The Bedroom Assignment

‘Well, I was a bit rude to the new boss,’ admitted Zoe. ‘I’d like to—er—retrieve the position.’ She twinkled. ‘Actually, what I mean is I want to knock him cold. I’ve got a point to make.’

Harry sucked his teeth thoughtfully. ‘Leave the top button undone,’ he advised.

Zoe puffed. ‘Thank you,’ she said with irony.

‘No, on second thoughts, make it two. These modern bosses take some impressing.’

‘You’d know, of course, idle little toad.’

‘I’m glad you brought that up. I’ve lined up a job for the summer.’

‘Great,’ said Zoe. ‘What?’

But he only looked mysterious and refused to tell her. Zoe had effectively been substitute mother since Harry was ten. She knew enough not to push it.

Instead she got out plates and put them in the old- fashioned oven to warm.

‘Harry—’

He was leafing through the television programmes. ‘Yes?’

‘Do you think everyone moves in with their boyfriend eventually?’

He looked alarmed. ‘What has Naomi been saying?’

Naomi was his girlfriend.

‘No, not you.’ Zoe thought about it. ‘Well, not yet anyway. I was thinking of, well, me.’

He laughed. ‘The guy would have to work hard to get you to stick with him long enough to move in.’

‘Yes,’ agreed Zoe, depressed.

Harry thought about it. ‘And Suze hasn’t, has she? I mean Hermann’s great, but she doesn’t want to move to Germany, does she? She’s still in that flat she wanted you to share?’

Zoe nodded, even more depressed. She had shared the flat with Suze for a few months after she came down from university. But first Artemis, then Harry had had their public exams, and Deborah had been locking herself away in her room and cooking family meals at midnight. There had been no choice, really.

‘I don’t think I’ll be moving out again just yet,’ she agreed brightly.

And added silently, If ever.

Monday morning was better. Zoe liked mornings anyway. Besides, she was always better when she had something to do.

And this morning what she had to do was show Jay Christopher that he had engaged a treasure. When she moved, as she would at the end of her contract, Jay Christopher was going to realise that he had made a big mistake by insulting her. A big mistake.

Zoe almost skipped into the cream and silver offices of Culp and Christopher. Jay Christopher, she thought, hugging herself, was in for the education of his life.

Though quite what she was going to do at Culp and Christopher nobody seemed to be sure. The Human Resources manager, a tall blonde, was manifestly not expecting her. She made a couple of investigative phone calls while trying to deliver a welcome spiel. It did not work very well.

‘A degree in chemistry? Aren’t you overqualified to temp?’

‘Yes.’

What else did she expect her to say? thought Zoe, irritated. But the blonde was flustered by her brevity. She muttered a question into the telephone wedged under her ear and looked at the file in front of her.

‘Er—yes. Well. So, do you think you’re suited to the sort of work we do here?’

Zoe tried to be patient. ‘That’s why the Manoir Agency sent me.’

‘Ah, but why did they choose you particularly?’

Zoe narrowed her eyes at her, losing patience. ‘Just drew the short straw, I guess.’

Fortunately her answer fell on deaf ears. The telephone had obviously started broadcasting.

‘Oh, it’s Jay’s doing, is it?’ said the woman into the telephone. She made a note on her pad and then said, ‘Right. I’ll bring her along at ten.’ She almost flung the phone down and turned back. ‘Have you worked in public relations before, Zoe?’

‘No,’ Zoe admitted.

‘Well, this is a very progressive company,’ said the blonde, getting back on message with evident relief. ‘We’re committed to training. I’ll make sure you go on one of the introductory talks that our chief gives. Jay Christopher,’ she added unexpectedly, ‘is just wicked.’

Zoe blinked. She thought of the man she had seen, tall as a tree and mad as a hornet. And up for a serious bit of reeducation. She gulped. ‘Wicked?’