Free The Mill House by Susan Lewis Page A

patiently. 'And she's the most senior. The others won't oppose her decision.'
    'But it's a wrong one.'
    'Then you're free to take the book elsewhere.'
    Josh checked to make sure his door was closed, for he didn't want Marina, his PA, to know about this conversation, particularly not what was coming next. 'Look,' he said, already wincing, for he'd never pulled a stroke like this before, and given a choice he sure as hell wouldn't do it now, 'we both know Moira Glaister's contract is coming up for renewal.'
    The silence at the other end was deadly.
    Hating himself, Josh continued to let the implication hang. Moira was an extremely successful crime-writer. Greenstock wouldn't want Josh taking her elsewhere, but though trading one author off the back of another did happen, when the author he was trying to promote was his wife, it smacked of the kind of nepotism anyone would find hard to stomach. In fact, as the silence drew on, he was becoming nauseous himself.
    'Josh,' Greenstock said quietly. 'I understand how disappointed you and Julia must be with Fiona's decision, but we both know Julia wouldn't thank you for this. It's no way to get her published.'
    Thankful at least that Greenstock realised Julia had nothing to do with this, Josh said, 'You could do it, though.'
    "Of course, but the advance would be minimal and the outcome could prove as painful AS last time.'
    All that really mattered to Josh was that Julia should start believing in herself again, so as excruciating, and undoubtedly misguided, as his line of attack was, he couldn't give up yet. 'I believe in this book, Harry,' he said.
    There was only a brief pause before Greenstock said, 'Is that an objective view?'
    Josh sighed and closed his eyes. It was well past the time to back off now. 'I'm sorry,' he mumbled.
    'It's OK. You can count on my discretion. This conversation will go no further.'
    After thanking him Josh rang off, pressed his hands to his face and tried to erase the humiliation from his mind. What the hell had he been thinking? Just what did he imagine he was going to prove by forcing Julia on her old publishing house? Everyone would know, and he shuddered even to think of how devastated she'd be if she ever found out.
    Thankful to be distracted by another incoming call, he clicked the phone on again and returned to his desk. As he talked to the editor at the other end he glanced anxiously at his watch, aware that he was becoming edgier and more irritable by the minute, for time was marching him inexorably towards a meeting he should never have set up, but hadn't yet been able to bring himself to cancel.
    The cab was booked for three thirty, so by the time the call ended he guessed it would be outside. Without bothering to check, he picked up his mobile and raincoat, strode past Marina who was busy on the phone, and ran downstairs taking another call as it came in. 'Sydney Street, I'll direct you from there,' he told
    the driver, and continued into the phone, 'it's a good offer. Better than I hoped, but we can always shop it around some more, if that's what you want.'
    The author at the other end was clearly torn between greed and a safe haven. Greed won. Josh told him he'd get back when he had more news, and clicked onto the next call. It was Marina, whose wry sense of humour was as great an asset as her unswerving loyalty, since he'd given her a job nine years ago at the age of fifty-one, when no-one else would.
    'Just to let you know I've rescheduled your six o'clock this evening to five tomorrow evening,' she told him. 'I couldn't get hold of your four o'clock though, because I can't see who it's with.'
    'Falcon Hotels,' he informed her. 'I'm on my way there now.'
    'Oh? Why isn't it in the diary?'
    'Over to you,' he responded. 'It was in mine.'
    'OK. Well, if you manage to wrap that up by four thirty, quarter to five at the latest, you should be home in time to play cricket with Dan.'
    'Football,' he corrected. 'Any news from Phyllis Long at