Chapter Thirty
‘So when I saw him coming out your room in Zermatt, and you hugged him and blew him a kiss, and then you said you were living together, I just assumed you and he were . . . you know. Sleeping together.’
‘That’s disgusting,’ said Sasha, sipping her coffee and shaking her head. They’d decamped to the nearest cafe within minutes of Sasha’s revelation, both realising that they needed to have the kind of conversation that Alex really didn’t need to hear.
‘And you were crying at Glasto on Saturday when he was singing “Can’t Be Mine”,’ continued Lucy. ‘I took that as confirmation that you had split up.’
‘Of course I was crying,’ snapped Sasha. ‘I was watching my only son on stage at Glastonbury, singing a song he’d written in front of a crowd of screaming fans. Wouldn’t YOU cry?’
‘Well, it’s obvious NOW,’ said Lucy, rolling her eyes. ‘And please take it as a compliment when I tell you that it genuinely never occurred to me that you were old enough to be his mother.’
‘I had him when I was sixteen,’ said Sasha. ‘It’s a very long story, that only a handful of people know about.’
‘Why is it such a secret?’ asked Lucy.
Sasha shrugged. ‘For the same reason it would have been a secret if I was actually having sex with a member of the account team.’ She pulled a face and shuddered. ‘Because people would have called him Nepo Nate, and I wanted him to succeed on his own merit.’
‘But what does it matter now? He’s left LUNA. And you can’t keep it a secret forever. The more famous he gets, the more people are going to be digging into his background.’
‘You’re right, it doesn’t matter, but I’ve got a new venture I’m getting off the ground at LUNA, and I’d rather everyone focused on that for as long as possible.’
‘What new venture?’ asked Lucy.
‘I’m starting a spin-off division of the agency called LUNA Gold, specialising in advertising for luxury brands. A team of our top talent, charging a premium price tag. Olly is coming with me, along with a couple of others.’
‘Like who?’ asked Lucy, already anticipating the answer and feeling her stomach start to ache.
‘You, if you’re interested,’ said Sasha, arching an eyebrow. ‘I was planning to talk to you about it later in the week.’
‘Why me?’ asked Lucy, playing for time.
‘Because you’re the best we have, and Shine Spirits is a perfect fit for us.’
Lucy thought about it, feeling flattered but also a little empty inside.
If she worked for Sasha, she’d be closer to Nate.
But she’d also be under the eye of his mother, which was still blowing her mind in fifteen different ways.
Sasha had already shown that she had very strong opinions about Lucy dating her son, and even though it might never happen – could never happen, in the real world – it felt like she’d be firmly closing that door.
‘I’ll think about it,’ she said. ‘It’s a big step.’
‘I’m planning to set up the office out of Paris,’ Sasha said. ‘I hold a French passport; my parents were French but we moved to the UK when I was young.’
‘I’m sure Nate told me it was his father who was French, not you.’
‘I’m sure he did,’ said Sasha with a small smile. ‘I’m also sure he quickly moved the conversation on.’
‘Yeah,’ said Lucy, remembering how reluctant Nate was to talk about his family. No wonder.
‘Anyway, Paris,’ said Sasha. ‘LUNA Gold, launching at the end of the year. I’d love to take you with me.’
Take me away from Nate, thought Lucy, wondering if that was part of Sasha’s agenda and figuring there was no better time to ask than now. ‘Is this actually about keeping me close, so I can’t get near Nate? You’ve clearly worked out that I have feelings for him.’
‘And yet you’re dating Kristoff,’ said Sasha testily. ‘You can see why I might think you’re not entirely reliable.’
‘Kristoff and I split up. Yesterday, actually.’
‘Goodness. You DO move fast.’
Lucy took a deep breath, determined not to lose her temper. ‘Not that it’s any of your concern, but I ended things because I don’t feel the same way about him as I do about Nate.’
‘Hmm,’ said Sasha, taking a sip from her drink. ‘It must be hard, juggling the incredibly successful and high-profile men in your life. Tell me, what happened to the two guys you kept on speed dial for sex? Or was it more than two?’
Lucy raised her eyebrows, realising that Sasha was only just getting started. ‘How did you know about that?’
‘Everyone knew about that,’ said Sasha dismissively. ‘You can understand why I might think you’re not entirely up to scratch when it comes to my son.’
‘Yes, I can see how it might look that way,’ said Lucy through gritted teeth. ‘But he’s also a man in his thirties who can make his own choices, and also it’s none of your fucking business.’
Sasha stared her down, taking a moment to decide which way to play it. ‘Your reputation is on a knife-edge, Lucy. I built you up at LUNA, don’t think I won’t take you down in exactly the same way.’
Lucy shook her head, the sick, nervous feeling in her stomach being washed away by a renewed feeling of strength and determination.
What had Nate said in Zermatt? You’re the most talented copywriter I’ve ever worked with.
She’d stayed in Bristol for Leo, worked at LUNA because it was safe and familiar, but there was a whole world of opportunity waiting for her.
And if she was honest, she’d been working towards this moment for months.
‘I’m leaving LUNA,’ said Lucy quietly.
‘I’m sorry?’ said Sasha.
‘I’m leaving LUNA,’ she repeated, more confidently this time. ‘I’m done, I quit.’
Sasha stared at her, a tiny flash of panic in her eyes. ‘You can’t just quit.’
‘I just did,’ smiled Lucy, feeling a surge of adrenaline pump through her veins for the first time since the earth had moved several times in Zermatt. ‘And just so we’re clear, if you even think about dumping my shit on the table, I’ll dump yours right next to it.’
All the colour drained from Sasha’s face. ‘Are you serious?’
‘Yes,’ said Lucy, standing up and grabbing her bag. ‘And don’t ask me to work three months’ notice. I’ll stay for a few weeks to hand over, then I’m out.’
‘Well,’ said Sasha after a shocked pause, smiling at Lucy with an expression that looked a little bit like admiration. ‘I certainly underestimated you.’
‘Yes, you did.’ Lucy tossed her hair. ‘I’ll confirm my notice by email later today. Are we done?’
‘One thing,’ said Sasha, her face softening. ‘A favour. A huge one, but it’s important.’
‘What is it?’ Lucy wasn’t inclined to give Sasha the time of day right now, but they’d come this far.
‘Stay away from Nate, just until the end of the UK tour. Please. After that, you can do whatever you like. But just wait a few weeks.’
Lucy paused for a moment, processing Sasha’s request. Her instinct was to tell Sasha to do one, but this wasn’t about her and Sasha. It was about Nate, and what he needed right now.
‘Fine,’ said Lucy. ‘I can do that.’
‘Thank you,’ said Sasha, looking relieved.
‘But I need to know that you aren’t going to get in my way. I know I don’t seem ideal, on paper. But I know him, and I really care about him. I’m not going to mess him around.’
Sasha stared at her, like she was taking the measure of Lucy and deciding whether she was worth going into battle with over Nate.
‘OK,’ said Sasha. ‘I won’t get in your way. He’s a grown man who can make his own mistakes.’
‘Good,’ said Lucy. ‘Can I tell Jonno that you’re Nate’s mum?’
Sasha pulled a face. ‘Why would you want to do that?’
‘Because I want to video his reaction, it’s going to be epic.’
Sasha thought about it for a moment, then gave a heavy sigh. ‘He’s going to find out eventually, obviously. Can you give that a few weeks too? And persuade him not to tell anyone?’
‘Sure,’ said Lucy.
‘Fine,’ said Sasha, wafting her away. ‘It will save me the horror of that conversation. Send me the video, though. God knows I need a laugh.’
They stared at each other for a moment, as Lucy weighed up the decision she’d just made. Yesterday Kristoff, today LUNA. It was turning out to be a fairly momentous few days.
‘I’ve always respected you, Lucy,’ said Sasha. ‘I think we’re very alike, in lots of ways. Are we going to be able to come back from this, do you think?’
‘I don’t know,’ said Lucy. ‘If I’m wrong about how Nate feels about me, it won’t matter.’
‘But if you’re right?’ asked Sasha, raising her eyebrows.
‘Then we’ll work it out, for his sake. It’s what adults do.’
‘Yes, it is,’ said Sasha, seemingly satisfied for now. ‘Just give him three weeks.’