The only thing that had taken her by surprise was Vogue wanting to make contact with Bev again. That had completely blindsided her. Not that it was going to be a problem, far from it. She was actually looking forward to catching up with Bev again, if only to find out the catalyst for her sudden return.

  ‘Trudy’s designs were taken from her drawer,’ Vogue said as if the words were being forced out of her mouth.

  ‘Taken? By who?’ Melissa feigned shock. If her drama teacher could see her now, she’d be proud of her. Even Melissa was impressed by her believable performance.

  ‘That’s just it, I don’t know. I think Bev has someone on the inside here working for her.’

  Melissa let out a quick laugh. ‘No disrespect intended, but you can’t seriously believe that. I mean, for what reason?’

  ‘I don’t know, it seems like she just wants to ruin me. That’s why I want you to go and see her. Let her know I’m onto her little scheme and she’s not going to get away with it, not this time.’

  ‘I’m sorry to have to say this,’ Melissa said, trying to convey a sympathy she didn’t feel in the slightest. ‘But I think the stress of this situation is clouding your judgement.’

  As soon as the words left her mouth, Melissa knew she’d crossed the line. Vogue’s eyes narrowed as they bored into her own.

  ‘You think I’m imagining all this? Isn’t that what you said when I first became suspicious about Bev?’

  Melissa put her hands in the air as a sign of submission. ‘Yes and I apologised for that mistake, but this is a different situation altogether. What exactly would she do with Trudy’s designs?’

  ‘It’s not about the designs, Melissa. It’s about trying to destroy my reputation again.’

  Melissa conceded that she had put up enough resistance to make Vogue think she was opposed to her idea but would go along with it to keep the peace.

  ‘Okay, fine, I’ll go and have a chat with Bev. See what I can find out.’

  ‘Thanks.’ Vogue took a step forward, placing her hand on Melissa’s shoulder.

  ‘No need to thank me. You know you can always count on me.’

  You can also count on me to be right by your side when your empire comes crashing down and I walk off with the prize.

  Amelia.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  You’re your own worst enemy, Vogue told herself as she took a seat at BH1’s bar. Always on the lookout for trouble where none exists. Why had she mentioned her concerns to Melissa? Melissa had made her thoughts on the subject quite clear. That Vogue was buckling under the stress of things. Maybe she was, but Vogue just couldn’t rid herself of that niggling feeling in her gut that something wasn’t right, which was why she had taken the unprecedented step of involving Melissa in her plan.

  At no point was she expecting Bev to make a full confession, even if she was up to no good. All she hoped to achieve was to fire a warning signal in Bev’s direction to let her know she was aware of what she was trying to do. The business was at a crucial stage and she couldn’t afford for any gossip to come out about Styles. It would be suicidal for both Vogue and the business. And as much as Melissa protested against her reasoning as to why she thought the theft had something to do with Bev, nothing could persuade Vogue that she wasn’t behind it in some way. The truth was, there was a real possibility that Bev could have someone doing her dirty work for her. After all, she had been working at Styles for years and had her loyal followers who stayed on after Vogue had given Bev the boot. Vogue wasn’t that naïve to not think people still held a grudge against her for letting Bev go, despite what she’d done.

  It amazed her that their group of mutual friends had thought Vogue should have rolled over and tried to move on with Bev still onside. The very idea was inconceivable. Trust was the one value that she held above all others. Once that was gone, there was nothing left.

  ‘What’ll it be?’

  The barwoman was someone she hadn’t seen before. Though Vogue wasn’t in the best of moods, she gave her a quick smile as she ordered her drink. Minutes later, the barwoman placed a large gin and tonic in front of her.

  Vogue was going to do her best to keep her drinking down to a minimum. The last thing she wanted or needed was a hangover. The older she got, the less it seemed to take to put her in the dreaded ‘depressive mode’, where she walked around feeling like death for days. Like everything else, age just seemed to catch up with her without her even realising it.

  Vogue checked her phone. Nothing. Melissa said she’d update her once she’d made contact with Bev. The fact that she hadn’t so much as messaged her, could only mean two things. Either Bev couldn’t be found, or she had refused to talk to Melissa.

  Maybe the latter would be for the best, she reasoned. It wasn’t as if Vogue had made the decision in a rational state of mind. Far from it. She’d been in a panic. If word got out a theft had taken place in her company, no matter how small, she could kiss goodbye to any chance of getting her collection into Milan.

  ‘Hi.’

  Vogue recognised the voice but couldn’t place it. She turned her head sideways and came face to face with Jordan.

  ‘Hey, how’s it going?’ Vogue said, feeling slightly awkward at meeting Jordan inside a bar at five p.m.

  Though Jordan been working at Styles a few weeks now, Vogue hadn’t really had much to do with her. This wasn’t by design, as Vogue enjoyed interacting with her colleagues, it was simply down to the fact that she had higher priorities.

  ‘Good, thanks. Can I get you another one?’ Jordan said, looking down at Vogue’s empty glass.

  ‘Oh, um sure,’ Vogue said, not even aware how much she’d drank already.

  Vogue couldn’t think of a single word to say to Jordan, and it seemed to be a mutual feeling as they both remained silent while the barwoman poured their drinks. Not that she was being anti-social, she just had a lot on her mind.

  Vogue willed her phone to ring so she could find out if Melissa had managed to speak to Bev.

  ‘Why don’t you come and join us,’ Jordan said as she turned to leave.

  ‘I’m fine,’ Vogue replied, raising her glass. ‘But thanks for the drink.’

  ‘Well, if you change your mind, we’re over there,’ Jordan said, nodding her head towards a space in the corner of the bar.

  Fuck! Vogue nearly said the word out loud, such was the shock of seeing Amelia sat looking down at her phone. Vogue doubted Amelia had seen her. What should she do? Make a quick escape? How stupid would that look? A grown woman running away like a frightened child. The only alternative was to stop overthinking and just get on with finishing her drink. Then go home.

  ‘I’m going after this,’ Vogue finally said.

  ‘Well, enjoy,’ Jordan said before walking off to join Amelia.

  Vogue stole a glance in their direction as Jordan reached their table and Amelia looked over at her in response to something Jordan had said.

  The rollercoaster of Vogue’s emotions was driving her insane. She needed to sort her head out before she totally lost it.

  Vogue turned her attention back to her drink in an attempt to block Amelia out. This was short-lived, as moments later someone brushed up against her. It didn’t take a genius to figure out who it was.

  ‘Guess you didn’t see me wave hello,’ Amelia said, the sarcasm obvious in her voice.

  Vogue looked up at her, her body reacting way before her mind did. Tingling sensations ran from head to foot. Heart palpitations thumped in her chest. Her hands trembled, causing the liquid in the glass she held to sway gently from side to side.

  Vogue immediately put the glass down on the bar and pressed her hands on her thighs to regain some semblance of control.

  ‘Guess I didn’t,’ Vogue replied as coolly as she could.

  Neither spoke for a few moments, then Amelia said, with a teasing flicker in her eyes, ‘You always drink alone?’

  Vogue’s stomach constricted with what felt like hundreds of butterflies darting around in mayhem. ‘You always so inquisitive?’

  ‘Yeah, bad habit from childhood.’

  ‘Bet your mum was pleased.’

  ‘She was actually,’ Amelia said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

  ‘Good for her.’

  Amelia observed her in silence, her eyes roaming down to her mouth then back again up to her eyes.

  ‘So, you planning on driving home again tonight?’ Amelia’s voice was low, like they were having an intimate moment.

  Vogue looked straight at her, the feeling of attraction startling her. ‘Why? You offering to take me instead?’

  Vogue almost laughed out loud at Amelia’s expression. For a woman that exuded so much self-control, it was the first time she’d seen Amelia lose her composure. Maybe she does feel something for me after all.

  ‘That would be a bit rude considering I came here with someone else.’

  ‘Oh well,’ Vogue said, getting to her feet.

  Standing barely inches apart, the intensity of their chemistry hung in the thickness of the air. Their eyes locked on one another’s and Vogue was achingly aware that it would take less than a second for her to shift forward and press her mouth against Amelia’s. To part her lips with the tip of her tongue and enter her warm, wet mouth. Vogue glanced at Amelia’s exposed cleavage revealed by the undone buttons of her white shirt.

  Just the thought of what she would like to do to Amelia there and then, had Vogue spinning away in the opposite direction in an attempt to break the connection. She was not used to this sort of cat and mouse game. Any other woman, she would have already slept with her. But this was something new. Not that she didn’t want to. She did very much. But she was enjoying the build-up. The push and pull dynamic. For some reason, it just made it all the more exciting for her.

  ‘I’d better make a move,’ Vogue said without giving Amelia a second glance.

  If she did, Amelia would be able to see right through her, but Vogue wasn’t ready to reveal all her cards.

  Not yet anyway.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Vogue had walked out of the bar an hour earlier, yet every inch of Amelia’s body was still on high alert. She didn’t know how she felt about her anymore. While Amelia still thought she was an amazing woman because of what she’d achieved with Styles, she couldn’t help but feel as if she’d been duped. That she was being played with. Is this just a game to her?

  One minute she was warm and friendly and the next, cold and dismissive. After spotting her in the bar, it had taken all the confidence Amelia could muster, plus some Dutch courage, to approach her. It seemed like they were flirting, well in Amelia’s head they were, but Vogue leaving abruptly without saying goodbye, just served to reinforce Amelia’s insecurities.

  Cecile’s words played on her mind. Vogue can’t be trusted. She’s like a chameleon. She’ll break your heart.

  ‘Helllllooooo, anybody home?’

  Jordan’s sing song voice filtered into Amelia’s mind, stopping her dead in her thoughts. ‘Sorry, I was miles away.’

  ‘Yeah, I noticed.’

  ‘Were you asking me something?’

  ‘Yes, I asked you what your plans were and if you would stay on at Styles after the probation period.’

  Amelia frowned. She hadn’t thought that far ahead, especially in light of what Melissa told her. If Jordan had asked her that same question a few days ago, it would have been an emphatic yes without a doubt. But now she wasn’t so sure.

  Could Amelia continue to work with someone she had unrequited feelings for, on top of the other issues? She wasn’t so sure.

  What if Melissa was right, and whatever the bombshell was, would tarnish everyone who worked at Styles? If it was bad enough to get the public’s attention, Amelia could just imagine her next interview where she would have to state that she had worked there, regardless of how long it had been for. The very thought of what her name could become entangled with, made her wonder if she should jump ship now.

  Amelia swallowed down the lump that suddenly formed in her throat at the thought of leaving Styles, and more importantly Vogue. ‘I don’t know…’

  ‘But what would you do if you didn’t?’

  ‘Go back to my old life,’ Amelia said. Although Melissa had been kind enough to offer to find her another job, Amelia didn’t think she’d have the heart for it. Remaining in London would be too hard for her. Never knowing if she might bump into Vogue or hear some random gossip about her. At least if she went back to Bournemouth, she could limit the exposure of a life without Vogue in it.

  ‘What’s your old life then?’ Jordan said, eyeing her intensely.

  ‘Retail during the day. Working my arse off on my designs during the night.’

  Jordan rose to her feet and moved to sit next to Amelia. ‘What if I suggested something different… I mean, assuming neither of us want to stay here.’

  ‘Go on,’ Amelia said, interested to hear about a possible plan B.

  ‘We could go into business together,’ Jordan said as if she’d just announced the blueprint for a never thought of before idea.

  ‘Doing what?’

  ‘Your new designs. I know someone who would be willing to manufacture them if he gets a decent cut. Then we can sell them on the internet.’

  Amelia’s heart dropped. She thought Jordan was going to come up with a solid plan, not one that Amelia herself had tried and failed at several times. To make noise in an already overcrowded marketplace was going to take more than talent to breakthrough. It needed money, and that was one thing Amelia didn’t have. By the looks of it, Jordan didn’t have much either.

  Realising that heading back to Bournemouth was more than likely going to be a reality, her sadness at the thought of losing touch with Vogue tore at her heart again. It wasn’t as if someone of Vogue’s calibre would have much to do with her once she was out of sight anyway. She’d probably forget Amelia by the time she boarded her train.

  ‘I thought you were ambitious?’ The disappointment in Jordan’s voice was evident.

  ‘I am, but I’m also a realist. There are so many outgoings to running your own business, and the type of job I’d be able to get would just pay me enough to live, let alone run a business as well.’

  ‘Okay, well it was just a thought.’ Jordan sighed as she grabbed her jacket. ‘Suppose we’d better get a move on. It’s getting late.’

  ‘I haven’t upset you, have I?’ Amelia asked in response to Jordan’s sudden mood change.

  ‘No, don’t be silly. I’ll ask one of the other girls at work. They’ll probably have better designs anyway.’

  With that, Jordan slipped into her jacket and without another word, left the bar.

  Amelia stared at the exit as the door closed, trying to make sense of what had just taken place between them. What the fuck was that about? Am I going mad?

  Amelia couldn’t believe Jordan would react in such a childish manner.

  And insulting me as well. Is anybody normal in this world?

  Feeling slightly put out, Amelia was grateful Cecile was at home when she got back to her flat. After relaying their conversation, Cecile was as outraged at Jordan’s behaviour as she was, which softened the blow a little.

  ‘I told you,’ Cecile said, painting the last toenail on her foot bright pink. ‘There’re a lot of weirdos out there, especially—’

  ‘All right, you don’t have to say her name,’ Amelia said, knowing full well Cecile was talking about Vogue. Since Amelia’s confession to her having a crush on Vogue, Cecile had made her promise she wouldn’t act on it, no matter what.

  At the time, Amelia had agreed, but had her fingers crossed. It was a childish gesture, but she didn’t want to tempt fate and get a run of bad luck if she crossed the line.

  ‘Have you seen her?’ Cecile said, making it clear she was talking about Vogue.

  Amelia nodded.

  ‘And?’ Cecile placed the nail polish brush back in the bottle and eyed her suspiciously as she tightened the lid.

  ‘And nothing,’ Amelia said, keeping her gaze glued to her phone. If Cecile caught sight of her expression, she’d be able to read her mind. In between being annoyed with herself for letting Jordan’s standoffish behaviour get to her, her thoughts lingered on the intense few minutes she’d spent with Vogue at the bar. Amelia replayed the events again in her head. Vogue’s wet lips as she took a sip of her drink, her dark arched eyebrows raising at Amelia’s response to her question about driving her home, the cold detached way she got up and left.

  Wait, did she want me to go home with her?

  The realisation suddenly hit Amelia and she put her head in her hands.

  I’ve completely misread the situation. She must think I’m the one playing games!

  ‘What’s wrong?’ Cecile’s voice broke into her reverie.

  ‘Oh, erm, nothing. No, she was just leaving as I arrived.’

  Amelia couldn’t tell Cecile how right the attraction between them felt when Cecile would only tell her how wrong it was.

  Amelia also wasn’t about to tell her why she was going to have an early night, and what she was going to do to herself once she was alone with her thoughts of Vogue.

  Only she was privy to that.

  And if the bombshell Melissa had referred to ended up being nothing more than a blip, she hoped her feelings for Vogue wouldn’t be.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  The wooden front door slowly opened, Bev’s apprehensive features just about visible in the open crack.

  ‘I wondered how long it would be before you showed your face.’ The distaste at seeing Melissa was evident in her voice.

  ‘Nice to see you too, Bev,’ Melissa said, quickly jamming her foot between the door and frame to prevent Bev from shutting her out. With one forceful movement, Melissa pushed on the door, causing Bev to nearly lose her balance as she took a step backwards, glaring at Melissa as she brushed past her and made her way into the living room.

  Looking around the room, Melissa wasn’t surprised to see the numerous framed photos of Bev and her husband that had once adorned the walls were now gone. As sad as it was, some people just weren’t meant to be together.