Horror is rising up in me like chill water. Sam’s dad’s going to pitch up at the Chiddingford Hotel, expecting some lovely reunion. Today. He’s probably on his way already. He’ll be all excited. And Sam won’t even
What do I do? How do I solve this? I can’t tell Sam. He’ll go absolutely mad. And he’s so stressed anyway. Do I cancel the dad? Send a quick rain-check apology email? Or will that make everything even worse between them?
There’s only one tiny ray of hope. Sam’s dad never sent any reply, which is why I forgot about it. So maybe he never even got the email. Maybe it’s all OK—
I suddenly realize I’m nodding emphatically, as though to persuade myself. One of the girls with Willow looks up and eyes me curiously. Oops.
“Right!” I say out loud. “So … I’ll just … Good. Yes.” I hastily turn on my heel. If there’s one thing I
As they stride in, neither of them even notices me.
“We
“That’s not fair, Sam.” Vicks looks prickly. “I’d say it’s a reasonable and balanced official response. Nothing in our statement says he did or didn’t write the memo—”
“But it should! You should be telling the world that he would never say these things in a million years! You
“That’s for him to say in his own personal statement. What
“Hanging John Gregson out to dry was bad enough,” says Sam, his voice low, as though he’s trying to keep control of himself. “That never should have happened. He never should have lost his job. But Nick! Nick is everything to this company.”
“Sam, we’re not hanging him out to dry. He’s going to release his own statement. He can say what he likes in that.”
“Great,” says Sam sarcastically. “But meanwhile his own board won’t stand by him. What kind of vote of confidence is that? Remind me
Vicks flinches but says nothing. Her phone buzzes, but she presses
“Sam—” She stops, then takes a deep breath and starts again. “You’re being idealistic. I know you admire Nick. We all do. But he’s not everything to this company. Not anymore.” She winces at Sam’s glare but carries on. “He’s one man. One brilliant, flawed, high-profile man. In his sixties.”
“He’s our
“Bruce is our chairman.”
“Nick
“A long time ago, Sam. A very long time ago.”
Sam exhales sharply and walks a few paces off, as though trying to calm himself. I’m watching, agog, not daring even to breathe.
“So you side with them,” he says at last.
“It’s not a question of
“Jesus Christ, Vicks. Listen to yourself.”
There’s a sharp silence. Neither of them is looking at the other. Vicks’s face is creased and troubled-looking. Sam’s hair is more rumpled than ever, and he looks absolutely furious.
I feel a bit stunned by the intensity in the room. I always thought being in PR sounded like a
“Vicks.” The unmistakable drawl of Justin Cole hits the air, and a moment later he’s in the room, wafting Fahrenheit and satisfaction. “Got this under control, have you?”
“The lawyers are on it. We’re just drafting a press statement.” She gives him a tight smile.
“Because, for the sake of the company, we need to be careful that none of the other directors are tainted with these unfortunate … views. You know what I’m saying?”
“It’s all in hand, Justin.”
From Vicks’s sharp tone, I’m guessing she doesn’t like Justin any more than Sam does.77
“Great. Of course, very unfortunate for Sir Nicholas.
“He is not getting on.” Sam scowls at Justin. “You really are an arrogant little shit.”
“Temper, temper!” Justin says pleasantly. “Oh, tell you what, Sam. Let’s send him an e-card.”
“Fuck you.”