Chapter 5
5
KATE
There’s this wonderful, unexpected sense of lightness that takes hold as I walk towards the Tube station, like a weight has been lifted off my chest. Maybe it’s sharing my predicament outside of my inner circle of one.
Speaking of Margot, I promised to call her as soon as I finished with Poppy. She answers right away.
‘Well?’ she asks, skipping formalities.
‘Well, after she got over the shock, she was really good to talk to. She’s an excellent listener and has this incredible insight.’
‘Ouch.’
‘You haven’t been replaced, silly. But Poppy sees the situation more objectively.’
‘So, she doesn’t want Jon drawn and quartered then?’
‘Ah, no.’
‘How much did you tell her?’ she asks.
‘I told her everything, including your plan to buy gardening shears.’
‘And what did she say?’
‘That you need professional help,’ I quip, even though I know that’s not what she meant.
‘Oi!’ she chides, and I chuckle. ‘I meant what did she say about getting back at Jon?’
‘She’s conferring with her colleagues, but I sense it’s a no-go.’
‘Oh.’
I laugh. ‘What did you expect? They’re matchmakers, not the Justice League.’
‘Mmm, Henry Cavill.’ She moans suggestively, but she’s lost me.
‘What’s Henry Cavill got to do— Oh, right, Superman,’ I say, sidestepping a dogwalker whose legs are tangled up in the dogs’ leads.
‘So, what did she say about going to Amsterdam?’
‘She’s nudging me towards it.’
‘ Interesting …’ Margot responds, drawing the word out. ‘I might like this Poppy woman. She sounds very sensible.’
‘She is and she’s got me thinking. If I can help Adriana see Jon for who he really is?—’
‘Help her escape Arseface’s lies and general bastardery, you mean,’ she interjects.
‘Yes, that ,’ I say impatiently. ‘Anyway, if I do help Adriana, then that could be its own kind of justice, perhaps dampen my desire for revenge.’
‘Ooh, I like that,’ she says, surprising me. I’d have thought she’d still be pushing for retaliation, being the poster child for wrathful women everywhere – and the person who planted the seed in the first place.
‘I like it too, the more I think about it,’ I reply. ‘Even if it’s only Poppy steering me away from something more sinister.’
‘Which is what he deserves .’ Ah, there’s the Margot I know and love.
‘Margot, I’m going,’ I say, deciding this instant. ‘To Amsterdam.’
‘Excellent. And I’m coming with you.’
‘You don’t need to do that. I’m perfectly capable of going by myself.’
‘Well, yeah,’ she scoffs, ‘but I want to meet Thor.’
I laugh again. ‘You muppet. I’m not having you come along just to perv on Willem.’
‘It’s not just for that, Kate,’ she says, her tone suddenly serious. ‘Actually, it’s not that at all. This is some intense bullshit and I’m not letting you go through it on your own.’
‘Oh, okay.’
‘Besides, I love Amsterdam, and I haven’t been for ages,’ she adds, slipping right back into Margot mode. And I love her for it – for her fierce protectiveness, for making it impossible to say no to her. Also, it won’t be as terrifying if she’s there with me. I may have decided it’s the best course of action, but it still scares the absolute hell out of me.
‘Okay,’ I reply. ‘I’ll message Willem, then check the train schedule to Amsterdam.’
‘Brilliant. And I’ll look for someplace to stay.’
‘ Two rooms this time, Margot.’
‘I don’t snore.’
‘You do. Two rooms.’
‘Fine. Oh, have you heard from Arseface?’ she asks.
‘Only his daily text messages,’ I reply, my stomach taking a nosedive.
So much for feeling more buoyant, but what did I expect? These past few days have been an exercise in emotional nimbleness – I’m up one moment, down the next, and my stomach is along for the ride. It hasn’t felt this rubbish since I ate a dodgy kebab after the Taylor Swift concert and spent the night on the loo.
I wish the Ever After Agency was the Justice League and Poppy was Wonder Woman. Maybe then I could borrow her bracelets to fend off Jon’s lies like bullets.
You’re everything I ever dreamed of – ping – I’m so lucky to have you – ping – I miss you so much – ping – I love you, Kate – ping – We’ll have the best life together, Kate – ping, ping, ping.
Lies – every one of them. Bloody liar.
‘ And? ’ Margot prods.
‘Oh, soz. He says how much he misses me and I?—’
‘You reply with two emojis – the scissors and the cherries,’ she says, interrupting me again.
‘Scissors and cher— Oh, I get it. Graphic – apt even – but no. I just reply “See you soon”.’
‘Even though you never want to see him again.’
‘Even though “never” will be far too soon, yes,’ I reply, my voice straining as that buoyant feeling rapidly slips away. Focus, Kate. ‘Anyway,’ I say brightly. ‘I’m at the Tube now. Call you after work?’
‘Okay.’
She ends the call without saying goodbye – no standing on ceremony with Margot – and I descend underground.
* * *
Poppy
I’ve been distracted all morning, ever since Kate Whitaker dropped her bombshell. I was absolutely useless at the staff meeting, stumbling over the updates on my other cases, even though I know them inside and out. I’m now re-examining Kate’s case file, focusing on the list of potential matches I assembled months ago. Our vetting process is thorough – as Kate said, we’re like a red-flag filter – but how thorough? Could any of these men be leading double lives like Kate’s fiancé?
God, even the idea of matching someone with such a duplicitous liar makes me queasy.
And for the first time in ages, I’m anxious about how to proceed. I play many roles as a matchmaker: confidante, counsellor, cheerleader, conciliator, cupid… I do not want to add vigilante to that list.
‘Shall we go in, Poppy?’ Ursula – senior agent and frequent mentor – is beside my desk, her generously applied Chanel N°5 wafting in the air between us.
‘Ah, sure,’ I reply, returning to the here and now. I stand, picking up my tablet from the desktop. ‘After you.’
I follow Ursula into our boss’ office where the agency’s founder, Saskia, and her co-founder, Paloma, are waiting for us. There’s a bit of chatter between the other three as we get comfy on the facing sofas, but I don’t join in as I’m collecting my thoughts.
As I called this meeting, they all eventually look my way, which is my cue to begin. I force a smile and walk them through Kate’s situation, watching closely for their reactions.
Saskia, who we refer to as ‘The Swan’ for her calm and stoic nature, listens intently, nodding at certain points, her eyes narrowing at others. Paloma, who is far more forthright and easier to read, intermittently tuts, occasionally frowns, and several times, she looks at Saskia with a can-you-believe-this? expression.
When I disclose that Willem de Vries has asked Kate to go to Amsterdam and why, she asks, ‘He what ?’
But it’s Ursula’s reaction that surprises me the most. First, her brows lift half a millimetre, which for Ursula, who’s had more work done than a certain LA-based famous-for-being-famous family, means she’s intrigued; I’ve captured her imagination. Then, as I reveal each detail of Kate’s conundrum, Ursula’s complexion turns a deep shade of red and her almost immobile lips purse ever so slightly. She’s obviously incensed, but is it the general awfulness of the situation, or is she simply empathising?
‘So, I’d appreciate your take on this situation,’ I say, yet to drop the biggest revelation, that Kate has asked me to help her get revenge. ‘But there’s one more thi?—’
‘And the name of this agency?’ Ursula asks abruptly, cutting me off. ‘The one that matched Kate with a prospective polygamist?’
‘Perfect Pairings,’ I reply.
Ordinarily, I might enjoy the alliteration of four Ps in a row, but this is not an ordinary situation.
Ursula huffs angrily. ‘I thought as much. Those cowboys ,’ she spits, imbuing the word with a substantial amount of rancour.
‘So, you’ve encountered them before?’ Paloma asks.
As one of London’s most prestigious matchmaking agencies, we’re aware of the competition, but it’s rare that we engage with another agency directly.
Ursula nods as she looks at us in turn. ‘Perfect Pairings,’ she says, her clipped accent hitting the Ps as though she’s spitting out grape pips. ‘I know exactly who they are. My former business partner is at the helm.’
Now this is news and I shelve my big reveal for later.
‘I hadn’t realised,’ says Paloma. ‘That you’d once been in a partnership.’
Neither had I. Ursula has been a matchmaker since the early nineties, but my understanding was that she ran a one-woman agency until Saskia persuaded her to join Ever After eleven years ago.
Ursula waves a hand dismissively. ‘Ancient history and not something I like to dwell on. When Clarissa and I parted ways – as far from amicably as is possible – I decided I’d be better off flying solo.’
‘Until you came to us,’ says Saskia with a smile.
She and Ursula exchange a warm look.
‘Yes, until then.’
‘So, why did the two of you fall out?’ Paloma asks, intruding on their moment.
‘That list is as long as the Thames and just as convoluted. Suffice to say, Clarissa wanted to cut corners and I did not.’
‘On such things as vetting perspective matches?’ I venture.
‘Precisely,’ she says, her mouth milking every syllable from the word. ‘Perfect Pairings is only successful because they play a numbers game. The more people through the door, the more matches they can claim to have made. Never mind the pour souls who end up with no one or – worse – someone like your client’s fiancé, Poppy.’
‘I had no idea they were so reckless ,’ says Saskia, her brows knitted. It’s highly unusual for her to react so vehemently, but it’s also understandable.
‘But how have they flown under the radar so successfully?’ asks Paloma. ‘Surely someone’s spoken out at some point? They must have had dozens of unhappy clients over the years.’
‘I’d say it’s in the hundreds,’ says Ursula, ‘but Clarissa is shrewd. I’ve seen a copy of the agreement her clients sign – absolutely no wiggle room for complaints.’
‘I hate to be that person,’ says Paloma, ‘but it might be a good thing, their confidentiality clause. If these practices got out, it could be a blight on the entire profession.’
As head of client relations, I can understand her perspective. Any distrust of the profession would impact Ever After and, by extension, our clients.
We’re all quiet for a moment – me as I contemplate whether it’s worth mentioning Kate’s request, especially as revenge is a weighty addition to an already troubling discussion. Maybe it’s better left for another time.
‘Poppy?’ Saskia asks. ‘Do we know if the second woman used the same agency?’
‘Uh, no, she didn’t use an agency. She met Dunn by happenstance.’
‘Hah,’ snorts Paloma, and we all look at her. ‘Sorry, but men like that don’t meet their second fiancées “organically”,’ she says, her voice ripe with sarcasm. ‘I can almost guarantee it.’
‘Agreed,’ says Ursula.
‘Well,’ I say, ‘if Kate does go to Amsterdam to meet Adriana, she can find out more. I should also mention that Adriana’s brother, Willem de Vries, is continuing to investigate Dunn.’
‘Concerns about there being another fiancée?’ asks Saskia. ‘I suppose it’s possible there’s a third woman out there, also in the dark.’
‘Or a fourth,’ Paloma remarks cynically – although, I’ve thought the same thing.
‘That’s it exactly,’ I reply to Saskia. ‘Something about Dunn’s supposed whereabouts not adding up – too many gaps in his stories.’
‘Do you think we should bring Marie in?’ asks Paloma. ‘To assist the brother?’
Marie Maillot is the agency’s private investigator. She’s close to seventy but either she styles herself after Lisbeth Salander from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo or Steig Larsson knew Marie and stole her look for Lisbeth. Studded black leather, top to toe, jet-black hair, and more tattoos than a longshoreman. On a good day, she’s curt, on a bad day, abrasive, regarding everyone with disdain, including her fellow French. But she’s incredibly resourceful and when it comes to investigative skills and connections, she’s in the upper echelon of her field. She’ll also be the first one to tell you that.
‘Uh, from what Kate’s told me, he’s on it, but I’ll keep Marie in mind,’ I say, and Paloma nods in agreement.
‘Oh, this really is a right pickle your client’s in, Poppy,’ says Ursula, huffing out another breath. ‘Through no fault of her own, of course,’ she adds hastily, but I’m more caught on the assumption that Kate is my client.
I mean, she is… but she also isn’t…
‘About that…’ I start, because I’m not sure which to tackle first – Kate’s standing as my client or her unusual request.
‘Was there something else, Poppy?’ asks Saskia.
‘Yes,’ I reply, going with the easiest matter to address. ‘It’s what Ursula said just now – about Kate being my client. I mean, she was my client, of course, but she isn’t interested in us finding her a new match. Not for the foreseeable future, anyway.’
‘Then why did she come in this morning?’ asks Paloma.
This, of course, leads us to the BIG REVEAL. I inhale deeply through my nose and meet Paloma’s eye.
‘Kate would like me – well, the agency – to help her get revenge on Dunn,’ I state matter-of-factly, as if I’m rattling off a coffee order.
All three of them talk at once.
‘I’m sorry?’ asks Ursula, blinking at me rapidly.
‘Did you say… revenge ?’ Saskia’s eyes narrow curiously.
‘Can’t say I blame her,’ says Paloma, her mouth bunching to the side.
Then as Paloma’s words register, Ursula and Saskia’s heads swivel in her direction.
‘Paloma,’ says Saskia with an uncertain smile. ‘You’re not suggesting…?’
‘No,’ she replies a little too quickly. ‘Course not.’
All three look back at me. ‘And what did you tell her?’ asks Saskia.
‘I made it clear that exacting revenge is not the best course of action, particularly with regards to her own wellbeing, which is why I nudged her towards going to Amsterdam. If she can help the second fiancée see sense, then that will foil Dunn’s plans to either string two women along or become a polygamist. Not exactly revenge – more like justice.’
‘Well said,’ says Paloma with a nod, and I take the compliment with a tight smile.
‘I also stressed that if she still wants to go down the revenge route then, unfortunately, we won’t be able to help her.’
Saskia sits back against the sofa, visibly relieved. ‘That’s very sensible of you, Poppy. Thank you for making the agency’s position clear.’
I send Saskia a smile too, but it’s more of a thank-god-I-didn’t-screw-that-up smile.
‘Hold on,’ says Ursula, and I look over. Her face may be motionless, but her eyes are alight with mischief – something’s afoot. She raises her forefinger, its long nail painted a glossy red. ‘If she does come back to us on the matter of revenge, I say we revisit this discussion.’
Saskia tilts her head, her mouth in a taut line. ‘No, Ursula. We don’t do that sort of thing.’
Paloma angles her body towards her co-founder and old school chum. ‘Sask, think about it. If Perfect Pairing’s practices get out – rather, mal practices – it could adversely impact the entire profession, including Ever After. But if we help out on this case, come up with a foolproof plan to punish this… this…’
‘Weasel,’ I supply.
‘Yes, thank you, Poppy. Weasel. And we ensure Blackheart’s agency is held accountable for their part in this palaver, then we kill two birds with one stone. We help the client, and we save matchmaking.’
Saskia frowns at Paloma, something I have never seen in all my years at Ever After. ‘A little dramatic, don’t you think, Paloma? Especially for you,’ she adds, but Paloma appears unchastened.
Turning to me, Saskia says, ‘You said you’ve guided Kate towards a more’ – her eyes flick towards Paloma, then return to me – ‘ reasonable solution, but if she does ask again about something more drastic, then… Well, I’ll consider it.’
Paloma and Ursula clearly take this as a small victory and exchange a glance.
‘Until then,’ she says firmly, ‘Poppy’s right. Kate isn’t currently her client, so we do nothing. Understood?’
It’s highly unlike Saskia the Swan to caution her team this way – especially her partner and the agency’s most senior agent. This may be why we reply, ‘Yes, Saskia,’ in unison like we’re in nursery school.
We file out of Saskia’s office, and Ursula and Paloma go straight to Paloma’s office, talking animatedly in hushed tones. It’s obvious they’re already conspiring, despite Saskia’s warning not to. I escape to my desk and sit heavily on the chair.
The main reason I called that meeting was to share the weight of Kate’s bizarre situation and get a sense check, but it was even more successful than I’d hoped. My course of action has been endorsed by my bosses, we’re not closing the door on Kate’s case entirely – maybe I will have the chance to get Kate an HEA, after all – and I have two unlikely allies should Kate need assistance with more stringent measures.
God, I really hope it doesn’t come to that. ‘Poppy Dean, Love Vigilante’ does not have a nice ring to it.