As I rolled out of bed, a sense of depression descended. It was tempting to stay in bed. Text Josh, tell him he could take over.
That damn promotion was floating away like a helium balloon, with me destined to run after it for ever more trying to grab at its string. I flopped back onto the mattress. I’d rather think about Ben and that kiss.
Last night Josh had insisted on sitting in the foyer, going over the next two day’s itinerary in detail, assessing all the possible risks, while the others had decamped to the bar. If only he knew that the biggest risk at that moment in time was Conrad doing serious damage to the hotel tab back in the bar, with a round of brandies for everyone.
‘So, you’re sure the walk to the Design Museum will only take twenty minutes.’
‘Yes,’ said Mads.
‘And we’ll leave straight after breakfast?’ asked Josh again.
‘People like to go back to their rooms. So, we will meet in the foyer at nine a.m. Everyone comes to breakfast at different times.’ Mads and I exchanged a smile. Fiona was allergic to mornings and always rushed into breakfast at the last possible minute, invariably forgetting something that she had to return to her room for.
‘No wonder you’ve been having problems. You should have insisted at the outside. Stick together. Stop people wandering off and doing what they please. These people will take advantage as soon as look at you.’
‘What people?’ asked Mads looking confused as if he’d had a complete lapse in his understanding of English.
‘The press. The journalists on the trip. They’re … well not quite the enemy but they’re not our friends.’ He shot me a dark warning look.
Mads continued to look perplexed and Josh tutted.
‘Don’t worry.’ He turned to me. ‘It’s mine and Kate’s job to keep a tighter rein on everyone. We’ll lay down the law at breakfast tomorrow. Make our expectations clear.’
‘Josh they’re adults … it’s not a school trip.’
‘No, Kate,’ he said emphasising the t in my name with a snap, ‘it’s a business trip, with clear aims, objectives and goals. And it’s our job to see that they are all met. I think you might have lost sight of that.’ His eyes bored into me. ‘Give journalists an inch and they take a mile wherever they can. They’re on the opposite side of the fence.’ With a humourless laugh, he added, ‘They rarely do us any favours. We’re here for the client. This isn’t a jolly; they’re here to work too.’
‘I-I know that,’ I said trying to sit up straighter.
‘Now, tomorrow’s itinerary. I don’t want anything to go wrong. Let’s go over it and identify potential threats to our plans.’ He’d pulled out of his Paul Smith man-bag, an A4 foolscap pad.
Seriously? We were going to the Design Museum. What did he imagine might happen? A large sideboard falling on someone? One of the group swallowed by a particularly over stuffed sofa?
In the pool of morning sunshine, I lay in bed with my wrist over my eyes mulling over Josh’s words. Had I been too lenient with everyone? Been a bit too laissez-faire? Megan had said I needed to have more gravitas. Maybe I hadn’t been quite as professional as I should have been. Wanting too much to be part of the group?
Kissing Ben.
No, not professional. Not professional at all. What had I been thinking? Stupid question, I hadn’t been thinking at all. A dull ache in my heart throbbed at the thought of Ben. Held to ransom by hormones and post roller-coaster euphoria. If Josh got so much as an inkling, my career would be dead and buried. I still had two days to prove I could do this. I needed to speak to Ben. Tell him last night had been a mistake and that we needed to talk press coverage. That was being professional. That was looking out for my career. That had to come first. I’d worked too hard to get here to give it all up for a couple of kisses, no matter how mind-numbing, heart-stopping and brain-scrambling they might have been.
I sighed again. God it was only six o’clock. There was no way I could get back to sleep.
The lights glowed in Varme and down the steps I could see Eva flitting about. She probably wasn’t even open yet, but when I appeared at the door, she rushed over and let me in.
‘Morgen Katie. You’re very early. Do you need coffee or perhaps a hot chocolate today?’
Eva’s question was loaded with more than polite enquiry.
‘Is it that obvious?’ I shrugged off my damp coat. The morning air held a touch of sea mist and the promise of rain.
‘Something is bothering you.’
‘Someone.’
‘Ah, I did wonder.’
I gave her a sharp glance and couldn’t help smiling. ‘Are you a white witch or something?’
‘No, just an observer of human nature. Come in the kitchen with me, while I make some hot chocolate. It will go perfectly with the chokolade snegle I’m making and I could do with some help. Then you can tell me all about it.’
She handed me an apron, pushed me to the sink to wash my hands and by the time I’d dried them, she’d switched on the espresso machine and put out several mounds of dough on a floured board. Quickly she showed me what she wanted me to do which thankfully was quite simple. Just roll them out into rectangles. Even I could manage that.
As I picked up the rolling pin, she held up a finger making me pause.
‘And remember, do it with love. Think of the people who are most special to you. Who would you make this for?’
She waved the finger. ‘And don’t tell me. Just think of them.’ When I levelled a polite but slightly disbelieving look her way, her eyes twinkled in merriment.
I rolled the first rectangle out, next to her, thinking of my dad, Brandon and John. God, they’d demolish a whole plate of Danish pastries faster than a horde of locusts. Connie would love them too.
The dough felt soft under my fingers and I took extra care, copying Eva’s careful rhythm not pressing too hard and using the rolling pin in the way that I’d seen Sophie teaching Fiona. My rectangle was almost as perfect as hers. ‘Look Eva! I did it.’ I felt a ridiculous sense of achievement.
‘Well done. Now for the next bit.’ With her usual economic efficiency, she showed me how to spread the cinnamon mixture over the dough and then roll it into one fat sausage that she then sliced into the individual pastries. I copied her.
‘OK, now we have several more batches to do.’ She handed me a coffee. I took a sip, feeling a lot better as the hot strong coffee hit the spot.
‘My company have sent someone out to … keep an eye on me, I guess.’
‘Oh.’ Eva looked up, surprised.
With a scowl, I put down my cup, missing its heat and picked up my rolling pin. ‘I feel a bit of a failure.’
‘Careful,’ she pointed to the pastry which had suddenly gone a bit wonky. I concentrated for a second and managed to get it straight again.
‘Do you think you’re a failure?’ Eva waited as if she expected an answer.
I finished rolling the pastry before I lifted my head to look at her.
‘You’re doing it again, that white witch thing.’
She didn’t deny it but instead prodded my dough. ‘Gently.’
‘You’re worse than the Spanish Inquisition,’ I said shaking my head, turning the dough, ready to spread the filling across the surface. I stopped because I was supposed to be thinking good thoughts. ‘It’s bad enough that they sent someone because they don’t think I’m doing a very good job. Sending Josh Delaney, my ex and the man that was promoted rather than me has rubbed salt in the wounds.’
‘Ah.’
‘Ah indeed.’ I could see nothing but the full story was going to satisfy Eva. I put down the spatula. ‘Josh and I were together for a while but we kept it quiet because we worked together. I was too stupid to realise that he was keeping it quiet because we were both going for the same promotion. Which he never mentioned. And now he’s here to report back on my performance.’
‘Ouch.’
‘Ouch indeed. Apparently, I’ve been too familiar with the journalists. Not keeping my distance enough.’
‘But, why should you? I don’t understand.’
‘Because I’m working and I should have maintained a professional relationship and kept a business-like distance from them.’
‘Says who?’
‘Josh is my senior and he’s reporting back to my bosses. For the next two days, I’m going to have to toe the line.’
‘Why? Lars clearly thinks you can do this. And I’ve seen nothing that indicates otherwise.’
‘That’s very kind, Eva, but unfortunately Lars doesn’t have any say in my promotional prospects.’ I paused and picked up the spatula again. I might as well be honest with her; she had a habit of getting you to do that. The café had become quite the confessional over the last few days.
‘The only reason I got this job was Lars came to the agency at the last minute. On the day that he came in, there was no one else to deal with him, so they let me do it because they knew I wouldn’t say no. And,’ I stopped trying to work out how to phrase it diplomatically, ‘Lars had been quite …’ Although Eva’s incredible English vocabulary might put some English people to shame, the word assiduous might test even her, ‘careful, so they really didn’t expect for him to choose us.’
Eva rested her hands loosely on the table, a knowing smile on her face. ‘I know my son. He knows what he wants but he’s not always very good at explaining it. He relies a lot on gut instinct.’ The fierce maternal pride lit a tiny spike of envy. ‘He’s very like me, although he has his father’s business drive.’
‘My bosses were … gobsmacked when Lars gave us the business. Me too. But then he insisted on us organising a press trip, which they didn’t think was the right thing to do. It’s challenging to get the press to commit to coming to something like this.’
‘Do you think a press trip was the right thing to do?’
‘I do now especially as Lars has arranged such a fantastic itinerary. Everyone has, well almost everyone, is having a great time. I think most of them will want to write about his new store and how it relates to the things they’ve seen on the trip. And I think it’s left a lasting impact on their view of things. Some people will be making changes in their lives as a result, which,’ I paused, ‘is actually a rather lovely bonus.’
‘But arranging for them to come on the trip? The difficult bit, that was left to you,’ observed Eva, shrewd as ever.
I stretched my neck feeling the tension resting there. ‘Yeah. That’s pretty much it.’
‘Lars is a very good judge of character. He talked to lots of people in London before he made his final decision.’
I sighed. ‘I’m not posh like the other girls at work,’ I blurted out. ‘They all come from well-heeled families, they’ve got connections and know the right people. I’ve had to work my way up. I’m not really good enough.’
‘Why would you think that? Of course, you are.’
‘Oh Eva.’ She was so kind but she didn’t understand. ‘I’m not.’ I pushed my hair off my face with the back of my floury hand, wanting to be honest with her. ‘I’ve been trying to get promoted for the last year and every time I think I’m getting close, they raise the bar.’
‘Do you not think that says more about the people you work for? I’ve seen you in action. I see how much you want to do a good job for Lars’ company. You’re good with people, you look after them because you’re a nice person. Not because it’s your job. Look how you’ve looked after Conrad. And Avril. You’ve made Fiona feel good about herself with her photography. And I don’t know what’s going on with Ben,’ her eyes twinkled wickedly, ‘but he seems happier. David too. It’s just Sophie, we still need to fix.’
‘Sophie?’ Sunny, happy Sophie. What needed fixing there?
‘Yes, I worry about her. She puts on a great front, a bit like you, but there’s something that isn’t right. She’s almost too happy. Too upbeat. Being positive to hide the truth. Like you’ve been hiding. You have choices Katie. You can choose to change things. Now finish this last batch and we’re done.’
Just as I loaded the trays into her oven, movement beyond Eva caught my eye and I looked up over her shoulder towards the café door.
‘Good morning Eva,’ boomed Conrad pushing open the door. ‘Ah, Kate fancy seeing you here.’ He marched in, slipping off his leather gloves and slapping them down on the table as if he meant business. David and Avril filed in behind him looking decidedly furtive as they crowded around the table.
I peeled off my apron and went out to join them.
‘Morning Eva,’ said David quietly. ‘Sophie and Fi are on their way. And I believe Ben is just finishing his call.’
The three of them brimmed with suppressed glee.
With a nod, Conrad indicated outside the window, where as usual Ben was pacing up and down talking on his phone. ‘His sister, I believe.’
My pulse immediately picked up an unwelcome beat at the sight of him and the H&M bag under his arm. I’d returned the spare jeans to him yesterday before we’d gone out to the Tivoli Gardens.
‘What are you all doing here? Not that I’m not pleased to see you guys, but …?’ Although I was particularly grateful that Ben had stayed outside.
‘We fancied breakfast here for a change,’ announced Avril, plonking herself down at the table and immediately arranging the table, moving the menus to one side and tidying up the napkin holder, assuming charge as if she were the queen at court.
‘All of you?’ I asked.
‘Yes,’ said Avril in a tone that brooked no argument.
Then Sophie and Fiona walked through the door and a second later Ben followed them.
I took a big slurp of coffee, examining the milk froth at the bottom of the cup for all I was worth.
‘Morning all,’ said Sophie coming to sit down next to me bringing with her the cold chill of the morning as she shrugged off her coat. I made a fuss of helping her pull it off and arranged it on the back of the seat for her as Fiona pulled up a chair from the next table squeezing it in next to David. Out of the corner of my eye I was aware of Ben sitting down next to Avril but I studiously avoided looking that way.
‘Isn’t this nice? Breakfast together,’ said Sophie. ‘Everyone together. Shame you couldn’t get us all in a selfie, Fi,’ she added picking up a menu.
‘I can!’
Within seconds Fiona had set up a portable War of the Worlds looking tripod, screwed her camera to the top of it and placed it on the opposite table.
‘Eva, you have to come in too,’ I insisted.
Fiona set the timer and dashed over in time to hear the whine of the timer counting down.
‘Whatever you do don’t say sausages,’ shouted Avril, ‘because that makes me think of something completely different and not a look I want on camera.’ Her theatrical shudder made us all laugh as the camera clicked.
Eva bustled off back to the kitchen as Fi showed us the picture. It was a one in a million shot, a perfect moment in time, capturing shared joy and one that made you smile just looking at it. Avril, eyes alight with naughty amusement, had her arm around Ben who had a secretive smile on his face, almost as if he were looking at me. Conrad between Fiona and Sophie was laughing uproariously while David next to me grinned, happiness shining from his face and Eva squished in the middle of all of us beamed proudly like mama hen with her chicks.
‘Now what’s everyone having?’ Sophie had disappeared behind the menu again.
‘Do you ever think of anything except food, Sophie?’ asked Avril, leaning over the table and poking her.
Sophie laughed. ‘Occasionally I think of… Hi Eva. Ooh coffee and kanelsnegle. Yum.’
Everyone round the table burst out laughing as Eva brought over a tray of coffees with a plate piled with cinnamon rolls, which smelt delicious.
As plates and coffees were handed out I spoke to Fiona. ‘Would you be able to email me that shot?’
‘Sure.’
‘When could you do it?’ I’d had an idea but wasn’t sure how feasible it would be in the brief timescale available.
‘Right this minute.’
‘Really?’
‘Blue tooth to my phone. Email. Bish. Bosh. Bash.’
The picture appeared almost immediately in my email inbox.
I looked at my watch, the kanelsnegle had been demolished and an enthusiastic discussion had ensued about whether people wanted anything more to eat.
‘And you didn’t fancy breakfast in the hotel?’ I asked.
Shit, Josh was going to have a cow. I had an image of him sitting alone at a table for eight waiting for everyone to rock up. It was hard to feel sorry for him though.
‘That Josh guy was a tosser,’ said David with a quick glance at the others as if he’d decided to be spokesperson. ‘It’s not been plain sailing,’ he mimicked. ‘What does he know?’
I blinked a little at the unlikely words coming from him of all people.
‘How dare they send someone out to check on you,’ said Avril indignation quivering in her voice. She tossed her hair over her shoulder in true princess style. ‘We heard what he said to you last night – we’re not having it.’ She, David and Conrad, the united front, straightened in unison as if preparing themselves to take on an army. ‘No, we’re not having it at all. We’ll show him. He’ll soon realise that he’s not going to swan in and take charge of our little gang.’
‘That’s nice of you all but …’ Tears pricked at my eyes.
‘But, nothing,’ said Conrad. He put his elbows on the table and leaned towards me and pointed both his fingers at me, as if they were pistols. ‘This is my fault. Isn’t it? I’m a stupid old fool and now I’ve got you into trouble.’
‘No Conrad-’
‘Yes Kate,’ he said. ‘I behaved badly and you shouldn’t be punished for it.’
‘I think “punished” is a bit strong.’
‘It’s my fault too,’ butted in Avril. ‘If I hadn’t sent that tweet no one would ever have known about Conrad. Not to mention my stupid bridge escapade.’
‘You’ve looked after us really well, Kate,’ added Sophie.
‘Really well,’ added Fiona.
‘Quite well,’ said Ben. At the sound of his voice I sneaked a quick look his way, which was a mistake because catching the tiny smile lifting his stern expression sent an ill-considered flutter in my stomach. My memory leapt into action, making me want to touch my lips at the remembered imprint of his mouth there last night. I stiffened. Not going to go there. It was a salutary reminder I needed to stay well away from him today.
‘Very well, indeed,’ pronounced Conrad, nudging Ben in the arm.
For a minute, I was too choked to speak, looking round at their earnest faces.
Perhaps I could have been a bit firmer with them all as it now seemed I had full-scale mutiny on my hands which wasn’t going to do me any favours with Josh, even if it made me feel rather warm and lovely inside.
‘Listen to them,’ said Eva coming to stand behind me, putting her hands on my shoulders. For a second I wanted to lean back into her and I felt a warm glow in my chest at the sight of them all looking at me with such support.
‘Sophie said you usually came here first thing, so last night when we were in the bar we decided we’d come here to see you instead of going to breakfast,’ explained David.
‘You’re all so lovely. Thanks for the vote of confidence … it means a lot.’
‘And so it should,’ said Sophie linking her arm through mine. ‘That jumped up little toad, isn’t going to … I don’t know. It’s like in Dirty Dancing. No one puts Baby in the corner. Well no one tells our Kate that she’s surplus to requirements. We love you. We love being on this trip with you. And you don’t need reinforcements.’
‘Thank you, I really appreciate your support but I … well I don’t think Josh is going to take much notice. They sent him because they think I’ve made a hash of things.’
‘Well, today they’re going to find out they’re wrong.’ Sophie squeezed my arm. ‘Today we’re going to be Team Kate.’
‘So what can we do to help?’ asked Fiona, picking up her camera and taking a shot of me and Sophie together.
I looked at my watch. ‘OK, there is one thing you can do for me, I’d be so grateful if you could be on time to meet Mads at nine-thirty in the foyer.’
‘Is that all?’ asked Avril in disgust.
‘That would be perfect.’ I just wanted the rest of the trip to go as smoothly as possible.
‘We’re on it,’ said David lifting a hand and turning to Avril who high-fived him and then like a Mexican wave, everyone joined in.