Chapter 24
On Friday morning Aiden drove from King’s Cross to his apartment, to change before they left for Surrey. Tallulah had dressed relatively soberly, in an ankle-length navy linen shift dress. It was absolutely plain, and instead of looking like a fairy, she resembled a renaissance angel. At least in Aiden’s opinion. Her pale hair was piled on her head like a halo. She’s so beautiful. And I’m screwed if she won’t have me.
In deference to his father and the serious nature of the meeting, Aiden wore a conventional, if beautifully cut, grey business suit, with a blue and white striped shirt. He fastened his seatbelt and tugged at his grey tie. “I’m not looking forward to this.”
Tallulah rested one hand on his knee. “You look great.”
“I thought you didn’t like—”
“That tie’s giving me bondage fantasies.”
He turned his head slowly and looked at her. The corner of his mouth tilted. “Hold the thought. We can explore it later.” He started the car. “Thanks.”
They arrived a few minutes before the nine-thirty meeting. Francesca met them in the hall and led them silently to the dining room, where the management team, minus Malcolm Riordon, already waited. Tallulah made a beeline for the coffee pot and poured herself a cup, picking up one for him and carrying it over to the table.
“Thanks.”
She sat next to him, opening her laptop and leaning closer. “Do they all know?” Her words tickled his earlobe.
He gave her a small nod before addressing the group. “Tallulah’s going to take minutes, and she’ll have a copy sent to everyone by Monday.”
William leaned forward, from the head of the table. “I want you to chair this meeting, Aiden. You called it.”
He nodded, although it hadn’t been his idea to meet at his parent’s house, and it certainly hadn’t been his idea to include his father. Hopefully the old man would have remembered his anti-anxiety medication. “Okay. As you all know by now, our CFO and our financial director have left the company and are under investigation.”
Francesca’s stillness filled the room. Her eyes were fixed to the table top.
Aiden continued. “The auditors will be working with us from Monday, to document exactly what has happened and how we’ve been affected.”
“Will you be pressing charges?” the chief business officer asked.
“That’s up to my father,” Aiden said.
“I haven’t decided yet. It’s a very difficult decision to make. Malcolm’s been with us for years, and Gareth . . .” William’s voice trailed off as he glanced at Francesca.
“The immediate problem is our lack of senior financial management,” Aiden said. He wanted the meeting over. “Does anyone have any suggestions?”
“Gareth’s assistant,” Francesca looked up at last but wouldn’t meet his eyes. “Is there any evidence that he was involved?”
“Not at the moment.” Aiden wasn’t going to take anyone on trust. “I’ll look at him closely. Are you proposing him?”
“He’s very capable,” Francesca said. “I propose that if he’s clean, he’s given the position as a temporary measure. We can see how he manages.”
“Good idea.” William nodded at his daughter and cleared his throat. “I suggest that Aiden takes on the CEO role as a permanent measure. I’m going to be away for at least four months, and I’m not sure I’ll ever come back full time.”
“No,” Aiden snapped. “I’ve said before I’m not going to do that. I have my own business to run, and I don’t intend to abandon it.”
Next to him, Tallulah shifted restlessly. He glanced down, but her expression was unreadable.
“Can I offer you any incentives?” William said.
Aiden rested his elbows on the table. “I suggest you consider Francesca. She’s been working in the company since University, and she’s familiar with more than her own department. You’ve all seen that. She’s energetic and committed.”
Francesca darted a shocked glance at him. Surely she can’t really think I want the company, can she?
He frowned at his father. “Wasn’t that your succession plan before all this happened?”
“I’d like you to be involved,” William said. “This is a family business and—”
“It’s not going to happen,” Aiden said. “I have no interest in building, and I’ve invested a lot in growing my own company. Anyway, this isn’t the place to discuss that.”
Once the meeting was over, he circled the table to Francesca’s side. “Are you all right?”
She sighed. “I will be. I know it wasn’t your fault, but it’s hard. Thanks for standing up to Father for me.” She turned and headed for the door.
On the way back to the office, Tallulah was silent.
“Is something wrong?”
“Aiden?” She sounded uncertain, unlike herself.
“Yes?”
“When do you think you’ll leave?”
“Sunday morning,” he said. “There’s a board meeting on Wednesday, and I need to be there. I’ve a few suggestions, and I need to do some preparation.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll be back by Friday.”
“And then?”
His hands tightened on the steering wheel. “I don’t know. Hopefully Francesca will take control.”
“But, what about—”
“Don’t worry. We’ll work something out. I don’t want to lose you.” He had a few ideas but didn’t want to talk about them until he’d had time to think.
Tallulah relapsed into silence.
“It’ll be fine.” He took one hand off the steering wheel and patted her leg. I hope she doesn’t want to lose me either, he thought. Maybe I’m taking too much for granted.
~ ~ ~
Aiden left for New York on Sunday morning. After Tallulah had seen him through the departure gate at Heathrow, she caught the Piccadilly Line back into London and met her sister for lunch.
“You’re very quiet.” Zoe dipped a breadstick in olive oil and lifted it to her mouth.
“Where’s Michael this weekend?” Tallulah tried to deflect her sister.
“A friend’s stag weekend,” Zoe said. “Don’t change the subject.”
“I don’t know what to do,” Tallulah muttered. “I always know what to do. I have a life plan.”
“Right.” Zoe waited while a waiter filled her wineglass. “Don’t know what to do about what?”
“Aiden. I think I might be in love with him.”
Zoe’s eyes brightened. “Really? I thought it was all a mistake. A fling at most.”
“So did I.”
“And?”
“He’ll be moving back to New York.” Tallulah picked up her wine glass. “I don’t want him to go. I feel sick when I think about it.”
“You’ve only known him a few weeks,” Zoe said. “Are you sure—”
“Of course I’m not sure,” Tallulah snapped. “I’ve never felt like this about a man before. I’m twenty-six. I could just be obsessed. I don’t want it to be over. Maybe I’m stupid, but he talks about going back to the States as if it means nothing. He behaves as if I’m important, though.”
“Why don’t you take a year out from your degree and do an internship abroad? In the US?” Zoe suggested. “Didn’t you say that there were opportunities pinned up on the notice board at college? Then you’ll have time to see how things work out.”
“Yeah, but—”
“And you’re advancing your career as well. If it doesn’t work out—”
Tallulah thought about it; there had definitely been a position in some New York gallery. “It’s probably gone by now, but—”
“Why don’t you look tomorrow?”
“I will. Although there’s probably only that one in Coventry left by now.”
“It doesn’t hurt to look.”
“Suppose Aiden doesn’t want me trailing after him to New York?” Tallulah said. She chewed on the nail of her index finger. “If he did, surely he’d have suggested it?” He was concussed when he brought it up. Why hasn’t he said anything since?
“He said he didn’t want to lose you, didn’t he? Why don’t you ask him?”
Tallulah picked up her wine glass. It’s easy for Zoe. She and Michael had been a couple for four years, they were secure, knew what to expect from each other, and had a stable relationship. In some things, Zoe felt like her older sister. “Suppose I’m like our mother? I just jumped into bed with Aiden.”
“Too stupid to even answer.” Zoe rolled her eyes. “You’re the most responsible person I know. I can’t see you taking to your bed with a supply of downers and a boy toy when things get difficult. If you were going to do that, you’d have done it by now.”
Tallulah took the hint. She was being pathetic. “How’s the move to Manchester going?”
“I think we’ve found somewhere to live. Temporarily of course, but it’ll do until we find somewhere to buy.”
~ ~ ~
On Monday morning, Tallulah went into the art department of her college. The adverts had disappeared from the notice board, but she knocked on the door of Mr Amin, the department’s administrator, and pushed it open.
“Hello, Tallulah.” Mr Amin looked up from his computer. “What can I do for you?”
She explained that she was interested in work experience, and New York in particular.
“You’ve left it a bit late, haven’t you?”
“Yes. I couldn’t decide whether to do my last year or take a year out for the experience.” Her bag slipped off her shoulder, and she hoisted it back up while she waited for a reply.
“We have something,” Mr Amin said. “One of the other students dropped out, after deciding he didn’t want to leave London at the moment.” He pulled open a drawer in the filing cabinet next to his desk and took out a thin brochure. “It’s only for three months though.” He flicked doubtfully through the pages. “It comes with accommodation and a small living allowance.”
“Where is it?”
“It’s a small gallery in Greenwich Village, which displays and sells contemporary artists.” He closed the brochure and slid it across the desk. “It might suit you, as they’re looking for political art, and you’ve done something similar, haven’t you?”
“I did a series of cartoon drawings for my second-year portfolio.” Tallulah turned the pages of the brochure. “They were supposed to tell stories that showed world events in a style reminiscent of—”
He waved her to a halt. “Never mind the details. Would you like me to give them a ring?”
“Thank you. Shall I wait?”
“Come back this afternoon,” he said. “Remember, there’s a time difference.”
~ ~ ~
“I got it.” She couldn’t believe it.
Zoe hugged her. “I knew you would. When do you go?”
“The end of September,” she said. She’d gone straight to Zoe’s office after she’d seen Mr Amin and caught her as she was leaving. “I’ll be there until just after Christmas. And if they like my work, they might even display it in the gallery.” She couldn’t wait to tell Aiden. Surely he’ll be pleased?