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‘Leo owns a night-club. I can’t believe it.’Josh is really enjoying this, for a reason I haven’t
yet worked out. As we eat toast and drink coffee, I
regret taking a job where working on Saturday, at least
Saturday morning, is pretty much obligatory. At least
there’s not a lot on, so we will probably be able to get
away mid-morning if we’re lucky. Probably. ‘Yeah. He must really like Susanna.’ Josh opens the paper and even from the kitchen where I’m feeding Lexi, I don’t miss his horrified gasp. ‘What?’Josh folds the paper closed quickly. ‘Nothing.’ Why he thinks this is going to make me instantly forget his earlier outburst, I have no idea. ‘JL?’ ‘It’s nothing, Lit. Just get dressed.’ That’s it. I snatch the paper, flicking through it until I come to the article on 'the newly-named ‘1600’ night-club which re-opened last night after last-minute negotiations saved it from closure. This favorite hang-out of White House and Capitol Hill thirty-something’s…'Then I didn’t have to read any more. I was looking at the picture. Of people coming out of the night-club as it closed the previous night. And, right in front, Josh and me. I grabbed the back of a chair. ‘JL, Leo is going to kill us!’ Josh got up and helped me onto a chair. ‘For what? Enjoying ourselves? He was there too, remember?’ I close my eyes, and my head drops into my hands. I have to force the words out. ‘Yeah, but you didn’t have your arm around him.’ Weirdly, Leo isn’t shouting. As I walk in, I can see him sitting behind his desk, the paper open in front of him. Toby and CJ are having a furious argument. Toby’s voice was louder than I’ve ever heard it. ‘This is what happens when…’ CJ snapped: ‘When reporters report, Toby? That was what they were doing. They didn’t know what two of the White House senior staff were going to be caught on camera with their arms around each other!’ They see me. Sam’s already slipped into his office without being noticed. But Toby sees me. ‘Well?’I stare at him. ‘Well, what?’ ‘Josh, you and Sam…’ ‘Were at a night-club.’ ‘Josh, don’t tell me you haven’t seen it.’ Suddenly, Leo’s between us. ‘Okay, that’s enough. Toby, go and work on something with Sam for CJ’s morning briefing. CJ, get in there too. Josh, get in here.’ ‘Do you know what you’ve done?’ Leo’s quiet disappointment is worse than Toby’s anger. I feel like I’m being scolded by my father for doing something stupid when I should have known better. I stare at the floor, not sure if I should answer.<br>‘Of all the stupid things…’ I’m still not sure. ‘Josh, are you listening?’ Now I am. ‘Yeah, Leo, I’ve listened to everyone yell at us like we’re kids. We’re not. And I’m not ashamed of…’ Leo’s voice is louder now as he interrupts. ‘I’m not saying be ashamed, Josh, I’m saying be careful. Only it’s way too late for that now.’ I look up as Margaret comes in. ‘Leo…’ ‘Margaret, I’m busy!’ ‘Leo, it’s Jennifer.’ Leo looks at her, then at me. ‘I’m not done with you. Don’t be far away.’ To be continued... |