‘It’s not a big dinner,’ he continued, ‘just a networking thing that’s been arranged by a sportswear supplier in Leeds. I haven’t even met the guy who’s organised it, but he’s got some selected suppliers attending that we’re interested in doing business with, to either increase our current range or expand into new areas. I’ve got to shake things up a bit to keep the business viable. That’s what it’s all about.’

‘So why do you need me there?’

‘Well, firstly it’s going to be a mixed audience, so I want you to talk to the men while I talk to the women.’ He held up a hand. ‘I know it sounds sexist, but this is business and I’m afraid it’s how it works. Think of it as market research. We need to find out what they’re looking for in terms of a deal. Where their negotiation points are. Just slide little questions into the conversation, see what you can discover that will help when we come to start the sales process proper.’

It didn’t sound like an honest way to do business to Sara, but what did she know? Her business studies degree had prepared her for theoretical situations only, and the real world was a very different beast. She supposed James knew the ways of the sportswear industry, and, however unsavoury it sounded, she figured if she did a good job, she’d get her debt paid off faster.

It’s going to be okay, she told herself as they got up to leave, knowing that her priority was to do whatever it took to pay back what she owed and keep her secret safe.

Chapter Seventeen

The day before the networking event, Sara’s stomach griped and gurgled like there was an alien in there scratching to get out. Nerves always affected her this way and she knew it was the thought of her evening out with James that was to blame.

He’d been to the community centre more often over the last week, as they were approaching an unusually busy patch. He was in meetings with Fiona, and spent time handing over more jobs to Sara and getting prepared for the implementation of the new project, which he would be managing once the funding came through. Sara would then be formally appointed as deputy manager of the centre, on a permanent contract, with an appropriate pay rise. That was the plan, she’d been told, although nobody had sought her opinion on the matter, Fiona having assumed she’d be happy with this as a way forward.

The idea of a permanent contract made her feel queasy. Is it really what I want? She wasn’t entirely sure, but until Matt’s new client paid him, she had to carry on working to keep their finances on track, while every day she felt further away from her family.