Page 173 of Guilty Pleasures

Virginia shook her head.

‘That’s why I’ve thrown myself 100 per cent into my marriage with Jonathon,’ she said through sobs. ‘I won’t take my eye off the ball. I won’t let it happen again.’

Emma put her arms around her, feeling her eyes fill with tears as she did so and leaned on her mother’s shoulder.

‘It’s OK, Mum, I understand,’ she whispered. ‘I understand.’

‘Did you know Cassandra was here?’ said Stella, handing Emma a glass of pink champagne.

‘I think it’s pretty brave of her to come,’ said Emma nodding. She actually found she had mixed emotions about her cousin. She’d heard all about Cassandra’s high-profile departure from Rive; it had been spun as a resignation but everyone in the industry knew she’d been fired. Emma certainly knew how humiliating that would be for her. Cassandra was the sort of woman who was defined by her job and to have it taken away must have been devastating. Then again, Cassandra was ruthless and driven. Ruthless enough to run her off the road in Gstaad?

‘Well, just don’t go offering her my job,’ smiled Stella.

Emma couldn’t tell if her friend was joking but there was a flicker of insecurity in her eyes.

‘As if, Stella,’ she said, gesturing back towards the party. ‘Do you think all these people would be here if it wasn’t for you? This is your doing, Stell, your triumph. Why would I be so stupid as to change that? Besides, I need someone to make my tea.’

Stella burst out laughing and nudged her friend gently in the ribs.

‘Just think, you might be moving back in here soon. It’s so lovely!’

Emma frowned.

‘Why on earth would I be moving back here?’

‘Come on, Em, because I saw you holding hands with Rob. How long’s this been going on?’

Emma blushed, embarrassed at being caught out.

‘Just tonight. Well, actually that’s a lie, something happened in November too. I didn’t tell you because it didn’t go anywhere, which is exactly what you’d expect considering his reputation, isn’t it? I didn’t want anyone to say “told you so”.’

‘A womanizer is only waiting for the right woman, sweetie. And he’s clearly come to his senses.’

Emma flushed again.

‘Well, we’ll see.’

Stella clapped her hands together gleefully.

‘You’re in love with him! I knew it! Go on, get upstairs and tear all his clothes off before someone else does.’

‘Stella!’ gasped Emma.

‘Gosh, you’re such a lucky cow. Everything is coming together for you, isn’t it?’

‘Don’t say that,’ said Emma. ‘That’s usually the point when everything starts to come undone.’

Roger and Rebecca stood at the top of the stairs looking down on the action from on high.

‘I can’t believe Tom Ford’s at Winterfold,’ said Rebecca, playing with the Tiffany diamond star necklace around her delicate throat. ‘What a coup.’

‘Yes, it’s all been a rip-roaring bloody success, hasn’t it?’ said Roger bitterly, sipping on his neat bourbon. ‘Emma’s never going to sell now, is she?’

He had to admit that the catwalk show that afternoon had been amazing. He’d been staggered by the excited charge of anticipation in the audience before and the gushing praise that had rung around the venue afterwards. Of course, it was his success too, but it was that very success which was now standing in the way of his ambitions.

‘Victor Chen’s company were interested because they thought they could get Milford for a good price and after today, I’m not so sure they’ll be so keen. I can’t stall Ricardo for much longer, and how else are we going to get the money?’

‘Darling, maybe it’s just as well,’ said Rebecca, stroking his arm. ‘I’ve been speaking to friends about Ricardo and I’m not sure he’d be the most reliable business partner. Apparently he’s a terrible coke-head.’