The hostess led them to a quiet table in the bar, the place buzzing, but the scene reeked of overly made up people, all of their movements seeming to be directed by an invisible hand. A deadening sensation congealed inside Saffron.
After ordering a bottle of chilled white wine, Pearl, her eyes widening with anticipation, turned to Saffron. “So, how’s Sandy Cove? Going mad from boredom?”
“Not yet, no.”
“Well, that’s a blessing, I suppose.” Her face didn’t register a flicker of happiness, but calculation to twist things in her Pearl way. “We don’t have time to put you into some type of treatment to fix your mental state from taking months off.”
Saffron couldn’t comprehend how any of that made sense to anyone. More proof agents weren’t human.
“At least tell me you’ve had your fun and are ready to come back to work.” Pearl tapped her fingertips together.
Saffron ducked answering by nodding thank you to the woman who poured her drink.
Pearl’s bob of the head was much more dismissive, instead of grateful. “Here’s to your next great venture with Echo.”
Saffron sipped the wine, the trail of ice-cold liquid going down her throat leaving her numb.
Pearl’s gaze dug into Saffron. “Well?”
“Well, what?”
“Are you ready to get back to work?”
“Not really. I’m thinking I need another month—”
Pearl stuck a hand in the air, gold bangles clinking on her wrist. “Not possible. Do you think everyone involved in the project can wait for you to work out whatever angst you’re having? Millennials have no idea how the real world works. I’ve got news for you, dear. This sabbatical, or whatever you want to call it, is over. I’ll send someone to your Sandy Cove place and pack up your belongings. I’ve let you have your fun. It’s over. Got me?”
“I wasn’t aware you controlled all the aspects of my life, not just my career.”
“It’s all rolled into one. It’s best for you to accept that to avoid whatever this summer has been.” Her look of exaggerated disgust nearly caused Saffron to burst into laughter.
Once, the two of them had been to a curry place in Brick Lane, and a man sitting near them started to have a seizure. Everyone in the restaurant leapt into action, including Saffron who pulled the table and chairs away from the poor man. Pearl, though, grunted in disgust and continued eating naan.
Why did that memory flood Saffron at that moment?
Because Kirsty was right. Saffron needed to call time on her movie career.
“I’m starting to understand how all of this works with you in the picture.” How had it taken Saffron this long to see Pearl for who she really was? A greedy, vindictive, controlling arsehole.
Pearl softened her facial features, a heroic feat given the recent Botox injections Saffron knew the woman was addicted to. “I know you’re struggling with motivation right now. I’ll hire you the best people. The perkiest and liveliest to get you up in the morning and ready for this new and exciting adventure. This will be the best instalment of theGirl Racerfranchise and I’m willing to bet, there’ll be five more after this.”
Saffron gulped her wine, needing the numbing sensation to return before she exploded and tossed the liquid in Pearl’s face.
Pearl reached for her hand, and gave it a pat. “We’ve been through worse together. Like when your parents died. I was there for you every day. I’m still here for you every day. We’ll navigate these troubled waters. Tell me what you need and—” she blew on her fingers, “And poof. I’ll make everything better.”
It was lines like the navigate one that had made Saffron feel better after her parents’ deaths. Making her feel like she wasn’t all alone and maybe Pearl actually did care. But the passing years proved beyond a doubt, Pearl only cared about what made her richer and more powerful.
Saffron slanted her head and crossed her arms. “Funny, because from my viewpoint, I have been telling you what I need—time away, and yet you’re insisting I stay your hostage.”
“Hostage!” Pearl scoffed. “I’ve done more for you than any of my other clients.”
“I make way more than all of your other clients combined.”
“Exactly! Which is why we have to nip this in the bud. Get you back in the saddle.” Pearl, much to Saffron’s horror, pretended to ride a horse, hollering, “Yee-haw!”
How had Saffron ever accepted the gauche woman? Had Pearl always been this Pearl-y or had Saffron’s success gone to the agent’s head? Either way, Saffron was horrified she’d kept Pearl in her life this long.
“Good afternoon, so sorry I’m late, babe.”
