Nora instantly softened and self-consciously ran a hand through her newly blow-dried hair. ‘Thanks, I—’
‘Oh, I was talking to Tasha. She’s had a professional makeover and her dress is on loan from Stella McCartney. Look,’ said Jay, turning the camera on Tasha, who beamed into the camera phone.
What was she meant to say to that? ‘Cool,’ she muttered, willing Jay to flip the phone back to himself.
He did and held it at arm’s length. ‘I, on the other hand, look like I’m on display at Moss Bros,’ he said with a chuckle.
Nora stared at the screen. Jay’s hair had been trimmed and done, he was wearing a white tux and black bow tie. ‘You look perfect,’ she said without thinking.
‘Aww thanks, mate.’
Mate? Why did that feel like a slight on her? ‘You’re welcome.’
‘You OK?’ asked Jay.
‘Fine. You?’
‘Had another weird stalker message, saying they’re going to be at the premiere tonight, but the police are aware and there’s loads of security plus the press are everywhere. I think they’re keener to spot the stalker than anyone so…’ He shrugged but she knew him well enough to know he was bothered by it.
‘That’s awful if they’re getting bolder. Maybe you should give it a miss?’
‘Come on, Schmoopy, the car will be here any minute,’ said Tasha off camera.
‘I don’t mean to be rude, but we have some pre-red-carpet thing we need to go to. Drinks and food that’d not feed a budgie, followed by in-your-face interviews. Was there something you needed me for?’ He paused.
‘Er… I just wanted to check we were all good after… you know.’
‘Yeah, of course. Gotta dash. Byee.’ And with that he was gone.
‘OK. Bye,’ she said to a blank screen. Her shoulders sagged. That was that then. He said they were OK so she should be feeling relieved, but she wasn’t.
Nora started putting things in her overnight bag. Renee had unhelpfully put all kinds of fanciful stuff in her head and she needed to refocus. This was her first time away with Liam in two years. There would definitely be sex. She should be as excited as Bruce when the tennis balls came out. But she wasn’t.
Nora took a deep breath– she was being silly. She was just having a wobble, that was all. She put her best underwear in the bag followed by her comfy pyjamas and zipped it up.
Downstairs she had just put her bag by the door when there was a knock. Liam was standing on the doorstep with his hands in his pockets. ‘Ready?’ he asked, looking her up and down but making no comment about her freshly done hair and new shirt.
‘I just need to give Oliver some crickets.’
Liam’s face contorted. ‘That’s disgusting. They’re not alive, are they?’
‘Yes they are, because that’s better for him. I won’t be a minute. Come in.’
She fed Oliver and was telling him where she was going and when she’d be back when Liam snorted a laugh behind her. She spun around.
‘Sorry.’ He waved a hand. ‘It’s a lizard. It won’t understand you. It probably has a brain smaller than a pea.’
Her phone beeped and she pulled it from her pocket. There was a message from Dixie.
This is sooooo cool. Jay’s all over Insta!
Nora clicked the link. Up popped a video of Jay and Tasha being interviewed on the red carpet. Her heart squeezed at the sight of him. This was where he was meant to be.
Tasha was speaking to the interviewer while draping herself around Jay. ‘It’s a wonderful film and the perfect role for me. Well, for both of us, actually.’ She giggled as she pulled Jay fully into shot.
Jay looked every inch the sexy film star. ‘It’s been an absolute honour to work with Tasha, and the director and the crew they’re amaz—’
Another woman was trying to guide them away from the interviewer. ‘Enough faffing about, Mr P, let’s pick up the pace here,’ she whispered, a little too close to the mic.
