Guilty Pleasures

Emma looked into her mother’s eyes.

‘I have to do this,’ she said quietly.

Virginia shook her head ever so slowly, her lips in a line. Then she sighed and dropped her hands.

‘If you must. After all, you can do whatever you want to do. But a word of advice, give everybody some good news. Do something and do it quickly.’

‘Like what? Give Julia and Roger their bonuses when the rest of the employees haven’t had a pay-rise in twelve months?’

‘It might postpone a revolution,’ replied her mother.

She kissed her mother on the cheek and said goodbye.

When her guests had gone, Emma wandered through the house to the kitchen. Morton had clocked off for the night but had left a note on the table informing her there was boeuf bourguignon in the oven. After the attempted ambush, however, she really didn’t feel hungry and instead made a pot of coffee that she took back through to the study. Everything was still except for the noise of logs burning in the fire. She took a random CD from the pile and put it on, then flopped back onto the sofa and sipped her coffee. Perhaps coffee hadn’t been the best idea when she needed to calm down; she felt fidgety and edgy and much more upset by the meeting than she should be. It was more than anger at their approach or the disappointment of not getting the loan or even the unfeeling attitude of her mother. No, when it came down to it, she felt lonely. Emma had decided to take on this huge task on her own and had predictably ruffled the feathers of everyone she might have looked to for support. She was alone in her desire to modernize the company and alone too in this huge house. What the hell am I doing here? she thought to herself. Looking up, she saw Rob’s business card propped up on the desk. Her mother was right. She had to do something. She grabbed the phone.

‘Hi Rob, it’s Emma. Emma Bailey.’

‘And is that the sound of “Stairway to Heaven” swelling through Winterfold, I hear?’ said a playful voice.

‘No, it’s your tinnitus,’ she smiled, suddenly feeling better. Rob laughed.

‘Thanks for the CDs by the way,’ said Emma. ‘It’s going to be an education.’

‘Well, no slacking off and listening to Chopin or something, because I’m going to test you next time I see you.’

She paused, wondering if she was about to do the right thing, nervous at the spontaneity of her decision to call him.

‘I’ve been thinking about our conversation about Winterfold.’

‘I was hoping you would.’

‘Is that why you sent me the CDs? Is it a bribe?’

‘No, I sent them because I wanted you to have them.’

She took a sip of coffee, stalling for time before she continued.

‘Thing is, I’m thinking of moving out. Before I instruct an estate agent to look for a tenant I wanted to know if you were still interested.’

‘So it is too big for you,’ he laughed.

‘The rental will be valuable income for the company,’ she said seriously.

‘So you don’t want to sell it?’

‘No,’ replied Emma quickly. As Winterfold was a company asset and she was the controlling shareholder, she could order its disposal if she wanted to. But it was too raw a move, especially bearing Virginia’s warning in mind. Winterfold was the heart of the family and it had too much of Saul in it. Emma could never bring herself to sell it. Not yet anyway.

‘How much do you want for a twelve-month lease?’

Emma took a deep breath and named a six-figure sum. Not enough to save the business but enough to give everyone in the company a very tiny pay rise.

He laughed. ‘Emma! That’s daylight robbery.’

‘Rob, you know as well as I do that bog-standard houses in good parts of London rent for far more than that. Winterfold is a special place; beautiful, full of character and close to London. I can name five wealthy Russians who would offer me double the price I’ve just mentioned.’

‘Well, why don’t you ask them?’ replied Rob with mock-petulance.

Emma giggled.