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intentions,’ her mother warns darkly.
    ‘I promise, I’ll tell you everything tomorrow, but it’s not what you think.’ Really it is worse, a little voice says.
    ‘All will be well, you wait and see,’ she says brightly and smiles. Her mother does not return her smile. Instead she gazes at her sadly.
    ‘Goodnight, Mum. I really love you.’
    ‘I love you too.’
    Lana stumbles down the short corridor to her room.
    She makes it to the edge of her bed and drops the shoes clutched in her hands. Then like a tree that has been felled she falls onto the top of her bed and is almost instantly inside a deep, dreamless sleep.

Six
    he muted but insistent ringing of her mobile phone Tjars Lana awake. For a moment she lays crumpled and confused on her bed. Her head is banging furiously.
    Then she pats the duvet around her, locates her purse and pulling her phone out squints at the number. It is the agency.
    She sits up, clears her throat and says, ‘Yes?’
    ‘Hello, Lana, it’s Jane here.’
    ‘Hi, Jane.’
    ‘Well, we’ve received a disturbing and very serious accusation from your current employer. They have also requested a replacement to finish the booking. So please do not go into work today. Mrs. Lipman would also like to see you to sort out this situation. Can you come in later today?’
    Lana remembers Blake telling her to keep the day free.
    ‘Not today but tomorrow.’
    ‘Oh,’ There is a surprised pause. ‘All right. What about ten thirty tomorrow?’
    ‘OK, see you then.’
    Lana gently eases her head back on her pillow. She listens carefully and hears her mother moving around the flat. She sighs. She will have to go out and face her mother and tell fresh new lies, but she feels so tired she falls back to sleep.
    Again it is the phone that wakes her. She lifts it up to her face. It is a number she does not recognize.
    ‘Hello,’ she croaks.
    ‘Miss Bloom?’ a woman’s voice enquires. Her voice is extremely efficient and professional. And wide awake.
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘Laura Arnold, Mr. Barrington’s personal assistant, here. Is this a good time for you to talk?’
    ‘Yes. Yes, of course.’ Lana jerks upright and takes a gulp of water from a bottle by her bedside.
    ‘Mr. Barrington has asked me to make some appointments for you today. May I run through them with you now?’
    ‘What kind of appointments?’
    ‘Peter Edwards, Mr. Barrington’s driver, will be around your flat at ten forty-five. Your first stop will be your doctor where you have an appointment to see the nurse.’
    ‘How do you know who my doctor is?’
    There is a pause. It is pregnant with possibilities, perhaps even explanations.
    ‘It doesn’t matter,’ Lana says quickly.
    As if she has not been interrupted, the woman continues, ‘She will discuss various contraceptive options with you if you are not already on some form of birth control. Next, you have a meeting with Mr. Barrington’s lawyer. Once you have concluded your business there, you will be dropped off at our publicist, Fleur Jan’s office. Ms.
    Jan will take you shopping and then on to your appointment with the hairdresser. After that Peter has instructions to take you to a beauty salon where you are booked for a full body wax, manicure and pedicure. Please bear in mind that Mr. Barrington does not like garish colors. He prefers light colors, but likes French manicures best.
    ‘When you are done at the salon, Peter will take you to the apartment in St John’s Wood and show you around.
    Please do settle in. The fridge and cupboards will be fully stocked, but should you require, I can also arrange for a meal of your choice to be delivered to you from one of the local restaurants. It would be advisable to eat lightly as Mr.
    Barrington gets into London late evening, and he wishes to take you out for supper about nine p.m. He tends to be very punctual so do be ready by eight thirty. Do you have any particular dietary needs or preferences?’
    ‘No.’
    ‘Food