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‘Everyone, meet my son Charlie,’ she said. ‘Some of you may have wondered why I was sneaking off at six o’clock; well, here’s why.’
Matt was flummoxed. He looked over at Anna, who was sharing a knowing smile with Sid.
‘Three cheers for Sid!’ shouted David.
‘And three cheers for Charlie!’ added Diane. ‘Hip, hip . . .’
As the cheers and toasts went on, Edward French took Matt’s arm.
‘Did you know about this?’ asked the partner angrily.
‘News to me,’ said Matt.
‘Duplicitous bloody cow,’ hissed Edward. ‘Hoodwinks us all and then expects us to pay for her leaving drinks? A total cheek, if you ask me.’
‘Good for her, I say,’ said Matt. ‘Keeping all those balls in the air and not spilling the beans about a toddler. She’s got the makings of an excellent lawyer, if you ask me.’
Edward look
ed at him with ill-disguised disdain.
‘Well at least this ridiculous charade is over,’ he said, before walking off.
Anna came across holding two glasses of fizz.
‘I thought you might like to wet the baby’s head,’ she said.
‘I take it you knew about this, then?’
‘I only found out a week ago. I didn’t think it was my place to say anything, not when she was leaving anyway. Besides, I was pretty sure Helen would go up the wall.’
At the mention of Helen, they exchanged a look. Matt had barely spoken to Anna since the night he had found her snooping around Helen’s office and heard the strange tale of her investigation into Amy Hart’s murder. He could tell she was embarrassed about the intimacy of that evening, and of course the accusations she had made about Helen. Matt had thought long and hard about what she had told him, but the truth was that without more evidence, there was little anyone could do.
‘About the other night . . .’ began Anna, but immediately clammed up as Sid came over to join them.
‘Here she is.’ Matt smiled. ‘The international woman of mystery. Maybe you could consider a career at MI6 with your talent for deception.’
Sid flashed a grin. ‘No need. Anna has already arranged an interview for me to work for Ilina Miranova.’
Matt looked impressed.
‘So it is going to be all private jets and beach club business meetings from now on, is it? Very James Bond – very you, actually.’
‘Thanks, Matt, you’re one of the good guys. And you’re good for the firm. Don’t let Helen persuade you otherwise.’
‘What do you mean?’
Sid looked at Anna nervously.
‘Sid? What is it?’ asked Anna, glancing at Matt.
Sid looked as if she was regretting her words.
‘The other day I had to deliver an urgent by-hand to Helen. She was having dinner with the partners at Nobu – well, all the partners but you, Matt. I overheard some things . . .’
Matt could tell from the look on Sid’s face that he wasn’t going to like this one bit.
‘She wants you out,’ said Sid apologetically. ‘I heard her say she wanted to amend the partnership agreement to allow them to oust underperforming partners.’
