We found a nearby Starbucks, bought our drinks and sat down.
‘What’s up, Frixie?’
My nerves were juddering and I paused, trying to decide the best way forward – was the direct route best? ‘That night when I brought Nick along to meet Jess – I wasn’t entirely truthful about who he was.’
‘What do you mean?’
Here goes nothing. ‘He’s not a friend of mine. He’s Marcie Tyler’s publicist.’
I watched Simon’s reaction but his expression remained blank. Did he not know about the bad blood between Jess and Marcie?
‘What did he want with Jess?’
‘Jess and Marcie fell out ten years ago and now Marcie wants to make amends. But Jess doesn’t want anything to do with her, so Nick’s hoping he can change her mind.’
Simon frowned. ‘How well do you know this Nick character?’
The question took me by surprise. ‘Not that well, admittedly, but—’
‘He told you Marcie wants to apologise to Jess?’
‘Yes.’
Simon rolled his eyes. ‘And youbelievedhim?’
He was looking at me like I was being slow on the uptake. ‘I didn’t have any reason to doubt him.’
Anger flashed across his face. ‘They “fell out”? Is that how he describes it? Marcie sacked Jess in the middle of their North American tour – and it ruined Jess’s career.’
What?‘Are you sure, Simon?’
He laughed bitterly. ‘I was one of the first people she rang when it happened. I’d been due to fly over and see one of the West Coast gigs.’
It bothered me to hear that the two of them had been in touch over the years. But I couldn’t tell Simon that.
‘I’m sorry to hear that, but... I’ve been in the business a while and I’ve learnt to trust my instincts, and right now, they’re telling me to believe Nick Jones.’
He didn’t respond. Were we really arguing about this? I tried another tack. ‘Nick’s holding me to ransom. I need that Marcie interview and this is my way of getting it.’
‘And to hell with anyone else’s feelings?’
Simon’s anger wasn’t abating; if anything he was getting more wound up. His passion in defending Jess was starting to grate on my nerves.
‘Re:Soundis in big trouble. This time next year we might not exist. We might not even make it till Christmas if we can’t dramatically increase circulation and advertising revenue.’ I paused to swallow down a ball of emotion. I needed to stay calm. ‘The targets are nearly impossible, but this Marcie interview is my one hope of securing the future of the magazine. Marcie just wants to make things better with Jess. She’s been through a lot over the last few months. She’s detoxed and she’s straightening out her life.’
Simon shook his head. ‘You heard what Jess said at dinner that night. She screwed Marcie’s boyfriend. She’s not proud of the fact, but the point is, Marcie might still hold a grudge. It’s not redemption she’s after, it’s revenge.’
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. ‘What on earth are you talking about? What sort of revenge?’
‘Making sure any comeback Jess attempts fails.’
This was getting ridiculous. ‘And how exactly would Marcie do that?’
Simon rolled his eyes. ‘You tell me, you’re the expert.’ Without waiting for me to respond, he went on. ‘Marcie’s got the ear of a lot of industry people. I’m sure it would be easy enough to convince them not to give Jess another chance.’
I would have laughed if I wasn’t so angry. Jess’s career was a speck of mud on Marcie’s shoe. ‘If what you fear is true, then Marcie could wreak any revenge from a distance,’ I said. ‘But if she wants to get close to Jess it means her motives are good.’
‘Or maybe that’s just what you want to believe of your precious Saint Marcie.’
