"And that's why you moved to London? To get away from the gossip mongers?"
"Yes."
"But what if they find you again?"
"God, I hope not."
"Well, a few people at work have figured out who you are."
"I just hope none of them think it's a good idea to contact the press." The thought of
being stalked by photographers again was too horrible. On the other hand, she was just
another girl now, not part of the music scene at all. "Hopefully everyone's lost interest in me,
now that I'm not with Ashby."
"I bet you could make a lot of money if you sold your story."
"No thanks. It's not worth it. Honestly."
Keith looked at her in silence for a moment. "You're a curious person, Jane Porter,"
he said. "Most people are doing their best to become famous and you're trying to avoid
it."
Jane took another sip of her drink and said nothing. What was there to say?
"I respect that. I hope they leave you alone." He stared thoughtfully into the distance.
"It must have been really embarrassing for you, having your private life displayed in public
like that. Bad enough finding out the person you loved was cheating on you, but to find out
the details at the same time as the tabloid reading public..."
"Embarrassing? Try humiliating." She shuddered at the memory, and realised she
hadn't thought about the horror of it all for a few days, not since she started seeing Marshall.
But she wasn't surprised to find the fear still there, hidden under the layers of everyday
thought.
Keith noticed the shudder. "I'm sorry, I've upset you. I shouldn't have mentioned
it."
"It's okay. I need to learn to deal with it."
"Well, it's clearly a raw subject for you." He met her eyes and smiled. "What say we
stop talking about things that upset us and talk about something else?"
"That sounds like a great idea."
She was still in the pub when Marshall's text arrived to say that he was at the airport.
Her heart sped up immediately. "Listen Keith, I've got to go. I promised a friend that I'd pop
by on the way home."
"Of course." He finished off his drink. "Let me walk you to the station. Don't want
you getting mugged again."
"That's very kind. Thanks." Why on earth had she found him disagreeable all those
nights ago? Perhaps because he had been coming on a bit strong. Now that she'd got to know
the real Keith, she felt much more comfortable in his company.
"Jane, if you every need someone to talk to--about Ashby, or anything else. You
know you can come and see me."
She smiled. "Thank you," she said. "I appreciate that. I really do."
* * * *
From: Keith Durridge
To: Eric Korsky
Shame you wussed out on
the bet. Plan B is working like a dream.
K
##
From : Eric Korsky
To: Keith Durridge
I hear that Marshall won
the opposition. On quite a difficult Inventive Step argument. He's quite the
hero around here.
Your plan B failed rather spectacularly, I'd
say.
Eric
##
From: Keith Durridge
To: Eric Korsky
I briefed him thoroughly
on my arguments so that he could reproduce them at the hearing. Of course he
won.
As for my plan B--on the contrary, I've just had a nice cosy chat with
Jane. It was most illuminating and has given me a cracking idea for how to
proceed.
This whole thing is less fun without a wager riding on it, but I
shall carry on because I enjoy a challenge.
K
Chapter 19
In the days that followed, Jane was increasingly under pressure with work. As the
deadline for submitting the documents to the client drew nearer Susan, Marsh and Keith all
piled work on her. In an attempt not to appear biased, Jane always tried to leave Marsh's work
until last, but that usually meant having to stay late to finish it. Although Marsh also worked
late most nights, she didn't get much chance to talk to him. Keith, who seemed to keep the
same hours as Marsh, kept popping round to see her.
On Tuesday, with the deadline the next day, Jane managed to finish everything she
was given a little after six. She fired off several emails, distributing the information to Marsh,
Keith and Susan as appropriate and sank back in her chair, rubbing her temples. Her head hurt
from reading documents on screen.
In the next office, she could hear the clatter of keys as Marsh typed. Jane hauled
herself out of her chair and made her way over.
She knocked lightly on the open door.
Marsh looked up.
"I'm done," she said, as she sagged against the door frame. "Is there anything else you
need?"
Marsh looked at the mess of papers on his desk. "I don't think so. You've done a
sterling job. I don't know how to thank you."
She immediately thought of a few ways, but decided not to say anything. Marsh
caught her eye and the dimple appeared in his cheek. "I've been neglecting you a bit these past
couple of days, haven't I?" he said quietly, too low for anyone but her to hear.
Jane checked over her shoulder. "That's okay," she said just as quietly. She wanted
desperately to go into his office. His hair was ruffled where he had run his hands through it.
She wanted to smooth it down and let her fingers trace his stubbled cheek. But if she did that,
she might not be able to stop herself from kissing him.
"You look tired," she said, in a normal tone.
"I've not been sleeping very well. Things on my mind." He grinned. "You know how
it is."
Jane knew she'd blushed. She did, indeed, know how it was.
Somewhere a door slammed. "I'm going to go home," she said. "I'll see you
tomorrow."
Marsh indicated his work. "I'm going to be stuck here for a while. I'll call you when
I'm done. Might be a bit late. Is that okay? "
"And you're still on for dinner tomorrow?"
"Oh yes. Definitely. I'm really looking forward to it," he said meaningfully.
"Me too."
* * * *
From: James Edwards
To: Marshall Winfield
Partners' meeting today.
I'll be rooting for you. I'll do my best to counterbalance Keith.
Try and
relax and enjoy the evening. Try not to talk about work.
Jim
##
From: Marshall Winfield
To: James Edwards
I'm taking the most
beautiful girl in the world out for dinner. I have no intention of thinking about
work. Or the partners' meeting.
Marsh
* * * *
The atmosphere in the office changed subtly with the partners away. People stopped
to chat a little more often. There was more laughter.
Listening to people discuss Marsh's chances, she refrained from commenting, in case
she let slip more than she intended.
"So," said Ruth as she and Jane walked back to their office together, "you've worked
with Marsh. What do you think his chances are of becoming a partner?"
The mere mention of Marsh in relation to the word "partner" made Jane crave
chocolate. She had to avoid discussing it in case she let slip more than she realised. "I don't
know how it works here. They don't have partners where I worked before."
"I think he deserves it," Ruth said. "He bills an awful lot of hours. He's in really early
and he leaves really late, from what I've heard."
"I know." Immediately realising her mistake, Jane said, "I mean, I've often been here
late at night and he and Keith were here too. So I assumed he always stayed late."
Ruth gave her a skeptical look. "O-okay."
"What time will the partner's meeting finish, d'you think?" she said, hoping to deflect
Ruth.
"Sometime after lunch. They always go out for lunch and come back slightly
squiffy."
"Even Susan?" said Jane as she followed Ruth into their office. "I can't imagine
Susan being drunk."
"Oh, she's funny when she's had a bit," Ruth said. "She's normally so severe. She's
actually quite nice when she's not in work mode."
Jane would have to see that before she believed it. She sat down and opened up her
email. There was still work to be done.
* * * *
From: Polly
To:
Jane Porter
So, have you decided
what you're wearing tonight? What sort of a restaurant are you going
to?
Pol
##
From: Jane Porter
To: Polly
No, I haven't decided what to wear
yet. He said we were going to an Italian place. It's quite near where we are, so I
won't have to go far. I was thinking of wearing one of my work dresses with a
nice cardigan instead of the jacket. All my formal things are still at
Mum's.
Jane
##
From: Polly
To: Jane Porter
I'd offer to lend you something of
mine, but they'd be too big for you. You're so lucky you're the same size as you
were when we were at school. Come to think of it, I might have some of my
old clothes from college stashed away somewhere. We can have a root through
those if you want.
Pol
##
From: Jane Porter
To: Polly
I wasn't too worried about what to
wear anyway. It's not the first time we're seeing each other. It's not like I have
to wow him.
##
From: Polly
To Jane Porter
What are you talking about? You
absolutely have to wow him. That's what this dinner is all about! My shift
finishes at 4.30. I'll see you when I get home. We'll sort something
out.
Have you seen him today? Has he said anything to you?
##
From: Jane Porter
To: Polly
Seriously, Pol. I don't get the
impression that I need to keep up the glamour. I always feel so comfortable
around Marsh. It's weird. With Ashby it was fun, but with Marsh it's different.
When I'm with him I just feel like everything is right in the world. It's like he
FITS.
No, I haven't spoken to him yet today. He's keeping a low profile.
The partners are supposed to be discussing his nomination to the partnership. I
think he's quite nervous about it. He looked tired this morning. It must be a bit
weird being here when everyone is discussing your chances of promotion.
##
From: Polly
To: Jane Porter
So, it's like Ashby was shop
bought off the peg and Marsh is made to measure?
##
From: Jane Porter
To: Polly
Yes. That's exactly what it feels like.
It looks good, it feels good. Like it was meant to be.
I have to get back to
work. I'll see you later.
Jane
Chapter 20
There was a delay on the underground. By the time Jane got home, it was nearly
seven.
Polly was waiting for her. "About time. Hurry up. You've only got an hour to get
ready."
"Can I have a cup of tea first?"
"I'll have it ready for you when you get out of the shower."
When Jane emerged Polly was waiting, with a pile of clothes. "These are all my
things from college. Maybe we can find something that fits."
Jane stared at the mound. "I'm going out for dinner, not the Grammys."
Polly ignored her and held up a dress. "How about this?"
It was dove grey with elbow length sleeves and an inverted hemline. There was a
delicate black design along the hem.
"I used to wear this with a jacket." Polly rummaged around.
Jane held the dress up. "It's beautiful." She gave it a little shake and it swished
gently.
"I know." Polly continued searching. "I only wore it twice before I ballooned out of
it. I remember Andy's expression when he first saw me in it." She stared into space for a
moment, lost in the memory.
"Are you sure you don't mind me borrowing it?"
Polly returned to the here and now. "Go try it on. I'll never fit into it again. I'd rather
it got worn."
The dress fitted perfectly, except the neckline was too wide and showed her bra
straps. Jane took a few moments to change into a strapless bra. When she returned to the
living room, Polly was holding a black beaded jacket.
"Oh, you look incredible." She gestured for Jane to twirl around. "That dress never
looked so good on me. You've really got the legs for it."
She handed Jane the jacket and steered her to a mirror.
The dress had a timeless quality about it and set off Jane's slim figure and height
beautifully. She lifted her hair and piled it on her head. A few strands escaped and framed her
face. Jane smiled. She looked very different from how she used to, in long sweeping
gowns--often rented for the evening--and blonde. She rather liked the new Jane.
Polly joined her at the mirror. "You know, I think dark hair suits you much better
than blonde ever did."
* * * *
When eight o'clock arrived, Jane was sitting on the couch, trying not to fidget. She
wasn't nervous about going out with Marsh. After all, she'd seen him almost every day for the
past few weeks. But Polly had made such a fuss that she found herself giving extra
significance to this, her first real date with him. Her nerves meant that it had taken her longer
than usual to apply her make up. She even caught herself wishing she could just phone up the
stylist who used to do her hair and makeup when she went to big events with Ashby.
At exactly eight there was a knock on the door. Polly sprang to answer it, leaving
Jane to stand uncertainly in the middle of the living room.
"Hi," said Polly. "You must be Marshall. I'm Polly."