Page 116 of Friend of the Family

Juliet. It had to be. That was how she had got the job. Otherwise it was too much of a leap – an interiors magazine editor becoming the editor of Mode. Okay, so Anna Wintour had gone from House & Garden to British Vogue, but for Juliet it was too much of a stretch.

Amy was almost running now in her spindly black heels. There were two bouncers on the door, and she knew she had to get past them first. David caught up with her and touched her shoulder.

‘Goldman’s are also a sponsor,’ he said, looking up at the huge banner over the door. ‘Think I might have a little piece of magic in my pocket to sort that out.’

He pulled out a business card, then drew himself up to his full height and addressed one of the bouncers with all the dazzling public school polish he could muster.

‘Jonathan Reade, Goldman Sachs. Sorry I’m late. I’ve been caught up in a deal.’

The bouncer looked at his colleague for the guest list. The other man shrugged.

‘Bit late in the day for that. Someone took it. People are leaving, not arriving.’

David pressed the card into his hand. ‘We’re one of the headline sponsors for this evening.’

> The bouncer nodded officiously and waved them through.

‘Slick,’ smiled Amy.

‘Business card I picked up yesterday. Fraudently used. Sure he’ll forgive me given the circumstances.’

Amy stopped when she saw the feathered cape disappearing into the ladies’.

‘Wait there,’ she said.

She inhaled deeply and stepped inside. The loos were empty except for one cubicle. She could see pointed feet under the door, expensive shoes with a diamanté buckle. It wasn’t the ideal spot to confront Juliet, but at least it was quiet. But when the door opened, she gasped.

‘Suzanne?’

‘Amy, what are you doing here?’

Amy took a moment to think. Perhaps David was right after all that Juliet’s appointment was just a rumour. And that look between Suzanne and Marv suggested an intimacy that went beyond mere colleagues.

‘I was sorry to hear what happened,’ said Suzanne. ‘I do know a very good clinic if you need it.’ There was a genuine concern in her voice that surprised Amy. It just didn’t make sense.

‘Should you not be in Milan?’ she said quietly. ‘Or do you have to be in London for something else?’ Her mind was joining the dots now. If Suzanne was still in London, that meant she was going to be presented to the Mode team the next day.

‘It’s my mother’s eightieth birthday so I took her to lunch. I’m flying out to Milan tomorrow.’

‘I saw you outside with Marv, Suzanne.’

She watched the woman colour.

‘Don’t worry. I won’t tell,’ said Amy honestly. ‘I won’t tell anyone if you’ll just give me the heads-up on the Mode job. It’s you, isn’t it?’

Suzanne looked suddenly relieved. ‘No, Amy. It’s not me.’

Amy frowned. She’d been so sure.

‘The announcement. It’s tomorrow. Isn’t that why you’re here?’

She saw a trace of a smile on Suzanne’s polished scarlet lips.

‘I never even applied for the job. I’d be under too much scrutiny. People would ask questions.’

‘About Marv?’

‘About Marv.’ She nodded, as if to confirm their affair, and her face softened. Amy had never seen her look anything other than inscrutable. ‘Marv is a brilliant man, we all know that. He’s built Genesis up into a titan, and I don’t want rumours of nepotism or special favours to sully that. The Mode job isn’t worth it.’