Page 24

Chapter Twenty-Four

As she walked, she imagined a different scenario, one in which Alex had followed her out into the rain and kissed her again, but this time more passionately.

It would be the kind of kiss that would make her forget about the rain, and not even mind the destruction of her quiff.

She shook her head at herself. This wasn’t helping.

She needed to pull herself together and get a grip.

She crossed Pigeon Park, admiring the cathedral and its William Morris stained glass as she went. Birmingham was a more beautiful city than so many people gave it credit for.

The office lights were already on. Sienna was tapping away at her laptop in the open plan area, hardly noticing Philippa as she swept through.

“Morning, boss,” said Sienna, popping her head up at the last moment before Philippa opened her office door.

“Oh for heaven’s sake, don’t call me that,” said Philippa. “But good morning to you, too.”

“Ha ha, ok then. I was heavily influenced by watching The Devil Wears Prada last night, and am clearly channelling Andie,” said Sienna with a grin, before continuing with her work.

Philippa chuckled and then went into her office.

She wondered if this meant Sienna perceived her as a Miranda Priestly-like figure.

Part of her hoped so, the egotistical part of her, but most of her hoped not.

The Meryl Streep character was not someone who championed the team around her, and Philippa liked to think that she was.

Half an hour later, having had a coffee and ensured she looked professional and in control, she watched as a familiar face entered the office floor.

Alex.

Natural blonde highlights shone through the light brown waves of her hair. She was wearing a chic blazer over skintight black jeans that made Philippa feel slightly weak at the knees. Was this a bad idea? She hoped not. This was a professional meeting only, right?

Sienna showed Alex to her door, and Philippa ushered them in before either of them was forced to knock on the glass.

“Good morning,” said Philippa, “lovely to have you here, Alex.” She smiled, trying to exude as much nonchalance as she could.

“Morning, boss,” said Alex with a wink.

“Oh, don’t you start,” said Philippa and Sienna laughed. “Ok, come and take a seat.”

“This is seriously impressive, Phil,” said Alex, taking in her surroundings. “I knew you were high-powered, but this is amazing. A bit different to the cosy co-working space I use in Kings Heath, that’s for sure.”

“Thank you,” said Philippa, wanting to move on swiftly. “And that’s why you’re here. Sienna, this is Alex Fletcher, a graphic designer and artist. Alex, this is Sienna Pierce, one of our paralegals.”

The women shook hands. “Great to meet you, Sienna,” said Alex. “So tell me, how can I help?”

“Well,” said Philippa. “I’ve been thinking about this presentation, about our company offering family law services to Gerry’s firm. We have the content drawn together – huge thanks to Sienna for that. But I think we need something to set us apart. And I wonder if that could be a visual identity?”

“I like the idea,” said Sienna.

“What kind of thing are you thinking?” asked Alex, grabbing a notepad from the messenger bag across her shoulder and starting to jot down notes.

“I’m thinking that we could bring together Sienna’s ability to create social media content, with your design talents, so we arrive at a visual style, for our slides in the first instance, and then for the service itself, assuming we’re successful.

Gerry said it when we had dinner, he’s had an influx of much younger staff in the last few years, and he’s not always sure he’s reaching them through traditional means.

We could help him with that through this project.

” Philippa steepled her fingers and rested them on her desk.

“Yes,” said Sienna, her enthusiasm clear in her voice.

Alex didn’t look up, spending a moment scribbling on her pad, her brow furrowed.

“Alex?” said Philippa. “I mean, if you’re up for this, it could make all the difference. We would of course pay you the going rate for your time and expertise.”

Alex was still intent on her activity. Finally she put her pen behind her ear. “Something like this?” She turned around her pad to display a sketch of a social media ident, the kind of thing that could be used on slides, reels and so much more.

“Yes,” said Philippa, beaming, “exactly like that.”

“I love it,” said Sienna, her smile seeming to grow ever bigger. “You’re so talented. I’d love to be able to sketch like that.”

Alex shrugged. “It’s just a rough idea, but I can work it up in design software. I’m figuring the deadline is, like, yesterday?”

Philippa gave a sheepish grin. “You read that correctly. But of course, it doesn’t have to be the finished article. Just a prototype, if you like?”

“No problem,” said Alex, jotting down a few more notes in her pad. “By the end of the day tomorrow?”

“Perfect,” said Philippa. “Thank you. And Sienna, are you ok to work with Alex on this?”

“Definitely,” said Sienna. She was now taking notes of her own on her laptop.

“We’re going to crush this,” said Philippa, immediately regretting her choice of words.

What was it about having Alex in the room that made her act like a teenager.

Alex and Sienna’s heads both snapped up from their notes, surprised at her turn of phrase, while Philippa took off her reading glasses to give them a clean.

“I’m going to dash, if that’s ok, Philippa,” said Sienna. “I’ve got a meeting now with Roderick for a new case.”

“Yes, of course,” said her boss, relieved that she was leaving. Although Alex didn’t follow. She just stayed in her seat, an insufferable grin on her face.

“Don’t say it,” said Philippa, rolling her eyes.

“Say what?” asked Alex, stifling a grin. “How excited I am to crush it?”

“Ugh,” said Philippa, bringing her hand to her forehead. “You really are incorrigible.”

“Well, boss, I was actually going to say that I’m just relieved you showed any kind of weakness. You’re very intimidating here in your natural habitat.” Alex gestured around her, then nodded towards where Sienna had been sitting. “This one is very clearly smitten with you.”

“Rubbish,” said Philippa.

“I’m not even kidding,” said Alex. “Did you not see the way she mooned at you throughout that conversation?”

“Oh shut up,” said Philippa. “The only thing that might – and I do mean might – be at play there, is a desire to follow in my professional footsteps.”

“Well, she definitely wants to do something with you, that’s for sure. Maybe even in this office,” said Alex with a smirk.

“Please, with the glass door?” said Philippa. “I can’t think of anything less practical.”

“Oh, so that’s the only thing stopping you,” said Alex, laughing openly now.

“Well, obviously not. There are plenty of things stopping me, not least that she’s so much younger than me, and that she’s my subordinate,” said Philippa, starting to feel slightly flustered at Alex’s line of thought.

“You’re hot when you’re in charge. You know that, right?” said Alex. “I mean, objectively. I guess I’m biased here, given the other night. But really, if all the girls in here aren’t swooning over you in their droves, I’d be highly surprised.”

Philippa blushed. “I’m not sure this is a helpful conversation to be having.” She felt hot and confused. She knew Alex liked her even if she didn’t want to be with her. But talking about it like this was making it harder to deal with.

“No,” said Alex, holding up her hands. “Sorry. Really. Unhelpful of me. But I do think you underestimate how cool you are. But yes, not my place, really.”