Page 96 of Wife After Wife

Ana was obsessed with making their relationship official, and itseemed to be more about her position at work than her love for him. She somehow thought being his wife would consolidate her new role. Six months ago he’d promoted her to managing editor of six Rose titles, including theRackandHooray!It hadn’t been easy, persuading the board, but he prepared a convincing argument. She’d been at Rose for four years, her work was consistently outstanding, and she was well respected by her colleagues, even if her demeanor (“quite haughty”—Janette’s words) rubbed people up the wrong way.

He’d anticipated trouble from Terri, but she’d shrugged her shoulders and said, “She’s welcome to it.”

“You don’t mind that it’s not you?” he’d said. “I really don’t want you in management, you were meant to be an editor.”

“Management schmanagement,” she’d said. “I’m happy where I am, and Ana won’t bother me. However, a few grand extra to show your appreciation wouldn’t go amiss.”

“Your wish is my command. Genie boss will make it so. And I won’t even make you rub me.”

Harry buzzed Janette. “Can you come through when you’re ready?”

“Of course, Harry! Won’t be a tick.”

Handling Mia Fox had been a different matter entirely. She’d sounded off about how she’d given her life toHooray!and all this time had been answerable only to him. Now she was expected to take orders from a junior? And everyone knew the real reason why Ana was being promoted, and...

He’d tuned out at that point.

Mia was excellent at her job, but she wasn’t irreplaceable. When she’d finally run out of rant, he’d said, “Mia, if you don’t feel comfortable continuing in your role, we can look at transferring you to a different publication. Or perhaps across to online.”

Defeat had settled around her shoulders. “It’s not a good look, Harry,” she’d spat out, “promoting your... lover, above more experienced staff. Do you think Ana will be respected in her new role? She’s agreat designer, but she’s shit with people. Don’t say I didn’t warn you when it all comes tumbling down.”

Nothing had crumbled, at least so far, but the move didn’t seem to have made Ana any happier.

•••

Janette sat down opposite, as she did every day about this time. Harry was firmly old-school. A man at the top needed a secretary with a shorthand notebook and a good pair of legs to perch it on. And Janette’s wereverygood.

She crossed them, pencil poised. Her black tights made a gentle rasping noise.

Harry cleared his throat. “I need to go to Manchester to rally the troops up north. Can you organize it for early December? Talk to Barry up there.”

“Sure, Harry.” She finished scribbling, then uncrossed and recrossed her legs.

After a momentary pause, Harry added, “And you’d better come with me.”

Her eyes flew to his, surprised, then she dropped them again and scribbled something else down.

He smiled inwardly. Janette didn’t blush so much these days, but she was still easy to read.

“Barry’s asked me to do a presentation about Rosenews to his advertisers. Far be it from me to point out that electricity isn’t standard up north yet, never mind the internet.”

Janette giggled.

“Anyway, you know how I am with technology—you can come and sort it all out for me.”

As she left the room, he couldn’t help comparing her shapely behind to Ana’s rather flat, boyish bottom.

Janette

December 1996

The hotel receptionist handed over two keys. “Here we are, Ms. Morrissey. No relation to our own Morrissey, I take it?”

She giggled. “No! I have an auntie from Manchester, though.”

“Let’s go, shall we, Moneypenny?” said Harry.

They took the lift, Janette’s skin tingling at her closeness to Harry.