Finger Food by Helen Lederer

Juliet’s hand. Why had Juliet been given a script when she, the presenter, hadn’t?
    â€˜Oh! Are you going to pretend to be my guest?’ asked Juliet. ‘They told me there was a double-booking with a wine tasting.’
    The words floated over Bella as she counted herself in with increased confidence. She took another swig of wine. ‘In three, I’ll cue myself, we’re rolling …’
    As the Finger Food jingle began playing Juliet leaned across. ‘I love your trousers by the way. Whoever said tight wool can flatter was right.’
    The jingle ended and to Bella’s annoyance Juliet stood as though shewere the host and Bella the guest. This was taking things too far. Bella didn’t want Tony to think she was a pushover as a host. She wasn’t going to lose her grip now. Even if Juliet was turning out to be a bit of a control freak. Luckily the wine had given her confidence.
    â€˜Ooh Juliet!’ she said, taking her arm with a little more force than was needed. ‘Let’s focus! Talk me through the wine … Being a female designer yourself, you would probably know what kind of labels women are looking for. Wouldn’t you?’
    Juliet stared at Bella and paused for a second. ‘Actually,’ she said, in a careful slow voice, ‘why don’t youtake us through the wines since you’re still here and raring to go!’
    Bella looked at Juliet, wondering whether the wine was affecting her more than she realised. Why was Juliet speaking to her as if she was an idiot?
    There were another few seconds of silence.
    â€˜So!’ they both said at exactly the same time.
    â€˜Oh jinx!’ said Bella. ‘Make a wish! What shall we wish for? I wish I was the highly paid face of Highland Spring facial mist … oh, but you are! How does she do it, ladies and gentlemen … seriously, how do you do it?’
    Bella felt the audience on her side as they all murmured that they really didn’t know. Juliet replied with false modesty.
    â€˜It’s been busy season since I left the rainforest.’
    â€˜Busy for some!’ said Bella.
    â€˜I’m just lucky,’ Juliet flashed back. She flung a tight white denim trouser leg over the other in annoyance, revealing a diamond ankle bracelet that matched the chain around her neck.
    â€˜You are not wrong, Juliet,’ Bella said. ‘She is like a rash, ladies and gentleman! She gets on everything!’
    Juliet raised her voice ‘I only ever endorse what I’ve personally used, sat on or tasted.’
    The two women glared at each other, waiting to see who would make the next move.
    Through the slight fogginess of the wine something was slowly dawning on Bella. The script in Juliet’s hand. Fiona’s shiftiness. And, above all, the idea that Yvonne, of all people, would give Bella a chance to be a presenter.
    It suddenly came to her. Yvonne had cast Juliet to be the presenter. Bella had only ever been a stand-in. And now Bella was expected to stand in as a guest for the woman who had her job. On hershow. From her idea.
    Fiona stumbled onto the set carrying the blender and waving her phone with a free hand.
    â€˜I got a text!’ she shouted. ‘I got a text!’ Then she leaned forward and was sick in the blender.
    Juliet and Bella, in deadlock, failed to notice. Fiona placed the blender carefully on the counter next to the other cake ingredients.
    â€˜What did the text say?’ asked Bella, keeping her eyes locked on Juliet.
    â€˜Nothing!’ Fiona wailed. ‘My first blank text! He may be in danger. I’m sorry Bella,’ she added. ‘I know you should be presenting this show. Yvonne wanted me to tell you about Juliet but I couldn’t do it.’
    The penny also dropped for Juliet.
    She leaned close to Bella, her voice low and threatening.
    â€˜Listen, love, I’m working with Claire Sweeney in half an hour …