Free The Out of Office Girl by Nicola Doherty Page B

advance.’
    ‘It’s a little late for that.’ I hesitate, not sure if I should say whatI’m about to say, but then continue regardless. ‘If we don’t get it, we’ll certainly investigate legal options.’ I’m totally bluffing here, because there are no legal options – not the ones we want anyway.
    ‘Go ahead. We’ll bankrupt you.’
    ‘But why did you let him sign this contract in the first place?’
    ‘I didn’t. He signed it through his commercial agent without consulting me.’
    ‘Was that Marc?’This was the person we dealt with before Sam, who disappeared one day without a trace. ‘What happened to him?’
    ‘He’s no longer with us,’ Sam says in a bland tone that sounds very ominous. ‘Look, Luther isn’t one of your home-grown nobodies who are desperate for exposure at any price. He’s a star. I know you wouldn’t hesitate to exploit him if it meant you could impress your boss with a trashykiss-and-tell, but it’s not going to happen. As far as I’m concerned, Luther’s delivered what he promised and now he needs a vacation.’ And he walks off, pulling out his phone.
    For want of anywhere better, I start walking towards myroom. My heart is thumping. I’m furious. How dare he say I’m out to exploit Luther? And simultaneously, I’m terrified. I feel as if I’m falling down a very steepcliff, at the bottom of which is the company in ruins, the missing clause discovered, disgrace, my career over . . . What if there is no book?
    ‘You look like you just saw a ghost.’
    It’s Luther. He’s emerged from his room, which is opposite mine, looking heart-stoppingly handsome. He’s dressed for going out, in a grey linen jacket over a blue T-shirt and narrow jeans, but his hair is all messedup, as if he’s been having a nap. He’s carrying a FedEx package.
    ‘Check this out,’ he says. ‘I just got a little care package from Sandy with some mail and products.’
    ‘Products?’
    ‘Yeah. People send a ton of stuff so they can say I use it. I get to keep whatever Sandy’s assistant doesn’t cream off. They’ve sent me the latest iPhone. Also some male grooming products.’ He looks at one of the packages.‘Great. Another one for Lucifer Carson.’
    ‘Luther,’ I blurt out, ‘I’m worried about the book.’
    That probably wasn’t the best way to put it, but at least now the cat’s out of the bag.
    ‘About the book? Why?’ He lights a cigarette, even though I’m sure we’re not supposed to smoke indoors. God, listen to me. Smoking indoors is not the worst thing he’s ever done.
    ‘Well – we haven’t done any workon it yet.’ Just in time, I remember to start putting things in a more positive way. ‘I’d like us to focus on it soon.’
    ‘We will,’ he says. He looks at me seriously. ‘Alice, we will. But, you know, you’ve only been here a day! I thought it would be cool to get to know you first,’ he adds softly, his eyes resting on my face. ‘You know, hang out and spend some time together, before I start tellingyou my life story!’
    He puts his hand on my arm. I look down at it.
    ‘Oh. Right.’ Now I’m totally confused. Does he mean it, or is he just fobbing me off?
    ‘You seem like a pretty cool girl,’ he continues. ‘I think you should just kick back, come out with us on a night out, we can party . . . Oh, no. You can’t come tonight, can you?’
    ‘No, I’m afraid not – I’m going to have to sort out my clothestomorrow, but I can’t go in this.’ I pluck at the hair shirt.
    ‘You look cute in that,’ he says. ‘It’s kind of – English chic.’
    ‘Annabel lent it to me,’ I say quickly. I don’t want him to think I’m wearing it voluntarily.
    ‘Exactly, English chic,’ says Luther. He throws an arm around my shoulder and starts walking me towards the terrace. ‘So listen, don’t worry. We will do the book – I promise.Has Sam been giving you the big chief talk? Don’t listen to him. He works for me, not the other way