‘Why would you be sacked?’
‘For totally fucking up the meeting. For crying in front of the client. For telling her she was wrong about everything. Professionally speaking, I think it’s fair to say this has not been my finest hour.’
‘Perhaps,’ Greg said, ‘but you seem to have gotten away with it. Olivia was quite moved by what you said in there. She wants to rejig the website plan and give you free rein to recommend what you think is best.’
‘What?’
‘Shecried, Rachel. Actual tears. I mean, not many, but it’s blown my theory that she’s a real-life Cyberman … Maybe she’s just seen so much sadness over the years she’s learned to shut it out, unless someone catches her off guard. She and I have also agreed that there’s no need to tell anyone else at R/C exactly what inspired the rethink.’
‘I don’t know what to say.’
‘I think the phrase you’re looking for is:Thank God for that.’
‘No,’ Rachel said, leaning towards Greg as he wound his arm around her. ‘It’s just thank you.’
Greg sent Rachel home early with instructions to come back to work tomorrow, head held high. She didn’t argue and promised that, when he called, she’d give Jack’s boss honest answers to everything he asked her.
When she got back to the flat, Rachel found Anna sitting at the kitchen table with a half-drunk cup of tea and a half-eaten packet of Hobnobs in front of her. Rachel pulled up the chair opposite and flopped into it, and then they both started speaking at once.
‘I’m sorry—’
‘I’ve been an idiot—’
‘I should never have—’
‘—can’t believe I’ve been soselfish.’
‘Cup of tea?’ Anna asked when they finally stopped talking over each other. She sniffed and shoved her seat away from the table.
‘Go on, then,’ Rachel said, rubbing at her damp eyelashes.
Anna switched the kettle on to boil, then turned to look at Rachel.
‘I should never have said I felt responsible for you, or made out like I was tired of it. It’s not true. I’ve been in hell over it, and deservedly so.’
‘It’s at least abittrue,’ Rachel said. ‘And I don’t blame you. You’re the best friend I’ve ever had, but I’ve leaned on you so much the entire time I’ve known you. Any normal person would have kicked me into touch years ago … Especially because I ignore perfectly sensible, well-intentioned advice every time it’s offered.’
‘Are you saying I’m not normal?’
‘You’re superhuman. Thebesthuman. You were right about the whole fake relationship debacle, and about Jack. It turns out he’s the same selfish cesspit of a man he always was.’
Anna handed Rachel a mug, then sat back down – next to her now.
‘If I feel in any way responsible for you, it’s because I love you. It’s because you’re my blood. Myfamily. The only family I have left – at least until I become the only woman in Will’s mob who didn’t go to Roedean. Caring about you and carrying some of your troubles isn’t a burden to me, it’s my privilege. Please, let’s never fight again.’
‘Never,’ Rachel said, pulling her into a hug and then opening the biscuit packet.
‘I’m sorry about Jack,’ Anna mumbled through a mouthful of Hobnob.
‘Don’t be,’ Rachel groaned. ‘I’m far more concerned about Tom.’
‘Ah.’
‘We had a row and now I think he hates me, which is pretty inconvenient since it turns out I’m totally in love with him.’
‘OhGod.’
‘Yeah.’