Her mum blinked. ‘You won’t be taller than Alex, will you?’
Andnormal Mum was back. ‘Nope. Alex is huge, remember? Even with these on, I’ll come up no higher than his nose.’ Her phone beeped. ‘Ah, that’s him, best get a wiggle on. Bye, Nanna,’she shouted up the stairs, and then gave a little wave to her mum and brother before heading down to the ground floor.
Alex was waiting inside the yard; she’d left the gate open earlier in case he was followed by paparazzi, though judging by his laid-back stance he’d not had any trouble.
He stared at her and gave a low whistle that may as well have been a full-on kiss for all the goosebumps it gave her. ‘You look so beautiful! Did you really make that?’
A blush rushed up her face and she did a joyful spin on her heels. ‘Yes, and thank you, I’m glad you like it.’
‘Like it?’ He chuckled. ‘I love it!’
She took the arm he offered her, and then she realised he also looked different – still hot, but more sleek-hot than casual-hot. ‘Are you wearing contacts? And, have you had your hair cut.’
He nodded. ‘Richie insisted, said I was starting to look like a hobo.’
‘I’ll cut out his tongue,’ she said with mock horror, and Alex chuckled.
‘So, you don’t mind me as a hobo?’
She grinned. ‘You’re perfect in every version.’ As they stepped out into the back street, she waved at the cab driver. ‘Hey, Martin!’ He waved back. In a lower voice she asked Alex, ‘Do you have Martin on speed dial, or what?’
‘Pretty much. He gives me great restaurant recommendations too.’ Alex opened the cab door for her and she felt like a princess.
Richie was waiting for them to arrive and had given them strict instructions for when and where to pull up outside the Royal Albert Hall. To her surprise they were quite far away from theentrance, but, when she looked at the set-up as they circled around, she realised why.
The crowds!
The entrance, the terracotta and cream dome of the Hall perched at the top of a huge stone staircase, looked miles away. The ‘red carpet’ was actually green, an environmentally friendly grass carpet that rippled down the steps with photographers and reporters rammed either side held back by cattle railings. At the bottom, the carpet pooled to the side, with a spot for yet more photographs, this time in front of a walled backdrop plastered with the Olivier Awards logo and branded sponsors.
It was a terrifying gauntlet she wasn’t sure she could run, especially in heels.
An usher opened Alex’s door, and a dazzling cacophony of cameras flashed. The light burned her retinas and she shrank back from the glare, suddenly feeling very exposed in her bright and slinky dress. No woman looked her best bent over and shuffling out of a black cab. The door beside her opened as well, and Richie’s face dipped down to stare at her.
‘What the fuck! It’s you,’ he hissed, looking appalled to see her, and Alex turned in his seat with a lethal expression.
‘Richie.’ Alex barked his name like a warning. ‘She’smychoice.’
Richie blinked. ‘Fine.’ He gave her another one of his hideous up-and-down looks, before offering her his hand. ‘I’ll make it work,’ he added with a huff, which meant she’d somehow passed muster on this occasion.
It may have been childish, but Ellie gave him an up-and-down appraisal of her own. ‘Looking not so bad yourself, Richie. Scrubbed up nicely.’
Richie scowled, but didn’t respond to her comment on his appearance. ‘It’s always best for ladies to get out of cars turned away from the cameras. Be grateful I’m here to guide you.’
Alex got out at the same time as she did, on the opposite side. There was a riot of sound, as if everyone were shouting at once.
Richie spoke into her ear, his words filled with warning. ‘Take my advice. Always remember, he’s the star, not you. Ordinary people don’t last long in this business – they don’t fit the part.’
He moved away before she could answer, and a prickle of fear ran down her spine. Fans and photographers were buzzing around and she’d never felt so exposed in her life. Cold to the bone, she shivered.
Vaguely aware of Martin shouting her a cheery goodbye as he pulled away, she walked towards Alex. Richie hurried ahead, disappearing into a throng of crews and planners that were beavering away in the background while the glamorous celebrities shone in the limelight.
Alex stood poised and confident, his legs wide and his spine straight as he patiently waited for her. His whole body was facing towards her, oblivious to the chaos behind, and an enigmatic smile graced his perfect sculpted lips.
He’d kissed her not that long ago, and her mouth tingled with the memory. She focused on his smile, hoping it would give her the strength to keep walking forward with her head held high.
Time slowed, and she reached out for Alex. His handsome face brightened and his hand met hers, pulling her close as the cameras popped and flashed around them. He looped her arm gracefully around the soft fold of his tuxedoed elbow as if she were a queen, his warmth seeping through the fabric to her chilled skin and reassuring her this was really happening.
Nurse Ellie is on a date with a Hollywood star!
