Denise practically skipped into work the next day, still elated by yesterday's success. As she bounded in the front doors of the Paradise, she was struck by several facts: firstly, everyone seemed to be looking at her as she entered. She discreetly checked her reflection: hair in a neat bun, pastel green shift dress unwrinkled, shoes clean. She couldn't fathom it. Secondly, whilst most looks she was receiving seemed to be jealousy or envy, Clara – still green around the gills from her run-in with bad sushi – looked positively murderous. Finally, Pauline looked downright giddy as she rushed across the foyer to greet Denise.

'Have you heard?' Pauline asked, in a tone of irrepressible excitement.

'Heard what?' Denise replied, entirely baffled. 'Has someone won the lottery?'

'No, silly,' Pauline giggled, 'much, much better. Particularly if you're you.'

'What I have I done?'

'You, Miss Denise,' Pauline proclaimed excitedly, 'have become quite the phenomenon. Those pictures we took of you and Mr Moray yesterday have gone completely viral; people are wondering who you are, asking each other whether you're his secret fiancée. You're even in the newspaper!'

'What?' Denise whispered, overwhelmed. She certainly hadn't expected such a response to her spur of the moment idea. What was she to do? What did Mr Moray think?

Pauline prattled on, 'I've been up all night monitoring the feeds. I know it's going above and beyond but it is my job and it was so exciting! People are talking about it outside the city – even internationally! Mr Moray's love life is so mysterious and he's so good-looking and charming and you both look so fabulous together (didn't I say you did?) that people have become obsessed. The Paradise has never had so much attention!'

Denise felt faintly ill. She hoped Mr Moray wasn't offended; she'd never intended such a result… she really needed to go talk to him. Absently waving off Pauline, she headed in the direction of her desk to drop off her bag, before heading for Mr Moray's office.


Moray hadn't slept that night. After their celebratory dinner Dudley had gone home to his family, while Moray, Denise, Pauline and Sam had headed out to a local bar for drinks. They'd had quite the time, enjoying the jazz music and general ambience. Pauline and Sam had flirted up a storm, whilst Moray and Denise had quietly discussed marketing ideas for The Paradise. Moray could tell that marketing was a strong passion of Denise's and her thoughts were captivating. He'd particularly liked her idea of a highly exclusive loyalty program for their highest-spending customers. Her idea of soirées to launch the latest ranges, complete with champagne and hors d'oeuvres held great promise. What he'd particularly wanted to hear more of, however, was an idea she'd begun voicing after her third gimlet, hand on his arm – I do love gin, Mr Moray: gimlets and gin sours and pink ladies and French 75s – and she'd talked of a co-launch with another boutique designer. She'd specifically mentioned lingerie and the idea had intrigued him. He intended to ask her more about it.

He'd gone home soon after, seeing Denise to a taxi and making sure the driver was paid in advance, with a tip. He was home by midnight and soon after that he'd begun getting automated notifications that the Paradise was trending online. Curious, he'd sat down at his laptop and found that the day's minor publicity stunt had gained such notice that it had become quite the sensation. He knew his notoriety in the media; he traded on it, used it to get publicity and press. But this was above and beyond anything he'd managed to achieve in the past; he was awed at the response, to be honest.

He looked at the photos which Dudley and his team had posted. It was the selection taken at the end of the day which had gone viral: he and Denise looking tired, rumpled but brimming with joy, waltzing in a room without an audience, at their ease. They did look quite the perfect couple, he had to admit, right down to the shirt he wore which matched Denise's belt and discarded shoes and the tie which matched her dress. He couldn't have done it better if he'd sat and planned the thing weeks in advance. He felt yet more admiration for Denise.

He stayed awake, monitoring the chatter until it was time to get ready to go into work. He took particular care with his appearance, knowing he would be in the public eye more than ever today, choosing another morning suit - this time in navy blue.

He'd not been long in his office at the Paradise when there was a knock on the door. Before he could speak, Dudley entered, an impressed look on his face.

'I woke up this morning Moray, to more publicity than the Paradise has seen in the past year together,' he said almost reverently. 'I'm sure that this is going to send sales through the roof; in fact it might be best to have more staff in the boutique today. I'd recommend against yourself and Denise though, in order to build the anticipation.'

'I couldn't agree more,' Moray replied. 'Who could have foreseen the reaction to a few candid photographs? Denise is a genius.' They both contemplated the ramifications of such publicity, and wondered how long they could sustain it.

Dudley excused himself to go back to his department, 'there's just so much to be done; it's enough to make me wish we had a dedicated publicity department!'

Soon after Dudley departed, there was another knock on Moray's door. This time, it was Denise who looked around the doorframe, a nervous look on her face.

'Ah, Denise!' Moray exclaimed. 'Just the person I wanted to see.'

'Mr Moray,' Denise began anxiously, 'I had no idea that my plan yesterday would gain so much publicity. I'm sorry if it's not the kind of attention you were after.'

Moray laughed. 'Not the kind of attention we were after? Denise, any publicity is good publicity and this is better than we could have imagined. You really are a treasure, a champion; my little champion…' he mused.

'Thank you sir,' Denise replied, relieved and blushing at the compliment. 'I honestly didn't foresee gaining this kind of notoriety; I was only hoping to boost sales in the boutique.'

'And you've done so much more than that,' Moray commented admiringly. 'You do have a knack for marketing, don't you? Dudley's department is scrambling for ways to capitalise on the attention. In the meantime it may be a good idea for you and I to stay out of the public eye.'

'I can do that,' Denise responded, 'I don't think I know how to deal with such attention.'

Moray chuckled, 'I'm sure you will manage with your customary grace and charm,' he complimented. 'In the meantime, perhaps you could stop by marketing with any suggestions you might have.'

'I'll see what I can come up with,' Denise answered, 'but I think I might be too close to this one to see clearly.'

'As you wish, Denise,' said Moray. 'Before you go, I wanted to ask about the idea you mentioned last night for a collaboration, or a co-launch? You mentioned lingerie.'

Denise blushed, 'I should apologise for my forwardness last night Mr Moray. I hadn't had much to eat yesterday and those drinks went straight to my head.'

'Not to worry,' Moray assured her, 'you didn't act in any way which you need be ashamed of.'

'Thank you,' Denise replied. 'The idea I was thinking of was more of a collaboration than a co-launch, though it could be both,' she explained, gaining momentum as she went. 'I was thinking specifically of an advertising campaign where the Paradise's clothing is marketed with a boutique lingerie line, to give more of a sensual, decadent, forbidden feel.'

Moray was fascinated. 'Go on,' he prompted.

'There's something about lingerie which draws people in,' Denise explained. 'It's so sensual, so seductive; it's something that everyone feels drawn to but not everyone has the confidence to wear. By pairing what the Paradise sells with products which have such connotations, it transfers the desirability to our own products, which people are much more comfortable buying. It will encourage people to see the Paradise as something more…' she trailed off.

Moray watched Denise's absorption with captivation, drawn in by her passion. 'Do you have a particular label in mind?' He asked.

'Ciel rose,' Denise said, citing the label where she worked the previous year. 'Mademoiselle Clémence's range has all the qualities I've described and I think she'd be willing to collaborate.'

He mulled it over in his mind. It was certainly a solid idea. 'It's definitely worth investigating,' he told Denise. 'As Clémence's treasured former employee, would you like the chance to broach the topic with her? I've known her a long time but in this case I feel that she'd be more receptive to you than to me.'

'Thank you Mr Moray,' Denise replied, feeling the compliment. 'Would you like me to contact her today, or wait?'

'Next week might be better,' Moray responded. 'We should wait for yesterday's publicity to blow over slightly, otherwise Clémence will be too distracted to contemplate our offer.'

Denise nodded in agreement. 'Unless there's anything else, I should really be getting to my desk,' she told Moray.

'No, that's all for now,' Moray replied. 'Thank you Denise.'

Denise smiled to Moray and she turned to the door, glancing back over her shoulder as she went out.