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‘Oh, that!’ He gave a tight nod ‘Thanks Although it’s a touch pre, and, as I said—’

‘Off the record, or you’ll sue?’ Aave a wan smile ‘Don’t worry; my next piece will be called “You heard it here last”’

She slipped out of his office and into the hallway The elevatorher, because it slid open before she even approached, killing stone-dead any lingering hope that he ht pull open the door and call her back in

As if

As if Vaughan Mason would even give their altercation a second thought

Stepping out onto the street, she ignored the taxi rank and decided instead to walk What was the point of rushing to the gallows?

She could almost see Paul’s thunderous face when she told hi into the red as she struggled to find another gig

The one ift-wrapped and handed to her on a plate, and she’d soed to mess it up

But it wasn’t just her lack of journalistic acu back over her shoulder, she stared up at the ostentatious high-rise building, squinting into the low, late-afternoon sun at the black-tinted s, re asleep on the couch… And she was suddenly assailed with regret of a rather more personal nature

If only she’d dared kiss him!

CHAPTER TWO

‘PAUL said you were to go straight through,’ Clara greeted her ‘And by the way he’s not in the sunniest of moods’

Perhaps he already knew Ah the practically ehan had wasted no ti to her senior about the poor replacement he had sent

Oh, well, if nothing else it would save her the indignity of repeating the debacle; living through it the first tih

As usual Paul was on the telephone

As usual he gestured for her to sit, with barely a glance, and sit A with every breath and the oppressive scent of a large bouquet of stunning orchids which adorned Paul’s desk doing nothing to help

‘How did it go?’ Paul finally asked, hanging up the telephone and scribbling down a few notes ‘Oh, and these came for you,’ he added when A the bouquet forward, watching her strained face as she fingered the pale pink waxy petals ‘Most women would die to be in your position, you know? Most woht aring for forgiveness’

‘No, Paul, they wouldn’t,’ A his ego could finally admit that it was over and he’d realise that for once in his life he wasn’t going to be forgiven his sins

‘What’s he got to say for himself this time?’

Amelia didn’t need to read the card to find out—no doubt it was another reaiveness

‘So, how did it go with Mason?’ Paul asked again, returning to his notes And, given that it was the second ti, Amelia knew that her tiny reprieve was over The curtain was lifting and the final act was about to begin

‘Not very well’ She watched the smile wiped from Paul’s face, watched as his pen froze over the paper and he instantly reverted froue to boss

‘Which means exactly what?’

A open the envelope fro to do Taylor’s pathetic excuses were preferable to Paul’s harsh, direct stare

‘He wasn’t really up to an interview He was tired…’

‘Vaughan Mason’s never tired,’ Paul hissed ‘Vaughan Mason isn’t a mere mortal who needs six hours’ sleep to function, like the rest of us…’