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46
September 2017
Rachel paced up and down the pavement outside the tacky tartan shop, the phone pressed to her ear.
Dominique picked up on the third ring. ‘Yo.’
‘Dom, it’s me. I just saw Michael. He was with Ella.’
‘Ella who?’
‘Fuck. I don’t know. The small blonde annoying woman. She was at your party. Went to school with Darcy?’
‘Oh, yes, right, that Ella. God. He was with her? Like,withwith?’
‘Yes. Holding hands. Like a couple. But, Dom, she knows about my Liberty contract. She said you told her. You didn’t tell her, did you? I mean, why would you?’
There’s a beat of silence, just long enough for Rachel to know that yes, Dom did tell Ella.
‘Fuck. Rach. I was at Darcy’s baby shower. Like three weeks ago. Someone asked how you were. I mean, I don’t even remember her being part of the conversation. I don’t even really remember her being there. She’s such a little fucking nobody. I didn’t have even the slightest clue she was seeing Michael. God, if I had I would never have said anything. Of course I wouldn’t. I’m so, so sorry, Rachel.’
‘Did you – did you say anything else about me?’
‘No. I mean. Not really. I just said you were doing brilliantly. That you were fine. Oh, and that you’d, ah,ghostedMichael—’
‘Ghosted. Oh my God. Did you actually say that?’
‘Well, yeah. Although, let’s be honest, he’s ghosted you too. It’s not as if he’s made any effort to get in touch since you left, and now he’s screwing Ella.’
‘I know, Dom, but God, it’s just I need to be so careful. I need this separation period just to pass really, really quietly with no drama and no …things.’
‘I still don’t understand why you’re not just doing a quickie divorce.’
‘No. I know you don’t understand and that’s fine. I have my reasons, trust me. But look, can you ask Darcy if she knows how Ella and Michael got together? If she knows how long it’s been going on?’
‘God, yeah, absolutely. I’ll do that right now. But, Rach …’ She pauses. ‘Are you OK about this? I mean, I know you and he had a big fall-out and I know you’ve said you don’t love him any more and all of that, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt to see him moving on.’
‘It doesn’t hurt, Dom. Trust me. It really really doesn’t.’
‘Well, good. I’m glad. And, Rach, I am so so so sorry forshooting my mouth off. I was just so proud of you and wanted to tell people how amazing you are and how well you’re doing and I promise that next time someone asks after you I will totally do the zip-face emoji.’
Rachel smiled. ‘It’s fine. I love you.’
‘I love you, too.’
Rachel put her phone back in her bag and headed to the meeting with Lilian and Rosie, arriving ninety seconds late and with a sense of disquiet that she could not quite explain.
The Rachel Gold Jewels range launched at Liberty on a blowy Tuesday night a few weeks later. Some press and social media influencers were invited and there was champagne and tiny mouthfuls of food on trays and Rachel wore black velvet trousers and a white blazer and her hair was professionally blow dried and her dad was there in a black polo neck and jeans looking so proud and so dashing that it made Rachel’s heart hurt.
Paige clutched Rachel’s arm and talked into her ear over the din about a guy across the room who was at college with her and used to stalk her and was now studiously ignoring her as he recorded voice notes on to his phone. ‘As if he’s reporting back on the G7 Summit, for God’s sake,’ said Paige, and Rachel laughed out loud. Lilian gave a sweet speech a few minutes later, then there was a photo call and by 7.45 p.m. people had begun collecting their coats and the event started to wind down. Rachel was looking for her handbag, ready to head for dinner with Lilian, Rosie, Paige and her father when she saw a familiar shape entering the store from the street: a grey woollen coat, a burgundy-and-navy-striped scarf, a beard.
‘I subscribe to the Liberty email newsletter,’ Michael said, striding across the room towards her, unlooping his scarf, his face warmed by a megawatt smile. ‘What a perfect surprise to see that your range was being launched today, the same day I was in town! I just thought I’d drop by and have a look. Never thought there’d be all the razzamatazz! And did not expect to see you either! Wow! You look incredible, Rachel. Really.’ He took Rachel’s father’s hand in his and squeezed it and said, ‘So good to see you, Brian, you’re looking amazing.’ Then he glanced around at the remnants of the party and turned back to Rachel and beamed. ‘So,’ he said. ‘Let’s have a look at these things of great beauty!’
Lilian and Rosie threw Rachel a questioning look and Rachel shook her head and shrugged and they followed Michael across to the cabinet containing Rachel’s jewellery.
‘Wow,’ he said, his hands deep in his coat pockets. He turned and looked at her. ‘Rachel. These are all just exquisite. Look at these, the way they glitter under these lights. Intoxicating! These gems’ – he turned to Lilian who stood at his shoulder – ‘are they all real?’
Lilian glanced at Rachel and then answered, ‘Yes. Precious and semi-precious. Everything from the orange diamond in this pendant to rare stones like the black opals in this ring. Isn’t it exquisite?’
