She hadn’t lied. Her battery was down to less than twenty per cent. But she had to get him off the phone because she wanted to focus on the group at the other table with no distractions, even loving ones. Also, she couldn’t stand what was already unbearable anxiety being added to by the worry that Mrs Stern Face would have her papped out for using a mobile phone in a high-class restaurant.
It was almost ten o’clock by the time Caro had finished all three courses, dragging it out by chewing every mouthful multiple times, and then adding a coffee on to the end. The food here was supposed to be among the best in the city, but Caro had been so distracted, even her taste buds were switched off for the night.
The whole time, she’d watched as the party of four who may or may not be related to her ate, chatted, laughed like they didn’t have a care in the world. The perfect happy family – even if the boyfriend seemed a bit on edge. And they all seemed to be absolutely fine with Lila’s incessant selfies. There was an incredible moment, just after they’d finished their maincourses, when Lila got up and went over to one of the players at the French team’s table and whispered in his ear. Caro saw him nod, then watched, astonished, as Lila went around the entire table taking a photo with every player.
That’s some level of confidence right there, she thought.And more compelling evidence that we don’t paddle in the same gene pool.
There had yet to be an opportunity for intervention or clarification. Of course, Caro could walk over there right now and look that man in the face, and know if it was her dad, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. She would, but just not yet. Soon.
A text appeared on her screen.
If you don’t call me I’m sending in a SWAT team.
Despite her stomach-clenching, agonising state of stress, she phoned Todd back.
‘I’ve got nothing to report or I would have called. They’ve had dinner, they’ve chatted, and Lila hasn’t gone to the toilet even once. The woman must have the bladder of a camel. She has, however, gone around the two tables of the French football team taking a selfie with every one of them.’
A pause on the other end of the line, then ‘The French football team is there?’
‘Yeah, didn’t you see them when I FaceTime’d?’
‘No, I was too busy being overcome by a dose of giddiness. Seriously? Are you sure it’stheFrench football team and not a pub team of farmers from Marseilles?’
‘Yes. The maître d’ told me.’
She heard a loud, repetitive thud.
‘Todd, are you banging your head off your table?’
‘Maybe,’ he admitted. ‘I swear this is the worst night of my life.’
‘It’s not going too great for me either last time I checked,’ she retorted.
‘Sorry. You’re right. But I mean, the French football team in the same restaurant. That’s the equivalent of you getting stuck in a lift with Brad Pitt and Matt Damon.’
‘Point taken. Todd, I think I’m going to go for it. I need to go speak to this guy. Rule him out. I’ve finished my meal, I’ve paid the bill, my fake story about my husband’s flight being delayed is losing ground and it’s starting to get a bit suspect that I’m loitering. So I’m just going to leave the restaurant and on the way past, I’m going to stop at the table and do it.’
‘I take it you’ve planned this all out?’
‘Not a single second of it,’ she admitted, words tight with terror.
‘Terrific. What could go wrong? Leave the phone on, I want to hear everything.’
‘Okay, I’m going to do it.’
‘You said that a minute ago.’
‘I know! I’m working up to it. Give me a break! Right, I’m going…’ Halfway to a standing position, Caro froze as she saw what was happening across the room, then plumped back down on her seat. ‘Oh God, I can’t.’
‘Yes, you can. You’ve got this,’ Todd said encouragingly.
‘No, I mean I actually can’t do it right at this minute.’
‘Why? Why not? What’s happened?’
‘Lila’s boyfriend just got down on one knee.’
26
