Love And Liability

“No!” Holly protested. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Oh, no, it isn’t. It makes perfect sense. You left me a message, and then you had second thoughts. So you sabotaged my mobile!”

“I didn’t want to — to upset your digestion before dinner. And I didn’t want to ruin your evening.”

“Ruin my evening?” he echoed, his dark eyes black with anger as he stood and flung the magazine aside. “You’ve ruined more than my evening, Ms James. You’ve ruined my career!”

Holly bristled. “Now you’re just being dramatic! No one’s career is in jeopardy. Except maybe mine,” she added.

“My quote’s been taken completely out of context!” Alex went on, furious. “Where’s the bit I said about the couple being responsible, consenting adults? It’s not there! And I told you I might stand for MP in strictest confidence!”

“Look — I’m sorry about that stuff being printed, okay? I didn’t put it in the interview, or, at least, I don’t think I did, but it must’ve got left in with the final proof—”

“Actually, Ms James,” Alex cut in coldly, “I don’t care how it happened. You leave me no choice but to pursue legal action against BritTEEN for libel.”

Despite the lurch of fear his words evoked, Holly kept her face expressionless. If Alex Barrington sued the magazine, Sasha would have the perfect excuse — neatly wrapped and tied with a bow — to sack her. “I hardly think you want to do that, Mr Barrington. You’ll only make things worse by drawing attention to the matter. Besides, it’s all in fun—”

“Fun?” Alex regarded her incredulously. “Do you think it’s fun, knowing that every spot-faced teenage girl in England—”

“Scotland and Wales, too, actually,” Holly interjected helpfully. “Our readership encompasses the entire UK.”

“-and, even worse, those girls’ parents, think that I condone a leg-over on the first date? What sort of credibility do you think that gives me as a solicitor? Or even worse, as a potential MP?”

Holly bristled. “In all fairness, it’s not like you’ve admitted to…to embezzling money, or anything.”

“Lunch is served!” Cherie announced as she thrust her head around the door. She set a tray with roast lamb and chicken and assorted overcooked vegetables down on Holly’s lap. “Your father and Hannah just arrived. Alex, do come downstairs and join the rest of us in the dining room.”

Holly heard a commotion downstairs as the dogs began a chorus of barking and her sister bellowed out, “I’m home, everybody! Remain as you are!”

Her footsteps pounded up the stairs, and a moment later Hannah burst into the bedroom, her face flushed and wreathed in smiles as she launched herself at Holly. “Hols!”