Twenties Girl

“Oh. Well… er, thanks.”

“I don’t know if Damian mentioned this.” Sarah ushers me to a seat and sits down opposite me. “But I was wondering if you could tell me the subjects you’d like to discuss with Bill. It’s something we ask all his visitors. So we can prep him, do any necessary research… It makes life easier for everyone.”

“Damian did ask. But it’s kind of private, sorry.”

Sarah’s pleasant smile doesn’t falter for an instant.

“If you could just indicate the broad areas? Give us an idea?”

“I don’t really want to get into it.” I can feel myself flushing. “I’m sorry. It’s kind of a… family thing.”

“Of course! That’s fine. Excuse me a moment.”

She moves away into a corner of the reception area, and I can see her muttering into her earpiece. Sadie glides over to Sarah for a minute or two, then appears back by my side. To my astonishment, she’s cracking up with laughter.

“What is it?” I demand under my breath. “What was she saying?”

“She said she didn’t think you looked violent but maybe they should call extra security anyway.”

“What?” I can’t help exclaiming, and Sarah immediately whips around to survey me.

“Sorry.” I wave at her cheerily. “Just… er… sneezed. What else did she say?” I hiss as Sarah turns away again.

“Apparently you have a grudge against Bill? Something about a job he didn’t give you?”

Grudge? Job? I stare at her baffled for a second-before the penny drops. The funeral. Of course .

“The last time Uncle Bill saw me, I was announcing a murder in the middle of a funeral. He must have told everyone I’m a total psychopath!”

“Isn’t it a wheeze?” Sadie giggles.

“It’s not funny!” I say crossly. “They probably all think I’ve come to assassinate him or something! You realize this is all your fault?” I hastily break off as Sarah approaches again.

“Hi, Lara!” Her voice is bright but tense. “So… one of Bill’s team will sit in with you during the meeting. Just to take notes. Is that OK?”

“Look. Sarah.” I try to sound as sane and calm as possible. “I’m not a nutter. I don’t have a grudge against anyone. I don’t need any notes taken. I just want to have a chat with my uncle, one to one. Five minutes. That’s all I want.”

There’s silence for a moment. Sarah still has a vivid smile pasted on, but her eyes keep swiveling to the door and back again.

“OK, Lara,” she says at last. “We’ll do things your way.”

As she sits down, I can see her touching her earpiece as though for reassurance.

“So… how’s Aunt Trudy?” I say conversationally. “Is she here?”

“Trudy’s at the house in France for a few days,” Sarah says at once.

“How about Diamanté? Maybe we could have a quick coffee or something.” I don’t really want to have coffee with Diamanté, I only want to prove how friendly and normal I am.

“You want to see Diamanté?” Sarah’s eyes have gone even more swively. “Now?”

“Just for a coffee, if she’s around.”

“I’ll call her assistant.” She leaps up, hurries away to the corner, and mutters in her earpiece, then almost immediately comes back to the seating area. “I’m afraid Diamanté’s getting a manicure at the moment. She says maybe next time?”

Yeah, right. She never even put the call through. I’m feeling quite sorry for this Sarah, actually. She looks as nervous as if she’s babysitting a lion. I have a wicked urge to yell “Hands up!” and see how quickly she throws herself to the floor.

“I love your bracelet,” I say instead. “It’s really unusual.”

“Oh, yes.” She extends her arm warily and shakes the two little silver disks on their chain. “Haven’t you seen these yet? They’re from the new Two Little Coins line. There’s going to be a stand of products in each Lingtons coffee shop starting next January. I’m sure Bill will give you one. There’s a pendant, too, and T-shirts… gift sets of two little coins in a treasure box…”

“Sounds great,” I say politely. “It must be doing well.”

“Oh, Two Little Coins is huge,” she assures me earnestly. “Huge. It’ll be as big a brand as Lingtons. You know it’s going to be a Hollywood film?”

“Uh-huh.” I nod. “Pierce Brosnan as Uncle Bill, I heard.”