Over David’s shoulder I suddenly see Vicks. She’s striding through the clusters of White Globe Consulting employees, and her grim expression makes my stomach turn over. I glance at my watch. Quarter to ten.
“Vicks!” Willow has noticed her too. She blocks Vicks’s way, her arms folded imperiously. “Where’s Sam? Someone said he was with you.”
“Excuse me, Willow.” Vicks tries to get past.
“Just tell me where Sam is!”
“I have no idea, Willow!” Vicks snaps. “Can you get out of my way? I need to speak to Poppy.”
“ Poppy? You need to speak to Poppy ?” Willow looks as if she’s going to explode with frustration. “Who is this fucking Poppy?”
I almost feel sorry for Willow. Completely ignoring her, Vicks comes round to my seat, bends down low, and mutters, “Do you know where Sam is?”
“No.” I look at her in alarm. “What’s happened?”
“Has he texted you? Anything?”
“No!” I double-check my phone. “Nothing. I thought he was with you.”
“He was.” Vicks does her eye-rubbing thing with the heels of her hands, and I resist the temptation to grab her wrists.
“What happened?”’ I lower my voice further. “Please, Vicks. I’ll be discreet. I swear.”
There’s a beat of silence, then Vicks nods. “OK. We ran out of time. I guess you could say Sam lost.”
I feel a plunge of disappointment. After all that.
“What did Sam say?”
“Not a lot. He stormed out.”
“What will happen to Sir Nicholas?” I speak as quietly as I can.
Vicks doesn’t reply, but her head turns away as though she wants to escape that particular thought.
“I have to go,” she says abruptly. “Let me know if you hear from Sam. Please.”
“OK.”
I wait as Vicks walks away, then casually raise my head. Sure enough, Willow is fixated on me, like a cobra.
“So,” she says.
“So.” I smile back pleasantly, just as Willow’s eyes land on my left hand. Her mouth opens. For an instant she seems incapable of speech.
“Who gave you that ring?” she utters at last.
What bloody business is it of hers?
“A girl called Lucinda,” I say, to wind her up. “I’d lost it, you see. She gave it back.”
Willow draws breath and I swear she’s about to launch her fangs into me, when Vicks’s voice comes blasting through the PA system at top volume.
“I’m sorry to interrupt the party, but I have an important announcement to make. All employees of White Globe Consulting, please make your way back into the main conference hall immediately. That’s back into the main conference hall, immediately. Thank you.”
There’s an outbreak of chatter around us, and all the clusters of people start moving toward the double doors, some quickly refilling their glasses.
“Looks like my cue to leave,” says David, getting to his feet. “You’ll be needing to go. Give my regards to Sam.”
“I’m not actually an employee,” I say, for accuracy’s sake. “But, yes, I do need to go. Sorry about that.”
“Really?” David shakes his head, looking mystified. “Then she’s got a point.” He jerks his head at Willow. “You’re not Sam’s girlfriend and you don’t work for this company. Who the hell are you and what have you got to do with Sam?”
“Like I said.” I can’t help smiling at his quizzical expression. “It’s … complicated.”
“I can believe it.” He raises his eyebrows, then produces a business card and presses it into my hand. “Tell Sam. Exotic mini-pets. I’ve got a great opportunity for him.”
“I’ll tell him.” I nod seriously. “Thanks.” I watch him disappear toward the exit, then carefully put his card away for Sam.
“So.” Willow looms in front of me again, arms folded. “Why don’t you start from the beginning?”
“Are you serious ?” I can’t hide my exasperation. “Isn’t there something else you need to be doing right now?” I gesture at the crowds surging into the conference room.
“Oh, nice try.” She doesn’t even flicker. “I’m hardly going to make some tedious corporate announcement my priority.”
“Believe me, this tedious corporate announcement is one you’re going to want to hear.”
“You know all about it, I suppose,” Willow shoots back sarcastically.
“Yes.” I nod, suddenly feeling despondent. “I know all about it. And … I think I’m going to get a drink.”