Never Mind The Botox: Rachel

by Penny Avis

  AJ was on his own in their project room when she arrived.

  ‘Morning, how was the office?’ he asked as Rachel sat down.

  ‘Oh, you know, large square building, lots of windows, that sort of thing,’ said Rachel.

  AJ grinned. ‘Tom popped round to see you earlier.’

  ‘Did he? What did he want?’

  ‘Not sure, he didn’t say. I told him you were briefing Carl in the office.’

  ‘Oh well done, good covering,’ said Rachel.

  AJ looked confused. ‘That’s where your email said you were.’

  ‘Oh I was,’ said Rachel quickly. ‘Just good that you made it clear to Tom, that’s all.’

  She spent a few minutes organising herself and then headed off to Tom’s office. On the way she passed Lloyd Cassidy and Audrey Fox sitting on one of the occasional corridor sofas, deep in conversation. What was it with those two?

  She stuck her head round Tom’s door. ‘Were you looking for me?’

  ‘Rachel, hi, yes, come in, come in. How’s it going? Are you going to be ready for the presentation to the buyers?’

  ‘Yes, pretty much on track. A few loose ends to tie up, but that’s it. We should be able to give a pretty clear report to the Equinox team when they arrive,’ said Rachel, ignoring the slight flutter in her stomach.

  ‘Excellent, excellent. I’m very pleased with how things have been run here, Rachel, and I shall be reporting that back to Carl.’

  ‘Thank you, that would be very kind,’ said Rachel.

  ‘There’s just one more area that we’d like your help with. Equinox are keen to have a joint marketing plan ready for when we hopefully do this deal. They’ve asked us to start briefing our PR company to work with us on it. I’ve spoken to them and they’re keen to get a few facts and stats on the business so they can think about the sort of messages we should lead with. My team are totally snowed under and you’ve had most of the information as part of your work. I was hoping that you’d help brief them?’

  ‘Of course,’ said Rachel. ‘It would be an extension to our work, though, and therefore cost extra. Is that going to be okay?’

  ‘Yes, that’s fine. It shouldn’t be a big job, though, so don’t get carried away,’ said Tom. ‘Now, the person you need to speak to is Clive Steele from Cavanaugh PR. Here’s his number. Could you give him a ring today? They’re keen to get going.’

  Clive Steele? Rachel recognised that name. Maybe they’d worked together on another deal.

  ‘Yes, will do.’

  Rachel left Tom’s office feeling quite elated. Not only was he happy with their work but he’d given them some extra to do. Carl would be pleased with the fee increase.

  ‘Your phone rang while you were gone,’ said AJ when she got back to the room.

  She looked at her phone. She had a missed call from her mum. Agh, she really didn’t have the energy to chat, but maybe it was important. Rachel rang her back.

  ‘Oh, darling, thank you for ringing back.’ Her mum sounded like she’d genuinely expected her not to. ‘You left your white fleece here at the weekend and I was just wondering if you wanted me to post it?’

  Right, not important at all then.

  ‘No, that’s okay. I’ve got plenty of others. It can wait until I’m down next,’ said Rachel.

  ‘Well, if you’re sure? It’s no trouble to send it. I’m going to the post office anyway. We’re getting some new posters done for the shop and I need to send our ideas to the designers. Can you imagine − Grace and I working with proper designers!’

  Rachel couldn’t and she wasn’t sure that a poster for good-as-new clothes really required much design input. Still, it kept them happy.

  ‘Yes, I’m sure, thanks.’ Rachel changed the subject. ‘How’s Dad?’

  ‘Grumpy, as usual,’ said her mum cheerily. ‘The freezer has broken − can you believe it? We found everything in it had defrosted and then frozen again. Very strange. Your father spent hours fiddling with it this morning trying to work out what happened. He thinks it must have been a power surge, so he’s changed all the plugs and it seems to be working again now. We had to throw everything away and you know what he’s like about wasting food. He’s gone to the golf club to calm down. Still, look on the bright side. I’ve got a whole freezer full of new and exciting food. Good thing it didn’t happen while Naomi was here.’

  ‘Yes, very lucky, and how odd,’ said Rachel.

  Lucky too that buying a new freezer full of food counted as excitement in her mum’s world.

  Chapter 13

  Rachel’s telephone started ringing in her handbag as she walked wearily towards the tube, lugging a large briefcase full of Beau Street files. Her arms and head were aching and she needed a drink. She scrabbled around in her cavernous brown leather handbag for her phone, then dropped to the floor so that she could use both hands. ‘Fuck, where is it?’ A lady walking past nearly jumped out of her skin and gave her a very disapproving look, like she was some sort of hoodie abusing local residents. Rachel emptied her umbrella, book, hairbrush, diary, keys and several dog-eared letters onto the pavement until she could see the flashing screen of her phone tucked away in one corner.

  ‘Yes?’ she yelled into the phone when she finally managed to answer it.

  There was a yelp at the other end. ‘Wow, no need to shout! I’ve got my car headset on. You nearly blew my eardrum!’ It was Rowan.

  ‘Sorry, shit day, really busy, raging hangover and then I couldn’t find my phone. The bloody thing never stays in its little pocket. I just emptied half my bag onto the street so I could find it. Think I need a new bag.’ She knew she was ranting.

  ‘Well, hello to you too, and that’s the most pathetic excuse for buying a new handbag that I’ve ever heard. If you want a new bag, just buy one; don’t blame it on your mobile phone.’

  Rachel laughed, picked up the contents of her bag and the briefcase and went to sit down on a nearby bench. ‘Sorry, right, all calm now. So tell me, tell me, how are you, how was the weekend?’

  ‘Yes, very good, really very good actually. Laura was pretty stressed about going, well, as you saw when we left. But fair play to her, she went through with it and as she said herself she managed to forget she was a mother for at least a few minutes!’

  ‘I could see how upset it made her leaving. Surprised me actually. I had no idea how tough it would be,’ said Rachel. ‘Does she suspect anything?’

  ‘No, I’m pretty sure she doesn’t. She’s definitely noticed that I’ve been paying more attention, though. Sometimes I think I’m trying too hard − you know, trying to make amends − and it’s all too much. I think I just need to be normal with her but somehow I’ve forgotten what normal should be like.’

  ‘Did you talk to her about the fact that she seems to be only interested in Naomi?’ Rachel asked.

  ‘Not in so many words, but we did talk about the fact that we need to spend more time together on our own. Laura suggested we could maybe have a “date night” each week, where we have a proper night out somewhere together,’ said Rowan.

  ‘Oh my God, that sounds like a hideous American idea,’ said Rachel without really thinking, and then quickly added, ‘Sorry, that was a bit harsh. It might help, I guess, if you’re both keen.’

  ‘To be honest, Rach, I’ll stand on one leg in the middle of Trafalgar Square dressed as a chicken if it helps.’

  ‘I somehow don’t think that will be necessary,’ said Rachel, laughing at the idea. ‘I’m glad things are moving in the right direction for you both. You were a bloody idiot but at least you’re trying to make it right.’ Rachel felt a rush of protectiveness towards her brother. He was a genuinely nice guy.

  ‘Yes, I am,’ said Rowan, sounding very resolute. ‘Look, I think you should also know that I’m meeting Shali for a drink this week.’

  Rachel’s jaw dropped and all her feelings of protectiveness vanished in an instant. ‘What?! I don’t beli
eve it. Why on earth would you do that?’

  Rachel was livid. What was the point of putting all that effort into a romantic weekend and then proceeding to fuck it all up again?

  ‘It’s not what you think,’ said Rowan.

  ‘Really? What is it then?’

  ‘I need to close things off with her, you know. I’m not the sort of bloke who has one night stands and then never speaks to the girl again. I want to explain face to face that I’m working things out with Laura and that we won’t be seeing each other again.’

  ‘Oh right, so you’re all concerned about treating people properly all of a sudden. I didn’t notice you caring much about that at the summer party,’ said Rachel.

  ‘That doesn’t mean I can’t try to do the right thing now. A message from you and a few texts doesn’t seem right. Shali at least deserves an explanation.’

  ‘Does she?’

  ‘Yes she does, and you should know that.’

  Rachel paused and felt a bit guilty. She really didn’t want them meeting up again but she couldn’t manage Rowan’s life for him. She sighed loudly − it was his lookout.

  ‘Well, you do what you think,’ said Rachel. ‘Just be careful, that’s all.’

  ‘Yes, yes, I will. Have you spoken to her recently, by the way? You really shouldn’t let this come between you.’

  ‘Not since I gave her your message, but I haven’t been in the office very much recently,’ said Rachel, knowing that was just an excuse. Maybe she should speak to Shali before she met Rowan − warn her to leave him alone. She shook her head. It was none of her business. She would just have to let them get on with it.

  ‘Look, Rowan, I’d better go. I’m just on my way home.’

  Rachel fumed all the way home on the tube until she got bored with worrying about it. She had better things to think about, like the tonne of work she had to do that evening. Shit! She suddenly realised she’d forgotten to phone the PR guy, Clive Steele, and made a mental note to do it first thing.

  Harry had texted her earlier to see if he could come round, no doubt hopeful of a repeat performance of the night before. Rachel rang him when she got in.

  ‘You’re late back,’ said Harry, sounding put out that she hadn’t rung him earlier.

  ‘Big week, lots of meetings, presentation to prepare for. I’m shattered actually,’ said Rachel.

  ‘How about a glass of wine and a massage?’ Harry asked hopefully.

  ‘I need to work tonight and tomorrow night too probably,’ said Rachel. ‘I’ve had to lug a whole load of files home so that I can finish everything off on this job. It’s going to take me quite a while and I’m not going keep breaking my arms carrying all this about.’

  ‘Maybe I could come and help you with your filing, check everything is in the right place?’ Harry wasn’t giving in.

  ‘Harry, I really need to work, okay? It’s just for a couple of days. I need to go through all my notes and paperwork one last time, check I’ve covered everything. I don’t need any distractions.’

  ‘Oh, okay, I see.’ Harry sounded like he’d finally got it. ‘What time will you be home tomorrow?’

  ‘Probably late again; after eight, I expect. But I need to work tomorrow too,’ said Rachel.

  ‘Yeah, yeah, I heard you. I just wanted to know what time to ring you, check you’re okay − not drowning in paperwork or anything.’

  Sweet boy, thought Rachel.

  ‘I’ll ring you once I’m back,’ she said.

  ‘Alright, don’t work too hard. I’m off to the pub,’ said Harry.

  Rachel wasn’t surprised.

  The next day in the office, both AJ and Rosa were feeling pretty stressed.

  ‘We’ve still got a lot do to be ready for the presentation,’ said AJ, nervously tearing bits off his notebook. ‘The report’s not finished and we still need to write the slide pack.’

  ‘We’ll be fine,’ said Rachel reassuringly. ‘Look, Equinox are just expecting a progress report; we’ll have some more time after the presentation to dot the i’s and cross the t’s. We just need a good draft of the report ready to give them and we’ll probably only need twenty or so slides for the presentation. That won’t take us long to put together. Carl is out tomorrow to do his final review and I’m sure he won’t have too many comments. The report’s in good shape already so we’re pretty much there.’

  ‘Shall I start the slide pack?’ Rosa asked.

  That was one of the things Rachel really liked about Rosa. She was so proactive.

  ‘Great idea, Rosa. Look, why don’t we all sit down and brainstorm what needs to be in the presentation and then Rosa can get on with putting an outline together.’

  The three of them sat together for over an hour chatting through their findings and the main messages that they needed to give Equinox.

  ‘We definitely need to show them how quickly some of the newer procedures have been growing,’ said AJ. ‘I know that’s a key part of the strategy going forward − focusing on the hot trends.’

  ‘We also need to show that the core business has been growing too, though,’ said Rachel. ‘It’s not just about the new procedures.’

  ‘That’s true,’ said Rosa. ‘Why don’t we put the sales numbers for both on the same slide, like this.’

  Rosa sketched out a couple of pie charts side by side on a slide, one showing sales for the top five most popular procedures and one for the hot trends.

  ‘Yup, like it. Let’s go with that,’ said Rachel.

  ‘Do you think we should include something on the nature of the customer base?’ AJ asked.

  ‘Yes, definitely,’ said Rachel. ‘Where’s that customer summary file?’

  ‘You took it home,’ said AJ.

  ‘Oh shit, yes I did, plus a load of others. I didn’t bring them back today as I was going to work on them again tonight.’

  ‘That’s going to make things a bit tight,’ said Rosa. ‘We can’t afford to miss a whole day.’

  Rachel thought for a bit. ‘I’ll go and get them and then stay late here tonight. I’ll grab some lunch for us on the way back − that will save a bit of time.’

  ‘You don’t mind?’ Rosa asked.

  ‘No, my fault for being lazy. I should have brought them back this morning. Right, won’t be long.’

  She left Beau Street and flagged down a cab. She couldn’t face getting the tube. As she approached her flat she could see that the front window was open. That was funny; she was sure she’d left it shut. She got out of the cab and made her way to her front door. As she turned the lock, the door opened after half a turn. The double lock wasn’t on. She’d definitely double locked the door when she left.

  Her heart started to pound. Was there someone in her flat? She gingerly opened the front door a few inches and listened carefully. She couldn’t hear anything. Surely if there were burglars inside then she would hear them ransacking the place? And besides, there was no damage to the front door. She must be imagining things.

  She opened the door wider and walked quietly inside, looking over her shoulder in case someone followed her in. Stop being ridiculous; there’s no one here! she said to herself sternly. But at the same time she took her umbrella out of her handbag and held it out in front of her.

  As she opened the sitting room door a loud cough made her scream in fright.

  Harry leapt to his feet in alarm. ‘Christ Almighty, Rachel!’

  ‘Harry! You scared the living daylights out of me. I thought someone had broken in. What are you doing here?’

  Harry didn’t say anything. He put his hands in his pockets and looked at the floor. Rachel looked around the sitting room. Her Beau Street files were strewn all over the sofa and the floor. It didn’t make sense.

  ‘What the fuck have you been doing?’

  She walked towards the sofa. On the coffee table was a notebook covered with Harry’s childish handwriting. Several of the files were open on the sofa wh
ere he’d been reading them.

  ‘Harry?’ She looked at him in disbelief. ‘Why have you been going through my stuff?’

  Harry sat down on the arm of the sofa and rubbed his forehead. ‘I wanted some information,’ he mumbled.

  ‘What? I don’t understand. What sort of information?’

  Harry took a deep breath, stood up and looked at her. ‘Look, the thing is, Rachel, I spoke to a friend of mine in the business. He works with the tabloids, knows them inside out. I told him about your little scandal − you know, celebs paying over the odds for boob jobs and using false names and all that. Well, he said it would be a massive story, worth a fortune if we could show it was true. So I was looking for those pages you told me about, the ones with both the real and the false names on. They need proof that the story is true; it protects them against libel if they know they have something to back it up.’

  Rachel stared at him, aghast. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. ‘They’re not here; they’re with the rest of my papers out at Beau Street. You were going to take my work and sell it to the papers?’

  ‘It’s a chance of a lifetime for us − can’t you see that? There are so many names, the story would just run and run. I spoke to one of the tabloids − you know, just to get an idea of what they might pay. They said if I could prove it, we’d be talking huge sums − hundreds of thousands maybe,’ said Harry.

  ‘You’ve spoken to the papers about it?’

  Rachel felt sick and her legs started to go wobbly. She needed to sit down.

  ‘Just one,’ said Harry.

  ‘Oh my God, Harry, how could you!’ Rachel was close to tears. ‘What about me? What about my job? I could be fired on the spot, struck off for professional misconduct, God knows what else. Have you any idea?’

  ‘Well, that’s the clever thing,’ said Harry. ‘You wouldn’t have anything to do with it. I’d handle everything. That’s why I was going to get the proof without telling you. I didn’t think you’d be back for ages. The papers would never know where the information came from and journalists never reveal their sources. You just need to give me a copy of those pages.’