Miriam Calder had once helped keep Whitlock Industries supplied when half its creditors wanted nothing more to do with the company.
Now she wanted to know whether Nadia could help protect her own business from making a similar mistake.
"Before you say anything," Miriam began, "I'm not offering you a contract because we're friends."
Nadia laughed as she settled into the chair opposite her desk.
"Good morning to you too."
"It's a perfectly good morning. I just prefer getting uncomfortable conversations out of the way early."
"Then I should probably thank you for the warning."
"You should. I've been looking forward to making you uncomfortable for years."
The older woman smiled, revealing the warmth beneath her blunt manner.
Calder Industrial Supply occupied a three-storey building ne
