Page 2

“Good luck,” she said, leaving the room with a big smile.

A sick satisfaction swelled in Kitty’s chest, and her feet tapped out a regular rhythm on the carpet tiles as if she were walking in time to her own personal theme tune. “Eye of the Tiger” or“These Boots are Made for Walkin’?”Either would work.

Kitty swept out of the lobby and into the lift, settling against the wall with a smirk. How long would it take him to notice?

Her parting gift for her former boss was two-fold. Earlier that day, she had an ally in the IT department change his automatic email signature to:

Stefan Watts, All Round Dick Head

And she’d just left a square of lurid green paper stuck to his jacket lapel, bearing a single word in full caps.

PRICK

2

KITTY

The tangof the whisky sour hit Kitty’s lips as she crossed her long legs and settled in for another drink. A watched kettle never boils, her mum always said, and she’d been right. Kitty’s eyes wandered to the entrance for the hundredth time. According to her watch, the enormous clock that hung on the wall of the hotel bar was running late. She’d mention it to the concierge on her way to bed.

Where had Ronnie got to? It shouldn’t take her sister this long to ride the tube across London. Free of her kids for a couple of days, maybe the promise of decent clothes shops and toddler-free changing rooms had distracted her. Quality sister time wasn’t something they’d had much of lately, and excitement buzzed in Kitty’s stomach. If she ever needed a sisterly pick-me-up, now would be the time.

The polished chrome of the bar glinted harshly in the halogen lights, and Kitty glanced around at tonight’s clientele. Familiar faces. She’d spent the best part of a week sitting alongside them. Anonymous bodies in silent solidarity, each glued to their laptops.

Kitty squinted at the bartender, unclear if he’d served her before. He could’ve been the same one as last night or someone totally different. They were all easy on the eyes but vanilla enough to blend into the surroundings without distracting anyone from their drinking. This one, though, could make a mean whisky sour.

A bustle at the hotel entrance caught her eye as Ronnie emerged through the huge glass doors, leaving an enthusiastic doorman in her wake. Laden down with expensive-looking bags, her sister charmed and giggled her way across the floor, pulling in everybody’s eyes. She envied her vitality. Ronnie drew people like a magnet.

The concierge pointed Kitty out to her sister, who waved enthusiastically before handing her bags to a blushing porter. Ronnie’s hug brought a lump to her throat.

“I can’t believe I made it!” she said. “How are you? You look amazing, by the way. A life of leisure suits you.”

Kitty ran her chewed nails through her three-day old hair. “You lie well, Ronnie, but I’ll take the compliment. It’s so good to see you,” Kitty said as she guided her sister to the barstool beside her and nodded at the bartender.

After ordering another whisky for herself and a gin and tonic for her sister, Kitty took in the glorious creature that was Veronica Cameron. They were polar opposites. Where Ronnie had a petite and dainty figure, tall and clumsy described Kitty perfectly. Ronnie had ashy curls cut in a short bob, while Kitty’s thick, dark hair hung in a curtain that reached her waist. Kitty had her mother’s dark brown eyes, and Ronnie’s were blue. She swore one of them belonged to the postman.

“So, tell me, Sis,” Ronnie asked, eyes shining with excitement, “what the hell is going on? Skip over the details about your arsehole boss, but tell me, is there any news on the job front? Got anything lined up yet?”

“Not yet,” Kitty sighed. “But it’s only been a week. These things can take ages. I want to make sure I find the right job.”One that doesn’t come with client theft as a side perk. “I’ve got good people on the case. As for the arsehole boss, I have a voodoo doll doing its thing in the hotel room. He’ll be one ball short of the full package before the next full moon.”

Ronnie giggled. “I’d expect nothing less. So, what’ve you been doing with your free time?”

Watching daytime TV and feeling sorry for myself.

“Oh, you know. I’ve been to a few galleries and done some shopping.”

“Is that it? There’ve been no wild nights out, no debauched celebration of your temporary freedom with your sexy lawyer friends? I watchedSuits. I know what goes on in law offices, and I can assure you that’s whatI’mexpecting out of this weekend.”

“Sorry to disappoint,” said Kitty. “I’m a bit out of practice on the partying front.”

“Spent too much time at your desk, as usual? You always were a slave to your work.”

A sizzle of agitation brewed in Kitty’s chest. What the hell was wrong with her wanting to be the best at what she did? Why was it a crime to chain herself to a desk and work like a slave, only to get shafted by the person she thought had her back? Not that she was bitter, obviously.

“Well, that’s why I have you here. To show me the error of my ways and to get me drunk and disorderly.”

“Cheers to that!” said Ronnie. “Seriously, though, you’re living in a hotel, like a movie star! It’s a waste not to hit up your little black book for some company.”

Kitty huffed. “My little black book is more like a little blank book these days.”