What Women Want

by Fanny Blake

  ‘I don’t think we need to.’

  ‘But I thought you said you wanted to go through the forward schedule?’ And I’ve spent the last three days desperately trying to magic something together. If any of those authors don’t deliver on time, I’m dead.

  ‘I do. But I thought we’d do it outside the office. I asked Jade to check your diary and I think you’re free over lunch.’ Less of a question, more an instruction, Bea noted. ‘Well, I was going to catch up with what I’ve missed this morning but, yes, that would be very nice. Thanks.’

  ‘I noticed a new French bistro down the side-street by the tube. I thought we could talk there.’

  Obviously not expecting disagreement, he strode out of the office, with Bea in his wake, clutching her future plan and praying it would look convincing under Adam’s close scrutiny.

  Sitting at a bare wooden table, tucked into a quiet corner of a small, almost empty room, decorated with posters for French cities, tourist sites and French advertisements, Adam suggested they took a moment to look at the menu before they got down to business. A tanned young maître d’ came over and explained in a mouth-watering French accent the dishes of the day, all of which sounded to die for. Convincing herself that food was what she needed to support the antibiotics, distract her from her difficulties and give her strength for the meeting, Bea decided to go for the galette de crabe and then the crevettes aux tomates, leaving room for the cheese board on the other side of the room. Adam gave the menu a cursory glance, then unbuttoned his jacket.

  ‘I’m glad to get out of the office. I thought we could do with a change of scene.’

  ‘Good idea.’ This relaxed version of the Adam Palmer she knew was rather unnerving.

  ‘However, there’s something I want to tell you before we start.’ Not expecting to be taken into his confidence so early on, Bea nonetheless leaned forward to listen. He must have chosen this restaurant because he knew no one would be here to overhear whatever he was about to say.

  ‘About a month ago I met a terrific-looking woman at a party. She was in really good shape.’

  That was the last thing she would have expected him to confide. Bea couldn’t imagine where this might be leading. Not an idea for a book, surely?

  ‘When I asked her how she kept herself looking so good, she told me that she ran twice a week and fasted for one whole day.’

  ‘God. I could never do that.’ Bea felt her waistband biting. Perhaps she should. But not today.

  ‘That’s what I thought too, but in fact it’s quite easy. I’ve been doing it for three weeks now.’

  As he opened up a little, letting something of the man behind the machine slip through, Bea suddenly saw that he might be quite attractive. Vain but attractive. To some. But back to the book in question.

  ‘The only snag with our coming out at lunchtime,’ he went on, ‘is that today’s my fasting day. You don’t mind, do you? I just thought we could get more done here without interruption.’

  ‘Of course not.’ You bastard. ‘I’m not very hungry anyway. I was only going to have the melon and the salade maison.’ Whatever power game you’re playing, I am not going to be fazed by it. She waved goodbye to the cheese.

  Before the food arrived, she had refused the warm crusty French bread with peppery virgin olive oil and had, at his request, passed a copy of the publishing schedule for the next two years across the table. He spread it in front of him so there was little room for her place setting, making her feel crowded and greedy. No doubt another power ploy. As he quizzed her about the titles, she had to keep her wits about her, all too conscious that whenever she had to answer a question, her mouth was full.

  ‘Obviously I looked at this before I took the job, but I wanted to see in more detail the books you expect to be delivered and those you plan to acquire. Some of this is speculative, has to be, of course, but it’s more impressive than I was expecting.’ He sipped his tap water.

  ‘Thank you,’ Bea muttered, through a mouthful of salad, acutely aware that a bit of olive (black, of course) had wedged itself between two of her front teeth. Why did this happen more and more often as she got older, and always at the most inconvenient moment?

  ‘When you say “major autobiography” in October in both years, have you anything in mind or is that just wishful thinking?’ Adam’s grey eyes were on her face, as she tried to manoeuvre the piece of olive out of her teeth with her tongue without it being too obvious. ‘Well?’

  Success, just in time. Thank you, God. ‘I don’t have anything definite lined up but you know as well as I do that these things often come in very close to the wire. I’ll brief Stuart and Jade and ask them to make a real onslaught on the agents, literary and showbiz. Of course I’ll be doing the same so we’ll divide the work between us. I’m confident that we’ll find what we need. And that goes for the big fiction for spring in both years too.’ In fact, she was far from confident, but he didn’t need to know that. ‘They’ll be thrilled to have the extra responsibility and I’m sure they’ll rise to it.’ That was true. Under Stephen, they had been kept in the background, responding to the few manuscripts submitted to them or to those passed directly on to them by him or Bea. There was little room for initiative and their contacts were deliberately limited to the less important or fledgling agents not really dealt with by Bea or Stephen, who concentrated on the heavy hitters. ‘And, of course, I know you’ve got your own contacts.’

  ‘I’m glad you’re responding so well to the challenge.’

  Was that real warmth she saw in his smile? In his eyes as well? Surely not.

  ‘When we last talked, I wasn’t sure you would.’

  ‘I don’t give up that easily.’ Power games might be his thing but Bea knew a few of her own. Following Adele’s advice, she had decided to play the game his way until she knew what her position was. She was not going to relinquish control of her life to him. Perhaps reorganising the way they worked and putting new demands on herself and her senior staff would reignite her enjoyment of the job.

  ‘Good. Now what about losing those two people from your department?’

  ‘Becky, our most junior assistant, could go. I’d be reluctant to let her because she’s bright and energetic. At the same time I know she’d find something else quite easily. But I simply can’t see a way to losing another member of staff and getting the job you want done. You’ll have to make the cut somewhere else.’

  Adam shook his head. ‘I can’t.’

  ‘Then you’ll have to look at the budget again.’ She didn’t need Adele to tell her that the only way to fight a bully was to stand up to them. She knew that from school. When she was thirteen, Sally Armitage had orchestrated a campaign against her. The rest of the class were too wet to stand up on Bea’s behalf so she’d worked out what to do for herself. One day, when Sally had pushed her off balance and snatched her KitKat to accompanying gales of giggles from her admirers, Bea had shoved her, hard, and grabbed back her biscuit. From then on, she had no more trouble, and within a year, she and Sally had become firm friends. Remembering that incident had often helped cushion her way through life. She went on, ‘If we succeed in upping our turnover through the reduced but more profitable publishing programme that I’m proposing then we need the staff we have and, what’s more, we can afford them.’ Bea was not going to back down. She steeled herself for a fight.

  ‘I’m sorry.’ She caught a note of regret in his voice but it was tempered by certainty. ‘I’d like to give you a chance but I can’t.’

  Bea’s heart sank. ‘Why not?’

  ‘This is part of a larger corporate plan, and if I start making exceptions, it won’t happen.’

  ‘Being flexible isn’t making exceptions.’

  ‘I’ve made up my mind, I’m afraid. Things have got to change but I want you on side. I want your talent and your experience. You could make a fantastic contribution to the new Coldharbour, I’m sure of that.’

  With flattery thrown her way, Bea had to think
fast. Fortunately she’d already gone over and over the possible outcomes of their conversation. She had prepared herself for his insistence. If she continued to support her team, not only would some of them get fired regardless, she would be casting the remaining members adrift. If she didn’t, she could look after those who were left as well as being part of what could be an exciting new start. She might have her reservations about Adam, but there was no doubt he’d done the business and saved Pennant. If he was going to do that again, she might enjoy being part of the effort. Her decision was made.

  ‘All right.’

  ‘You’re sure? You don’t want time to think about it?’ He seemed surprised by the speed of her change of heart.

  But what was there to think about?

  ‘All I need is time to decide who to let go and the best way to tell them.’ This was going to be hard although in her heart she knew who it should be. Stuart and Jade had different but complementary strengths; each of them was valuable in their own way. Stuart was less conventional but with extremely eclectic taste while Jade’s taste was more middle-of-the-road and she did have some good contacts on the fringes of showbiz who might be useful.

  ‘Done!’ He stretched his hand across the table to shake hers. She couldn’t help noticing the perfect squared-off nails, the neat half-moons, the dark hair at his wrist. Was it her imagination or did he hold her grasp for a fraction longer than necessary? Get a grip, woman, this isn’t a Let’s Have Lunch situation.

  ‘And now,’ he announced, ‘there’s one thing I’d really like.’

  Thank God for that. He’s human and we’re going to celebrate. He’s going to crack and have a brandy or at the very least a double espresso. Bea felt that their relationship was taking a stride forward and, despite the immediate hurdles she was dreading having to cross, she was even looking forward to getting back to work for the first time in ages.

  Adam called the waiter over. ‘Coffee for you, Bea?’

  You bet. She nodded. Would asking for the cheese be going too far?

  ‘As for me, what I’d love is a cup of boiling water with a twist of lemon.’

  Well, perhaps they had a little way to go before they became soul-mates, but she liked the challenge he’d offered her. She felt excited but nervous about what the next few months would bring. The jury was out on how far she could trust him but she’d go along with him and see how things played out. By the time they reached the office, she knew what she had to do.

  Chapter 12

  Knowing what has to be done is a lot easier than doing it, reflected Bea, as she strode into the office with renewed purpose. She noticed Stuart in Jade’s office. He was stretched back in the one comfortable chair, arms behind his head and eyes half shut while Jade talked at him from the other side of her desk, wearing an unusually earnest expression. Those two spent far too much time closeted together analysing office politics. With one of them gone, the other might sharpen up their act. A reinvigorated twosome with a fixed goal in their sights might well be better than the three of them working together at half-cock. But was she right in her choice as to which one of them should go? Stuart or Jade? Who would make the better working partner? Jade was younger and probably more hungry, but her taste in books was very similar to Bea’s. Stuart, on the other hand, although more world-weary, had a certain edge that might complement Bea better. She had to remember that her choice might make the difference between success and failure. Not just the company’s but hers. And after that lunch, failure was something she didn’t want to entertain.

  Jade saw her coming and immediately leaped to her feet. Pencil thin, dressed in black as usual, she had a head of wild black curls that provided a perfect foil for the slash of bright red lipstick she always wore. She paused to listen to something Stuart was saying. Encouraging or discouraging? Bea couldn’t tell. However, whatever it was didn’t dissuade her from coming to her door.

  ‘Bea! Could I have a word with you?’

  ‘Not now. I’m sorry but there’s something I’ve got to do. Later this afternoon any good? Or even Monday morning?’

  ‘It can’t wait, I’m afraid.’ Jade could never be described as aggressive but she sure knew how to assert herself. That was one of the reasons Bea liked and rated her. She knew no one else who would contemplate doorstepping a celeb to persuade a book out of them. That wasn’t what old-fashioned publishing had been about, but Jade was one of a new breed who thought out of the box.

  ‘Well, I’m sorry, it’s going to have to.’ Bea had to get to her office to think. The last thing she wanted was a discussion with someone she might be about to make redundant.

  ‘I just need ten minutes. Please. In about half an hour?’

  ‘All right, if you really insist.’ Bea conceded defeat in the knowledge that Jade would pester her until she gave in. Having such little time in hand would certainly help focus her mind.

  Half an hour later, she was still undecided. Much as she would have liked to get the difficult conversation over with before the weekend – something that Adam, doubtless, would have done in her place – she needed more time to be absolutely sure she was doing the right thing. If only she could escape with her antibiotics, go home and start again on Monday. At least she’d be feeling better then. She shifted position to ease her discomfort, then sipped at yet another glass of water. A knock and then Jade put her head around the door. ‘Now a good time?’

  ‘Just give me another couple of minutes. I’ve got to make one call, then I’m yours.’ Coward.

  Bea stood up, straightened her skirt – rather a nice Marc Jacobs number that she’d spotted in the window of Flash for Cash and couldn’t resist on the grounds that secondhand doesn’t count – then picked up her phone and turned to face the window so no one could see she wasn’t speaking.

  When Jade came back, she was ready. She was going to pretend everything was normal, soothe any worries and take the next couple of days to be certain of her decision. Stuart and Jade might not be her best friends but they had been loyal colleagues and they at least deserved to be given serious thought and consideration. She owed them that. Even if they were going to think she was a two-faced cow on Monday when they knew the truth.

  ‘Tea?’ Jade had brought in two mugs with her.

  ‘Thanks. Lovely.’ Tea was not going to do Tony Castle’s legacy much good, but in the interests of oiling the wheels, she took the proffered mug. ‘Now, what’s so urgent?’

  Jade took a deep breath. ‘I know you must be having a really difficult time at the moment.’ Her customary confidence had deserted her. Keeping her eyes on her black-stockinged knees as she spoke, she kept turning a foolscap envelope that she held on her lap.

  Bea couldn’t avoid noticing the particularly brilliant shade of Jade’s newly applied red nail varnish – it still had the faint smell of pear-drop. ‘Nothing I can’t handle.’ She was determined to remain cool and noncommittal.

  ‘Everybody’s saying there are going to be job cuts.’

  Already the conversation had veered from any direction Bea had hoped it would take. ‘Well, it does look as though things are going to be a bit unsettled for the next few weeks.’

  ‘I saw you going out for lunch with Adam so – maybe I’m adding two and two together – but . . .’

  ‘No decisions have been made, if that’s what you’re asking.’

  ‘Not exactly.’ Jade looked so uncomfortable that Bea almost felt sorry for her.

  ‘Yes?’ she said, in what she hoped was an encouraging way.

  ‘I’ve been here for four years now and have loved working with you.’

  Oh, no, she was going to plead for her job, citing out-of-work husband, young children, aged parents and, of course, an abiding love of the company. Bea braced herself. ‘Honestly, Jade. Nothing’s been decided.’ Bring on the weekend.

  ‘That’s good. I thought perhaps I might be making things easier for you if I told you now that I’ve been offered a job at Harcourt House and I’ve decided to take i
t.’ The last bit came out in a rush as she lifted her head and looked across the desk, straight at Bea, as if wanting her assurance that she had made the right decision.

  Managing to refrain from leaping up and hugging her, Bea was nonetheless having difficulty in composing herself. There is a God, after all. Thank you. ‘That’s wonderful news for you. Congratulations. What will you be doing?’

  As Jade explained that the new women’s fiction list was being reinvented and put in her charge now because the existing editorial director had moved to America, it became obvious that this was going to be an excellent career move.

  ‘That all sounds fantastic. A great break for you. I’m not going to try to persuade you to stay because, the way things are, I think this will be a much, much better deal than anything I could offer.’ That, at least, was true.

  ‘I was hoping you’d say that. Thank you.’ Jade was all smiles now the worst was over. ‘Here’s my resignation letter. I thought I’d better make it formal.’ She passed Bea the envelope.

  ‘Perhaps I should have a word with Stuart, just to put his mind at rest about what’s happening here.’ Bea couldn’t quite believe how good fortune had played into her hands. ‘Could you ask him to come in?’

  Stuart entered her office at his most recalcitrant, his scar gleaming pearly white. He left on a high to go and celebrate with Jade. Bea had reassured him that his job was secure. Deciding to put all her cards on the table, she confided that Jade had in fact done him a favour. She hadn’t wanted to lose either of them but she was delighted with the way the dice had fallen. He would have more responsibility and together they would make a strong team with a vital role in turning the company around. Fired with enthusiasm, they planned to meet the following week to discuss tactics.

  After he’d gone, Bea spent a couple of hours catching up with a backlog of work and tidied the office ready for a new start. For the first time in months, she went home fired up and looking forward to what was to come.