were to deliver the flowers in person.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Hey, I improvised. You’ve never sent flowers to a love interest before. I had to see who the lucky lady was. Anyway, while I was waiting for her to appear, the receptionist asked who they were from. I could tell she was dead curious. But she didn’t get any joy from me. And your Ms Callaghan, well, you’d think she got sent a dozen red roses every day. Just took them, thanked me, and walked back to wherever her ivory-tower office is located. Although how she can walk anywhere in those heels is beyond me.”
Dani sighed. Maybe sending flowers had been a mistake. “I’ll be seeing her again tomorrow. What do you think of these?” She indicated the boards leaning against the window.
Jan put her helmet on Dani’s desk and moved closer to look at the images. “What are they meant to be?”
“For T-shirts. A tie-in with the new Redmond ad.”
Jan gave the boards a closer look.
“I mean, would you wear any of them?” Dani watched her face closely. At twenty-one, Jan was closer in age to the target audience, so her opinion could count as market research.
“Yeah. That one, and possibly that one. But what does drinking coffee while sitting on a beach watching the sunset have to do with Redmond? I thought they were mostly into electronic gadgets.”
“An old marketing ploy. Selling the sizzle, not the steak.”
“Hm. Sneaky.”
“It’s the subliminal message that gets through to people. The subjective versus the objective.”
“Too deep for me, boss. I know what I like, that’s all. So you want to go for a drink?”
Dani smiled. Jan had nailed it perfectly. “Yes. I’ll just put these in a case ready for the morning.”
“Woo her with flowers and art. It’s a done deal.”
“We’ll see.” Dani set the portfolio case next to her desk. “Come on. I’ll buy the first round and you can tell me about your love life.”
“That will hardly get us through the first pint.”
As they crossed the road to the Rising Sun, Dani wondered if her designs would make any impact on Camila, either consciously or subconsciously.
Chapter Six
Dani let Declan carry her art portfolio to the Friday morning meeting. Gary had pretended to be upset about being left to “hold the fort”, but Dani had no doubt he was straight into the next level of Prince of Persia by the time they got into their taxi.
Declan clutched the case and looked out the window, evidently not sure how to behave with both bosses in such close proximity. Dani had told him that if the deal came off, she would want him to liaise with James—that was why she wanted him at the meeting.
Gordon was, of course, immaculately turned out, whereas Declan and Dani looked like they had tumbled out of the same cardboard box that morning. Declan had flattened his normally spiky hair, but that only served to make him look like a fourteen-year-old on his way to a remand centre. However, his T-shirt and jeans were acceptable compared to Dani’s outfit. She looked like she was dressed for a convention of SM dykes on bikes with a leather vest over a white T-shirt, and leather trousers complete with metal-studded belt. Gordon hadn’t commented. He was aware that clients expected creatives to look weird; he was just thankful neither of them had any visible bruises this time.
James was waiting for them in reception. He could hardly contain his excitement; he and Declan were soon chattering to each other like long-lost twins. The scene in the boardroom for Dani was reminiscent of the meeting six weeks earlier. Robert was there to greet them, but there was no sign of Camila. She sat down at the table while the boys gathered around the coffee urn. Declan brought her a cup; she didn’t want it but thanked him anyway—he was trying, after all.
Camila made her entrance on the hour and everyone quickly took their places at the table. She and Dani exchanged the briefest of glances during the shuffle of chairs and rattle of cups on saucers. Dani looked away first; they would have to stop meeting like this. She couldn’t handle the feelings the sight of Camila stirred up. She was looking exceptionally beautiful this morning. Was it the natural effect of good genes, or was there an oil painting in her attic?
They passed around the mock-ups of the designs she had produced on Wednesday evening. After much discussion they picked the two Jan liked best. Costs were discussed, along with the marketing and the pricing of the shirts. Once these had been agreed, Camila left. Dani signalled to Declan so he followed her out with the portfolio.
“We’re leaving. Gordon wants to talk to Robert about some other things. I’m just going to the loo; meet me in Reception. Ask them to order a taxi.”
“Right, boss.” He set off towards the lift.
Dani took a deep breath and turned the other way. She pushed through the double doors at the end of the corridor and was in luck. Camila’s office
was the first one she came to, and the door was open. Camila was at her desk, writing.
Camila looked up, startled. “Dani…what…?”
“Nice office.” Dani had quickly taken in the quality of the carpet, designer furniture—complete with state-of-the-art PC—and tasteful vertical blinds. She walked over to these and expertly twiddled the stick to close them. This movement brought her close to Camila, who was now standing as well. “How about dinner tonight?”
“Dani! This is outrageous. You can’t just walk in here—”
“Well, I have. Saved a phone call. A simple yes-or-no answer will do.” It wasn’t what she had planned while sitting through the meeting but now, with Camila’s face so close to hers, she had to do it. She leaned forward and kissed Camila on the mouth. She had expected Camila to pull back, protesting. But, after only a fleeting hesitation, she responded.
They broke apart. It had only been a few seconds, but to Dani it felt like a lifetime. “Yes or no?” she whispered.
“Yes. I…where?”
This was new; Camila wasn’t taking charge. “Faze,” she said firmly. “On Compton Street. Eight o’clock.”
†
Declan was waiting patiently in Reception. Dani walked straight past him and he had to hustle to make it into the taxi with her.
“Tell him to stop at Oxford Circus,” she muttered.
Declan did as he was told. “Are you okay?” he ventured as the taxi crawled slowly up Regent Street. “You look a bit green. I just wondered if you had been sick.”
Dani looked at him and smiled. “Don’t tell anyone in the office, will you? I don’t want anyone to know—you know.” She patted her belly, which was as flat as a pancake.
“You mean, you’re pregnant?” he squeaked.
The taxi came to a stop at traffic lights on Oxford Street. Dani jumped out. “Just popping along to Mothercare. See you later.” She slammed the door shut and joined the crowd crossing the road.
She found the shop she was looking for, off Wigmore Street.
Charles greeted her effusively, as he did all his regular customers. “Darling, it’s been so long. Anything special this time?” He had fitted her for a white tux for a fundraising ball the previous year.
“Sorry to disappoint you, Chuck. Just a casual outfit for this evening.”
“So, we will have to see what we have got in stock for you.” He looked her up and down critically. “You’ve lost some weight, I’d say.”
“A bit.”
“What is it tonight? A new woman?”
Dani winced. “Yes, but….”
“Yes?” he probed, gently.
“I haven’t felt this nervous about a date since I was a kid.”
He sighed, and moved around behind her to measure across her shoulders. “You dykes, when will you learn? A fuck is a fuck is a fuck. Now come on. I’ll get you a drink and we will talk about what you need.”
She followed him into his office. He pulled out a bottle of whisky and poured her a shot. “Just to steady your nerves. Now tell me, what is she like, this woman who has rattled your libido?”
Dani swallowed the whisky in one gulp and shuddered as it burned its way through her torso. She grinned at Charles. “Thanks, I guess I needed that.”
“So come on, Dani…give.”
“She’s just special, that’s all.”
“That’s not all! How am I to know how to dress you if you don’t tell me more?”
“She’s not like me.”
“Ah. But she is a lesbian?”
Dani sat back in the leather chair and closed her eyes; she could taste Camila’s lips, responding to hers, warm, inviting. “Yes.”
“She’s really got you hooked, hasn’t she? Let me guess. She’s not like you. Not into leather, although she would probably look good in it. Stop me if I’m wrong. So she’s probably very feminine, a stylish dresser, in business perhaps, a high-flyer. Passes as straight. Am I close?”
Dani nodded. “Spot on. I’d say you had been following me around.”
“No. Just describing the opposite of you. Where are you taking her?”
“Faze.”
“Good choice. Now, let’s see what I’ve got that will fit you.” Charles whisked the measuring tape off from around his neck and indicated where she should stand.
Dani put her glass on his desk and stood. She held her arms out and let him take the measurements he needed…chest, hips, arms, legs. She felt a pang of nostalgia.
“I still miss her, you know.”
“Of course. She was a one-off. Times are changing, though. Mistress Bea wouldn’t like all the rules and regs we have now.”
“I think she would have just ignored them and carried on.”
“That she would.” Charles replaced the tape around his neck and looked her up and down again. “You’re in luck. I have something in just the right size. Perfect for a summer evening’s seduction.”
“I’m not sure I’ll get that lucky.”
“Chin up. Confidence, sweetie, is what makes the difference between win or lose.”
“Don’t take up fortune-cookie writing.”
He shook his head and walked through to the shop. “Come along. Have faith in your tailor and all will be well.”
Chapter Seven
After a long bath, Dani sat out in the garden in the sun for a while, finding it difficult to keep her mind still. She would have liked to have a drink, but she was determined not to give in to the desire. A change of habit, indeed!
At 6:45 she ordered a taxi. She dressed carefully. Charles had chosen well; she just hoped it wasn’t too over the top for Camila’s tastes. But then, what did she know about Camila’s tastes?
Dani arrived at the restaurant at five minutes to eight. Camila wasn’t there, but she didn’t expect her to be. She sat in the bar area and declined the offer of a drink, but asked that they have a bottle of champagne ready to open when her guest arrived.
Ten minutes later Camila entered looking flushed and out of breath, a sight Dani would like to savour in more intimate surroundings.
“Sorry I’m late. I was halfway over Battersea Bridge before an empty taxi came along.”
“You can open the champagne now,” Dani said to the waiter as Camila settled into the seat next to her.
“You’re full of surprises, aren’t you?” Camila gave her an appraising look that seared right through to Dani’s groin. She was certain she’d stopped breathing, so she was relieved when Camila looked away to accept the glass of champagne.
“Have you been here before?” asked Camila, glancing around. The décor was very art deco, with lots of naked but visually attractive imagery of both sexes. Faze was a renowned openly-gay-and-lesbian restaurant. Dani wondered if she’d made a mistake with her choice of venue.
“Once or twice, yes.”
“I don’t go out much, apart from business occasions.”
“I guess that’s why I haven’t seen you around, on the scene.” Still cautious, testing the water, Dani hoped she didn’t look as nervous as she felt. Camila looked stunning in a simple cotton sheath-style dress; if she were wearing makeup, it didn’t show, and the only jewellery on display were small ear studs and a gold chain necklace. “So, uh, here’s to the T-shirts.” Dani raised her glass.
“Dani, if you mention T-shirts to me ever again, I will pour this straight over your head.”
“What should we drink to?”
“How about to a perfect evening?”
“We might have different ideas about what is perfect,” said Dani, looking at her over the rim of her glass.
“We might.”
They drank, both sipping slowly.
“Your name, Camila.” Dani drew out the middle syllable slowly. “It’s Spanish, right?”
“Yes. But my mother’s from Manchester and the only connection with Spain is the holiday they took while she was pregnant with me. That’s where they heard the name and liked it.”
“But you look
Spanish.” Dani hoped that didn’t sound too personal.
“My father’s side. I just hope I don’t inherit the male-pattern baldness from him too.”
Looking at the head of luxurious dark hair, Dani didn’t think there was any danger of that. “Any siblings?”
“No. I’m an only child.”
“Do you see your parents much?”
“Not that often nowadays. They moved to France two years ago, having fallen in love with Brittany. That’s where we always went for summer holidays. What about you?”
“I haven’t seen my parents since I left when I was sixteen. My brother works in town, so I see him occasionally.” She didn’t add that their meetings usually took place outside a police cell.
Dani found relaxing difficult. She was thankful, once again, for the rituals of eating out—reading the menu, deciding what to eat, what to drink. They had finished the main course and made inroads on the second bottle of champagne when Camila said, “Do you bring all your prospective girlfriends here?”
“Of course,” said Dani lightly. “If I spend enough money on them, they’ll feel obliged to go to bed with me.”
“I would have settled for a cheeseburger.”
“Does that mean…you don’t want to feel obligated?”
Camila just gave her a Mona Lisa smile. Dani realised she was probably drunk; she decided they could forego the pudding course and asked for the bill.
“Where to now?” asked Camila when they were on the street.
Dani was sorely tempted to take her straight home to bed, but she wasn’t about to take advantage of a drunken woman. She had been that route before, and the aftermath wasn’t generally pleasant. So she took her to a club instead, where they danced and drank water.
Camila was a good dancer and seemed to enjoy herself. Dani only hoped she wouldn’t see anyone she knew. It wasn’t a place she would normally be seen dead in—full of weekend lesbians. The bouncer had questioned her gender when they arrived and Dani had to remove her jacket and tie before they could go in. She wasn’t going to make a scene in front of Camila, otherwise she would have been tempted to take her trousers down to make a point.