“No, it’s okay.” Carmen had no idea how she sounded so calm and balanced. “Annabella’s understandably upset. There’s no need for us to involve anyone else.” She took two tentative paces towards the actress. “I do get why you’re upset. Believe me, this wasn’t an easy decision. And you’re not the only one we’ve let go.”
“Oh, and that’s supposed to make me feel better, is it?” Annabella threw her hands up. She stepped closer and pointed a finger in Carmen’s face. “You’ll pay for this. Just you wait and see. I know a lot of people. A lot .”
Carmen recoiled at the bitterness and fury on the actress’s face. Fear slithered down her spine. Annabella’s threats were probably empty bluster, but what if they weren’t? What if she did have that level of influence?
Jesus, she could ruin me. What had seemed so easy, so achievable before now hung like a wrecking ball above Carmen, just waiting to crash down and destroy everything she’d worked so hard for. How did I underestimate her? And who else have I misread? There were at least ten clients she’d yet to hear from after the final letters had gone out the week before. If they all took Annabella’s stance…
Maybe I can retain her. And a few of the others who complain. It would mean she’d still have to work long hours, and she would have to carefully pick which new clients she took on, given that; however, surely that was better than the entire business going under. Of course, that would mean less time with Ash, but she’d understand. Wouldn’t she?
“Annabella, I don’t think there’s a need for things to go that far. Can I suggest you come back tomorrow? We’ll do lunch and talk this through.”
A slight softening in Annabella’s posture gave Carmen hope. “Lunch tomorrow?”
“Yes. Wait, let me just check my calendar.” Carmen grabbed her phone and scrolled through her calendar. It would take a bit of shuffling, but if it headed off this danger, it was worth it. “One thirty?”
Annabella checked her own phone. “I suppose so.” She pouted, then spun on her heel and shoved roughly past Beverley in the doorway, who had to clutch the doorframe to avoid falling over.
“Oh God, Beverley, are you okay?” Monica asked a millisecond before Carmen could.
They both rushed over to the older woman and took hold of an arm each.
“I’m…I’m okay.” Beverley’s eyes were wild. “That was scary.”
“Come, sit down.” Carmen led her over to the conference table and eased her into one of the chairs. “I’m so sorry that happened.”
“Oh, it’s not your fault.” Beverley shook her head. “I never did like her. And she’s rubbish in that soap.”
Monica snorted, then full out laughed. “You’re dead right. Jesus, what a drama queen.”
Carmen turned back to Beverley. “I think we should all call it a day now, don’t you? Are you okay to go home, or shall I call you a cab? You know what, I think I want to call you a cab anyway.”
Beverley gazed up at her. “That’s lovely. And I won’t argue with you. That gave me quite a turn.”
“Here, I’ll take care of this. Get your stuff, and we’ll leave together,” Monica said. “I’ll call for the cab while you pack up, then wait downstairs with you for it.”
Carmen threw Monica a grateful smile. “Thank you.” She took a step back to give them room. “Right, you two get going, and I’ll lock up.”
“Sure you’ll be okay on your own?” Monica frowned. “What if she comes back?”
“She won’t.” Carmen rolled her shoulders, her muscles taut with tension. “She’s said her piece. And I’ve cut her off with the offer of lunch tomorrow.”
“You’re not going to give in to her, are you?” Monica’s voice was quiet.
“I…I don’t know.”
Monica opened her mouth, closed it again. With what looked like some effort not to say anything else, she turned to Beverley and helped her from the room.
Felicity opened the door and let Carmen into the house. “My God, you’re as white as a sheet!” She pulled Carmen into a hug. “And you’re shaking. Come and sit down.”
Carmen, her mind numb, followed Felicity down the hall to the lounge. She waited there while Felicity quickly rustled up some sparkling water for them both.
“Here, drink this.” Felicity handed her a glass.
“Thanks.”
“I have to say, I’m with Beverley. I think you should have called the police.”
Carmen rubbed at her face. “I think that would have made things considerably worse.”
She’d filled Felicity in on the details as she’d ridden in the cab over. Carmen prided herself on respecting her clients’ privacy, but after that scene, she’d needed someone to talk it through with, and Felicity was the obvious choice, given Ash was working.
“Hmm, maybe.” Felicity sipped her water. “So, what now? I assume you’re going to have your lawyer with you when you meet her for lunch tomorrow?”
Carmen blinked rapidly. That hadn’t even occurred to her.
Felicity shook her head. “You must, darling. God knows what she’d say or do otherwise. I mean, it’s not like you’re going to take her back, is it?”
“Um…”
“What? Carmen, you can’t be serious! She’s a talentless hack who doesn’t deserve you, especially after this evening’s pathetic performance.”
“But what if…what if she can do all that damage?”
“Then you’ll find a way to deal with it. Have more faith in yourself. You didn’t get this far without being brilliant, did you?”
Carmen’s eyes pricked with tears. “I know, it’s just…”
“What? Hard? Of course it’s hard. Most of the important things in life are.” Felicity leaned forward, pinning Carmen with an intense gaze. “You have every right to run that business how you choose. But the last few weeks you’ve been a different person, and it’s been wonderful to see. And the reason is that you’ve allowed something other than work into your life. I don’t just mean Ash. I mean the concept of free time, of going out without it being anything related to your job. Are you actually going to sit
