Can You Keep a Secret?(75)
Author: Sophie Kinsella

‘Really?’ Lissy gazes at me. ‘He said that? That is pretty romantic.’

‘I told you!’ I can’t help beaming at her. ‘Lissy, he’s perfect!’

NINETEEN

For the next couple of weeks, nothing can pierce my happy glow. Nothing. I waft into work on a cloud, sit all day smiling at my computer terminal, then waft home again. Paul’s sarcastic comments bounce off me like bubbles. I don’t even notice when Artemis introduces me to a visiting advertising team as her personal secretary. They can all say what they like. Because what they don’t know is that when I’m smiling at my computer, it’s because Jack has just sent me another funny little email. What they don’t know is that the guy who employs them all is in love with me. Me. Emma Corrigan. The junior.

‘Well, of course, I had several in-depth conversations with Jack Harper on the subject,’ I can hear Artemis saying on the phone as I tidy up the proofs cupboard. ‘Yup. And he felt — as I do — that the concept really needed to be refocused.’

Bullshit! She never had any in-depth conversations with Jack Harper. I’m almost tempted to email him straight away and tell him how she’s using his name in vain.

Except that would be a bit mean.

And besides, she’s not the only one. Everyone is dropping Jack Harper into their conversations, left, right and centre. It’s as if now he’s gone, everyone’s suddenly pretending they were his best friend and he thought their idea was perfect.

Apart from me. I’m just keeping my head down and not mentioning his name at all.

Partly because I know that if I do, I’ll blush bright red, or give some huge, goofy smile or something. Partly because I have a horrible feeling that if I once start talking about Jack, I won’t be able to stop. But mainly because no-one ever brings the subject up with me. After all, what would I know about Jack Harper? I’m only the crappy assistant, after all.

‘Hey!’ says Nick, looking up from his phone. ‘Jack Harper’s going to be on television!’

‘What?’

I feel a jolt of surprise. Jack’s going to be on television?

How come he didn’t tell me?

‘Is a TV crew coming to the office, or anything?’ says Artemis, smoothing down her hair.

‘Dunno.’

‘OK folks,’ says Paul, coming out of his office. ‘Jack Harper has done an interview on Business Watch, and it’s being broadcast at twelve. A television is being set up in the large meeting room; anyone who would like to can go along and watch there. But we need one person to stay behind and man the phones.’ His gaze falls on me. ‘Emma. You can stay.’

‘What?’ I say blankly.

‘You can stay and man the phones,’ says Paul. ‘OK?’

‘No! I mean … I want to watch!’ I say in dismay. ‘Can’t someone else stay behind? Artemis, can’t you stay?’

‘I’m not staying!’ says Artemis at once. ‘Honestly, Emma, don’t be so selfish. It won’t be at all interesting for you.’

‘Yes it will!’

‘No it won’t.’ She rolls her eyes.

‘It will,’I say desperately. ‘He’s … he’s my boss too!’

‘Yes, well,’ says Artemis sarcastically, ‘I think there’s a slight difference. You’ve barely even spoken to Jack Harper.’

‘I have!’ I say before I can stop myself. ‘I have! I …’ I break off, my cheeks turning pink. ‘I … once went to a meeting he was at …’

‘And served him a cup of tea?’ Artemis meets Nick’s eyes with a little smirk.

I stare at her furiously, blood pounding through my ears, wishing just once I could think of something really scathing and clever to put Artemis down.

‘Enough, Artemis,’ says Paul. ‘Emma, you’re staying here, and that’s settled.’

By five to twelve the office is completely empty. Apart from me, a fly and a whirring fax machine. Disconsolately I reach into my desk drawer and take out an Aero. And a Flake for good measure. I’m just unwrapping the Aero and taking a big bite when the phone rings.

‘OK,’ comes Lissy’s voice down the line. ‘I’ve set the video.’

‘Thanks, Liss,’ I say through a mouthful of chocolate. ‘You’re a star.’

‘I can’t believe you’re not allowed to watch.’

‘I know. It’s completely unfair.’ I slump deeper in my chair and take another bite of Aero.

‘Well, never mind, we’ll watch it again tonight. Jemima’s going to put the video on in her room too, so we should definitely catch it.’

‘What’s Jemima doing at home?’ I say in surprise.

‘She’s taken a sickie so she can do a home spa day. Oh, and your dad rang,’ she adds cautiously.

‘Oh right.’ I feel a flicker of apprehension. ‘What did he say?’

I haven’t talked to Mum or Dad since the débâcle at the Corporate Family Day. I just can’t bring myself to. It was all too painful and embarrassing, and for all I know, they’ve completely taken Kerry’s side.

So when Dad rang here on the following Monday, I said I was really busy and I’d call him back — and, never did. And the same thing at home.

I know I’ll have to talk to them some time. But not now. Not while I’m so happy.