Page 17 of Friend of the Family

Amy laughed and knew he had a point. She’d heard rumours that the Printroom, the pub across the road from the Genesis building, had been booked for tonight’s shindig and had only been upgraded to a finger buffet at the smart South Bank restaurant when the group’s New York-based CEO Marv Schultz had said he would be flying in to wave William off.

‘William, this is Josie Price. She’s been interning at Verve. She’s also an old family friend.’

‘I know people disapprove of nepotism, but I’ve always rather been in favour of knowing what you’re getting,’ he chuckled.

‘Don’t let HR catch you saying that,’ said Amy, taking a glass from a passing waiter.

‘Don’t be too hard on me. If it wasn’t for a little word in my ear many years ago, the world of journalism might have lost you to teaching or PR. Speaking of which, here’s Juliet.’

‘You know it’s not too late to change your mind. Genesis needs you.’

‘I think we both know that Douglas has already had my security pass deactivated,’ he quipped.

‘Really?’ said Juliet in surprise.

‘No. But I have a round of golf at Wentworth pencilled in with your father on Monday. I aim to start my retirement as I mean to go on.’

‘Jules, you remember Josie,’ Amy said.

Juliet extended a pale, slim hand.

‘I love the new issue of Living Style,’ gushed Josie.

‘Why, thank you.’

‘I know it’s not really aimed at me, but I love looking at the interiors and the gardens. The party pages too: it makes me feel as if I’m at the Oscars or something.’

Juliet raised her eyebrows at Amy. ‘The girl has taste,’ she said.

‘And talent,’ added Amy.

Josie blushed a deep red and looked down into her glass. William excused himself to talk to Marv Schultz just as Douglas pushed through the crowd.

‘You two. A word,’ he said in a low voice, steering Amy away from the crowds into the foyer of the restaurant. Juliet followed them and Josie disappeared to the bar.

‘We have a problem,’ said Douglas, his face serious. It was only then that Amy noticed that Grace, Douglas’s PA, was trailing behind him.

‘What’s up?’

‘What’s up,’ he said through tight lips, ‘is that we have lost William’s leaving gift.’

‘Oh shit,’ said Juliet, putting down her drink.

‘“Oh shit” is exactly right,’ said Douglas, glaring at Grace. ‘Apparently it has been delivered to the Genesis building, but no one can locate it.’

‘What is it?’ asked Amy.

‘A humidor, hand-made at Purdey’s with exquisite marquetry in the shape of his bloody house. Not to mention two grand’s worth of cigars inside.’

‘Stolen? Lost?’

‘No, no,’ said Grace, looking visibly shaken. ‘I’m assured it was delivered and signed for.’

‘So where is it?’

‘I don’t know,’ she said, shamefaced.

Douglas waved a hand to silence her. Amy had never seen him so angry. ‘She thinks it’s in the post room,’ he said. ‘Only the bloody post boys have all gone home, which means someone’s going to have to run out to the newsagent and see if they can get William a box of Milk Tray and a couple of packets of Hamlet.’