Jfk airport.
She had been watching them for a while. Her trip state side had been purely a research exploration as, from the moment she had heard Barneys was involved, she knew Alex would be behind it somehow. When she had first seen the two women with Carrie in Hartford she had assumed the blonde was Alex's latest conquest. It was not as if Alex had a type exactly but she figured the innocent ingénue look would appeal to Alex's need to control. Having watched her over the weekend, spoken to the other one then to Carrie, she decided she may have been wrong. But now she knew she had been right all along.
The sight before her confirming her initial suspicion.
Carrie and the one called Polly were waiting, chatting by the gate, as Alex wrapped the blonde one in a hug. Kissed her head, as if she were a small child, then stood and watched until they were through the gate and out of sight. Taking this as her cue Sylvie carefully folded the newspaper she had been hiding behind placed it carefully into her briefcase. She watched as Alex turned, striding purposefully out of the airport. Standing herself Sylvie considered for a split second following her, but the tannoy announcing the flight pulled her back and she reached for her boarding card and made her way onto the flight too.
O0o
London
"Boo, we really don't need to go sight seeing right this moment." Polly groaned as she was hustled towards the black taxi cab.
"Quit moaning Polly you are in London, it is11 am, the sun is shining, which believe me is rare, and we have a whole day to explore." Boo grinned, then rolled her eyes as Piper joined walking slowly as she concentrated on the text she was typing on her phone. "Give me that!" Boo hissed, snatching the phone and tucking it into her back pocket. "You can have it back later blondie, lurch knows you are here, she knows you are safe. Now look up, look around and enjoy!"
"Carrie!" A voice stopped the larger woman in her tracks, as if frozen. Turning she let Piper slip past her into the taxi as she watched in horror as Sylvie walked towards her waving. "Good, glad I caught you before you disappeared on your tourist jaunt." She grinned, bending to wave into the cab, "Do you ladies mind if I tag along. I have a few things to talk to Carrie about, business that just wont wait, but then I would love to show you both London."
"I can do that." Boo muttered frantically, trying to wrack her brains to think of an excuse that would appear legitimate.
"Yes you can, but I am sure Polly and … Piper isn't it?… Piper here would like to see more than the inside of whatever gay club you favour this month."
Polly sniggered, shifting over so Sylvie could climb in. Boo reluctantly followed, shutting the door and asking the driver to head towards the river she turned to Sylvie. "Now what is it that is so important it couldn't wait a few hours?"
Sylvie was silent for several seconds as she fixed a firm stare at the woman who, normally efficient and polite where business was concerned was suddenly rude and aggressive.
"Really Carrie? You want to ask that question?" She watched as Carrie took a deep breath sinking back a little in her seat. "The reason it cant wait is because in your absence things have been slipping. Now I am sure the ladies here have the best of intentions, but I was not impressed to arrive back and see that the requisition I had placed is not only incomplete but the product does not match the order at all. I am assuming you were blind-sided by old friendships and misplaced loyalties" Sylvie added sarcastically knowing full well Boo would know who she was referring too, "but I am in charge and any changes should have been run past me first."
Boo sighed. She had half expected this, had a defence ready, but as she considered the best way to defend the changes Sylvie held up her hand and continued. "Now before you start making excuses I have a suggestion. I have the order on its way to the hotel, we will go via there now and Polly and Piper can see the set up, meet a few people, then you can stay and sort out the mess there while I take these ladies to lunch and give them a quick, motorised tour of the sights rather than drag them on foot as I am sure they are tired after their flight." She smiled at Polly, "I remember the first time I was expecting, it is exhausting isn't it!"
As Polly ad Sylvie began to exchange pregnancy stories Piper tried to catch Boo's eye. She had never seen the woman so subdued. This Sylvie woman certainly seemed to be one to watch.
As the taxi pulled up in front of a small hotel Piper grinned. She had seen pictures online, read every description she could find, but none quite did it justice, climbing out she gasped as she turned and saw the Tower of London right there, so close. "Can we go in?" She asked excitedly.
Sylvie laughed, "Sure we can. Maybe not today though. Come on let me introduce you to some people in the hotel. They will help you with anything you need before the launch."
"Would Carrie not do that?" Polly frowned also very aware how quiet Boo was being.
"Carrie will be about, but she will have other things to attend to now she is back." Sylvie stated firmly. Then waving over a tall striking looking black woman she said, "This is Sophia Burset. She is in charge of events and the day to day running of this hotel."
"Oh." Piper frowned, "I thought that was your job." She admitted.
Sylvie smiled sweetly, shaking her head. "No dear, I am head of the chain. All the hotels." She threw a disparaging glance at Boo. "It seems you have been misinformed as well as mislead with regard to our needs, so why don't we go into the dining room and Sophia and I will set you straight while Carrie here goes and tries to straighten out the rest of the chaos."
As they watched Boo leave piper and Polly glanced at each other realising they had stepped into the middle of something, but not quite sure what. Wanting a minute to compose themselves Polly smiled, "is there somewhere we can wash up before we eat?"
"Of course, through there, to your left." Sophia smiled pointing out the nearest bathroom.
"I'll order us a drink." Sylvie suggested as Piper and Polly made there way to the bathroom.
"What the hell is going on?" Piper hissed. "That Sylvie woman, did you speak to her in Hartford."
"Yes." Polly nodded "and it was her Boo was arguing with remember, about Barneys. Boo said she was an old acquaintance of her and Alex. But the way Boo changed, I feel there is more too it than this launch."
Piper frowned. "Alex has not mentioned a Sylvie, and Boo has my phone so I cant text and ask her. I guess we go make nice and hope whatever it is is between her and Boo."
Returning Piper was grateful for the glass of wine she saw waiting and sympathised with Polly who gazed longingly at the wine as she herself sipped sparkling water. Trying to keep conversation light Piper asked Sophia about the hotel and its history. When their food arrived conversation turned to families with Sophia asking Polly first about the baby then turning to Piper, "Do you have children?"
"God no!" piper smiled, "not my thing really."
"You are married?"
"No, I was engaged until quite recently." Piper admitted, "PoPi's became more important to me though, proving I could make a success on my own."
Sophia smiled. "Yeah I get that." She nodded, "I have a son, trying to raise a kid and have a career is not easy." She saw Polly pale, "Hey, you two will be fine, you are a team." She reassured her.
Sylvie was watching Piper closely, she had been surprised she had mentioned an ex fiancé but no reference to whatever it was she had going on with Alex. Deciding to probe a little further she chuckled and looked at Sophia.
"You are lucky, you son is old enough to appreciate the sacrifices you have made for him. Sophia here could have had her own hotel rather than just manage one of mine if she wanted too." She looked at Polly, "your husband is understanding? He knows the hours it takes to make a business work?"
Polly nodded "yes."
"That's good. Mine partner does too, he is willing to stay at home with the baby, play house while I do my thing here. I agree with Piper, business first. My ex, she was not so focused. Letting family issues cloud her judgement, putting family before business or her career then resenting me when I chose a different path. I look at my life now and know I made the right decision to put my dreams first. Working in a store, reporting to others, being accountable for my every action, just not me. So Piper, I admire you and if you want any advise, you give me a call." She reached over placing a card in from of Piper, "my numbers on here." She smiled.
Piper took it and grinned, "we should get some of these made." she said to Polly before reaching absent-mindedly for her phone, "damn!" she muttered. "Boo has my phone." she admitted tucking the card into her pocket. She reached for a napkin and wrote her cell number on it pushing it over to Sylvie who typed the number into her own phone before looking at the two women.
"Lets say we let Sophia here go check on Boo, maybe take her a sandwich so she doesn't complain and we split, go take a car on a quick tour then maybe get you fixed up with something a bit more professional looking than a napkin. I mean I am not sure what Barneys plans for you are but you want to at least look the pat right!"
Piper and Polly smiled politely and followed as Sylvie led them outside. Now instead of a black taxi cab she guided them to a black Audi A6. As she gave the driver instruction Piper noticed Polly tapping out a message on her phone. When she received a reply she frowned.
"What's wrong?" Piper whispered.
"Boo said to not mention Barneys, not mention Alex, and to come see her when we get back." she answered quietly. Nodding, realising they had been right in guessing there was more going on than they knew, they sat back and watched as famous landmarks came into sight. Piper sat, nose pressed to the window as she watched the city pass before her, making mental notes of the places she wanted to come back and see, maybe if they had time they could take one of the open top buses that they had seen or go inside some of the famous landmarks. Cursing Boo for having her phone so she was not even able to snap pictures of them today, Piper was actually grateful when Sylvie returned them to the hotel they were staying in.
"I know it seems strange you staying here, not at the launch hotel," Sylvie smiled, "but our view is that is work, here we want you to relax and rest. Don't forget, you need anything you have my number so just call." Watching her drive away Piper felt Polly physically relax beside her and realised just how tense they had both been.
"Lets go find Boo. We need to know exactly what she has landed us in the middle of!"
o0o
In there absence Boo had spent most of her time trying to get hold of Alex on the phone. She needed to know exactly how Alex wanted her to handle the situation, yet all she had got was Nicky telling her Alex had had to go away on some last minute trip herself as Suzanne was in another melt down mode.
Now as she looked at Polly and Piper sat before her she knew this was not going to be the fun trip she had hoped.
"She seemed hostile in Hartford," Polly said truthfully, "but here, she seems overly friendly. She was talking about her kid, her partner, her dreams. It was weird."
"What did she say about her partner?" Boo asked.
"Just that he stayed at home with their kid, played house or something so she could work, she seemed scornful of him if anything. She mentioned an ex. But she said 'she' so I am guessing she decided she preferred men and wanted a family after all despite the derogatory remarks about the ex."
"What did she say about this ex?"
"Why the interest?" Piper asked fed up of being questioned but having no real answers to their questions. "Surely you have known her years, that's what you told Polly, that you and Alex have known her a long time."
Boo sighed. "Yes I have known her years. But we are not exactly friends. We were all at college together, hung out as a group for a few years after," Boo cagily admitted not wanting to admit she was a third wheel in the close relationship Alex and Sylvie had going then. "When Sylvie decided to work abroad I was offered a job, I had no ties keeping me in the states so I went. But not it is a working relationship, nothing more."
"So why do you not want us to mention Barneys too her or Alex for that matter?"
"Because she is cut throat. She will try to persuade you to go into business with her to steal you away from Barneys and believe me that would not be a good move."
"So why then did you bring us here, if this woman is so bad why are we here at all?"
"Because blondie you are in England. For 5 days, well 4 now really, you get to live a little of that dream. That shit she was spouting about the packaging forget it, she wanted me gone so she could quiz you. The hotel are happy. Tomorrow we will do your sightseeing in style. Then you can show these people how to sell soap. After the launch night you have a meeting the following day to take stock, get feedback then a final day of sightseeing or maybe a pub crawl." Boo grinned hopefully.
Piper smiled. "Maybe. But before any of that can I have my phone back. I would like to call Alex fill her in."
"Ah," Boo winced. "She isn't there."
"What do you mean? How can she not be there?"
"Well it seems when she left us she went into the office and Maureen has dumped Suzanne!"
"Shit!"
"Exactly! So Alex has Daya on Suzanne sitting duties while she has flown to Denver for a meeting Suzanne should be at. Nicky said her mood was not joyful and would recommend all communication took the form of text."
Piper sighed. She had really wanted to hear Alex's voice, talk to her about this Sylvie woman and her own feelings of discomfort about the situation they found themselves in. Deciding though to go take a nap then meet boo for dinner she would send Alex a text later and maybe arrange a phone call when they were both free.
o0o
"Polly come on," Piper grinned, "just stay for a while." They had just finished dinner in the hotel restaurant and were heading to the bar.
"Nope, count me out. I need to sleep." She waved as she continued walking other lifts. Watching her go Boo looked at Piper, "so blondie. Gay club? Bar? My room?"
Piper snorted back her laughter. "The bar here is fine."
"Ah, come on, live a little." She linked arms with the blonde and pulled her outside hailing a cab and bustling Piper in before she could protest.
The pub Boo settled on was much more a drinking establishment than a night club Piper was relieved to see. The clientèle seem a real mixture of both gay and lesbian groups and couples mingling, with the odd tourist seeking refreshment in the central London location. Grinning as Boo placed a cocktail before her Piper looked around.
"This is quite sedate for you." She grinned.
"Oh blondie the night is young!" she winked. Then seeing Pipers startled look she laughed, "Relax. I promised lurch I would keep you safe and no doubt she would approve of me dragging you to every gay club in town. That is not to say I am not going to take many a picture to torment her now we are here!" She grinned.
Piper was happy to sit and watch the people round her, listening to their accents, amused as Boo tried to mimic them. It was only when she made her way through the crowd an hour later to get to the bar for more drinks did she spot a familiar looking face at a table the other side of the room. Knowing she had not been seen she moved to a better spot to watch, finally ordering her drinks and returning to Boo.
"Guess who is across the bar?" She said as she handed Boo the beer she wanted.
"Well seeing as the only person you know in London is Polly I'm guessing she has discovered her inner lesbian and is now in the arms of a leggy brunette."
Piper sniggered. "No. Sylvie! And the lady in question is obviously more than a work colleague. Definitely not her husband is my guess, or her child minder from the way her hands were wandering. To me it looked like Sophia."
Boos eyes widened. "Where?"
"Her breast and ass." Piper winked, knowing full well this was not what Boo had meant.
"No, I meant where is she?"
Piper grinned "Go to the bar, stand to the left and look to the booth straight ahead." She watched Boo elbow her way to the bar, speak to the barman then peer across in the direction Piper had indicated. Piper knew from the grin on her face the moment Boo had spotted them. Bringing back more drinks Boo smiled. "Well that is interesting. So little miss perfect marriage is not so innocent after all. Some things never change."
"She cheated before?" Piper asked curiously.
Boo silently cursed her slip but nodded. "Yeah she was never what you would call faithful. But enough of her. Lets drink up then go back so you can rest up before facing the dragon lady herself tomorrow, and remember she gives you shit now all you gotta say is how much fun you had in here tonight. I am guessing that little scene over there is something she would rather keep quiet."
o0o
A/N: OK, so this is shorter than normal and I confess not the whole chapter I had planned, and editing has been more rushed than normally as a little thing call Series 4 got in the way! ;-) Hope you have all had a fun weekend binge watching. I myself am only up to ep10, trying to pace myself but not doing the greatest of jobs. Thanks for the reviews for the last chapter, the next few are more London/Sylvie, but fear not Alex will not let things get too out of hand I promise. Let me know what you think ;-)
Ali x