The weekend in Birmingham had given Gina more grit. More determination to order her life as she wanted it. If she could make headway with her family, she could definitely do the same with work.
Over the last year, she’d started to see cracks in Bernie’s input and enthusiasm, but she’d overlooked them. Bernie had swept into her life with cash and a book of contacts. At first, she’d been gold, and that still counted for something. However, now she’d stepped over multiple lines — work and personal — Gina couldn’t look the other way anymore. Sara was the tip of the iceberg. Gina was doing more of the work for less of the profit.
If Bernie was a pain point in her life, India was balancing things out by being the polar opposite. If Gina looked beyond her kissing ability — and she didn’t do that lightly — India was also proving a saviour when it came to sorting out the business. She’d hooked Gina up with her legal adviser the night before, and Gina had received some great advice on how she should move forward.
Plus, even though India had been away on business this week, they now had a semi-routine of sending texts at the start or end of each day. This morning, India had wished her luck for her meeting. It was still making Gina smile.
Gina breathed in the fresh spring air as she walked across Tower Bridge, trying to ignore it was laced with petrol fumes, too. This was London, after all. To her right, the traffic crawled and honked, the bridge vibrating to its beat. Up ahead, the biscuit-coloured buildings of Shad Thames and beyond stood tall, glinting in the morning sun. To her left, the Thames flowed wide and deep, its surface a soup of blues and greys.
Gina often did this loop walk when she needed time to think, or to gee herself up. Walking across Tower Bridge and back, breathing in the crackle of history when she passed the Tower of London always made her see things more clearly. Yes, her issues were important, but she wasn’t about to go to the Tower to get her head cut off. Things could be worse. She could have been married to Henry the Eighth. That thought almost made her forget she was meeting Bernie in a matter of minutes.
In fact, Bernie was ahead of Gina, her silver Range Rover already parked in her designated parking space outside their offices. Gina pulled her shoulders back when she clocked it, ready for battle. A little like meeting up with her parents, she had to try to keep the emotion out of this meeting. This was about cold, hard business facts, and that was what Gina planned to present to Bernie. She didn’t plan to bring up Sara. However, if Bernie played hardball, it was a tactic Gina wouldn’t hesitate to use.
As soon as she walked in, Bernie hopped up like a popcorn kernel in a hot pan. She had her closing suit on. The one she wore when she was on the verge of a deal and needed confidence. Gina couldn’t quite decide if that was a good thing or not. On her desk, Bernie’s sunglasses sat abandoned, along with her bunch of keys.
“Coffee?” Bernie was already at the machine, snapping into action.
Gina frowned. “Sure, thanks.”
With drinks in front of them, Gina leaned back in her chair.
Bernie stayed still. That was weird.
The air in the office grew thicker.
“So are we—”
“I just want to say—”
They both stopped.
Gina swung left, then right.
Still Bernie didn’t move.
“You first,” Gina said.
Bernie stood up, walked to the edge of her desk and leaned. “I just want to start by saying sorry. For everything. But especially for the money going missing. For giving Sara access to our business card. After everything she put you through, it was unforgiveable.”
Gina narrowed her eyes. If this was a calculated ploy, she had to hand it to Bernie. She was convincing. But Gina had seen Bernie in action too many times. She wasn’t falling for it just yet.
“You’re not wrong.”
Bernie frowned. “You think I’m bullshitting? That I’m just saying this to butter you up?”
“We’ve worked together too long, Bernie.”
Bernie shook her head, folding her arms across the buttons of her waistcoat. “I’m not. I’ve had one foot outside Hot London Properties for a while now. We both know that. You’ve been running the show more for the past year at least.”
Gina nodded.
“I enjoyed the first two years, they were great. But it’s time for me to move on, and I don’t want to stand in your way. You offered to buy me out. You gave me a figure. I’m happy to accept it.”
It couldn’t be this easy. Gina had come with arguments all prepared. “What’s the catch, Bernie?”
She shook her head. “No catch. This is legit. I don’t want to blow up our friendship for the sake of a business I’m happy to exit.” Bernie held up a hand. “And I know that while I’m still seeing Sara that might be tricky, but maybe in time things might change. You matter to me, Gina. You’re not just someone I did business with. We know each other.”
“I thought we did,” Gina replied. “Until you started fucking Sara. Then I questioned if you’d actually witnessed what happened when I did that.” Gina got up and leaned on the edge of her own desk. Standing opposite each other like this was such a practised move for the pair of them, and yet, this felt final. The end of an era. Mainly because it was, whether Bernie was telling the truth or not.
It almost made Gina get sentimental.
Almost.
Then she remembered what India’s business manager had said to her. The instructions she’d given. Don’t let Bernie get on your good side. Not today.
“We’re going to have to disagree on this.” Bernie chewed on the inside of her cheek. “Just get the paperwork drawn up and I’ll sign it. Then I can be out of here and on to my next project.”
“Unless Sara bleeds you dry first.”
Bernie gave her a sharp look, then covered it up with a half-smile. She picked up her bag, slung it over her broad shoulder, then put on her sunglasses. “I’ll be expecting your call.”
Gina paced the office like a caged animal after Bernie left. Her emotions were on a see-saw. Could she trust Bernie? Was she serious about just walking away? If she was, this was the absolute best outcome she could imagine.
Gina texted Deepak to let him know it was all systems go. She received an immediate thumbs-up emoji in reply, along with more horses, sunshine and some heart eyes. Was this the way Deepak did business with everyone? Perhaps it was the new way to go. Lull them into a false sense of security as if you had no idea what you were doing, then land a cracking deal.
Gina twirled in her seat. Bernie hadn’t twirled once. If she was happy with Sara, she’d kept it well hidden. However, that wasn’t Gina’s problem anymore. Both Sara and Bernie were almost off her plate, and now she could concentrate on making Hot London Properties the best it could possibly be. She had some ideas. She needed to get somebody on board quickly once Bernie was out of the picture. Gina made a note to ask India about the woman she’d mentioned. A friend of her PR consultant, Eden?
She couldn’t have done any of this without India’s help. Her business adviser had been invaluable, as had her prompting and encouraging messages all week. Gina wanted to do something for India in return. But perhaps getting India’s flat over the line would be payback enough.
She was just replying to Deepak when a call came in.
India.
Gina couldn’t help the grin that spread across her face.
“I was just thinking about you.”
“I’ve been thinking about you, too. How did this morning go? Are you still in one piece?”
“Surprisingly, yes. Bernie was a pussycat, which makes me nervous. But she’s agreed to sell me her part of the business and agreed to the numbers, so I can’t complain. I can still be suspicious, but I can’t complain.” She paused. “Actually, I was just sitting here thinking that I owe you. You’ve helped with my parents, and my work. It’s about time I did something for you.”
Gina couldn’t see India’s smile, but she heard it. “I’m sure we can work something out this weekend.” The low timbre of her voice made Gina’s insides quiver. Memories of their weekend in Birmingham came flooding back. It was less than a week ago, but it seemed far longer.
She needed to see India again.
She wanted to see India again.
India cleared her throat. “But beyond that, I have another idea how you might be able to make up for all the help I’ve been giving you.”
Gina sat up. “Shoot.”
“Remember Eunice?”
“How could I forget?”
“She called me last night. She’s coming to London this weekend with her granddaughter, and she wants to meet up. She says she’s ready to talk about H, reveal her identity and allow us to start the search and see if she’s interested in reconnecting.”
Gina spun in her chair again. It was a spinny kind of morning. “Wow, that’s huge. Well done.”
“I did nothing.”
“I think you underestimate your powers of persuasion.”
“I’ll let you know after the weekend if they’re still working where I need them most.”
Gina’s stomach did another loop. “You are being bold this morning.”
“It’s the Eunice affect. She’s being bold. I figure if she can take the leap, I can too. Her situation is far more precarious. She’s got so much more to lose. Whereas I hope I’ve got a foothold already. I’m not wrong, am I?”
“Not one bit.” Gina’s mind was now a classic summer portrait, all blue sky and sunshine. She snapped back to Eunice. “But she’s coming this weekend? When we were hoping to spend some time together?” She couldn’t help the twinge of disappointment at yet more crashing of their plans. Because Gina’s plans had been big. And mostly naked.
“She is, but we’ll still have plenty of time together. I want to wow Eunice, but also put her at ease. Put her in a situation where she’s got distractions to take her mind off what she’s revealing.”
“Makes sense. I’m still not sure where I come in.”
“I was thinking what distracts me? Makes me feel relaxed?” India paused. “The answer was rooftops. But I don’t have my rooftop yet. I wondered if you could supply one? Any chance we can get the keys to my flat for the weekend?”
Gina winced. “I don’t think so. It’s a little too close to the exchange date being agreed. I wouldn’t want to rock the boat.”
“I thought you might say that. So, option two. Could we possibly get the keys to that London Bridge flat you took me to the first day after you showed me my future home? We could set up there, and make Eunice feel like a queen. Ask if we could have the flat for the weekend? Play the Pride angle?”
Gina flashed forward. She had a good relationship with the management of that flat. They could only say no. “I’ll ask them and let you know.”
“Great. I knew I could count on you.”
“It’s not a done deal yet.”
“I have a good feeling, though. About the flat and about you.”
“The feeling’s mutual.” Her heartbeat pulsed in her ears. “I’ve missed seeing you this week, but I’m loving these calls and texts.” Gina had no control over her mouth when she was talking to India. Thoughts just slipped out.
“Ditto. I gotta run. I’ll call you later with details about Saturday. Let me know on the flat. See you then, whatever?”
Gina nodded. If nothing else, she was determined to do that. “It’s a definite date.”