Persuading Annie by Melissa Nathan Read Free Book Online Page B

was the only paid employee of her father’s she had ever deigned to talk to properly. And there was a simple reason for that. Davina was a hoot.
    Davina slid her chair out and sat down, smiling pleasantly at everyone round the table, her long, straight blonde hair swaying gently as she did so. She turned to grin at Katherine as she took her little jacket off, revealing a shimmering attempt at a blouse that left nothing to the imagination. Which made sense, surmised Annie, considering that her father didn’t have one. Davina wasn’t the type to leave anything to chance.
    Davina looked over at Katherine and gasped loudly. ‘I adore your earrings,’ she whispered loudly, touching Katherine’s tiny diamonds glistening in her downy earlobes. ‘They’re divine . How do they make them so small? If I had a pair of those, I’d swallow them or something.’
    Katherine laughed with delight, feeling classier and daintier than a moment ago.
    Davina took out her pad and pen and smiled over at Annie and Susannah. They smiled back.
    Annie didn’t need to wonder how on earth Davina had been invited to such a highly private family meeting. Susannah could only mourn silently that her Annie should be treated so obviously differently to Davina by those who should know better.
    After Shirley had poured everyone more coffee, Mr Cavendish appeared.
    ‘Ah, Cavendish,’ said George. ‘Come on in, come on in.’
    Mr Cavendish wiped his brow and took his jacket off.
    ‘Right,’ he said, and opened his bulging brief case.
    * * * * *
    ‘Are you gone stark, raving mad, man?’ shouted Katherine. ‘Do you want me to get ill, ugly and fat, is that it?’
    Mr Cavendish went pale. ‘I am merely saying,’ he attempted, ‘that if you can manage, for just one year to do without these … luxuries—’
    Katherine screamed and looked at her father. ‘Did you hear him, Daddy? One year? Luxuries? ’ She turned to Mr Cavendish and her tone changed sharply. ‘Do you have any idea what happens to your colon if it isn’t washed out regularly, Mr Cavendish?’
    Fortunately for Mr Cavendish, he did not have to find out.
    ‘Calm down, pumpkin,’ said George before turning sadly to his solicitor. ‘It simply won’t do, Cavendish.’
    Mr Cavendish sighed and looked at his paperwork. He didn’t know how to broach the subject. Luckily, he didn’t need to.
    ‘George,’ cooed Susannah. ‘There might be another way.’
    ‘Hmm?’
    ‘You could – temporarily –’ (she twinkled her eyes and hushed her voice) ‘visit New York.’
    She let this sink in before continuing.
    Katherine’s eyes lit up.
    George liked the idea, but wasn’t sure how this was going to help.
    ‘You see,’ continued Susannah slowly. ‘You have two choices. You could either sell your New York apartment and pour that money into the company—’
    Her audience gasped. Sell the New York apartment? It was too painful to contemplate. What was life without its little joys?
    ‘But that would be very obvious to the press that you arein need of money, which would be no good for the company at all. Or, we could tell the press that you have grown bored of London lately and have decided to spend time in New York. The business is expanding and New York needs your attention. You could go and live in your apartment there for six months, maybe a year. Then, as a last-minute thought, you quietly sell the wonderful Hampstead Village apartment—’
    Charles started. Wasn’t that where he lived? Victoria would kill him.
    ‘And Victoria could move back into the family home with Charles and the boys—’
    He relaxed. Victoria would be beside herself with happiness at this compromise.
    ‘And we’ll have put the newshounds off the scent!’
    She looked round the room. Everyone’s breath was held, their eyes bright.
    ‘Just think of the money you could make on that Hampstead Village apartment, George. Katie and Annie could go with you to New York if you wanted – to make it look more