Page 105 of Wife After Wife

“He’s in a meeting. I’ll tell him you rang.”

Ana put the phone down. She’d tackle him tonight.

Harry

You know my opinion, Ana. Stick with what you’re good at. We’re launching a new title, aimed at the executive woman. You could be art director.”

He really didn’t need this right now. What he needed was to relax with the paper and a glass of wine, while someone cooked him a decent meal. Today’s meeting with Charles and the Russians had been hard going; it was difficult to understand their thickly accented broken English. And there was an air of menace about them, in spite of the hearty smiles and backslapping. He hated to think where Sokolov’s billions had come from.

Thank heavens for Charles, who was brokering the investment for a dedicated football channel on Rose TV, his small but fast-growing satellite TV offering. The next step was apparently to procure the best seats for Chelsea’s forthcoming home game. Charles would need to come too, and in the meantime Harry intended to swot up on the offside rule.

“That’s it?” she said. “Art director?You think I’d be interested in going backward?”

“Look, Ana. What is it you actually want?”

“A role with teeth, Harry. A seat on the board. A directorship. You know I’m capable.”

“Leave it with me. Is there food? I’m starving.”

“Tegan left a lasagna. Can you put it in while I go and check on Eliza?”

“Why don’t you put it in and then check on Eliza. I’m bushed.”

“So am I! I had to brief Tegan before I left for work, then I was worrying all day about how Eliza would do without me, as well as trying to adjust to being back at work. Have a bit of consideration.”

He stood. “I’ll check on our daughter. You put the lasagna in. If you can manage it.”

CHAPTER 32

Ana

My honest opinion, babe?” said Terri, over lunch. “Leave Rose. Set up on your own. Harry’s got a lot on his plate—he’s deep into this satellite TV shit with the Russians. He’s bitten off more than he can chew there, I reckon. Bet they’re in the bloody Mafia.”

“It’s all aboveboard, Terri. Charles wouldn’t involve Harry in anything dodgy.”

“He’s a banker, isn’t he? They have the moral scruples of a horny Catholic priest in a roomful of altar boys.”

“Terri!”

“Seriously—wait until you read next week’s cover story. But I digress. Look, you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. If you don’t complain, you stay in your non-job and all your talent goes to waste. If you do complain, Harry gets tetchy. Option three, set up your own design consultancy, and I for one will outsource work to you. Ana Rose Design. How classy does that sound?”

The beginnings of something she hadn’t felt in a while bubbled inside Ana. A creative rush. Harry would surely give her start-up money.

“It’s a good idea.”

“Fucking right it is.”

“Thanks a million, but please, not a word, until I’ve bounced it off Harry.”

“You can do it, Ana. And now, my sweet, I have to go—I’m interviewing Tony Blair this afternoon. Can’t wait to find out if this New Labour hype is a whole new way or a whole new load of bollocks.”

“The Cool Britannia thing seems a bit fake, don’t you think? But you must be so pleased to see the back of the Tories. Unlike Harry. He’s apoplectic.”

“I’m not sure. Blair’s got shifty eyes. I don’t trust him.”

•••

Ana broached the subject of Ana Rose Design with Harry that evening. He was distracted, knocking back more than his usual glass or two of red.