Never Close Your Eyes by Never Close Your Eyes (retail) (epub)

Author:Never Close Your Eyes (retail) (epub)
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House
Published: 2009-09-02T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty-One

The mobile rang as she turned the corner into her street. Nic pulled over and parked underneath a tree. She needed to know immediately and she’d rather check here than at home. There was no one about. That was lucky, anyway.

It was a voice message. She realised that her hands were trembling as she pressed the button. She recognised the voice immediately.

‘Nic. Can you call as soon as you get this. It’s Annabel.’

That was it. No: ‘How’s tricks?’ or: ‘Hi honey, I’ve got a juicy fat commission for you.’ She sounded formal and professional. There was a job to be done. Nic pressed the hache key to return the call. She counted five rings. Her heart lifted. Maybe she’d gone for a late lunch.

‘Annabel Hadfield speaking.’

Nic could feel the pulse in her temples throbbing. ‘C’est moi,’ she said, trying to sound cheerful.

‘Nic.’ There was no warmth or pleasure in Annabel’s voice. ‘What on earth happened?’ She emphasised the ‘on earth’. Nic felt as if her body were getting smaller. She was crumpling up in her seat; her shoulders were caving in on her.

She swallowed. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘I wasn’t feeling well. I should have rearranged the interview.’

‘Nic,’ Annabel persisted, ‘she said you were pissed. She could smell it on your breath.’

Nic felt sick, but she could use her charm; she’d make a joke of it. It would be all right.

She cleared her throat. ‘Well, I may have had a glass or two last night but—’

‘She said you were trembling and sweaty. You “absolutely reeked”. Her words not mine.’

Nic laughed. ‘It wasn’t that bad. I had a bit of a hangover—’

Annabel interrupted again. ‘You fell asleep in a chair with your mouth wide open. In the middle of the interview. Teresa was very upset. She said at first she thought you were ill and she was going to ring her husband. She nearly called an ambulance.’

‘That’s a bit of an over-reaction,’ Nic chipped in. ‘I only nodded off for a minute.’

Annabel ignored her. ‘Then she realised you were rat-arsed. She said you looked wild and confused. She was actually worried about her baby.’

Nic was shocked. ‘I’d never—’

‘I know.’ Annabel sounded softer now, less angry. ‘But that’s not the point,’ she went on. ‘The point is she was frightened, in her own home, by one of our writers. How do you think that makes us look?’

Nic was silent. She didn’t know what to say.

‘I’m afraid I’ve had to tell Julie.’ Julie was the editor.

Nic gasped. ‘But—’

‘I couldn’t cover up for you, Nic. It’d be my job on the line if I did.’

‘What did she say?’ Nic didn’t want to know but she couldn’t not ask either.

‘She went ballistic – not surprisingly.’

‘I’m so sorry.’ Nic was crying now. Wet, salty tears were running down her cheeks and dribbling into her mouth. She sniffed. ‘You’ve been so good about giving me work.’

Annabel sighed. ‘Teresa said she bought Mums every month. She certainly won’t be buying us again. At least she’s only one reader.

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