crazy. Some woman from Melbourne brought up Dad though, so what chance did I have?’ She looked out at the pool. ‘Fucked if I know how she even knew about him. On the other hand, of course, there was that three-week run in The Australian, I guess,’ she snorted. ‘Anyway I ended up threatening her with defamation, so it was pretty much doomed from the start. So let’s not go on too much about my brains,’ she laughed.
Pip’s mouth dropped open. She covered a laugh with her hand. ‘You threatened Debra Bollos with defamation?’
‘Is that her name.’ It seemed odd that Pip knew it. But knowledge was power at Hannes Swartling, so maybe it wasn’t that surprising. Maybe they’d worked on a deal together or something. ‘Anyway. Overall I’m putting the whole thing down to misadventure. Trying not to take it personally. I’m sure they’ll reschedule it when they can.’
‘Hmm,’ said Pip, looking thoughtful. ‘Yeah. I guess so. Though something similar happened in Singapore last week, I’m told’ – she stretched forward for a dumpling – ‘and they did reschedule it – for forty-eight hours later.’ She bit into the soggy morsel. ‘Because of course we know from your sister that blackouts happen there all the time.’
Cressida paused with her glass halfway to the table.
‘What, you mean there was a partnership vote put off because of a blackout there as well?’
‘As it happens, yes. Esma told me. They re-did it two days later. The guy got in, too. But I’m sure they’ll get round to it. Why wouldn’t they? Unless that whole thing with your dad does turn out to be a problem …’
‘Oh for God’s sake,’ Cressida said, getting up and starting to stack the platters. She always tried to resist clearing up crockery at work functions – a dangerous habit for anyone female and remotely ambitious – but it helped hide her agitation. And besides, it was only Pip. ‘Yes, probably. And if that’s it I’ll … Well. I don’t know. Sue them for discrimination. Doesn’t the ICCPR say something about discrimination for that? I don’t know. Human rights law always bored me to tears.’
‘Oh Cressida.’ Pip laughed and poured herself a half glass of champagne from the bottle warming on the table. ‘I don’t think that will help. I’m sure the vote will be fine. Give it time.’
‘Yeah, because eleven years isn’t long enough,’ Cressida sighed, pushing open the sliding door with her shoulder. ‘Do you want a lift somewhere? Your place is on my way home.’
‘No that’s okay. I’ve got an engagement. Not a real one like yours, of course,’ she said with a laugh, ‘but one I’m hoping will be just as much fun.’ She smiled and drained her drink.
‘This mystery man again,’ said Cressida. ‘I don’t know why you’re being so secretive. I won’t tell anyone.’
‘Don’t ask, don’t tell, that’s my policy.’ Pip smirked and kissed Cressida on the cheek. ‘Besides, I seem more mysterious that way. See you at Brian’s.’
‘Oh yeah, Brian’s,’ said Cress, dumping the crockery on the marble island in the kitchen. ‘Richard mentioned it. What’s happening at Brian’s, exactly?’
Pip got up and aimed a toe into one of her wedges. ‘That’s where M and A are hanging out until the power’s back. He’s got battery-backed solar power and a great little Balinese cabana going on in his ground floor,’ she said, bending into her handbag and flipping open a compact to inspect her teeth for yum cha. ‘You should join us.’ Pip almost made working for Hannes Swartling sound like fun.
‘He’s got batteries too? Gosh, I’m feeling very late adopting. Sounds good. Oh by the way. I almost forgot. New project. Couple of tollways north and south. Bigger than all three Ms combined. You interested?’
Pip’s eyes snagged on her. ‘Do you mean InterConnex? I thought that was Richard’s baby.’
‘For some mystifying reason’ – Cress grinned – ‘he’s made me project manager.’
‘You?’ Pip exhaled, looking impressed. ‘Wow. Plum gig.’
‘Come on. You always wanted to do more infrastructure stuff.’
‘I’d love to!’ she said, leaning in to hug Cress. ‘Thanks for asking me.’
‘No problem,’ said Cress, feeling a flush of pleasure at her friend’s gratitude. ‘There’s a truckload to do. Draft Terms and Conditions on the first stage by mid next month, ready for the Call for Detailed Proposals at the launch in eight weeks. Nothing two brilliant chicks and half the Building and Construction group can’t accomplish together and at lightning speed,’ she said. ‘I’d like to get out to the sites for a few days once the power’s back, visit all of it, how does that sound? Let’s check in together at Brian’s first thing Monday.’
‘Excellent, Cressida. Thanks. See you.’
☼
Back at Helena’s Alessa was reclining, nymph-like, by the pool under the shade of the striped umbrella. Her nose was in a fat paperback and she wore one of Helena’s white kaftans and a sarong tied elaborately as a bandanna around her head. Felipe was next to her, glasses perched on his nose, naked to the waist and flipping through a stapled wad of paper.
‘Darling,’ he said, getting up. ‘Join us?’ He sat down and circled her with his arms. ‘The water’s perfect.’
‘I will. I just got the most amazing news though,’ she exclaimed, sitting carefully on the end of the banana lounge between his feet. ‘Richard’s put me on a massive new road project! As lead counsel,’ she said. ‘It’s going to be a tonne of work.’ She rolled her eyes and rested her chin in her hands, then looked at Alessa. ‘Is my laptop still charged? I need to start getting together the precedents …’
‘Flat as a tack I’m afraid,’ Alessa said, still in her book.
‘Oh,’ said Cressida. ‘Great.’
‘It’s a Saturday, darling,’ Felipe said, leaning forward to massage her shoulders. ‘Forget about work. Relax, come for a swim. I did forty-seven laps before lunch, didn’t I, Alessa? Have to keep our condition up,’ he said, squeezing Cressida’s bicep between two meaty fingers.
Cressida lifted her arm out of his grasp and peered into the water. ‘Are you sure it’s alright? Without the filter? Anyway my bathers are at the flat. Hang on a minute, isn’t that …’ She picked up the document next to Felipe on the coffee table. ‘I thought so – Orthopaedia Today. What are you talking about? You’re working.’
‘That’s different,’ he said, taking the article back.
‘I wonder if … what about your laptop, Felipe? I can just log on remotely with my phone …’ Except it was nearly out of battery. Maybe she could do it sitting in the car with the car charger in – but then, petrol wasn’t unlimited either …
‘My laptop’s at home as well, I’m afraid.’ Felipe shrugged. ‘I can get it for you later though, when I go back for my bag. Assuming they’re letting us in the building now of course.’ He sighed. ‘Look,’ he said, regarding her over the
