IX. Express your personal opinion on the following points. 1. You never know what's round the next corner.

1. You never know what's round the next corner.

2. 'A relationship is a game of chess…. You always have to look ahead. You have to plan strategi­cally. If you make the wrong move, you've had it.'

3. 'A relation­ship is about like minds. It's about soulmates finding each other.'

4. The difficulties we face make us better people.

5. Silence is golden.

X. Identify the stylistic devices and lexical expressive means in the following sentences:

1. I'm not talking about big, earth-shattering secrets.

2. My hair is straightened, I'm wearing discreet earrings like they tell you to in How-to-win- that-job articles, and I've got on my smart new Jigsaw suit.

3. Paul said the deal was done and dusted and all I had to do was nod and shake their hands, and even I should be able to manage that. And so far, I reckon it's going really well.

4. I am such a deluded moron.

5. It's like a volcano erupting.

6. But my stomach is still a tight knot of fear.

7. The plane's drop­ping through the air like a stone.

8. '... I'd never tell anyone this in a million years.

9. ' He smiles back at me; his sunny expression restored, and gives me a kiss. 'See you later.'

10. 'It says since the days of Cleopatra, the proportions of beauty have been the same, and there's a way to work out how beautiful you are, scientifically.

SECTION 2 (Chapters 4-5)

Read the suggested chapters and do the tasks that follow.

FOUR

But as I sit on the train down, I'm resolved that this time will be better. I was watching a Cindy Blaine show the other day, all about reuniting long-lost daughters with their mothers, and it was so moving I soon had tears running down my face. At the end, Cindy gave this little homily about how it's far too easy to take our families for granted and that they gave us life and we should cherish them. And suddenly I felt really chastened.

So these are my resolutions for today:

/ will not:

Let my family stress me out.

Feel jealous of Kerry, or let Nev wind me up.

Look at my watch, wondering how soon I can leave.

/ will:

Stay serene and loving and remember that we are all sacred links in the eternal circle of life.

(I got that from Cindy Blaine, too.)

Mum and Dad used to live in Twickenham, which is where I grew up. But now they've moved out of London to a village in Hampshire. I arrive at their house just after twelve, to find Mum in the kitchen with my cousin Kerry. She and her husband Nev have moved out too, to a village about five minutes' drive from Mum and Dad, so they see each other all the time.

I feel a familiar pang as I see them, standing side by side by the stove. They look more like mother and daughter than aunt and niece. They've both got the same feather-cut hair - although Kerry's is highlighted more strongly than Mum's - they're both wearing brightly coloured tops which show a lot of tanned cleavage, and they're both laughing. On the counter, I notice a bottle of white wine already half gone.

'Happy birthday! ' I say, hugging Mum. As I glimpse a wrapped parcel on the kitchen table, I feel a little thrill of anticipation. I have got Mum the best birthday present. I can't wait to give it to her!

'Hiya! ' says Kerry, turning round in her apron. Her blue eyes are heavily made-up, and round her neck she's wearing a diamond cross which I haven't seen before. Every time I see Kerry she has a new piece of jewellery. 'Great to see you, Emma! We don't see enough of you. Do we, Aunty Rachel? ' 'We certainly don't, ' says Mum, giving me a hug. 'Shall I take your coat? ' says Kerry, as I put the bottle of champagne I've brought into the fridge. 'And what about a drink? '

This is how Kerry always talks to me. As though I'm a visitor.

But never mind. I'm not going to stress about it. Sacred links in the eternal circle of life.

'It's OK, ' I say, trying to sound pleasant. 'I'll get it.' I open the cupboard where glasses are always kept, to find myself looking at tins of tomatoes.

'They're over here, ' says Kerry, on the other side of the kitchen. 'We moved everything around! It makes much more sense now.'

'Oh right. Thanks.' I take the glass she gives me and take a sip of wine. 'Can I do anything to help? '

'I don't think so...' says Kerry, looking critically around the kitchen. 'Everything's pretty much done. So I said to Elaine, ' she adds to Mum, '" Where did you get those shoes? " And she said M& S! I couldn't believe it! ' 'Who's Elaine? ' I say, trying to join in. 'At the golf club, ' says Kerry.

Mum never used to play golf. But when she moved to Hampshire, she and Kerry took it up together. And now all I hear about is golf matches, golf club dinners, and endless parties with chums from the golf club.

I did once go along, to see what it was all about. But first of all they have all these stupid rules about what you can wear, which I didn't know, and some old guy nearly had a heart attack because I was in jeans. So they had to find me a skirt, and a spare pair of those clumpy shoes with spikes. And then when we got on to the course I couldn't hit the ball. Not I couldn't hit the ball well: I literally could not make contact with the ball. So in the end they all exchanged glances and said I'd better wait in the clubhouse.

'Sorry, Emma, can I just get past you...' Kerry reaches over my shoulder for a serving dish.

'Sorry, ' I say, and move aside. 'So, is there really nothing I can do, Mum? '

'You could feed Sammy, ' she says, giving me a pot of goldfish food. She frowns anxiously. 'You know, I'm a bit worried about Sammy.' 'Oh, ' I say, feeling a spasm of alarm. 'Er... why? ' 'He just doesn't seem himself.' She peers at him in his bowl. 'What do you think? Does he look right to you? '

I follow her gaze and pull a thoughtful face, as though I'm studying Sammy's features.

Oh God. I never thought she would notice. I tried as hard as I could to get a fish that looked just like Sammy. I mean he's orange, he's got two fins, he swims around... What's the difference?

'He's probably just a bit depressed, ' I say at last. 'He'll get over it'

Please don't let her take him to the vet or anything, I silently pray. I didn't even check if I got the right sex. Do goldfishes even have sexes?

'Anything else I can do? ' I say, sprinkling fish food lavishly over the water in an attempt to block her view of him.

'We've pretty much got it covered, ' says Kerry kindly.

'Why don't you go and say hello to Dad? ' says Mum, sieving some peas. 'Lunch won't be for another ten minutes or so.'

I find Dad and Nev in the sitting room, in front of the cricket. Dad's greying beard is as neatly trimmed as ever, and he's drinking beer from a silver tankard. The room has recently been redecorated, but on the wall there's still a display of all Kerry's swimming cups. Mum polishes them regularly, every week.

Plus my couple of riding rosettes. I think she kind of flicks those with a duster.

'Hi, Dad, ' I say, giving him a kiss.

'Emma! ' He puts a hand to his head in mock-surprise. 'You made it! No detours! No visits to historic cities! '

'Not today! ' I give a little laugh. 'Safe and sound.'

There was this time, just after Mum and Dad had moved to this house, when I took the wrong train on the way down and ended up in Salisbury, and Dad always teases me about it.

'Hi, Nev.' I peck him on the cheek, trying not to choke on the amount of aftershave he's wearing. He's in chinos and a white roll-neck, and has a heavy gold bracelet round his wrist, plus a wedding ring with a diamond set in it. Nev runs his family's company, which supplies office equipment all round the country, and he met Kerry at some convention for young entrepreneurs. Apparently they struck up conversation admiring each other's Rolex watches.

'Hi, Emma, ' he says. 'D'you see the new motor? '

'What? ' I peer at him blankly - then recall a glossy new car on the drive when I arrived. 'Oh yes! Very smart.'

'Mercedes 5 Series.' He takes a slug of beer. 'Forty-two grand list price.'

'Gosh.'

'Didn't pay that, though.' He taps the side of his nose. 'Have a guess.'

'Erm... forty? '

'Guess again.'

'Thirty-nine? '

'Thirty-seven-two-fifty, ' says Nev triumphantly. 'And free CD changer. Tax deductible, ' he adds.

'Right. Wow.'

I don't really know what else to say, so I perch on the side of the sofa and eat a peanut.

'That's what you're aiming for, Emma! ' says Dad. 'Think you'll ever make it? '

'I... don't know. Er... Dad, that reminds me. I've got a cheque for you.' Awkwardly I reach in my bag and get out a cheque for £ 300.

'Well done, ' says Dad. 'That can go on the tally.' His green eyes twinkle as he puts it in his pocket. 'It's called learning the value of money. It's called learning to stand on your own two feet! '

'Valuable lesson, ' says Nev, nodding. He takes a slug of beer and grins at Dad. 'Just remind me, Emma - what career is it this week? '

When I first met Nev it was just after I'd left the estate agency to become a photographer. Two and a half years ago. And he makes this same joke every time I see him. Every single bloody —

OK, calm down. Happy thoughts. Cherish your family. Cherish Nev.

'It's still marketing! ' I say brightly. 'Has been for over a year now.'

'Ah. Marketing. Good, good! '

There's silence for a few minutes, apart from the cricket commentary. Suddenly Dad and Nev simulta­neously groan as something or other happens on the cricket pitch. A moment later they groan again.

'Right, ' I say. 'Well, I'll just…’

As I get up from the sofa, they don't even turn their heads.

I go out to the hall and pick up the cardboard box which I brought down with me. Then I go through the side gate, knock on the annexe door and push it cautiously. 'Grandpa? '

Grandpa is Mum's dad, and he's lived with us ever since he had his heart operation, ten years ago. At the old house in Twickenham he just had a bedroom, but this house is bigger, so he has his own annexe of two rooms, and a tiny little kitchen, tacked onto the side of the house. He's sitting in his favourite leather armchair, with the radio playing classical music, and on the floor in front of him are about six cardboard packing cases full of stuff.

'Hi, Grandpa, ' I say.

'Emma! ' He looks up, and his face lights up. 'Darling girl. Come here! ' I bend over to give him a kiss, and he squeezes my hand tight. His skin is dry and cool, and his hair is even whiter than it was last time I saw him. 'I've got some more Panther Bars for you, ' I say, nodding to my box. Grandpa is completely addicted to Panther energy bars, and so are all his friends at the bowling club, so I use my allowance to buy him a boxful for every time I come home.

'Thank you, my love, ' Grandpa beams. 'You're a good girl, Emma.'

'Where should I put them? '

We both look helplessly around the cluttered room.

'What about over there, behind the television? ' says Grandpa at last. I pick my way across the room, dump the box on the floor, then retrace my steps, trying not to tread on anything.

'Now, Emma, I read a very worrying newspaper article the other day, ' says Grandpa as I sit down on one of the packing cases. 'About safety in London.' He gives me a beady look. 'You don't travel on public transport in the evenings, do you? '

'Erin... hardly ever, ' I say, crossing my fingers behind my back. 'Just now and then, when I absolutely have to...'

'Darling girl, you mustn't! ' says Grandpa, looking agitated. 'Teenagers in hoods with flick-knives roam the underground, it said. Drunken louts, breaking bottles, gouging one another's eyes out...'

'It's not that bad—'

'Emma, it's not worth the risk! For the sake of a taxi fare or two.'

I'm pretty sure that if I asked Grandpa what he thought the average taxi fare was in London, he'd say five shillings.

'Honestly, Grandpa, I'm really careful, ' I say reas­suringly. 'And I do take taxis.'

Sometimes. About once a year.

'Anyway. What's all this stuff? ' I ask, to change the subject, and Grandpa gives a gusty sigh.

'Your mother cleared out the attic last week. I'm just sorting out what to throw away and what to keep.'

'That seems like a good idea.' I look at the pile of rubbish on the floor. 'Is this stuff you're throwing away? '

'No! I'm keeping all that.' He puts a protective hand over it.

'So where's the pile of stuff to throw out? '

There's silence. Grandpa avoids my gaze.

'Grandpa! You have to throw some of this away! ' I exclaim, trying not to laugh. 'You don't need all these old newspaper cuttings. And what's this? ' I reach past the newspaper cuttings and fish out an old yo-yo. 'This is rubbish, surely.'

'Jim's yo-yo.' Grandpa reaches for the yo-yo, his eyes softening. 'Good old Jim.'

'Who was Jim? ' I say, puzzled. I've never even heard of a Jim before. 'Was he a good friend of yours? '

'We met at the fairground. Spent the afternoon together. I was nine.' Grandpa is turning the yo-yo over and over in his fingers.

'Did you become friends? '

'Never saw him again.' He shakes his head mistily. 'I've never forgotten it.'

The trouble with Grandpa is, he never forgets anything.

'Well, what about some of these cards? ' I pull out a bundle of old Christmas cards.

'I never throw away cards.' Grandpa gives me a long look. 'When you get to my age; when the people you've known and loved all your life start to pass away... you want to hang onto any memento. However small.'

'I can understand that, ' I say, feeling touched. I reach for the nearest card, open it and my expression changes. 'Grandpa! This is from Smith's Electrical Maintenance, 1965.'

'Frank Smith was a very good man—' starts Grandpa.

'No! ' I put the card firmly on the floor. 'That's going. And nor do you need one from...' I open the next card. 'Southwestern Gas Supplies. And you don't need twenty old copies of Punch.' I deposit them on the pile. 'And what are these? ' I reach into the box again and pull out an envelope of photos. 'Are these actually of anything you really want to—'

Something shoots through my heart and I stop, mid­stream.

I'm looking at a photograph of me and Dad and Mum, sitting on a bench in a park. Mum's wearing a flowery dress, and Dad's wearing a stupid sunhat, and I'm on his knee, aged about nine, eating an ice-cream. We all look so happy together.

Wordlessly, I turn to another photo. I've got Dad's hat on and we're all laughing helplessly at something.

Just us three.

Just us. Before Kerry came into our lives. I still remember the day she arrived. A red suitcase in the hall, and a new voice in the kitchen, and an un­familiar smell of perfume in the air. I walked in and there she was, a stranger, drinking a cup of tea. She was wearing school uniform, but she still looked like a grown-up to me. She already had an enormous bust, and gold studs in her ears, and streaks in her hair. And at suppertime, Mum and Dad let her have a glass of wine. Mum kept telling me I had to be very kind to her, because her mother had died. We all had to be very kind to Kerry. That was why she got my room.

I leaf through the rest of the pictures, trying to swallow the lump in my throat. I remember this place now. The park we used to go to, with swings and slides. But it was too boring for Kerry, and I desper­ately wanted to be like her, so I said it was boring too, and we never went again.

'Knock knock! ' I look up with a start, and Kerry's standing at the door, holding her glass of wine. 'Lunch

is ready! '

'Thanks, ' I say. 'We're just coming.’

'Now, Gramps! ' Kerry wags her finger reprovingly at Grandpa, and gestures at the packing cases. 'Haven't you got anywhere with this lot yet? '

'It's difficult, ' I hear myself saying defensively. 'There are a lot of memories in here. You can't just throw them out.'

'If you say so.' Kerry rolls her eyes. Tfitwereme.the whole lot'd go in the bin.'

I cannot cherish her. I cannot do it. I want to throw my treacle tart at her.

We've been sitting round the table now for forty minutes and the only voice we've heard is Kerry's.

'It's all about image, ' she's saying now. 'It's all about the right clothes, the right look, the right walk. When I walk along the street, the message I give the world is " I am a successful woman".'

'Show us! ' says Mum admiringly.

'Well.' Kerry gives a false-modest smile. 'Like this.' She pushes her chair back and wipes her mouth with her napkin.

'You should watch this, Emma, ' says Mum. 'Pick up a few tips! '

As we all watch, Kerry starts striding round the room. Her chin is raised, her boobs are sticking out, her eyes are fixed on the middle distance, and her bottom is jerking from side to side.

She looks like a cross between an ostrich and one of the androids in Attack of the Clones.

'I should be in heels, of course, ' she says, without stopping.

'When Kerry goes into a conference hall, I tell you, heads turn, ' says Nev proudly, and takes a sip of wine. 'People stop what they're doing and stare at her! '

I bet they do.

Oh God. I want to giggle. I mustn't. I mustn't.

'Do you want to have a go, Emma? ' says Kerry. 'Copy

me? '

'Er... I don't think so, ' I say. 'I think I probably...

picked up the basics.'

Suddenly I give a tiny snort and turn it into a cough. 'Kerry's trying to help you, Emma! ' says Mum. 'You should be grateful! You are good to Emma, Kerry.'

She beams fondly at Kerry, who simpers back. And I take a swig of wine.

Yeah, right. Kerry really wants to help me. That's why when I was completely desperate for a job and asked her for work experience at her company, she said no. I wrote her this long, careful letter, saying I realized it put her in an awkward situation, but I'd really appreciate any chance, even a couple of days running errands.

And she sent back a standard rejection letter. I was so totally mortified, I never told anyone. Especially not Mum and Dad.

'You should listen to some of Kerry's business tips, Emma, ' Dad is saying sharply. 'Maybe if you paid more attention you'd do a bit better in life.'

'It's only a walk, ' quips Nev with a chortle. 'It's not a miracle cure! '

'Nev! ' says Mum half reprovingly. 'Emma knows I'm joking, don't you, Emma? ' says Nev easily and fills up his glass with more wine. 'Of course! ' I say, forcing myself to smile gaily. Just wait till I get promoted. Just wait. Just wait.

'Emma! Earth to Emma! ' Kerry is waving a comical hand in front of my face. 'Wake up, Dopey! We're

doing presents.'

'Oh right, ' I say, coming to. 'OK. I'll just go and get

mine.'

As Mum opens a camera from Dad and a purse from Grandpa, I start to feel excited. I so hope Mum likes my present.

'It doesn't look much, ' I say as I hand her the pink envelope. 'But you'll see when you open it..."

'What can it be? ' Mum says, looking intrigued. She rips open the envelope, opens the flowered card, and stares at it. 'Oh, Emma! ' 'What is it? ' says Dad.

'It's a day at a spa! ' says Mum in delight. 'A whole day of pampering.'

'What a good idea, ' says Grandpa, and pats my hand. 'You always have good ideas for presents, Emma.'

'Thank you, love. How thoughtful! ' Mum leans over to kiss me, and I feel a warm glow inside. I had the idea a few months ago. It's a really nice day-long package, with free treatments and everything.

'You get champagne lunch, ' I say eagerly. 'And you can keep the slippers! '

'Wonderful! ' says Mum. 'I'll look forward to it. Emma, that's a lovely present! '

'Oh dear, ' says Kerry, giving a little laugh. She looks at the large creamy envelope in her own hands. 'My present's slightly upstaged, I'm afraid. Never mind. I'll change it.'

I look up, alert. There's something about Kerry's voice. I know something's up. I just know it.

'What do you mean? ' says Mum.

'It doesn't matter, ' says Kerry. 'I'll just... find some­thing else. Not to worry.' She starts to put the envelope away in her bag.

'Kerry, love! ' says Mum. 'Stop that! Don't be silly. What is it? '

'Well, ' says Kerry. 'It's just that Emma and I seem to have had the same idea.' She hands Mum the envelope with another little laugh. ‘Can you believe it? ’

My whole body stiffens in apprehension.

No.

No. She can't have done what I think she's done. There's complete silence as Mum opens the envelope.

'Oh my goodness! ' she says, taking out a gold embossed brochure. 'What's this? Le Spa Meridien? ' Something falls out, into her hands, and she stares at it. 'Tickets to Paris? Kerry! '

She has. She's ruined my present.

'For both of you, ' adds Kerry, a little smugly. 'Uncle Brian, too.'

'Kerry! ' says Dad in delight. 'You marvel! ' 'It is supposed to be rather good, ' says Kerry with a complacent smile. 'Five-star accommodation... the chef has three Michelin stars...'

'I don't believe this, ' says Mum. She's leafing excit­edly through the brochure. 'Look at the swimming pool! Look at the gardens! '

My flowery card is lying, forgotten, amid the wrap­ping paper.

All at once I feel close to tears. She knew. She knew.

'Kerry, you knew, ' I suddenly blurt out, unable to stop myself. 'I told you I was giving Mum a spa treat. I told you! We had that conversation about it, months ago. In the garden! '

'Did we? ' says Kerry casually. 'I don't remember.'

'You do! Of course you remember.'

'Emma! ' says Mum sharply. 'It was a simple mistake. Wasn't it, Kerry? '

'Of course it was! ' says Kerry, opening her eyes in wide innocence. 'Emma, if I've spoiled things for you, I can only apologize—'

'There's no need to apologize, Kerry love, ' says Mum. 'These things happen. And they're both lovely presents. Both of them.' She looks at my card again. 'Now, you two girls are best friends! I don't like to see you quarrelling. Especially on my birthday.' Mum smiles at me, and I try to smile back. But inside, I feel about ten years old again. Kerry always manages to wrong-foot me. She always has done, ever since she arrived. Whatever she did, everyone took her side. She was the one whose mother had died. We all had to be nice to her. I could never, ever win.

Trying to pull myself together, I reach for my wine glass and take a huge swig. Then I find myself surrep­titiously glancing at my watch. I can leave at four if I make an excuse about trains running late. That's only another hour and a half to get through. And maybe we'll watch telly or something...

'A penny for your thoughts, Emma, ' says Grandpa, patting my hand with a little smile, and I look up guiltily.

'Er... nothing, ' I say, and force a smile. 'I wasn't really thinking about anything.'

FIVE

Anyway. It doesn't matter, because I'm going to get a promotion. Then Nev will stop making cracks about my career, and I'll be able to pay back Dad. Everyone will be really impressed - and it'll be fantastic!

I wake up on Monday morning feeling totally bouncy and positive, and get dressed in my usual work outfit of jeans and a nice top, this one from French Connection.

Well, not exactly French Connection. To be honest, I bought it at Oxfam. But the label says French Connection. And while I'm still paying off Dad I don't have much choice about where I shop. I mean, a new top from French Connection costs about fifty quid, whereas this one cost £ 7.50. And it's practically new!

As I skip up the tube steps, the sun's shining and I'm full of optimism. Imagine if I do get promoted. Imagine telling everybody. Mum will say, 'How was your week? ' and I'll say, 'Well, actually...'

No, what I'll do is wait until I go home, and then just nonchalantly hand over my new business card.

Or maybe I'll just drive up in my company car I think in excitement! I mean, I'm not sure any of the other marketing executives have cars - but you never know, do you? They might introduce it as a new thing. Or they might say, 'Emma, we've chosen you specially—'

'Emma! '

I look round to see Katie, my friend from Personnel, climbing the tube steps behind me, panting slightly. Her curly red hair is all tousled, and she's holding one shoe in her hand.

'What on earth happened? ' I say as she reaches the top.

'My stupid shoe, ' says Katie disconsolately. 'I only had it mended the other day, and the heel's just come off.' She flaps it at me. 'I paid six quid for that heel! God, this day is such a disaster. The milkman forgot to bring me any milk, and I had a terrible weekend...'

'I thought you were spending it with Charlie, ' I say in surprise. 'What happened? '

Charlie is Katie's latest man. They've been seeing each other for a few weeks and she was supposed to be visiting his country cottage, which he's doing up at the weekends.

'It was awful! As soon as we arrived, he said he was going off to play golf.'

'Oh right.' I try to find a positive angle. 'Well, at least he's comfortable with you. He can just act normally.' 'Maybe.' She looks at me doubtfully. 'So then he said, how did I feel about helping out a bit while he was gone? So I said of course - and then he gave me this paintbrush, and three pots of paint and said I should get the sitting room done if I worked fast.' 'What? '

'And then he came back at six o'clock - and said my brush work was careless! ' Her voice rises woefully. 'It wasn't careless! I only smudged one bit, and that's because the stupid ladder wasn't long enough.'

I stare at her.

'Katie, you're not telling me you actually painted the room.'

'Well... yes.' She looks at me with huge blue eyes. 'You know, to help out. But now I'm starting to think... is he just using me? '

I'm almost speechless with disbelief. 'Katie, of course he's using you, ' I manage at last. 'He wants a free painter-decorator! You have to chuck him. Immediately. Now! '

Katie is silent for a few seconds, and I eye her a bit nervously. Her face is blank, but I can tell lots of things are going on beneath the surface. It's a bit like when Jaws disappears underneath the rippling water, and you just know that any minute—

'Oh God, you're right! ' she suddenly bursts out. 'You're right. He's been using me! It's my own fault. I should have realized when he asked me if I had any experience in plumbing or roofing.' 'When did he ask you that? ' I say incredulously. 'On our first date! I thought he was just, you know, making conversation.'

'Katie, it's not your fault.' I squeeze her arm. 'You weren't to know.'

'But what is it about me? ' Katie stops still in the street. 'Why do I only attract complete shits? ' 'You don't! '

'I do! Look at the men I've been out with.' She starts counting off on her fingers. 'Daniel borrowed all that money off me and disappeared to Mexico. Gary chucked me as soon as I found him a job. David was two-timing me. Do you see a pattern emerging? ' 'I... um...' I say helplessly. 'Possibly...' 'I just think I should give up.' Her face falls. 'I'm never going to find anyone nice.'

'No, ' I say at once. 'Don't give up! Katie, I just know your life is going to turn around. You're going to find some lovely, kind, wonderful man—' 'But where? ' she says hopelessly. 'I... don't know.' I cross my fingers behind my back. 'But I know it'll happen. I've got a really strong feeling about it.'

'Really? ' She stares at me. 'You do? '

'Absolutely! ' I think quickly for a moment. 'Look, here's an idea. Why don't you try... going to have lunch at a different place today. Somewhere completely different. And maybe you'll meet someone there.'

'You think? ' She gazes at me. 'OK. I'll try it.'

She gives a gusty sigh, and we start walking along the pavement again. 'The only good thing about the weekend, ' she adds as we reach the corner, 'is I finished making my new top. What do you think? '

She proudly takes off her jacket and does a twirl, and I stare at her for a few seconds, not quite sure what to say.

It's not that I don't like crochet...

OK. It is that I don't like crochet.

Especially pink scoop-neck open-weave crochet tops. You can actually see glimpses of her bra through it.

'It's... amazing, ' I manage at last. 'Absolutely fantastic! '

'Isn't it great? ' She gives me a pleased smile. 'And it was so quick to do! I'm going to make the matching skirt next.'

'That's great, ' I say faintly. 'You're so clever.'

'Oh, it's nothing! I just enjoy it.'

She smiles modestly, and puts her jacket back on. 'So anyway, how about you? ' she adds as we start to cross the road. 'Did you have a nice weekend? I bet you did. I bet Connor was completely wonderful and romantic. I bet he took you out for dinner or some­thing.'

'Actually, he asked me to move in with him, ' I say awkwardly.

'Really? ' Katie gazes wistfully at me. 'God, Emma, you two make the perfect couple. You give me faith that it can happen. It all seems so easy for you.'

I can't help feeling a little flicker of pleasure inside. Me and Connor. The perfect couple. Role models for other people.

'It's not that easy, ' I say with a modest little laugh. 'I mean, we argue, like anyone else.'

'Do you? ' Katie looks surprised. 'I've never seen you argue.'

'Of course we do! '

I rack my brain for a moment, trying to remember the last time Connor and I had a fight. I mean, obviously we do have arguments. Loads of them. All couples do. It's only healthy.

Come on, this is silly. We must have—

Yes. There was that time by the river when I thought those big white birds were geese and Connor thought they were swans. Exactly. We're normal. I knew it.

We're nearing the Panther building now, and as we walk up the pale stone steps, each with a granite panther jumping across it, I start feeling a bit nervous. Paul will want a full report on how the meeting went with Glen Oil.

What shall I say?

Well, obviously I'll be completely frank and honest. Without actually telling him the truth—

'Hey, look.' Katie's voice interrupts me and I follow her gaze. Through the glass front of the building I can see a commotion in the foyer. This isn't normal. What's going on?

God, has there been a fire, or something?

As Katie and I push our way through the heavy revolving glass doors, we look at each other in bewilderment. The whole place is in turmoil. People are scurrying about, someone's polishing the brass banister, someone else is polishing the fake plants, and Cyril, the senior office manager, is shooing people into lifts.

'Could you please go to your offices! We don't want you hanging around the reception area. You should all be at your desks by now.' He sounds completely stressed out. 'There's nothing to see down here! Please go to your desks.'

'What's happening? ' I say to Dave the security guard, who's lounging against the wall with a cup of tea as usual. He takes a sip, swills it around his mouth and gives us a grin.

'Jack Harper's visiting. 'What? ' We both gawp at him. Today? '

'Are you serious? '

In the world of the Panther Corporation, this is like saying the Pope's visiting. Or Father Christmas. Jack Harper is the joint founder of the Panther Corporation. He invented Panther Cola. I know this because I've typed out blurbs about him approximately a million times. 'It was 1987 when young, dynamic business partners Jack Harper and Pete Laidler bought up the ailing Zoot soft-drinks company, repackaged Zootacola as Panther Cola, invented the slogan " Don't Pause", and thus made marketing history.' No wonder Cyril's in a tizz.

'In about five minutes.' Dave consults his watch. 'Give or take.'

'But... but how come? ' says Katie. 'I mean, just out of the blue like this.'

Dave's eyes twinkle. He's obviously been telling people the news all morning and is thoroughly enjoying himself.

'He wants to have a look round the UK operation, apparently.'

'I thought he wasn't active in the business any more, ' says Jane from Accounts, who's come up behind us in her coat and is listening, agog. 'I thought ever since Pete Laidler died he was all grief-stricken and reclu­sive. On his ranch, or whatever it is.'

'That was three years ago, ' points out Katie. 'Maybe he's feeling better.'

'Maybe he wants to sell us off, more like, ' says Jane darkly.

'Why would he do that? '

'You never know.'

'My theory, ' says Dave, and we all bend our heads to listen, 'is he wants to see if the plants are shiny enough.' He nods his head towards Cyril, and we all

giggle-

'Be careful, ' Cyril is snapping. 'Don't damage the stems.' He glances up. 'What are you all still doing there? '

'Just going! ' says Katie, and we head towards the stairs, which I always use because it means I don't have to bother with the gym. Plus luckily Marketing is on the first floor. We've just reached the landing when Jane squeaks 'Look! Oh my God! It's him! '

A limousine has purred up the street and stopped right in front of the glass doors.

What is it about some cars? They look so gleaming and burnished, as if they're made out of a completely different metal from normal cars.

As if by clockwork, the lift doors at the other end of the foyer open, and out strides Graham Hillingdon, the chief executive, plus the managing director and about six others, all looking immaculate in dark suits.

'That's enough! ' Cyril is hissing at the poor cleaners in the foyer. 'Go! Leave it! '

The three of us stand, goggling like children, as the passenger door of the limousine opens. A moment later, out gets a man with blond hair in a navy blue overcoat. He's wearing dark glasses and is holding a very expensive-looking briefcase.

Wow. He looks like a million dollars.

Graham Hillingdon and the others are all outside by now, lined up on the steps. They shake his hand in turn, then usher him inside, where Cyril is waiting.

'Welcome to the Panther Corporation UK, ' Cyril says fulsomely. 'I hope your journey was pleasant? '

'Not too bad, thanks, ' says the man, in an American accent.

'As you can see, this is very much a normal working day...'

'Hey look, ' murmurs Katie. 'Kenny's stuck outside the doors.'

Kenny Davey, one of the designers, is hovering uncertainly on the steps outside in his jeans and base­ball boots, not knowing whether to come in or not. He puts a hand to the door, then retreats a little, then comes up to the door again and peers uncertainly inside.

'Come in, Kenny! ' says Cyril, opening the door with a rather savage smile. 'One of our designers, Kenny Davey. You should have been here ten minutes ago, Kenny. Still, never mind! ' He pushes a be­wildered Kenny towards the lifts, then glances up and shoos us away in irritation.

'Come on, ' says Katie, 'we'd better go.' And, trying not to giggle, the three of us hurry up the stairs.

The atmosphere in the marketing department is a bit like my bedroom used to be before we had parties in the sixth form. People are brushing their hair, spraying perfume, shuffling papers around and gossiping excitedly. As I walk past the office of Neil Gregg, who is in charge of media strategy, I see him carefully lining up his Marketing Effectiveness awards on his desk, while Fiona his assistant is polishing the framed photographs of him shaking hands with famous people.

I'm just hanging up my coat on the rack when the head of our department, Paul, pulls me aside.

'What the fuck happened at Glen Oil? I had a very strange email from Doug Hamilton this morning. You poured a drink over him? '

I stare at him in shock. Doug Hamilton told Paul? But he promised he wouldn't!

'It wasn't like that, ' I say quickly. 'I was just trying to demonstrate the many fine qualities of Panther Prime and I... I kind of spilled it.' Paul raises his eyebrows, not in a friendly way.

'All right. It was a lot to ask of you.'

'It wasn't, ' I say quickly. 'I mean, it would have been fine, if... what I mean is, if you give me another chance, I'll do better. I promise.'

'We'll see.' He looks at his watch. 'You'd better get on. Your desk is a fucking mess.'

'OK. Um, what time will my appraisal be? '

'Emma, in case you hadn't heard, Jack Harper's visiting us today, ' says Paul, in his most sarcastic voice. 'But of course, if you think your appraisal's more important than the guy who founded the company —'

'I didn't mean... I just...'

'Go and tidy your desk, ' says Paul in a bored voice. 'And if you spill fucking Panther Prime over Harper, you're fired.'

As I scuttle to my desk, Cyril comes into the room, looking hassled.

'Attention! ' he says, clapping his hands. 'Attention everyone! This is an informal visit, nothing more. Mr Harper will come in, perhaps talk to one or two of you, observe what you do. So I want you all just to act normally, but obviously, at your highest standards... What are these papers? ' he suddenly snaps, looking at a neat pile of proofs in the corner next to Fergus Grady's desk.

'That's the... um... artwork for the new Panther Gum campaign, ' says Fergus, who is very shy and creative. 'I haven't quite got room on my desk.'

'Well, they can't stay here! ' Cyril picks them up and shoves them at him. 'Get rid of them. Now, if he asks any of you a question, just be pleasant and natural. When he arrives, I want you all at work. Just doing typical tasks which you would naturally be doing in the course of a normal day.' He looks around distract­edly. 'Some of you could be on the phone, some could be typing at your computers... a couple of you could be creatively brainstorming... Remember, this depart­ment is the hub of the company. The Panther Corporation is renowned for its marketing brilliance! ' He stops and we all stare dumbly at him. 'Get on! ' He claps his hands again. 'Don't just stand there. You! ' He points to me. 'Come on. Move! '

Oh, God. My desk is completely covered with stuff. I open a drawer and sweep a whole load of papers inside, then in slight panic, begin to tidy the pens in my stationery pot. At the next desk, Artemis Harrison is redoing her lipstick.

'It'll be really inspirational to meet him, ' she says, admiring herself in her hand mirror. 'You know, a lot of people think he single-handedly changed the face of marketing practice.' Her eyes fall on me. 'Is that a new top, Emma? Where's it from? ' 'Er, French Connection, ' I say after a pause. 'I was in French Connection at the weekend.' Her eyes are narrowing. 'I didn't see that design.'

'Well, they'd probably sold out.' I turn away and pretend to be reorganizing my top drawer.

'What do we call him? ' Caroline is saying. 'Mr Harper or Jack? '

'Five minutes alone with him, ' Nick, one of the marketing executives, is saying feverishly into his phone. 'That's all I need. Five minutes to pitch him the website idea. I mean, Jesus, if he went for it—'

God, the air of excitement is infectious. With a spurt of adrenalin, I find myself reaching for my comb and checking my lip-gloss. I mean, you never know. Maybe he'll somehow spot my potential. Maybe he'll pull me out of the crowd!

'OK, folks, ' says Paul, striding into the department. 'He's on this floor. He's going into Admin first...'

'On with your everyday tasks! ' exclaims Cyril. 'Now! '

Fuck. What's my everyday task?

I pick up my phone and press my voice-mail code. I can be listening to my messages.

I look around the department - and see that everyone else has done the same thing.

We can't all be on the phone. This is so stupid! OK, I'll just switch on my computer and wait for it to warm up.

As I watch the screen changing colour, Artemis starts talking in a loud voice.

'I think the whole essence of the concept is vitality, ' she says, her eye constantly flicking towards the door. 'D'you see what I mean? '

'Er, yes, ' says Nick. 'I mean, in a modern market­ing environment, I think we need to be looking at a... um... fusion of strategy and forward-thinking vision..."

God, my computer's slow today. Jack Harper will arrive and I'll still be staring at it like a moron.

I know what I'll do. I'll be the person getting a coffee. I mean, what could be more natural than that?

'I think I'll get a coffee, ' I say self-consciously, and get up from my seat.

'Could you get me one? ' says Artemis, looking up briefly. 'So anyway, on my MBA course..."

The coffee machine is near the entrance to the department, in its own little alcove. As I'm waiting for the noxious liquid to fill my cup, I glance up, and see Graham Hillingdon walking out of the admin depart­ment, followed by a couple of others. Shit! He's coming!

OK. Keep cool. Just wait for the second cup to fill, nice and natural...

And there he is! With his blond hair and his expen­sive-looking suit, and his dark glasses. But to my slight surprise, he steps back, out of the way.

In fact, no-one's even looking at him. Everyone's attention is focused on some other guy. A guy in jeans and a black turtleneck who's walking out now.

As I stare in fascination, he turns. And as I see his face I feel an almighty thud, as though a bowling ball's landed hard in my chest. Oh my God. It's him.

The same dark eyes. The same lines etched around them. The stubble's gone, but it's definitely him. It's the man from the plane. What's he doing here?

And why is everyone's attention on him? He's speaking now, and they're lapping up every word he says.

He turns again, and I instinctively duck back out of sight, trying to keep calm. What's he doing here? He can't—

That can't be-That can't possibly be—

With wobbly legs, I walk back to my desk, trying not to drop the coffee on the floor. 'Hey, ' I say to Artemis, my voice pitched slightly too high. 'Erm... do you know what Jack Harper looks like? '

'No, ' she says, and takes her coffee. 'Thanks.'

'Dark hair, ' says someone.

'Dark? ' I swallow. 'Not blond? '

'He's coming this way! ' hisses someone. 'He's coming! '

With weak legs I sink into my chair and sip my coffee, not tasting it.

'... our head of marketing and promotion, Paul Fletcher, ' I can hear Graham saying.

'Good to meet you, Paul, ' comes the same dry, American voice.

It's him. It's definitely him.

OK, keep calm. Maybe he won't remember me. It was one short flight. He probably takes a lot of flights.

'Everyone.' Paul is leading him into the centre of the office. 'I'm delighted to introduce our founding father, the man who has influenced and inspired a generation of marketeers - Jack Harper! '

A round of applause breaks out, and Jack Harper shakes his head, smiling. 'Please, ' he says. 'No fuss. Just do what you would normally do.'

He starts to walk around the office, pausing now and then to talk to people. Paul is leading the way, making all the introductions, and following them silently everywhere is the blond man.

'Here he comes! ' Artemis hisses, and everyone at our end of the office stiffens.

My heart starts to thump, and I shrink into my chair, trying to hide behind my computer. Maybe he won't recognize me. Maybe he won't remember. Maybe he won't—

Fuck. He's looking at me. I see the flash of surprise in his eyes, and he raises his eyebrows.

He recognizes me.

Please don't come over, I silently pray. Please don't come over.

'And who's this? ' he says to Paul. 'This is Emma Corrigan, one of our junior marketing assistants.'

He's walking towards me. Artemis has stopped talking. Everyone's staring. I'm hot with embarrass­ment.

'Hello, ' he says pleasantly. 'Hello, ' I manage. 'Mr Harper.' OK, so he recognizes me. But that doesn't neces­sarily mean he remembers anything I said. A few random comments thrown out by a person in the next-door seat. Who's going to remember that? Maybe he wasn't even listening. 'And what do you do? '

'I, um, assist the marketing department and I help with setting up promotional initiatives, ' I mumble.

'Emma was in Glasgow only last week on business, ' puts in Paul, giving me a completely phoney smile. 'We believe in giving our junior staff responsibility as early as possible.'

'Very wise, ' says Jack Harper, nodding. His gaze runs over my desk and alights with sudden interest on my polystyrene cup. He looks up and meets my eye. 'How's the coffee? ' he asks pleasantly. 'Tasty? '

Like a tape recording in my head, I suddenly hear my own stupid voice, prattling on.

'The coffee at work is the most disgusting stuff you've ever drunk, absolute poison 'It's great! ' I say. 'Really... delicious! ' 'I'm very glad to hear it.' There's a spark of amuse­ment in his eyes, and I feel myself redden. He remembers. Fuck. He remembers. 'And this is Artemis Harrison, ' says Paul. 'One of our brightest young marketing executives.'

'Artemis, ' says Jack Harper thoughtfully. He takes a few steps towards her work station. 'That's a nice big desk you've got there, Artemis.' He smiles at her. 'Is it new? '

'... this new desk arrived the other day, and she just took it...'

He remembers everything, doesn't he? Everything.

Oh God. What the fuck else did I say?

I'm sitting perfectly still, while Artemis makes some showy-off reply, with my pleasant, good-employee expression. But my mind is frantically spooling back, trying to remember, trying to piece together what I said. I mean, God, I told this man everything about myself. Everything. I told him what sort of knickers I wear, and what flavour ice-cream I like, and how I lost my virginity, and—

My blood runs cold.

I'm remembering something I should not have told him.

Something I should not have told anyone.

'... I know I shouldn't have done it, but I so wanted to get the job...'

I told him about faking the A grade on my CV.

Well, that's it. I'm dead.

He'll fire me. I'll get a record for being dishonest and no-one will ever employ me again, and I'll end up on a 'Britain's Worst Jobs' documentary, clearing up cow poo, saying brightly 'It's not too bad, really.'

OK. Don't panic. There must be something I can do. I'll apologize. Yes. I'll say it was an error of judgement which I now deeply regret, and I never meant to mislead the company, and—

No. I'll say, 'Actually, I did get an A grade, haha, silly me I forgot! ' And then I'll forge a GCSE certificate with one of those calligraphy kits. I mean, he's American. He'll never know.

No. He's bound to find out. Oh God. Oh God.

OK, maybe I'm over-reacting here. Let's just get things in proportion. Jack Harper is a huge important guy. Look at him! He's got limos and flunkies, and a huge great company which makes millions every year. He doesn't care if one of his employees got a poxy A grade or not. I mean, honestly!

I laugh out loud in my nerves, and Artemis gives me an odd look.

'I'd just like to say that I'm very glad to meet you all, ' says Jack Harper, looking around the silent office.

'And also introduce my assistant Sven Petersen.' He gestures to the guy with blond hair. 'I'll be staying here for a few days so I hope I'll get to know a few of you better. As you're aware, Pete Laidler, who founded the Panther Corporation with me, was British. For that reason, among many others, this country has always been immensely important to me.'

A sympathetic murmur goes around the office. He lifts a hand, nods, and walks away, followed by Sven and all the executives. There's silence until he's gone, then an excited babble breaks out.

I feel my whole body sag in relief. Thank God. Thank God.

Honestly, I'm such a moron. Fancy thinking even for a moment that Jack Harper would remember what I said. Let alone care about it! Fancy thinking he would take time out of his busy, important schedule, for something as tiny and insignificant as whether I faked my CV or not! As I reach for my mouse and click on a new document, I'm actually smiling.

'Emma.' I look up to see Paul standing over my desk. 'Jack Harper would like to see you, ' he says curtly.

'What? ' My smile fades away. 'Me? '

'The meeting room in five minutes.'

'Did he say why? '

'No.'

Paul strides off, and I gaze unseeingly at my computer screen, feeling sick.

I was right first time.

I'm going to lose my job.

I'm going to lose my job because of one stupid comment on one stupid plane ride.

Why did I have to get upgraded? Why did I have to open my stupid mouth? I'm just a stupid, stupid blab­bermouth.

'Why does Jack Harper want to see you? ' says Artemis, sounding put out.

'I don't know, ' I say.

'Is he seeing anyone else? '

'I don't know! ' I say distractedly.

To stop her asking any more questions, I start typing drivel into my computer, my mind whirring round and round.

I can't lose this job. I can't ruin yet another career.

He can't fire me. He just can't. It's not fair. I didn't know who he was. I mean, obviously, if he'd told me he was my employer, I would never have mentioned my CV. Or... any of it.

And anyway, it's not as if I faked my degree, is it? It's not as if I've got a criminal record or something. I'm a good employee. I try really hard and I don't skive off that often, and I put in all that overtime with the sportswear promotion, and I organized the Christmas raffle...

I'm typing harder and harder, and my face is growing red with agitation.

'Emma.' Paul is looking meaningfully at his watch.

'Right.' I take a deep breath and stand up.

I'm not going to let him fire me. I'm just not going to let it happen.

I stride across the office and down the corridor to the meeting room, knock on the door and push it open.

Jack Harper is sitting on a chair at the conference table, scribbling something in a notebook. As I come in, he looks up, and the grave expression on his face makes my stomach turn over. But I have to defend myself. I have to keep this job. 'Hi, ' he says. 'Can you close the door? ' He waits until I've done so, then looks up. 'Emma, we need to talk about something.'

'I'm aware that we do, ' I say, trying to keep my voice steady. 'But I'd like to say my part first, if I may.'

For a moment Jack Harper looks taken aback - then he raises his eyebrows. 'Sure. Go ahead.'

I walk into the room, take a deep breath and look him straight in the eye.

'Mr Harper, I know what you want to see me about. I know it was wrong. It was an error of judgement which I deeply regret. I'm extremely sorry, and it will never happen again. But in my defence...' I can hear my voice rising in emotion. 'In my defence, I had no idea who you were on that plane ride. And I don't believe I should be penalized for what was an honest genuine mistake.' There's a pause.

'You think I'm penalizing you? ' says Jack Harper at last, with a frown. How can he be so callous?

'Yes! You must realize I would never have mentioned my CV if I'd known who you were! It was like a... a honeytrap! You know, if this was a court the judge would throw it out. They wouldn't even let you—'

'Your CV? ' Jack Harper's brow clears. 'Ah! The A grade on your resume.' He gives me a penetrating look. 'The falsified A grade, I should say.'

Hearing it out loud like that silences me. I can feel my face growing hotter and hotter.

'You know, a lot of people would call that fraud, ' says Jack Harper, leaning back in his chair.

'I know they would. I know it was wrong. I shouldn't have... But it doesn't affect the way I do my job. It doesn't mean anything.'

'You think? ' He shakes his head thoughtfully. 'I don't know. Going from a C grade to an A grade... that's quite a jump. What if we need you to do some math? '

'I can do maths, ' I say desperately. 'Ask me a maths question. Go on, ask me anything.'

'OK.' His mouth is twitching. 'Eight nines.'

I stare at him, my heart racing, my mind blank. Eight nines. I've got no idea. Fuck. OK, once nine is nine. Two nines are—

No. I've got it. Eight tens are 80. So eight nines must be—

'Seventy-two! ' I cry, and flinch as he gives a tiny half-smile. 'It's seventy-two, ' I add more calmly.

'Very good.' He gestures politely to a chair. 'Now. Have you finished what you wanted to say or is there more? '

I rub my face confusedly. 'You're... not going to fire me? '

'No, ' says Jack Harper patiently. 'I'm not going to fire you. Now can we talk? '

As I sit down, a horrible suspicion starts growing in my mind.

'Was..." I clear my throat. 'Was my CV what you wanted to see me about? '

'No, ' he says mildly. 'That wasn't what I wanted to see you about.'

I want to die.

I want to die right here, right now.

'Right.' I smooth back my hair, trying to compose myself; trying to look businesslike. 'Right. Well. So… er, what did you... what...'

'I have a small favour to ask you.'

'Right! ' I feel a thud of anticipation. 'Anything! I mean... what is it? '

'For various reasons, ' says Jack Harper slowly, 'I would prefer it that nobody knows I was in Scotland last week.' He meets my eyes. 'So I would like it very much if we could keep our little meeting between ourselves.'

'Right! ' I say after a pause. 'Of course! Absolutely. I can do that.'

'You haven't told anyone? '

'No. No-one. Not even my... I mean, no-one. I haven't told anyone.'

'Good. Thank you very much, I appreciate it.' He smiles, and gets up from his chair. 'Nice to meet you again, Emma. I'm sure I'll see you again.'

'That's it? ' I say, taken aback.

'That's it. Unless you had anything else you wanted to discuss.'

'No! ' I get to my feet hurriedly, banging my ankle on

the table leg.

I mean, what did I think? That he was going to ask me to head up his exciting new international project?

Jack Harper opens the door, and holds it politely for me. And I'm halfway out when I stop. 'Wait.'

'What is it? '

'What shall I say you wanted to talk to me about? ' I say awkwardly. 'Everyone's going to ask me.'

'Why not say we were discussing logistics? ' He raises his eyebrows and closes the door.