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“I can’t give an update in your lap!” She sounded so horrified that it took everything Joe had not to laugh

“Start now!” Callum shouted “I don’t care where you are Bloody talk”

Joe cocked an eyebrow at her “You heard the boss”

Stunned, but cornered, Julia broke eye contact to stare at her iPad There was silence in the rooht she wouldn’t be able to do it But then she cleared her throat and touched the screen, and a neat list appeared on the wall

“See?” Elle pointed at the projection “Isn’t it fantastic?”

Joe nudged Julia, and she frowned at him

He leaned in to brush his lips against her ear “Talk, or I kiss you What would you rather have happen in a roo you?”

He felt her go tense, and she pursed her lips as she glared at him

“You knoould,” he told her

Her eyes ide She cleared her throat again and looked down at her iPad “This is e know so far,” she said softly, but loud enough for everyone to hear

Joe settled in to listen, feeling inordinately proud of the woht herself a coward Joe knew she was anything but

“It all co mummy,” Julia said as Joe stroked her back

She sat up straight, trying to silently tell hiht she felt him chuckle

She tapped her iPad “This is Carlos Esteban He runs one of the s, but that doesn’t stop hiunrunning, kidnap for ransoitimate eed to a shot of Patricia and Alice laughing together “Alice is Gran’s best friend”

“Hey, that’s Alice Bridges,” Ryan said around a mouthful of food “She’s a documentary film producer Do you know anyone who isn’t famous?”