begged.
He turned the tap off and looked at her.
‘You want to wash up?’ he queried.
He didn’t understand. She just wanted to be alone. Alone with the million thoughts she needed to unscramble.
‘I… well, to be honest I have marking to do and…’
‘Ah, I see. You want me to go,’ Chris guessed.
‘No. I mean, yes. But…’ No matter how she wrapped it up it sounded mean. But she was mean. Everything she was doing lately was mean.
‘It’s alright, Em. I know you’re busy and I’ve got an early start in the morning anyway,’ Chris said, picking his coat up from the back of the chair.
‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound… I just…’ What was she trying to say? She hated this. Everything was off-kilter and it was unsettling. She didn’t want it to be like this.
‘What are you apologising for? I’ve come here, I’ve had my favourite dinner and wine and on a weeknight! I’m a lucky man,’ Chris said, grinning.
She tried to grin back but the expression didn’t really work like it should.
‘Listen, give me a call tomorrow. Let me know what Dom says about the tickets,’ he said.
She nodded. ‘I will.’
‘Right, well I’ll be off.’ He put his arms around her and she held on. Good, solid, salt of the earth, Chris. She closed her eyes and tried to make the world still.
‘Night,’ he said, kissing her on the lips.
‘Night.’
*
They’d been sat in the second row to the right of the catwalk. Madeleine had been miffed to begin with. She’d wanted to be the centre of attention, recognised by someone, anyone. But she’d been appeased when she realised Victoria Beckham was positioned just four places away.
‘She has her own fashion label you know,’ Madeleine whispered. Victoria Beckham was causing quite a stir in the after-party. Everyone wanted to chat to her, including Madeleine.
‘She’s already done knickers,’ Gabriella announced, guzzling down an oyster.
Guy wondered why Daniel wasn’t here. What excuse had he used to escape this?
‘Guy, please get us some more champagne,’ Madeleine ordered.
‘Yes. I won’t be able to pitch anything with a dry throat. Are you nervous? I haven’t been able to eat a thing all day,’ Gabriella stated, smoothing the fabric of her dress over her ribs.
Guy headed towards one of the waiters, circling the room with champagne flutes on trays. He needed an opportunity to duck out and call Emma. He wanted to hear her voice, needed to know there was a new future waiting for him, waiting for them both.
‘It is you! I knew it! Well, look at you!’
The woman’s voice addressing him had him turning around. Facing him was a tall, slim woman, mid-twenties, wearing a midnight-blue, full-length gown. Her blonde hair was twirled up into a chignon.
She laughed. ‘You don’t recognise me, do you?’
‘I’m sorry. Have we met before?’ he asked, unsure.
‘We certainly have. Although it didn’t last as long as I’d hoped. You were the campsite hottie. Summers in La Baume just haven’t been the same since you left.’
Guy looked at the woman, trying to think back. It took him less than ten seconds to realise who it was.
‘Tasha,’ he said.
‘Yes, that’s right! See, you do remember me! I’ve changed a bit, I suppose. Better clothes and I know what I’m doing with my make-up these days.’ She laughed.
He smiled.
‘So, look at you! Gorgeous as ever and at the top of your game. I hate football but the players who make it into the glossies always tend to catch my eye,’ Tasha continued.
Although she was dressed in something obviously expensive, all he could see was the teenage girl from the clubhouse discos wearing mini-skirts and neon. That vision brought back the memories he was so ashamed of.
‘So, were you invited here because you model? I haven’t stalked you or anything but I did see that billboard. You could hardly miss it. It was right outside Waterloo. I told people I knew you but I don’t think they believed me,’ Tasha continued.
‘Non. My girlfriend, Madeleine, she was invited. She has a meeting with a lingerie manufacturer,’ he informed, taking a sip from one of the drinks he was holding.
‘Ooo that’s exciting. Which one?’
‘I… I don’t remember the name.’
‘Was it Soft Touch?’
‘I don’t…’
‘Because that’s my father’s company. You remember my father, don’t you? Always drank too much and laughed too loudly,’ Tasha continued.
The glasses fell from Guy’s hands.
Chapter Thirty-Three
She wasn’t sure this was the right thing to do but she had to do it. The box was heavy and covered in dust, despite having been