“Wow.” I’m a bit awestruck.
“Come and sit in on the meeting. If you’re not busy. There’ll be a couple of other people.”
“Really?”
He shrugs. “It’s how you learn.”
I had no idea you could be a specialist at awkward conversations. I’m trying to picture myself telling someone that their personal hygiene is an issue. I can’t imagine finding the words to do that in a million years.
Oh, come on. I have to see this.
“OK!” I find myself smiling. “I will. Thanks.”
He hasn’t picked up the phone, I suddenly notice. It’s still lying on the table.
“So … shall I bring this along to your office?” I say casually.
“Sure.” He’s shrugging on his jacket. “Thanks.”
Excellent. I get to check my texts again. Result!
72 soup, duck, etc. Which I know looks all cool and streamlined, but what sort of soup? What sort of duck?
73 Isn’t that illegal? What if I wanted to pay in dollars? Would they have to let me?
74 OK, this is ridiculous. You write a menu which no one understands and then you pay someone to explain it.
75 Why are all her suppliers in such odd places? Whenever I ask her, she talks vaguely about sourcing. Ruby reckons it’s so she can charge more for driving hours.
76 Magnus was a gasper. Then he gripped me tight between both hands and said he’d known I was vulnerable and that just added to my beauty.
10
It must be so amazing to work in a place like this. Everything about Sam’s building is a novelty to me—from the massive escalator to the whizzy lifts to the laminated card with my photo on it, which got made by a machine in about three seconds. When visitors come to First Fit Physio, we just sign them in with a book from Staples.
We go up to the sixteenth floor and along a corridor with a bright green carpet, black-and-white photos of London on the wall, and funky seating in random shapes. On the right are individual glass-fronted offices, and on the left is a big open-plan area with multicolored desks. Everything here is so cool. There’s a water machine, like we have, but there’s also a coffee station with a real Nespresso machine and a Smeg fridge and a massive bowl of fruit.
I am so talking to Ruby about staff conditions at First Fit Physio.
“Sam!” A man in a navy linen jacket greets Sam, and as they talk, I peer all around at the open-plan office area, wondering if I might spot Willow. That girl with wavy blond hair, talking into a headset, sitting with her feet up on a chair. Could that be her?
“OK.” Sam seems to be wrapping up the conversation. “That’s interesting, Nihal. I’ll have a think.”
Nihal. My ears prick up. I know that name from somewhere. I’m sure I do. What was it, now? Nihal … Nihal …
“Thanks, Sam,” Nihal is saying. “I’ll just forward that document to you right now.… ” As he’s tapping at his phone, I suddenly remember.
“Congratulate him on his baby!” I whisper to Sam. “Nihal’s wife just had a baby last week. Yasmin. Seven pounds. She’s gorgeous! Didn’t you see the email?”
“Oh.” Sam looks taken aback but recovers smoothly. “Hey, Nihal, congrats on the baby, by the way. Fantastic news.”
“Yasmin’s a lovely name.” I beam at Nihal. “And seven pounds! What a good size! How is she doing?”
“How’s Anita?” joins in Sam.
“They’re both very well, thanks! I’m sorry … I’m not sure we’ve met?” Nihal glances at Sam for help.
“This is Poppy,” says Sam. “She’s here to do some … consultation.”
“Right.” Nihal shakes my hand, still looking puzzled. “So, how did you know about the baby?”
“Because Sam mentioned it to me,” I lie smoothly. “He was so thrilled for you, he couldn’t help telling me. Isn’t that right, Sam?”
Ha! Sam’s face!
“That’s right,” he says finally. “Delighted.”
“Wow.” Nihal’s face suffuses with pleasure. “Thanks, Sam. I didn’t realize you’d be so—” He breaks off awkwardly.
“No problem.” Sam lifts a hand. “Congratulations again. Poppy, we should really be getting on.”
As Sam and I walk away down the office, I want to giggle at his expression.
“Can you cut it out, please?” Sam murmurs without moving his head. “First animals, now babies. What kind of reputation are you going to give me?”
“A good one!” I retort. “Everyone will love you!”
“Hey, Sam.” A voice hails us from behind, and we turn to see Matt Mitchell, glowing with delight. “I just heard the news! Sir Nicholas is joining the Guatemala trip! That’s awesome!”
“Yes.” Sam nods brusquely. “We spoke about it last night.”
“Well, I wanted to thank you,” he says earnestly. “I know this was your influence. You two guys will add so much heft to the cause. Oh, and thanks for the donation. We really appreciate it.”
I stare in astonishment. Sam gave a donation to the Guatemala trip? He gave a donation ?
Now Matt is beaming at me. “Hello again. Are you interested in the Guatemala trip?”
Oh my God, I would love to go to Guatemala.
“’Well—” I begin enthusiastically, before Sam cuts me off firmly:
“No. She’s not.”
Honestly. What a spoilsport.
“Maybe next time,” I say politely. “I hope it goes well!”