‘No pressure then,’ said Stella a touch sulkily.
‘I’ve had a lawyer looking into the share structure of the company. I want to give you stock in Milford, Stella,’ said Emma firmly. ‘Ruan too, actually. You both deserve it more than I can say.’
Stella wasn’t sure how to respond.
‘Wow. That’s great news,’ was the best she could manage.
‘I believe in you, Stella,’ said Emma simply.
Stella walked over to the office coffee pot and poured two black coffees.
‘So. When do we start?’ she asked, handing Emma a cup.
‘Straight away.’
‘Well, as soon as I get back from holiday,’ corrected Stella. ‘Johnny’s parents have this house in Cap Ferrat and I thought I’d go for a couple of weeks. We’re going to drive down. Stay in some chateaux along the way. Johnny starts filming in Wales for two months soon so we wanted to spend some quality time together.’
‘Stella, you can’t just go away for two weeks whenever the mood takes you,’ said Emma, a note of warning in her voice. ‘I don’t want to sound like your boss, but you had five days off last month.’
‘Johnny had a photo shoot for Tatler in the Maldives! He paid for me to go out there.’
Emma leaned towards her, her eyes steely.
‘Stella. We – no, you – have a real opportunity here. You’re on the verge of being the next big thing. Don’t squander it chasing after a man.’
Stella felt like screaming. How dare Emma say such a thing! Yes, of course she’d been spending as much time as she could with Johnny, but why shouldn’t she? She didn’t want to end up an old spinster like Emma, too cynical and angry for a relationship with anything other than her career.
‘Take a look at the press cuttings, boss,’ she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. ‘I think I’m doing fine.’
‘That all depends on whether you want to be known as a great designer or as half of an It-couple.’
Stella slammed her coffee cup on the table, all the excitement of launching her own womenswear line and becoming a Milford shareholder completely forgotten.
‘Jesus, Emma!’ she cried, ‘all I’m asking for is two measly weeks off. I’ve been working my arse off for this company and I think I deserve a break.’
Emma looked intently down at her coffee mug before speaking.
‘I’m just saying be careful,’ she said softly.
‘Careful of what?’ shouted Stella, too upset to hold it in. ‘Careful of getting a life? Careful of not devoting every waking minute of my time to the bloody company?’
‘Of course you’re entitled to time off. As your boss and your friend I’m just concerned about how long and who with. You know Johnny has a bad reputation. I don’t want you to waste your time or energy on someone who might not be worthy of you.’
‘How dare you?’ snapped Stella, enraged. ‘You hardly know him. And you know nothing about our relationship!’
‘Do you trust him?’ said Emma.
Her words stung. In some corner of her mind, Stella registered the implication of the question and noted the solemn expression which suggested Emma knew more, but she was too wound up to pay heed.
‘What’s really wrong, Emma?’ said Stella, her voice cracking. ‘Are you jealous? Jealous that I manage to get the job done and have a life? Or are you jealous that all the press is about me?’
Emma was shaking her head. ‘Stella, don’t be ridiculous.’
Stella snorted. ‘Am I? Am I really?’
Emma slowly gathered her things and stood up.
‘Take a week off,’ she said.