Page 97 of Guilty Pleasures

‘I haven’t given her a great deal of thought.’

‘I wanted to hate her because she’s so pretty, but actually she’s quite nice,’ said Stella. ‘It turns out she styles loads of famous people. She said she’ll get Milford bags onto the arms of as many of the rich and famous as she can.’

‘Oh, that’s nice of her,’ replied Emma mustering up as much enthusiasm as she could.

‘And she’s so slim. Johnny says he’s heard that she’s on these Mexican diet pills. He says she styled an actress friend of his who just couldn’t get into any of the sample sizes so Jessica gave her a bag of these pills just so she could get her into this amazing Dior. Apparently it works; she looked incredible.’

Emma grimaced, wondering why anyone would want to shovel barbiturates down their neck in order to fit into a dress.

‘I used to think he was in love with you,’ said Stella swirling round her mojito.

‘Who?’ said Emma suddenly snapping back to attention.

‘Rob, of course. I mean he’s done so much for us.’

‘Don’t be stupid,’ said Emma. ‘Can you imagine me going out with someone like Rob?’

‘Anyway, that’s why I invited Ruan. To make Rob jealous.’

‘What?!’

‘To make him jealous,’ repeated Stella with an angelic smile. ‘I mean, when was the last time you had a shag? I really think it would be good for you.’

‘Stella!’ said Emma, aghast.

‘Anyway, I think it might be working. Did you see the way Rob was looking at you before? You’d been talking to Ruan for ages and his face was like thunder. Then I got to thinking that maybe you rather fancy Ruan. I mean he is very, very sexy in a sort of Heathcliffe way. And he’s single. Unless he’s gay. Which he very well might be because I’ve never seen him show any interest in women.’

Emma looked at Stella’s glass, convinced that she must be drunk.

‘Stella, Ruan isn’t gay just because he hasn’t got a girlfriend. And the only reason I was talking to him for so long is because he’s practically the only person I know here.’

But Stella wasn’t listening.

‘The more I thought about it the more I thought you’re better suited to Ruan than Rob anyway,’ she continued breezily. ‘I mean, you’re both so serious about work and you told me once you used to have a crush on him. I think you should just shag him.’

Stella giggled at Emma’s blushes. Right then Johnny came over and kissed Stella on the back of her neck.

‘Who’s shagging who?’ asked Johnny, grinning.

‘Emma and Ruan. Possibly,’ declared Stella.

‘Ooh, spicy!’ said Johnny, his grin getting even broader.

‘You two are impossible,’ said Emma, stalking off towards the beer tent.

‘Give Ruan our love!’ called Stella after her.

Rob was having a bad day. He’d foolishly agreed to be interviewed by a music journalist who only seemed interested in discussing rumours that more bands at Rob’s company were about to defect to other labels. It was a headache Rob really didn’t need; only that morning his father had grandly delivered a memo demanding that millions be shaved off their budget for next year. That meant redundancies, cutting advances to artists and reducing marketing spend right across his ros

ter of three thousand musicians. Not only would that mean more defections, it was a PR nightmare waiting to happen. This had been the worst year of his professional life. When he’d joined Hollander Music he’d surrounded himself with talented executives who had years of music industry experience and as much enthusiasm as he had. Profits had risen. Their label scored a bumper crop of Grammies. He’d been made Vice President of the US company before being appointed CEO of UK and Europe eighteen months ago. But his arrival had coincided with one of the most uncertain times in the record industry’s history. CD sales were down and the new technology of online downloads was not sufficiently geared up to recoup the difference. It was a daily fight just to keep the company above water. His father didn’t understand the industry, just the bottom line and he seemed to believe the change in fortunes was down to his feckless son. Rob felt isolated. If he were to talk mammoth budget cuts with his management team of old school musos he would be branded a corporate sell-out. But if he didn’t make difficult decisions the company would face possible disaster. He felt sure that Emma Bailey would have an opinion on this. Of course she would have an opinion on it. He didn’t want to think about her either. He hadn’t invited Emma to the festival because he hadn’t wanted her to be there – it was as simple as that. He knew she’d see him with Jessica and she’d say something, or give him one of those looks that would make him feel that what he was doing was completely wrong. And don’t even mention the fact that Jessica had become annoyingly possessive and clingy when she had seen Emma. He sighed: Broads, man. Suddenly Rob had a moment of clarity; it was like the sun bursting through the clouds. For the first time in a long while, all he wanted to do was go and get completely smashed.

Emma looked at her phone and frowned. She had just received a message from Ruan saying that everyone was in Kowalski’s tour bus, whoever everyone might be. We’re in Area B, Ruan had said. Area B? Where was that exactly? Festivals were perfect places for losing people. It was like the Labyrinth at Knossos thought Emma, wondering in which direction to go. She wandered away from the VIP area into the backstage parking area, a higgledy-piggledy assortment of coaches, lorries and sleek Winnebagos, all so high it was impossible to see into the next row, let alone spot your own vehicle. This is hopeless, she thought crossly. It was dark, she was lost and as their driver wasn’t picking them up until 1 a.m., she had another hour and a half to kill. She was about to call Ruan asking him for better directions to Area B when she heard a familiar voice and a high-pitched giggle. She stopped behind a long silver Winnebago and peeked around the corner. Illuminated by a shard of moonlight, she could see a couple laughing; Johnny Brinton and the girl in pixie boots whom she’d seen with him earlier. They weren’t kissing or even touching, but there was an intimacy about the way they were standing that reminded her of when she first saw Rob and Jessica at the wedding. Suddenly Johnny turned and looked into the dark in Emma’s direction. She jumped back, not knowing if he had seen her and quickly moved off back the way she had come. A burly man stepped out of a trailer and almost knocked her down.

‘Are you lost, love?’

Emma tried to keep her voice low.

‘I’m looking for Area B.’