The Uninvited

people. I intend to be in charge of thismeeting.‘Eastern fairy tales are often aboutyoung men who sit around doing very littleuntil huge fortunes unexpectedly fall intotheir laps,’ I tell Stephanie. ‘Aladdin’s anexample. Fate decrees that whatever shallbe shall be. Destiny versus free will is arecurring motif. You’ll also find that—’She interrupts. ‘Hesketh. Before webegin, we need to talk about a personalissue.’Where is her professionalism? ‘No.’‘I’m sorry, Hesketh. I don’t want toopen old wounds, but there really issomething I need to tell you.’ She clearsher throat. ‘Something you should know.’Stephanie puts her pale, slim hand ontop of mine, but I pull it away. I say,