The Hundred Year Wait Read Free Page B

suggestion,” she said before she realised Myron wasn't the sort
of man to appreciate interruptions. He pursed his lips together and
waited for her to stay quiet.
    “I cannot allow
you to publish it. Will you promise to never attempt to show it to
anyone.”
    She looked away,
thinking about her response. Writing a novel took a lot of effort
and scrapping one entirely was a lot to ask of her. At the least it
could damage her reputation with her fans. On the other hand,
cooperating with Myron would be more likely to get her in his good
graces and maybe lead to a friendship opportunity.
    “If I publish it
what would happen?” she asked, wanting more time to think but not
wanting Myron waiting in silence.
    “I will be forced
to stop you. I'm sure I can find some reason to have you
incarcerated, even if I have to plant the evidence.”
    “I don't mean to
me. What are you trying to prevent by stopping me?” Her words were
met with silence and she had to wait for him to process the
request. She guessed he wasn't expecting it.
    “At least two of
our agents would be endangered as well as months of planning at
best. And at worst, we would find ourselves at war with
North-Korea.”
    “Then of course I
won't publish it.” She smiled at him and he nodded his gratitude.
“I would never deliberately put lives in danger, especially British
lives.”
    “Thank you.”
    “I do have a
request, however.”
    “Go on,” Myron
replied, although the severity of his tone made her wonder if he
meant it. She carried on anyway.
    “Can I re-write
the novel with guidance on what needs changing? It's a lot of work
to discard completely, not to mention the financial
implications...”
    “I'm sure you can
be helped with sales to make up for the loss,” he assured
her, interrupting.
    “Thank you, but
I'd rather know I've truly earnt my sales. I'd prefer to re-write
the story. It would also give me an excuse to talk to you again.”
She closed her mouth around the last words, shocked she'd said
them.
    “My assistant will
liaise with you, not me.” He gave her the same fake smile as he'd
given her on parting the day before. She shrugged. She'd taken one
plunge but it appeared to have gone unnoticed. Something had to
happen before she got to her destination or she'd always feel like
she wasted an opportunity.
    “Shame. Although,
you can't blame a girl for trying.”
    “Trying what?”
Myron raised both eyebrows again.
    “I've decided that
I like you, Mr Holmes.”
    “That will soon
change. Most people find me unpleasant,” he replied and gave her
yet another fake smile. It was meant to put her off but it just
made her more keen to get him to genuinely smile.
    “It's too late for
that. I'm a very loyal person and I've already made my mind up. I
like you.”
    Myron turned away
from her and shook his head. She bit her lip knowing she'd gone too
far too soon. Now she needed to try and pull it back. Thoughts of
conversation starters ran through her head but none of them came
out of her mouth.
    “You appear to no
longer be nervous,” Myron pointed out, giving her another way
in.
    “I have company
and...” she tapped her knuckles on the window. “tinted glass. I
can't be seen until I get out. I find it hard to know what to say
to my fans. Most of them are smart and socially adept enough that I
find them easy to talk to, but a few I struggle with...”
    “Are you trying to
relate to me, Miss Jones?” he interrupted.
    “I was simply
trying to explain my nerves. I have a responsibility to them when I
do these events. When I fail to make a connection with them I run
the risk of making them feel invisible, and if they already feel
low... I suppose I appreciate them in their own way.” She shook her
head, struggling to explain and already aware she'd said far more
than she'd intended to in trying to cover up the real reason for
her increased pulse.
    “Or your nerves
were unrelated to your upcoming public appearance. You've made more
of an