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‘What’s wrong with him?’ Will/Bill/Phil asked. ‘They need to know.’

‘He called me about work, and while we were talking, he said something about his chest, and now he can’t talk. He’s just groaning and gasping.’

Will/Bill/Phill relayed the info. Leigh ran out to the multi-storey car park and jumped into her car, heading straight over to Jack’s house. She was somewhat reassured to see him being wheeled into the back of an ambulance as she pulled up. The door of his house was hanging off its hinges. They’d gone in hard, thank god. Jack lived alone and hadn’t been in any position to let anyone in.

‘Jack!’ she yelled, jumping out of the car. ‘You’re alive!’

He gave her a weak wave as he breathed through an oxygen mask.

‘We’re taking him to St Paul’s,’ the paramedic told her, sliding Jack into the back of the ambulance.

Leigh nodded and got back in her car, heading straight to the hospital. She sat in the waiting room all day until she was allowed to see him.

He looked exhausted and ashen, but just watching him drinking a cup of tea was a relief. She wasn’t personally close with Jack; he wasn’t the kind of guy to get chummy at work. But listening to that terrible strangulated sound coming down the phone, Leigh had been terrified for him.

Jack put his cup down and made a disgusted face. ‘Weak as piss.’

‘I could go to the Costa downstairs?’ Leigh offered.

He smiled. ‘You’ve done enough today.’

‘Oh, well…’ Leigh began awkwardly.

‘This has been a wake-up call,’ Jack said suddenly. ‘I work too much, and I don’t take care of myself.’ He took a small, solemn pause and added, ‘And there was no one at home to make sure I did. I’m quitting before I drop dead at my desk.’

Leigh was taken aback. ‘But you’re on the verge of partner. Isn’t that the finish line?’

‘It is if you’re here. Can’t enjoy it if you’re dead.’

Leigh’s eyes bulged. ‘But you rep Erin Porter. You’re just gonna drop her?’

He sighed through his nose. ‘I’m passing her to you.’

‘What?’ Leigh almost yelled.

‘I know what you’re gonna say. But I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t think you were capable. You’re long overdue for the move up to senior associate, anyway. I’ve probably been holding you back, if anything.’

Leigh didn’t agree. ‘Jack, I’ve been under you for five years, and nobody in the firm ever made that move in less than six, bare minimum. You’ve just had a heart attack. Wait, OK? Don’t do anything hasty.’

He shook his head. ‘This isn’t hasty. This has been coming for a long time. Your promotionandmy heart attack. I’ve been ignoring warnings for a while, Leigh.’

‘You have?’

‘My doctor told me to slow down, that the stress and workload were dangerous, and I didn’t heed her. So now, here I am. I’m lucky this wasn’t it. I’m only fifty years old. I could live into my eighties if I take care of myself, or I can work myself to death in the next year.’ He took another sip of bad tea. ‘I’m choosing life, Leigh. And I want to know you’re set up. I want you to take my place.’

Leigh was stunned. Jack never talked like this. It was compelling, but she was not ready for the promotion.

But the way Jack was asking? How the hell did you say no to someone who’d slipped death’s net only hours before? Because if she said no, it might stress him out. Stress (alongside butter fat) had put him in this position.

She had to agree for the time being. This wouldn’t happen, anyway. It couldn’t.

‘It’s up to her, then,’ Leigh conceded.

‘So, you’ll do it?’ Jack asked, eyes shining.

‘I’ll do it if Erin agrees, but I don’t think she will. I mean, who am I? Just someone sitting next to you in meetings. You’re the one that built trust with her.’

‘I’ll explain the situation to her,’ Jack said. ‘If she doesn’t go for it, she doesn’t. It won’t matter to me either way because I’m moving to Costa Rica.’