shot through her as she realised she would soon be meeting Jack McCabe’s Representative on Earth. Tottering along the pavement, she plotted how she wanted the meeting to go. Mostly she needed to know more about Jack McCabe. What were his plans for the station? How long had Paulina known him? What were his likes and dislikes? She needed to fish out all this information, without appearing to be too nosy.
She reached the café early and was surprised to see that it was almost full. She took a table beside the window. She glanced up as the door swung open but it was Matt, carrying a pile of cardboard boxes.
He smiled broadly when he saw her. “Are you being looked after?”
“Not yet. But it’s fine. I’m waiting for someone. Business meeting.”
He raised his eyebrows. “I didn’t think we’d attract the business type. But it’s great. Hope it goes well for you.”
Helene watched as he loped off, stopping at nearly every table for a word with the customers as he brought his stock through to the back. There was a sense of cheerfulness about him that she found fascinating. It was probably all the travelling that had him chilled out, she decided.
Maybe it was something she should do. Her and Richard. The thought came out of nowhere and Helene’s pulse quickened at the prospect. If they went away, they would be free of all the strain of a covert affair. They would finally be free to go public with their relationship. Richard had always been adamant that their romance stayed a secret, but only, he said, because they worked together and he was her boss. But while that had been thrilling in the beginning, as time went on it just made their relationship seem lessthan what it was.
She gave herself a mental shake. What was she thinking of? Richard was an alpha male – that’s what had attracted her to him in the first place. He wasn’t the type to just bum around the world, with no goals to reach and no achievements to celebrate. And neither was she. She was Helene Harper. Executive Editor at Atlantic 1FM. Atlantic 1FM that might soon be bankrolled by a tycoon with the Midas touch. A tycoon whose Representative on Earth she was about to meet! Helene sat up straighter in her seat. It was time to change this challenge into an opportunity.
As if on cue the door swung open again and a tall, blonde woman stepped into the café. Helene knew straight away that it had to be Paulina. Everyone else in the café was lounging around in scruffy jeans, their feet on their backpacks. This woman was clutching an expensive briefcase and was dressed in designer gear – a caramel-coloured suit, navy silk shirt and, like Helene, wore killer heels. Her ash-blonde hair was poker-straight, and a gold chain glistened against her throat. She looked mid-thirties, Helene reckoned. Forty if she was having Botox.
“Paulina?” Helene stood up.
The other woman crossed the room in a flurry. “And you must be Helene!” She air-kissed Helene on both cheeks. “It’s so good to meet you at last. It’s so difficult to get to know someone without seeing them face to face.” She sat down in the chair opposite. “Sorry I’m late – and also for being a bit of a pain these last few days. But Jack has given me such a tight schedule I have no option but to work from six each morning!” She placed her phone on the table between them. “It will bleep when it’s time for my next appointment.” She threw her eyes heavenwards at the sheer busyness of her life.
So your time is precious, Helene interpreted the business-speak rapidly. She’d better get cracking if she was to find out all she needed to know.
A pleasant-faced waitress took their order – carrot cake and a latte for Paulina, black coffee for Helene. They chitchatted about what was in the news headlines for a bit and then Helene decided to go for it.
“So, Paulina. Have you ever worked with a radio station before?”
“No! But it’s so exciting. Neither has Jack, actually, so
She reached the café early and was surprised to see that it was almost full. She took a table beside the window. She glanced up as the door swung open but it was Matt, carrying a pile of cardboard boxes.
He smiled broadly when he saw her. “Are you being looked after?”
“Not yet. But it’s fine. I’m waiting for someone. Business meeting.”
He raised his eyebrows. “I didn’t think we’d attract the business type. But it’s great. Hope it goes well for you.”
Helene watched as he loped off, stopping at nearly every table for a word with the customers as he brought his stock through to the back. There was a sense of cheerfulness about him that she found fascinating. It was probably all the travelling that had him chilled out, she decided.
Maybe it was something she should do. Her and Richard. The thought came out of nowhere and Helene’s pulse quickened at the prospect. If they went away, they would be free of all the strain of a covert affair. They would finally be free to go public with their relationship. Richard had always been adamant that their romance stayed a secret, but only, he said, because they worked together and he was her boss. But while that had been thrilling in the beginning, as time went on it just made their relationship seem lessthan what it was.
She gave herself a mental shake. What was she thinking of? Richard was an alpha male – that’s what had attracted her to him in the first place. He wasn’t the type to just bum around the world, with no goals to reach and no achievements to celebrate. And neither was she. She was Helene Harper. Executive Editor at Atlantic 1FM. Atlantic 1FM that might soon be bankrolled by a tycoon with the Midas touch. A tycoon whose Representative on Earth she was about to meet! Helene sat up straighter in her seat. It was time to change this challenge into an opportunity.
As if on cue the door swung open again and a tall, blonde woman stepped into the café. Helene knew straight away that it had to be Paulina. Everyone else in the café was lounging around in scruffy jeans, their feet on their backpacks. This woman was clutching an expensive briefcase and was dressed in designer gear – a caramel-coloured suit, navy silk shirt and, like Helene, wore killer heels. Her ash-blonde hair was poker-straight, and a gold chain glistened against her throat. She looked mid-thirties, Helene reckoned. Forty if she was having Botox.
“Paulina?” Helene stood up.
The other woman crossed the room in a flurry. “And you must be Helene!” She air-kissed Helene on both cheeks. “It’s so good to meet you at last. It’s so difficult to get to know someone without seeing them face to face.” She sat down in the chair opposite. “Sorry I’m late – and also for being a bit of a pain these last few days. But Jack has given me such a tight schedule I have no option but to work from six each morning!” She placed her phone on the table between them. “It will bleep when it’s time for my next appointment.” She threw her eyes heavenwards at the sheer busyness of her life.
So your time is precious, Helene interpreted the business-speak rapidly. She’d better get cracking if she was to find out all she needed to know.
A pleasant-faced waitress took their order – carrot cake and a latte for Paulina, black coffee for Helene. They chitchatted about what was in the news headlines for a bit and then Helene decided to go for it.
“So, Paulina. Have you ever worked with a radio station before?”
“No! But it’s so exciting. Neither has Jack, actually, so
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