I stare at her dazedly.
'How … how do you know?'
'Oh, everyone knows!' says Nancy. 'You know there was a little drinks do on Friday night? Well, Connor came to it, and he got quite drunk. And he told everyone. In fact, he made a little speech!'
'He … he did what?'
'It was quite touching, really. It was all about how the Panther Corporation felt like his family, and how he knew we would all support him through this difficult time. And you, of course,' she adds as an afterthought. 'Although since you were the one who broke it off, Connor's really the wounded party.' She leans forward confidentially. 'I have to say, a lot of the girls were saying you must have a screw loose!'
I cannot believe this. Connor gave a speech about our break-up. After promising to keep it quiet. And now everyone's on his side.
'Right,' I say at last. 'Well, I'd better get on—'
'It just seems such a shame.' Nancy eyes me inquisitively. 'You two seemed so perfect!'
'I know we did.' I force a smile. 'Anyway. See you later.'
I head for the new coffee machine and am staring into space, trying to get my head round this, when a tremulous voice interrupts me.
'Emma?' I look up and my heart sinks. It's Katie, staring at me as though I've grown three heads.
'Oh hi!' I say, trying to sound breezy.
'Is it true?' she whispers. 'Is it true? Because I won't believe it's true until I hear you say it with your own lips.'
'Yes,' I say reluctantly. 'It's true. Connor and I have broken up.'
'Oh God.' Katie's breathing becomes quicker and quicker. 'Oh my God. It's true. Oh my God, oh my God, I really can't cope with this …'
Shit. She's hyperventilating. I grab an empty sugar bag and shove it over her mouth.
'Katie, calm down!' I say helplessly. 'Breathe in … and out …'
'I've been having panic attacks all weekend,' she manages, between breaths. 'I woke up last night in a cold sweat and I just thought to myself, if this is true, the world doesn't make sense any more. It simply makes no sense.'
'Katie, we broke up! That's all. People break up all the time.'
'But you and Connor weren't just people! You were the couple. I mean, if you can't make it, why should any of the rest of us bother even trying?'
'Katie, we weren't the couple!' I say, trying to keep my temper. 'We were a couple. And it went wrong, and … and these things happen.'
'But—'
'And to be honest, I'd rather not talk about it.'
'Oh,' she says, and stares at me over the bag. 'Oh God, of course. Sorry, Emma. I didn't … I just … you know, it was such a shock!'
'Come on, you haven't told me how your date with Phillip went yet,' I say firmly. 'Cheer me up with some good news.'
Katie's breathing has gradually calmed, and she removes the bag from her face.
'Actually, it went really well,' she says. 'We're going to see each other again!'
'Well there you go,' I say encouragingly.
'He's so charming. And gentle. And we have the same sense of humour, and we like the same things.' A bashful smile spreads across Katie's face. 'In fact, he's lovely!'
'He sounds wonderful! You see?' I squeeze her arm. 'You and Phillip will probably be a far better couple than Connor and I ever were. Do you want a coffee?'
'No thanks, I've got to go. We've got a meeting with Jack Harper about personnel. See you.'
'OK, see you,' I say absently.
About five seconds later, my brain clicks into gear.
'Wait a second.' I hurry down the corridor and grab her shoulder. 'Did you just say Jack Harper?'
'Yes.'
'But … but he's gone. He left on Friday.'
'No he didn't. He changed his mind.'
I stare at her in disbelief.
'He changed his mind?'
'Yes.'
'So …' I swallow. 'So he's here?'
'Of course he's here!' says Katie with a laugh. 'He's upstairs.'
Suddenly my legs won't work properly.
'Why …' I clear my throat, which has gone a little husky. 'Why did he change his mind?'
'Who knows?' Katie shrugs. 'He's the boss. He can do what he likes, can't he? Mind you, he seems very down to earth.' She reaches into her pocket for a packet of gum, and offers it to me. 'He was really nice to Connor after he gave his little speech …'
I feel a fresh jolt.
'Jack Harper heard Connor's speech? About us breaking up?'
'Yes! He was standing right next to him.' Katie unwraps her gum. 'And afterwards he said something really nice like he could just imagine how Connor was feeling. Wasn't that sweet?'
I need to sit down. I need to think. I need to …
'Emma, are you OK?' says Katie in dismay. 'God, I'm so insensitive—'
'No. It's fine,' I say dazedly. 'I'm fine. I'll see you later.'
My mind is whirling as I walk into the marketing department.
This is not the way it was supposed to happen. Jack Harper was supposed to be back in America. He was supposed to have no idea that I went straight home from our conversation and chucked Connor.
I feel a smart of humiliation. He'll think I chucked Connor because of what he said to me in the lift, won't he? He'll think it was all because of him. Which it wasn't. It so wasn't.
At least, not completely …
Maybe that's why …
No. It's ridiculous to think that his staying has anything to do with me. Ridiculous. I don't know why I'm so jumpy.
As I near my desk, Artemis looks up from a copy of Marketing Week.
'Oh Emma. I was sorry to hear about you and Connor.'
'Thanks,' I say. 'But I don't really want to talk about it if that's OK.'
'Fine,' says Artemis. 'Whatever. I was just being polite.' She looks at a Post-It on her desk. 'There's a message for you from Jack Harper, by the way.'
'What?' I start.
Shit. I didn't mean to sound so rattled. 'I mean, what is it?' I add more calmly.