‘You’re not the only person in the world who has moved to Edinburgh, you know.’
Carmen frowned. ‘What do you mean?’
‘My spies have it that someone has been spotted barging in and out of Jenner’s –’ Jenner’s was the ancient department store that still graced Princes Street. ‘– sniffing loudly and complaining about dust on the banisters and footfall.’
‘You are kidding,’ said Carmen.
‘None other,’ said Idra. ‘Apparently she’s moved to live with her sister.’
‘Like me! Oh my God, I’m Mrs Marsh! Oh God!’ said Carmen. Then: ‘Hang on. What happened to Mr Marsh?’
‘Aha! It gets even more complex.’
‘She killed him.’
‘That was my first thought too,’ said Idra. ‘But it turns out, he never existed.’
‘You’re kidding.’
‘Nope. She invented the Mrs to get more respect.’
‘Oh God,’ said Carmen. ‘That’s the saddest thing I’ve ever heard. Oh God. I’m going to turn into her.’
‘Well, she does know a lot about running shops. You should hit her up for tips.’
‘Haha,no way. Oh my God. Can you imagine? Christ. I’m notthatdesperate. Anyway. It’s a big city. What are the chances of my bumping into her?’
The doorbell tinged and a broad shadow filled the room.
‘Oh, you are kidding … ’ said Carmen into the phone. ‘Idra, I’m going to kill you.’
‘Don’t be daft: it’ll help,’ said Idra, not sounding remotely apologetic. ‘Gotta go – there’s a team ofreallyhot lawyers in for a business lunch and I am going to get them extremely drunk and smile for tips and possibly marry at least two of them. Fala-la-la-la la-la la la!’
And she was gone.
Carmen looked up in the dusty room.
‘I heard you were here,’ said Mrs Marsh, folding her arms.
Don’t be ridiculous, Carmen said to herself. There’s nothing to be scared of. She can’t sack you again.
She eyed Mrs Marsh back, feeling as if she’d been summoned by the headmistress.
‘Okay. Do you want to buy a book?’ She had seen Mrs Marsh read: Regency romances with passionate women on the arms of dukes and lords.
Mrs Marsh raised her eyebrows.
‘So this is ashop?’
‘What did you think it was?’
‘Storage of some kind.’
‘Well. It is a shop, and I’m very busy,’ lied Carmen.
Mrs Marsh tutted loudly. Carmen rolled her eyes.
‘This place is a disgrace. I mean, look at it.’
