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‘You founded an award-winning publishing company, correct?’

‘Yes.’

‘So, you’re a highly capable human being. ROBERTO! We need to commission another cane like Helene’s.’

‘I don’t want a crystal-covered cane,’ I say. ‘It’s bad enough using a normal one. The last thing I want to do is draw attention to it.’

Indira’s frown deepens. ‘Darling, don’t hide away. Own yourself. Or someone else will.’

CHAPTER19

Freddy has never been especially interested in women’s clothing. Except for the clasps, fastenings and zips, which he is an expert at. But right now, he is interested in seeing Kat.

That came out wrong.

Not interested. Concerned. Freddy is concerned for Kat. Because he knows Indira is tough and Kat takes no prisoners, and between the two of them they may very well have caused a nuclear explosion.

Frankly, he’s amazed the High Style offices haven’t been reduced to rubble.

When Freddy enters the wardrobe area, Indira is some way off, arms crossed, towering over a pretty, dark-haired girl wearing a green, silk jumpsuit and strappy high heels.

It takes a few seconds for Freddy to realise that the dark-haired girl is Kat.

Good god.

Good GOD!

It can’t be.

Freddy stares, wondering if his mouth is open. He reaches for the manly stubble around his jaw. Yep. Wide open. Kat looks like a fashion magazine spread. Not High Style. She’s not tall and skinny enough. But one of those clothing catalogues he used to get as a kid to look at the women’s lingerie pages.

‘Hey. Kat,’ Freddy calls, striding towards her. ‘Great packaging.’

Kat turns and frowns. Her loose, silk jumpsuit skims all the right places – flattering, but elegant – and stylish, high-heeled shoes have elongated what is actually a very good figure. Who knew a body like that was hiding under all those woollens? Kat’s eyebrows are neater, opening up huge, brown eyes. Something has happened to her eyelashes too. And her lips … wow.

‘Hello, Freddy Stark.’ Indira crosses her arms. ‘The prototype is ready. But we need a little more work before we can call it the final product.’

Freddy gives Indira air kisses, unable to keep the smile off his face. ‘Has she given you any trouble?’

‘A little.’ Indira gestures to a huge pile of designer shopping bags, shoe and hat boxes and various tissue-wrapped accessories piled up on a steel trolley. ‘But I wore her down in the end. We still have a lot to do. Hair tomorrow and then makeup tutorials, manicures, pedicures and facials going forward. Rome wasn’t built in a day.’

‘I think Rome is looking pretty good,’ says Freddy. ‘Are you finished for now?’

‘For now, yes,’ says Indira. ‘But I’ll need her first thing tomorrow.’

‘Fine.’ Freddy offers Kat his elbow. ‘Katerina. Darling. Shall we?’

‘I need to get changed first.’ Kat appears thoroughly disinterested in Freddy’s arm or winning smile. ‘This jumpsuit is silk. It might get dirty –’

‘You cannot get changed,’ Indira barks. ‘Your other clothes have been burned.’

‘I can’t wear silk on the underground,’ says Kat. ‘And what about using the toilet? I have to take this whole jump-suit thing off when I go, which means it will end up on the toilet floor –’

‘Take taxi cabs,’ Indira snaps. ‘And hold it in.’

As Freddy and Kat walk through the High Style reception, Freddy wants to tell Kat how great she looks. But that doesn’t feel professional, so instead he says, ‘Indira has nailed the packaging, don’t you think? You’re someone I’d like to marry.’

That came out wrong. Freddy should have said, ‘You’re the girl all the guys will want to marry.’