My Best Friend's Murder

by Polly Phillips

  ‘They’re everywhere these days.’ Izzy never usually admits to being part of a crowd – she’s on her best behaviour, too. ‘Must be because they’re wipe clean – you can get rid of the scene of the crime. Shall we have a glass of wine? It’s been ages since we had a drink, the two of us. And it is Boxing Day.’

  After the state of my head when I woke up, the last thing I feel like is a glass of wine. But I’ve never been able to resist Izzy when she wants something.

  ‘I’ll get a bottle.’

  * * *

  Izzy’s running her hands across my bookshelf when I bring the wine in.

  ‘Rich has got this, I think.’ She plucks at the spine of a popular history book. ‘I couldn’t get into it at all.’

  ‘It’s Ed’s.’

  She drops the book.

  ‘Look, I didn’t mean what I said about Ed and that girl.’

  ‘Forget it.’ I put the glasses on the coffee table.

  ‘I was trying to look out for you but when you spend as much time as I do with Tilly, you lose your filter about what’s funny or not.’

  Her mention of Tilly brings back what happened on Christmas Day. Despite her apology, she still hasn’t invited me to Tilly’s party. It seems so ridiculous that our friendship could unravel over something as insignificant as a kid’s birthday party. But it’s not just that. It’s the roses; the engagement ring; any number of other tiny slights. Death by a thousand paper cuts. Izzy must sense she’s said the wrong thing because she sits down then immediately jumps up again. ‘Were you sitting here? Where do you want me?’

  ‘Sit where you like.’ I flop onto the chair with the wonky leg in the corner. We got it from Ed’s granny’s house after she got moved into sheltered accommodation. I’ve always hated it. But I don’t want to sit on the sofa.

  ‘Are you watching CSI?’ Izzy gestures at the TV. ‘I haven’t seen it for ages.’

  ‘I think it’s a re-run. Look, Iz, don’t take this the wrong way, but what are you doing here?’

  ‘How do you mean?’

  ‘Normally you’re tucked up in bed by this time. It’s not like you to make a midnight dash. Is everything okay?’

  ‘Don’t be silly. Everything’s fine. And it’s not that late.’ Izzy takes a sip of wine then winces. The bottle’s been open a few days. ‘Rich’s going for that promotion after all. He realized it made sense. David practically did a jig when he found out. Hardly even mentioned Henry once. Or Charlie.’ She makes a fake sad face. ‘Anyway, he’s a shoo-in so that’ll take the pressure off. And work’s going pretty well for me. Ed probably said? I wasn’t supposed to be starting until after the New Year but it turned out the position couldn’t wait. It’s been tough fitting it all in but I’m glad I went back. But it means we’re going to be very busy this year. You must be the same. You’ve got the big interview coming up, haven’t you?’

  ‘In a couple of weeks.’

  ‘You must be excited.’

  ‘I am.’

  ‘I’m really proud of you, you know.’

  There’s a silence I know she’s expecting me to fill. Normally I’d tell her all about meeting Sydney, how smitten Rob seems. But there’s a wedge between us. I look at her, perching on the edge of the sofa, acting like nothing’s wrong. Trying to work out if she’s genuine or not is exhausting. I turn back to the TV.

  ‘I dread to think how many hours we’ve whittled away watching these shows together. I’m even getting Rich into them now. In fact, I might snuggle up in front of one of them when I get back tonight.’ Izzy takes another sip of wine, this time without wincing. ‘Something comforting about how predictable they are, isn’t there?’

  She settles back onto the sofa, making a point of avoiding the takeaway stain on the arm. The familiarity of the movement lights the touch-paper in me.

  ‘Actually, I can’t stand how same-y they are. Horatio gets shot but survives to save the day. Same old tired storyline every week. I don’t know why we bother. Let’s watch something else.’

  I flick the channel without waiting for Izzy to reply. The rest of the evening passes in silence.

  Fifteen

  Monday 7 January

  10.04 a.m.

  ‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’ I haven’t seen Jules this excited since she found out Rihanna was launching a make-up line. Her eyebrows are in her fringe and she’s about to tip a fifth spoon of sugar into her tea. ‘And your brother is seriously dating her?’

  ‘Keep your voice down.’ The kitchenette might be empty but the doors out onto Flare’s office are wide open. ‘He swore me to secrecy.’

  ‘Imagine if they got married.’ Jules takes on a faraway expression. ‘Think of the wedding. And yours! Isn’t she BFFs with Reese Witherspoon?’

  ‘And Jennifer Garner, I think.’ I say it as if I haven’t been compiling a mental celebrity guest list ever since I saw them together. Ed can’t see what the fuss is all about. He looked at me so blankly when I told him that for a moment I wondered if he even knew who Sydney Scott was. I knew Jules was the right person to tell.

  ‘Tina’s going to go crazy for this. You should tell her at the beginning of the meeting. Don’t even give her a chance to sit down.’ Jules looks down at her mug and realizes it’s coated in sugar. ‘Rubbish. Hang on a tick, I’ll make another.’

  ‘Are you sure I shouldn’t hold back? I don’t want to seem too cocky. She might have loads of ideas for the issue already. Come on, are you nearly ready?’

  ‘Bec, she could have ten thousand ideas and none of them are going to come close to Sydney Scott. She’s one of the most famous people on the planet.’

  ‘I guess you’re right. When we were in Clapham the other day she could hardly even get out of the car in case she got spotted. Imagine. It must be a bit miserable if you think about it.’

  ‘You didn’t tell me you’d met her already.’ Jules’ eyes are goggling like a spaniel’s. ‘What’s she like?’

  Thinking about the weekend reminds me of Izzy. She’s sent a couple of messages since the night she came over but the tone’s always off. When she asked what we were doing for New Year’s Eve, I feigned a headache and didn’t tell Ed she’d asked because I knew he’d insist on going. We had prosecco and a Chinese takeaway in front of the television then went to bed at midnight so Ed could get up and cycle in the morning. He made me breakfast in bed when he got back – the perfect start to a new year. It might have been less glamorous than the drinks party Izzy was planning but at least it was real. I couldn’t face having to pretend everything’s fine.

  ‘Is she all zen and health foody?’ Jules puts the biscuits she’s holding back in the cupboard.

  ‘She’s pretty normal.’ I tuck Izzy out of my mind. ‘Though she did get my brother to go to a vegan café, which is a first for someone who thinks eating chicken is going vegetarian. Hurry up, will you? I don’t want to be late for the first meeting back.’

  When we get out of the kitchen, the office is empty apart from a gaggle of work-experience girls stuffing clothes into plastic bags near the fashion cupboard. I feel a ribbon of tension. Everyone else must have gone in. I knew waiting for Jules to make a second cup was a mistake.

  ‘Don’t worry, the first ten minutes is always chat,’ Jules reassures me when she catches the look on my face. ‘And Tina was running late herself.’ She struts down the corridor surprisingly quickly for somebody in vertiginous heels and I follow suit, trying not to worry.

  ‘Sorry we’re late,’ She yanks the door open and plops into the seat next to Tina. I scurry into one of the empty chairs at the other end of the table. ‘Kettle’s on the blink.’

  ‘Right, now that everyone’s here, let’s make a start.’ Tina rolls the sleeves of her Stella McCartney silk shirt up and frowns around the room. ‘I hope that you’re all feeling invigorated and ready to get cracking on what promises to be a great year.’

  There are a few groans. The first few days after New Year always have that horrible ‘back to schoo
l’ feeling. Usually I’d be joining in with the rest. Today I can’t stop my leg jiggling under the table.

  ‘Thank you for your enthusiasm, ladies.’ When Tina smiles she looks less like Anna Wintour, more like someone you could have a coffee with. ‘Now if everyone’s finished groaning, shall we get down to it?’

  ‘Tina?’ Jules raises her hand. I shake my head at her but she grins.

  ‘Yes, Jules?’

  ‘Sorry to interrupt before you kick off but I was chatting to Bec in the kitchen and I know she’s got an amazing feature to pitch.’

  Every head in the room turns to face me in a single movement. They’re all so chic and polished in their designer knits and trendy alpine-wear. I remind myself I have a right to be here.

  ‘Go on.’

  ‘It might be nothing.’ Great intro. I force my eyes from the table to meet Tina’s. ‘Over Christmas, I learned that the actress Sydney Scott is in London working on a new fantasy film. They’re looking to secure her some press before the release and… I’ve managed to get an interview with her.’

  ‘On what terms?’ Tina leans back in her chair, appraising me.

  ‘How do you mean?’

  ‘Is she doing press junkets for everyone or is this on an exclusive basis?’

  ‘Oh. Well I’d have to check but I’m under the impression she’d only be talking to us. I mean –’ I hurry to remember what Rob said ‘– she might be doing press junkets nearer the release, but at the moment, she’s talking exclusively to us.’

  ‘Isn’t it fantastic?’ Jules claps her hands like my own personal cheerleader.

  ‘It’s very impressive,’ Tina agrees. ‘Fenella, have a look through the freelance roster, will you? I’d do it myself but I’m afraid the Terekovsky interview won’t leave me the time. If Chrissy’s free, she’ll do a great job. Bec, do we have an idea of timeframe?’

  This is what Izzy said would happen. But now I’m prepared. I dig my nails into my palm again, remembering the response Rob crafted. ‘I think they’re keen to get it done in the next couple of weeks. But there’s a stipulation.’

  ‘Isn’t there always?’

  ‘It’s nothing major.’ I press my nails in deeper. ‘But because I’m the one with the relationship, they’ve said that they need me to be the one that does the interview. And to write it up,’ I add for good measure.

  ‘Indeed?’ The corners of Tina’s mouth twitch. ‘And they’ve stipulated this, have they?’

  ‘Yes.’ I hold her gaze. Across the table, Jules flashes me a subtle thumbs up.

  ‘How solid is the connection?’ Tina looks like she’s weighing something up.

  ‘Rock solid.’ Unless Rob and Sydney break up. I make a mental note to ring Rob up and tell him to be nice to her.

  ‘Can you expand on that?’

  ‘Er.’ My mind pedals. How do I make my brother’s shagging her sound professional? ‘I have close links with someone who is a key member of her inner circle.’

  Jules snorts into her mug of tea and I regret my choice of words. ‘I’ve met Sydney already. We just have to firm up a date.’

  ‘Fine.’ Tina makes a note in her diary. ‘Come back to me when you’ve got that date in writing. I can pencil it in for April/May. Normally I wouldn’t give this to someone at your level but you’re a valuable member of the team, Bec, and your writing is strong. I’d like you to run your questions by me and if you have any concerns, I’m sure Fenella will be on hand to offer support. If this works out, it could make the cover.’

  She widens her gaze to include the rest of the room.

  ‘This should be a lesson to everybody around this table. Bec has shown real initiative here. I don’t need to tell you that times are tough in publishing at the moment. Many of this company’s magazines are losing market share and are facing closure. Flare is not under threat, but we’re under great scrutiny.’ She pauses. ‘Now, did anyone bring any biscuits?’

  7.13 p.m.

  ‘And she said if it works out it could make the cover. Ed, you’re not listening?’

  ‘I am listening.’ Ed lifts his head from the Jamie Oliver cookbook next to the hob. ‘It’s brilliant news. But I’m also checking to make sure you haven’t forgotten any of the ingredients. You forgot to tell me to add the mushrooms last time.’

  ‘It tasted fine without them.’ I pout.

  ‘It’s a chicken and mushroom risotto.’ Ed flicks a tea towel at me.

  ‘Whatever. As long as Rob and Sydney don’t break up, I’m golden. Think, if they carry on going out, we might have a Hollywood A-lister at our wedding.’

  ‘Well when you put it like that, who needs risotto? I’m glad you’re getting the recognition you deserve, though. You’ll do a brilliant job of this interview and then, who knows? The sky’s the limit.’ He looks up and smiles at me then goes back to nursing his risotto.

  ‘How was your first day back?’

  ‘Not as exciting as yours. Lots of emails to catch up on; policies that need renewing. The usual. Oh and I’ve got a bit of bad news on the wedding front.’

  I stiffen. ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘Nothing major, you don’t have to look so worried.’ He dips a spoon in to taste. ‘One of the other partners has dropped out of next week’s conference and I’ve been drafted in to go in his place. It means I won’t be able to check out the venue you booked.’

  ‘The viewing is on the Saturday.’ I try not to show how disappointed I am. ‘Couldn’t you get back for it?’

  ‘I wish. There’s a whole lot of tedious team bonding on the Saturday. I’d much rather skip out but I need to be there. I don’t mind if you want to go on your own. I’m not sure I’m much use anyway. I don’t know what we should be looking for. It’s a shame you can’t ask Izzy but she’ll be at the conference with me. She’s speaking.’

  ‘I’ll see if I can reschedule.’ This is by far the best venue my online trawling has turned up. I want to experience seeing it for the first time with Ed. Plus I can’t imagine anything more tragic than turning up on my own. ‘Why’s he dropped out at the last minute? It’s not very fair on you.’

  Or me, I add silently.

  ‘His wife’s having a baby. I couldn’t really say no under those circumstances, could I?’

  ‘Where is the conference? If it’s somewhere nice, perhaps we could make a weekend of it?’

  ‘It’s in Norwich.’

  ‘Or maybe not.’

  ‘At least you can comfort yourself by knowing I won’t be having any fun.’

  ‘Fair point.’ I brighten. ‘Perhaps I’ll get cracking on making some dress appointments. I feel like everything else depends on setting a date though. Like I shouldn’t do anything until we’ve got the venue. When do you think you’ll next be free to check this one out?’

  ‘Give it a couple of weeks. Work’s going to be slammed until then and if we’re going to try for the weekend away we talked about—’

  ‘I’d rather get the wedding venue pinned down than go on holiday.’ I try to keep my tone even. I know planning is traditionally the bride’s domain but it would be nice if Ed showed more interest. This wedding is not going to plan itself and I can hardly rely on Izzy to help now.

  ‘I’m sure we can do both. I saw Izzy today, by the way.’

  ‘Oh?’ I open the fridge and get out a bottle of wine.

  ‘I didn’t realize they’d invited us over for New Year’s Eve?’

  ‘Damn, can you pass me a cloth? I spilled a bit.’

  ‘Here.’ Ed leans over me and wipes the wine up. ‘Yeah, I didn’t realize we were invited to go over there for New Year’s Eve.’

  ‘It was a last-minute thing. Do you remember I had that headache? It seemed to make more sense to stay in.’

  ‘I’m not fussed. We had a great time on our own. I’m just surprised you didn’t mention it, that’s all.’

  ‘It must have slipped my mind. Watch out, the risotto’s bubbling over.’

  ‘It’s fine.’ Ed gives t
he rice an affectionate poke. Risotto is his pride and joy. ‘I think we hurt her feelings a bit by not going. Sounds like they had a great night though. And luckily for you, I’ve found a way for you to make it up to her.’

  ‘What’s that?’ I put my hand to my head. It’s as if talking about my fictional migraine has made it appear.

  ‘I told her you’d babysit for her during the conference.’

  ‘You said what?’

  ‘Not for the whole conference.’ Ed chuckles at my reaction. ‘I said you wouldn’t mind filling in the gap between Tilly’s pick-up from nursery and Rich getting home from work on the Thursday. She mentioned you’d offered to help out over Christmas and I said I thought you were free. Jenny’s going to do the Friday. Izzy’ll call over the next few days to get the details sorted.’

  ‘Great.’ I don’t even try to muster up a smile.

  ‘You don’t sound that happy about it.’

  ‘It’s not that I’m not happy.’ I bite my lip. I deliberately haven’t told Ed what’s been going on with Izzy as it sounds so petty, and now they’re working together, I don’t want to make things awkward. ‘Things have been a bit strained between us lately.’

  ‘How so?’ Ed abandons the risotto and comes to stand next to me. ‘Has she said something to upset you?’

  Seeing the concern in his eyes makes my mind up. I don’t want to drag him into all this.

  ‘It’s nothing. I went a bit overboard with Tilly’s Christmas present and she was a bit pissed off. She didn’t invite me to Tilly’s birthday party either.’ I don’t mention the stuff at the engagement party. I don’t want him to think I’m having a go at him.

  ‘I’m sure she was trying to do you a favour. The last one was a bit of a scrum, wasn’t it?’

  ‘It would have been nice to be asked.’

  ‘Well I’m sure she didn’t mean any harm. She was singing your praises when I saw her. Saying what a lifesaver it was that you’d offered to babysit over Christmas. You’re really helping her out by agreeing to do this.’