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Tapping her fingers against the steering wheel, Evie listened to the clip-clip of Jennifer’s heels against the floor of the office until the thud of a door closed.
‘Sorry, I just had to get out of the office.’
‘Are you in the toilets?’ Evie frowned as the billowing of a hand drier filled her ears.
‘Yes, sorry. No one’s in here, though. That was me. The hand drier turned on as I walked past it. Look, Evie, I really don’t know how to say this, but I really didn’t want to keep quiet until you get back. It would be awful... you walking through those doors and...’
Jennifer was flustered. Evie could tell by her voice, high-pitched, fast. Jennifer never got flustered. ‘Jen, what’s happened? Is everything okay with the Aspen case? Everything went through okay?’
‘Yes, yes. It’s not the clients. It’s what Melissa’s done. Honestly, I had no idea. Not until I came into the office this morning.’
‘What? What’s happened?’
‘She’s made Steven partner.’
Evie gripped the steering wheel, watching the skin pale on her knuckles. Steven? Partner? It didn’t make any sense. Melissa had all but promised her the partnership.
‘Evie? Are you there still?’
‘I’m here.’
‘Did you hear what I said? She’s made Steven partner?’
‘I heard.’
‘I’m sorry. I didn’t want to be the bearer of bad news, but I didn’t want you finding out when you come back. Melissa’s been hinting for months that she was going to make you partner and now... now she encourages you to go away, and she goes and makes Steven partner. I’m so sorry. I know how much this meant to you.’
Evie nodded. ‘Thank you. I’m glad you told me.’
‘I can’t believe Melissa actually did this. Everyone’s talking about it. The whole office is buzzing with rumours. Veronica is certain Melissa and Steven are seeing each other. People are agreeing with her. Everyone suddenly sees something that wasn’t there before. They...’
Sitting back in the seat, Evie leaned her head against the headrest. ‘Jennifer, I’m sorry, I’ve really got to go.’
‘You’re not mad with me, are you? There was nothing I could do. I would have let you know before if I’d been told.’
‘Jennifer, why would I be mad with you? There’s nothing anyone could have done. You know what Melissa is like. I’ll ring you later.’ Ending the call, Evie lowered her head to the steering wheel, the fake leather cool against her forehead. What had Melissa done? Why would she do this? Everything was so clear now. It all made sense. Melissa had wanted her out of the way so she could announce Steven’s partnership. She hadn’t been looking out for her wellbeing after all.
Scrolling through her phone, she hit Melissa’s number. The only person who could answer the questions would be Melissa herself.
No answer.
Great. Ending the call, Evie tapped the phone against her palm. Melissa wouldn’t answer her calls. She’d probably guessed that Jennifer would call her the moment Steven was announced as partner. She’d be avoiding her calls.
Jumping out of the car, Evie threw the door shut and marched back towards the bakery. If Melissa wouldn’t answer her calls, then Evie would write her an email. Sure, Melissa still might not reply, but she’d read it. Evie was sure of that. And that would at least make Evie feel a little better. She’d wait a little, though. If she wrote it now, she knew she’d say something she’d regret.
‘Hello, love. Did you get your phone?’ Elsie looked up from the cake she was icing.
‘Yes, I did, thanks.’
‘Is everything okay? You look as though you’ve seen a ghost.’ Elsie laid down the icing bag.
‘Yes, no. Just something at work.’ She reached for her ring, winding it around her finger.
‘Do you need some time to sort it out?’
‘No, I don’t think so.’
‘Are you sure?’ Elsie frowned.
