Learning curves by Gemma Townley Page B

he did. She wasn’t interested in him at all.
    He smiled to himself wryly.
Never mind, Daniel,
he told himself.
Nothing wrong with being an optimist.
    Then, carefully, he wrote “A−. Very good work.”
    Lara was staring at Jen with her eyebrows raised. Jen, meanwhile, was staring into her coffee, trying to think of a suitable explanation for her behavior in the lecture.
    “So what, you’re terrified of authority figures?” Lara tried, a little smile on her face. “Or are you a convicted criminal on the run?”
    Jen cringed. She looked closely at Lara and took a deep breath. “Lara,” she started nervously, “I’ve got something to tell you.”
    Lara’s eyes narrowed. “Was it you who nicked my notes on the balanced scorecard?”
    Jen shook her head crossly. “No, of course not. It’s nothing like that.”
    “Okay, then, shoot.”
    Jen gulped, then put her hands together nervously. “You know this course. This consultancy firm.”
    Lara nodded like she was talking to a five-year-old. “Yes, Jen. That’ll be Bell Consulting. I know it, you’re right.”
    Jen punched her lightly in the arm. There was nothing for it—she was just going to have to come out with it.
    “You have to promise—and I mean promise—not to tell anyone. At all. Ever.”
    Lara’s eyes lit up. “Ooh, a secret. Okay, my mouth is sealed. What’s the gossip?”
    “I’m . . . well . . .” Jen began, her heart beating loudly.
    “Yes?” Lara prompted impatiently.
    “I’m George Bell’s daughter. He doesn’t know I’m here, doesn’t know I’m doing the MBA, and he can’t know.”
    “You’re what? You’re his daughter?” she said incredulously, spitting out coffee as she spoke. Jen wiped the coffee drops from her hand and nodded.
    “And he doesn’t know you’re here?” Jen nodded again.
    “But your name’s Bellman.” Jen raised an eyebrow at her.
    “Oh, right, it isn’t. Seriously, you’re Jennifer Bell? You’re his daughter?” Jen nodded glumly.
    “I have one question for you.”
    “Okay,” Jen said uncertainly.
    “What the hell! Why don’t you tell him? Jesus, you could be running this show in a couple of years. I don’t understand.”
    “He’s not really my father.”
    Lara looked at her strangely. “Look, if this is your idea of a joke, it’s really not that funny.”
    “No, I don’t mean . . . Look, he left us when I was thirteen. I haven’t seen him since. And I don’t particularly want to. See him, that is.”
    “So you’re doing your MBA here because . . . ?”
    “Because . . . okay, this is really, really secret.”
    Lara rolled her eyes. “Jesus, enough of the melodrama, okay?”
    “Fine. I’m . . . I’m trying to find out if Bell Consulting is involved in corruption in Indonesia. You know the Tsunami aid money and the building program out there? Well, there are some dodgy deals being brokered. Dodgy houses being built.”
    “And why would you think Bell’s involved?”
    “Because one of the companies that just happened to get some of the prime contracts is Axiom, who are clients of Bell. Bell just happens to have offices in Indonesia, and its clients out there include several government departments. And” —she leaned over so she could whisper— “my dad’s going out to Indonesia next week.”
    “Bloody hell,” said Lara, a look of shock on her face. “So what are you going to do about it?”
    Jen looked at her awkwardly. “I need to get into his office. Look at his papers.”
    Lara nearly fell off her chair. “You’re going to break into George Bell’s . . . sorry, your dad’s office?”
    Jen smiled nervously.
    “Seriously?”
    Jen nodded, and Lara looked thoughtful.
    “I s’pose you’re going to want my help, then?”
    Jen shook her head, then hesitated. “Really?” she asked softly. “I mean, would you?”
    “Hell, we’re a team, aren’t we?” she said matter-of-factly.
    Jen grinned gratefully. “Does that mean we have to invite Alan along