‘Hello, is that you, Samantha?’
This time she recognised the voice.
‘Hal, I’m sorry I haven’t returned your call –’
‘Don’t worry about it. I was a little concerned, that’s all.’
Sam felt uncomfortable. She hardly knew Hal Buchanan, yet somehow he had got caught up in her personal life. She had to put an end to that.
‘No cause for concern, Hal. I wasn’t feeling well earlier today, but it seems to have passed. Now, what can I do for you?’ she said officiously.
‘Um, well, I was calling about . . .’ He paused. He sounded a bit vague. ‘Originally, this morning, I was calling . . . Look, are you sure you’re okay?’
Sam sighed heavily. ‘I’m fine,’ she insisted. ‘What is it that you were calling about?’
‘Okay. Well, actually, there’s another function . . .’
‘Didn’t I say it was a one-off last time?’
‘Yeah, but I figured that seeing you had such a good time, and you found me such unexpectedly charming company, you’d reconsider.’
Sam was smiling. He was a charmer alright.
‘It’s Saturday the twenty-eighth, black tie, at the Ritz Carlton.’
She glanced at the calendar. ‘I have the kids that weekend.’ She would also be working most of the day at the Blairs, helping prepare for a cocktail party.
‘Didn’t your husband and you ever go out, hire a sitter?’
‘Occasionally, when we could afford it.’ She realised that probably didn’t sound very professional.
‘Well, put any expenses on my account.’
‘I didn’t mean to imply that –’
‘Look, it’s fine. I don’t know how all this works, but you said you were still in the red with me, so knock yourself out. The company’s already paid.’
Sam thought about it. She needed to keep her clients happy. If this is what Mr Buchanan wanted, then she would have to deliver.
‘Okay, just let me take down the details.’