Chapter 10 .sx Marie smiled wryly .sx She was beginning to relax .sx The superb standard of food and service given by the Savoy , combined with Berry's amusing charm , was working miracles .sx It was odd that the first thing to bring her peace of mind since the tragic accident at Pencombe was a dinner meeting she hoped would help her business .sx She had accepted Berry's invitation because she realized he was the lesser of two evils .sx If he kept to his declared intention to help dispose of some of her sites , he could act as a buffer between her and the bank .sx She had to get alongside the financier , she understood that now .sx The bank was becoming ever more insistent that she dispose of most , if not all , of the high street sites .sx Truthfully she would like nothing more than to be able , overnight , to get her products into the big stores , preferably on a shop-within-a-shop basis , but failing that , simply on the counters .sx But there were a lot of market forces working against her and , in the depressed retail market , the fact that her whole product line was a straightforward 'take-off' of other , higher-priced brands , was the biggest drawback of all .sx She was able to look genuinely at ease as she replied to her companion's question .sx " Damion was never my Monsieur Berg e , never the business brains behind my artistic abilities , " she said firmly .sx Berry gestured at a hovering waiter to leave them alone .sx He took the half-empty bottle of Bollinger from the champagne bucket and topped up Marie's glass himself .sx " Perhaps he was more your Mademoiselle de la Falaise , your right hand , your inspiration ?sx " .sx Marie laughed happily .sx It was fun to be able to make silly , frivolous conversation with someone who totally understood her references .sx " It's as well I know all about the Yves Saint Laurent legend , " Berry continued .sx He seemed to be able to read her mind , as well as being able to join in with her in - jokes .sx " I think you probably know more about him than I do , " Marie said .sx She indicated the splendour of the room around them , the highly organized bustle of the Riverside Restaurant .sx " I can only pop in and out of this kind of environment .sx I travel a fair bit , and get to France several times a year .sx But London is my home , my headquarters , and I spend most of my time here in my office .sx I have the feeling that you're far more the international socialite .sx After all , you told me you know the great man himself .sx " .sx " Know is too personal a word .sx I 'know' Pierre Berg e , and through him I have met the maestro .sx But I'm not amongst his friends .sx I think to achieve that status I'd have to have a touch of the artist in my make-up , and that I certainly can't lay claim to .sx " He tipped the last of the champagne into his own glass .sx " We'll have another bottle of the same , I think , so that we can toast your idol .sx I gather it went very well for him last week .sx " .sx " You mean the Paris show ?sx " .sx Berry caught the eye of a passing waiter and ordered more champagne .sx Marie paused until she had Berry's attention again and then continued , " Yes , I gather it was brilliant .sx Your friend Monsieur Berg e must have been delighted .sx I was touched by his saying that when there is no longer an Yves Saint Laurent the couture house will close .sx " .sx " It was also a nice opportunity for him to make disparaging remarks about some of his competitors .sx What was it he said .sx Something like , 'Look at Chanel without Mademoiselle Chanel , and Dior without Christian Dior .sx It is more than a nonsense .sx It has no integrity .sx It is a sham .sx ' I tried to remember the quote exactly .sx I thought you'd appreciate the cleverness of it .sx " .sx " How nice of you to be thinking of me in Paris .sx " Marie laughed .sx " I would have thought you had someone with you to take your mind off business .sx " .sx " Yes , I had someone with me .sx " Berry suddenly looked serious .sx He reached over the table and laid his hand gently over Marie's .sx " But that didn't take my mind off you .sx " .sx " Berry .sx " Marie slowly pulled her hand away .sx She had absolutely no intention of allowing the relationship to develop into an intimate one .sx " I think you should know how I feel .sx I have a rule- a golden rule- never to mix business with pleasure .sx I broke it once , a couple of years ago , and things have gone very wrong .sx It just proved how right I'd been to begin with .sx I can't do business with you and become personally involved .sx " .sx " That's easy .sx " Berry laughed although his eyes had become cold .sx " We'll just give up the business side of our relationship tomorrow .sx No , let me rephrase that , we'll give it up tonight .sx Timing in these things is of the essence .sx More champagne ?sx " .sx Marie shook her head .sx " No , thank you .sx I think I've had more than enough already .sx You still haven't said what we're celebrating , " .sx " No , I haven't , have I. And now I'm not going to .sx It was strictly business .sx I'll play by your rules .sx " He reached out and took her hand again .sx This time so firmly that she couldn't remove it from his grip .sx Marie felt the colour rise to her cheeks .sx She didn't like to feel trapped .sx " It has to be business between us- you know that .sx The bank made it more than clear that you're to be involved in Body Beautiful .sx A little flirting has been fun , but that's all it has been .sx Please don't make things more difficult than they already are .sx " .sx " I don't take no for an answer .sx You can find that out from anybody I've worked with in the past .sx We're very much alike , you and I , in that we can get a lot of the thrills and spills of the chase from our working lives , but there comes a time when work stops .sx I want you .sx " His grip tightened .sx " I've tried the traditional English gentleman's way- nice food , nice wine a nice line in chat .sx If that's not how you want to play then it's all right with me .sx But make no mistake , Marie , we belong together , in the boardroom and in bed .sx " .sx " I'm not an asset .sx " Marie pulled her hand free .sx She felt choked by her anger .sx " You can't strip me like some company you've taken over .sx " .sx The smile touched Berry's mouth but not his eyes .sx " What a clever pun to produce under pressure .sx But then you are clever , aren't you ?sx That's a great part of your appeal .sx " .sx " I'm so pleased to hear it .sx " Marie stood abruptly .sx " Because it's my cleverness that you'll be dealing with .sx I shall ask a representative of the bank to be in on our next meeting .sx I think they should see what , if anything , they are getting for their money .sx Because you are being paid a retainer , aren't you ?sx As well as the percentage of whatever property deals you fix up for my company .sx I do so hope this meal gets covered by the expenses they give you .sx I wouldn't like to think you'll have to pay for it out for your own pocket .sx Especially since your won't get what you so clearly expected out of it .sx " She left Berry sitting at the table .sx Walking swiftly between the tables of chattering , elegant diners , she went out towards the wide green-carpeted stairway that led down to the rear exit of the hotel .sx Two men in white dinner jackets were paying off a taxi .sx She waited on the pavement until they had finished and then , ignoring their studied attentiveness as they opened the door for her , stepped into the dark interior of the cab .sx She could feel hot tears ruining her make-up .sx The driver had to query the address she gave him twice .sx She could hardly speak ; she had never felt so humiliated , never .sx " Give us a smile , luv .sx Go on , show us some teeth , " the photographer shouted .sx From his vantage point , balanced on a three-foot-high ornate cast-iron litter bin , he was way above the other twenty or so camera-decked members of the press assembled on the Thames Embankment .sx The traffic beside them had slowed to a crawl as fascinated drivers craned their necks to get a view of Marie posing on the car roof .sx Beneath her elegantly high-heeled feet , a mirror-polished white stretch Jaguar , the latest cult vehicle , attracted almost as much attention as she did .sx Marie's cheeks were aching .sx The smile she had fixed on for the photographers felt like a grimace .sx They'd only been about a quarter of an hour taking shots , but it felt like for ever .sx Sarah had achieved a spectacular turnout for her first photocall , and the weather had also obliged by being brilliant .sx " Over here , Marie , over here , " they were all calling to her , each wanting an exclusive , special shot .sx Her legs were trembling with the effort of balancing on the shiny surface .sx If she fell off , as she thought she might , they'd be delighted .sx A short sharp breeze form the river beside them blew open the wrap-round skirt of her navy suit to expose a thigh clad in five-denier porcelain lycra .sx The cameras clicked like an orgy of crickets .sx " Three more minutes , " Sarah called out from her position by the stone wall that kept pedestrians from falling in the river .sx Body Beautiful's new PR director looked ice-cool in a mint-green skin-tight dress that owed much of its inspiration to a cheong sam .sx Many of the photographers began winding up , removing lenses and filters .sx A young man Marie recognized as a trade journal photographer stepped forward .sx He'd been biding his time .sx Nice smile , please , " he asked , and received just what he wanted .sx " Nice .sx Now just tip your head down a bit , chin in .sx Nice .sx " He wound on and took a couple more shots then politely thanked Marie .sx " You can get down now , " Sarah called .sx It was going to be easier said than done .sx In the excitement of clambering up on to the car , she hadn't had too much of a problem , except trying not to show her underwear .sx This bit , however , was going to be tricky .sx She bent slowly and slipped off her shoes .sx The Sun journalist surreptitiously reloaded his Nikon .sx The dove-grey-suited hired chauffeur who had come with the limo looked about eighteen years old and lacking in any sort of initiative .sx He stood a good six feet back from the side of the car and watched as Marie slowly edged her way forward .sx As her feet touched the chrome rim running around the top of the windscreen he called out :sx " My boss ain't gonna like it if you muck up the wipers .sx " .sx Marie glanced over at him .sx The river was glinting , and a group of Japanese tourists clustered at the entrance to the river boat where she had earlier given her prepared press release on the new Sunkissed range .sx Her toes felt the slipperiness of the glass .sx She looked over at Sarah .sx Why on earth didn't she do something ?sx Angelique and the other helpers had gone back to the office the minute the photocall had started .sx Someone had to give Marie a hand down , but she didn't feel like asking for help in front of the still assembled press .sx " Here .sx " The young man who'd asked so nicely for his photo came forward , holding his hands up .sx " Hang on to me .sx " .sx Marie reached towards him .sx Her legs were trembling in earnest now .sx The Sun photographer had come up close behind her would-be gallant .sx Her hands clutched convulsively as she started to slide .sx With a small cry she launched herself off the roof of the car towards the pavement .sx She caught the sensation-seeker from the tabloids with the point of her elbow .sx His camera flew sideways and out of his hands , the woven strap round his neck almost throttled him and he swore fluently .sx There was an ominous tearing sound as Marie landed , but a quick check didn't show any damage to her skirt .sx She smiled as she straightened up .sx