A Funny Thing About Love by Rebecca Farnworth Read Free Book Online Page B

and emergency bottle of red wine was a deeply unattractive one. How much longer could she go on herself ? She knew she wasn’t ruthless enough to be a really successful agent, but Matthew had always protected her, seeing other qualities in her. However, on the basis of her appraisal, Tiana saw the lack of ruthlessness as a weakness and a failing.
    â€˜What will you do?’ Carmen asked. ‘You
promise
you won’t drink yourself to death?’
    Matthew made the cub scout salute. ‘I promise. I’m actually going to finally pull my finger out and write a novel. I’ve only been thinking about it for the last thirty years. Procrastination is my middle name. And I’m going to be on your case, demanding to see the next episode of your sitcom. I love what I’ve read so far.You’re a really good comic writer, with a great ear for dialogue and brilliant grasp of character. Don’t let this place bleed you dry.’
    At this, Trish poked her head round the door, blasting the room with geranium. ‘Sorry, guys, the meeting’s about to begin and Tiana has asked me to get everyone together.’
    Matthew stood and held himself straight up to his impressive full height of six foot three. ‘Those who are about to die salute you,’ he said ironically, raising his hand.
    â€˜I’d have felt a whole lot better if you’d said, “At my command unleash hell”,’ she replied, as they both began walking towards the boardroom.
    â€˜We can’t all be Russell Crowe in
Gladiator
, Carmen. I would look bloody awful in a leather miniskirt.’
    At the mention of Russell, Carmen got a dreamy look in her eye; she did have a thing about the actor. Then she pulled herself together. ‘I don’t know,’ she said, surveying Matthew’s long legs. ‘There’s probably a niche market for spindly-legged men in leather skirts. I can google it later if you like.’
    Carmen was sure it was entirely deliberate that Tiana was sitting on one side of the vast, glass-topped table coolly looking out at all her employees. Will, as her deputy, was sitting at her right. Carmen suddenly felt shy. He caught her eye and gave the briefest of smiles before looking down at his notes. Maybe he felt embarrassed about last night. To hide her discomfort, Carmenjoked to Trish, ‘Do you think she’s going to do a “Suralan” and tell us we’re fired?’
    Trish glanced at her and smiled. ‘No way, you look too smart to fire today.’
    They both considered Carmen’s pearl-grey fitted shift dress and shoe boots – after the casual look yesterday, she’d thought she’d better pull her finger out style-wise. ‘But I’m sure she’d like to,’ she muttered back. Trish, usually so positive about everyone, had nothing good to say about Tiana.
    Matthew took his place next to Tiana. The mischief was entirely missing from his eyes. Tiana gave him a tight little smile and then launched into her speech.
    â€˜Thank you all for coming here?’ The Antipodean lift was in full swing. ‘I won’t take up too much of your valuable time, I know how busy everyone is, but I have a special announcement?’ She looked round the room, making sure she had the full attention of the twenty or so people there. ‘Matthew has decided to step down as deputy director of the company.’
    There was an immediate mass intake of breath and exclamations of ‘No way!’. Clearly Matthew had only told a select few.
    â€˜You can’t leave!’ Trish wailed. ‘You
are
Fox Nicholson!’
    â€˜Hear hear,’ came a chorus. But not from Tiana or Will, it had to be said. Carmen shot him a WTF look which he ignored. He was doing his bland corporate, expressionless act, and he was rather too good at it for Carmen’s liking.
    Matthew smiled. ‘Thanks, but it’s time for me to take a bow. I’ve worked in this