‘Excited to see lover-boy?’ Di asks from the front.
‘Fuck off.’ I make a face that Di returns in the mirror. Thank God for Di. If I didn’t have someone to confide in, I’ddie. It’s very likely I’ll break and tell Ally the first chance I get.
‘I approve of him. I never thought you’d have it in you, but hats off to you for taking up with someonenormal. He’s gorgeous.’
‘What kind of person did you think I’d take up with?’
‘I don’t know—an ageing playboy, perhaps, who’d wow you with his huge yacht in Cap Ferrat.’
‘Please. Give me more credit than that.’ I gaze out the window as we roll through Hyde Park. It’s been such a wet summer that the grass is weirdly green. It should be totally scorched by now.
‘It suits you, you know.’
‘What does?’
‘Sex with someone other than Jackson. You have this… soft look about you. It’s good. Whatever Dr McDreamy is doing with those magic doctor's hands of his, he’s obviously doing it right.’
‘It’s categorically none of your business what he’s doing. But Noah has many magical body parts, I’ll have you know.’ I grin out the window, but Di catches it.
‘Oooh! Look at that smug smirk! You lucky bitch. Honestly, your therapist should have told you to do this years ago. You’d have saved a shitload of time and money.’
‘True.’
‘Seriously, Honor. Enjoy yourself. How many tissues have I wasted on you over the years? It’s good to see you taking something for yourself for once, instead of moping around and waiting for whatever scraps Jackson can be arsed to throw you.’
‘You’d definitely have more fun driving Jackson, that’s for sure.’
‘No kidding. The things Ty must have witnessed in the back of that car.’ She glances in the mirror. ‘Sorry.’
‘No, you’re right. There’s a reason the BMW has wipe-clean seats.’
’See? You’re making jokes! Let me know if you and McDreamy need a ride later. Like, to his shag-pad? I have the Dettol wipes right here.’ She waves a pack.
‘You’re revolting. I’m off to visit my dying mother, remember?’
‘Of course you are. You always were a good multi-tasker. Give my love to Steph.’ A pause. ‘And Noah. You look gorgeous. Go get him.’
A nurse letsme into the hospice and I nod to Di, who’ll wait in the car. I smooth down the inevitable car creases on the front of my dress. I’ve gone for a designer upgrade of the type of dress I wore most days on TV: an impeccably fitted, sleeveless sheath in palest pink wool crepe. It skims me perfectly everywhere, exuding good taste but leaving little room for doubt as to what lies beneath.
I’ve even blow-dried my hair differently. It’s not tonged like usual, but more of a Park Avenue Princess blow-dry: exactly how I used to wear it on TV (minus alotof hair spray). Noah may not pick up that detail, but he will recognise the general vibe. If TV presenter Honor is who he’s lusted after (and wanked over), TV presenter Honor is who he’ll get.
I step through the threshold, and there he is, right in front of me.
Oh, God.
He’s with a small gaggle of guys in suits in the hallway, and Noah himself is wearing a white shirt, suit trousers and a tie. Because this is Noah, his top button’s undone and he’s rolled his sleeves up. His heavenly French tan glows against the whitefabric and I stare at him like a starving woman as he clocks me. I’m not the only person who’s dressed up today. I want to pull that tie loose and bite that bottom lip. Now. He’s utter perfection. The only thing missing is a stethoscope slung around his neck.
He runs a hand through his dark hair and shoots me the most enormous grin. I suspect it’s involuntary; he tries to rein it in in front of his buddies but he seems incapable of lessening the wattage.
‘Honor. Good morning.’
His tone is more formal than the smile on his face. Two can play at that game. The other guys turn around and I catch their double-take: a classic reaction I’m well used to. I smoothly slide my oversized sunglasses up onto my head and adjust the dusky pink Birkin on my arm. Smile blandly at him. My mouth is definitely twitching.
‘Noah. How nice to see you again.’
Every guy in that hallway is staring shamelessly at me right now. It’s usually creepy, but at this moment it’s perfection. There’s nothing more heady to a man than knowing he gets to have what every other man wants. These guys are doing my job for me: convincing Noah I’m a prize worth enduring a little (or a lot) of hassle for.
‘Are you’—Noah clears his throat—‘visiting your mother?’
