“Ciao," I say casually, and flick my hair back. "Si. Ciao."I could so be Italian. Except I might have to learn a few more words.”

“The streak of bleach in my hair is as obvious as ever. Am I really going out in public like this? I push my hair backward and forward a few times - but I can't hide it. Maybe I could walk along with my hand carelessly positioned at my head, as if I'm thinking hard. I attempt a few casual, pensive poses in the mirror."Is your head all right?"I swivel round in shock to see Nathaniel at the open door, wearing a plaid shirt and jeans."Er...fine," I say, my hand still glued to my head. "I was just..."Oh, there's no point. I bring my hand down from my hair and Nathaniel regards the streak for a moment."It looks nice," he says. "Like a badger.""A badger?" I say, affronted. "I don't look like a badger.""Badgers are beautiful creatures," says Nathaniel with a shrug. "I'd rather look like a badger than a stoat.”

“I wonder if Luke would take a hit of tomato ketchup for me. I might ask him later. Just casually.”

“Um… yes,” I say desperately. “I was just wondering… could we possible put it off for a little bit? Just a few minutes.” Hilary’s face freezes. “What?” she says at last. I have a dreadful feeling she’s going to explode. “I feel a bit confused. I need more time to think…” I trail off at Hilary’s expression. She comes toward me and brings her face very close to mine. She’s still smiling, but her eyes are snapping and her nostrils flared and white. I take a step back, quailing, but she grabs my shoulders so hard I can feel her nails digging into my flesh. “Samantha,” she hisses. “You will go out there, you will read your statement, and you will say Carter Spink is the best law firm in the world. And if you don’t – I will kill you.” I think she’s serious.”

“I want him.""I'm sorry?" I peer at her, flicking my mobile open out of habit."The man I just met. I felt it, right here. The sizzle." She presses her concave stomach. "I want to dance with him.”

“I need good coffee!" I say in horror. "It's my only luxury!"I can't live with my parents and drink bad coffee. It's not humanly possible.Becky talking about cutting back with her parents.”

“So", says Jack at at last..."you broke up with Connor".Wow. So we're straight to the point. "So", I reply defiantly. "You decided to stay"."Yes, well...", "I thought I might take a closer look at some of the European subsidiaries." He looks up. "How about you?""Same reason." I nod. "European subsidiaries".”