Page 133 of Original Sin

Tess couldn’t help smiling. ‘Ah, so how can I help you Charles?’

From the corner of her eye she saw Meredith being helped into her mink coat.

‘You could start with a wedding invitation,’ he winked, nodding towards Meredith.

‘I’m not sure I can help out in that department,’ she shrugged. ‘Close friends and family only, I hear.’

‘Well, in that case, perhaps you could help me out with another small matter.’

Meredith was beckoning Tess, an impatient look on her face.

‘Sorry Charles, I have to go … ’

‘So how about tea?’

Tess winced. Charles was fun, but she simply didn’t have time for social calls this close to the wedding.

‘Maybe in the New Year?’ she said distractedly.

‘I can’t wait that long,’ he said, a little irritation entering his voice.

‘Okay, maybe tea,’ she replied, prepared to say any

thing just to escape.

‘Oh goodie,’ said Charles, brightening instantly. ‘I’ll be in touch. And give my love to she who must be obeyed.’

*

Daniel was one of Meredith’s favourite restaurants in New York. French, old school, and elegant, it appealed to the part of Meredith that fancied herself as a European aristocrat. Liz had never seen her mother dine here and not leave in a good mood. And tonight, Liz needed all the help she could get.

‘So. Are you going to tell me?’ asked Meredith, dipping her spoon into the terracotta depths of her lobster bisque.

Liz nodded and placed her hands on her lap.

‘It’s about the direction of the company,’ she said.

Meredith gestured impatiently with her spoon. ‘There’s a board meeting next Friday to discuss that.’

‘Yes, but I wanted to talk mother to daughter.’

Meredith looked up curiously. ‘Oh?’

Liz took a deep breath. She was glad to have secured a discreet table in the corner of the room.

‘I know William is trying to sound out a couple of the multinationals to see if they are interested in the Asgill sale, but you and I both know they are only going to be interested if Skin Plus is part of the deal.’

‘And do you foresee a problem there?’

‘The problem is, Mother, that if we sell the entire company, then we are left with nothing.’

‘We’re left with a very large cheque, darling,’ said Meredith tartly.

‘Not that large,’ countered Liz. ‘The multinationals will play hardball and we’re not offering them anything particularly unique. Most of them have successful cosmeceutical ranges of their own and they’ll undervalue the rest of the business.’

Meredith put her spoon down. ‘Darling, you needn’t worry about your position. Whoever buys Skin Plus will bring in a first–rate management team to support you in taking it to the next level.’

Liz shook her head slowly but firmly. ‘I have no intention of staying with Skin Plus if it becomes an appendage of some conglomerate.’