Chapter 38

Josh has been in touch about meeting the MD of the company that's looking to buy my agency. I asked a few questions about the initial proposal and he wants to answer them in person, so we're going to meet him and some of the board in London next week. Josh offered to come with me for moral support, and I agreed, even though I'm someone who's used to doing things on her own. But this is a monumental decision and it would be good to have another perspective. I ask him to set it up with an overnight stay, because I'll try to meet some other contacts while I'm there. I never waste a trip to London if I can help it.

A ping on my phone notifies me of an update to one of my social media accounts. I'm surprised to see it's a mention on Charles's account. A photo of him with Iseult smiling beside him and the beautiful backdrop of Waterford behind them. My stomach tightens. I hadn't forgotten that he was in Waterford for Pamela's literary evening tonight. I'd asked him if he wanted me to go with him – I usually accompany him to all his events. But he told me that Izzy would be coming because he wanted her to meet the family.

And now here she is, beaming in a selfie with him. It feels . . . odd.

There's another ping, this time Josh sending details of our London visit and asking if there's anything I need clarification on.

I pick up the phone and ask if he has time to meet this evening.

‘Sure. Fancy a bite to eat?'

I haven't eaten all day, so I tell him this sounds like a plan, and we elect to meet in a small diner close to him.

I don't bother going home to change first, and regret not having made the effort when I realise that the diner has undergone a recent refurb and is a lot trendier than I remember.

‘You look fine,' Josh tells me when I apologise for my jeans and baggy jumper combo. ‘You're right, though, this place has poshed up quite a bit.'

He insists on two glasses of Prosecco to start, and we order off the well-judged menu.

We've almost finished our main course before he gets around to asking what part of the deal I want to talk about.

‘Charles,' I say.

He looks at me enquiringly.

‘Things have been a bit tricky since he got engaged,' I tell him. ‘I've been thinking about him getting new representation. Obviously he's one of the authors the new agency will want to have on their books.'

‘He's not talking to another agency at the moment, is he?'

I shake my head.

‘Seems to me you have a great opportunity to move him to another agent in the expanded organisation,' says Josh. ‘Obviously that would have to be in London, because the only literary agent in the Irish office would be you.'

‘Y'see, I thought that, but it would depend on what he wants.'

‘I'm sure you could work out a transition with him,' says Josh.

‘You've got such faith in me.'

‘Of course I have,' he says. ‘I thought you had great faith in yourself, Ariel.'

‘It's been knocked about a bit this last while.'

‘I don't see why.'

‘Oh, just Charles getting engaged again. It sort of flattened me.'

‘It always flattens you when an ex moves on,' says Josh. ‘Flattens you more when the wife you've been living with moves on without you even knowing it.'

‘We're a right pair.'

Our eyes meet. I'm pretty sure we're both thinking the same thing, but I'm really not sure if it's a good idea.

‘Finished here?' he asks.

‘Yes.'

‘Want to come back to mine?'

‘No strings,' I say.

‘Not even a thread.'

He pays the bill and we walk quickly back to his building.

We don't even bother going upstairs.