‘I am? I mean, we are?’
Is it just me? Or has this evening taken a diversion into Weirdsville? I mean, who invites their work friends to the tail end of a blind date?
‘Yes.’ He’s getting more impatient now. ‘At the awards ceremony. For Young Property Developer of the Year.’
I look at him blankly.
He throws his napkin down on the table. ‘Oh, for God’s sake. Didn’t they fill you in on any of this? That’s not okay at all.’
I stammer something about not knowing anything about an awards ceremony. I can’t say why, can I? He’ll think I’m a total loser if he knows I just pounced on him and hijacked his blind date.
He sighs. ‘Well, I suppose it doesn’t matter, does it? That’s why I suggested dinner first. It gives us a chance to get to know each other a bit first before we rock up to the awards thing. I mean, we don’t want people to think we’re total strangers, do we?’
I laugh nervously. ‘We don’t?’
‘No. I want them to think you’re my girlfriend.’
I blink at him. I’m getting the feeling we’re living in parallel universes.
‘I suppose we could get to know each other awhole lotbetter if we went back to the hotel first.’ He places a hand on my knee and runs it up my thigh. Thank goodness my dress is long enough that he’s touching fabric and not my leg. ‘I don’t suppose anyone would mind if we were a few minutes late.’
I scoot back in my chair. ‘I don’t think so!’
He looks confused. ‘But … but I booked you for the whole night. I don’t know why you’re so surprised about this. And the fee is a bit pricey if all you’re going to do is be prim and have dinner with me.’
I stare back at him. I understand English, but somehow none of his words make sense. And then the penny drops. ‘You think … you think I’m anescort?’
He sits back in his chair. ‘Aren’t you?’
‘No!’
He lets out a small laugh. ‘But at the bar … You knew I was looking for you.’
‘I’m here for a blind date! Not to … to …’ I break off to shudder. Urgh. I can’t even say it. There isno wayI’d ever sleep with this creep.
His face is a mask of shock. It would actually be quite funny if I wasn’t so grossed out. ‘Oh, my God … I’m … I’m so sorry!’ He looks around frantically. ‘But then where is the girl I’m supposed to be meeting?’
I throw up my hands. ‘How should I know?’
Thewomanhe’s supposed to be meeting probably took one look at him and made a swift exit, having much better radar than I do for slimy idiots. I can’t believe I thought he was charming at first.
‘I’m going to go,’ I say, but he’s not paying attention. He’s tapping away a message on his phone, swearing under his breath as he does it. I stand up, shake my head, and make for the exit.
I’m just emerging from the ladies when I notice a pair of slim lift doors to my right. The sign above boasts, ‘Rooftop Bar’. I hit the button. So my ‘avoid Luke’ plan didn’t go exactly as planned – maybe I’ll takemyselfon a blind date and give up on men forever.
I’m standing on the roof terrace, a virgin mojito in my hand. The upstairs bar ofRive Gaucheis very swish. It has an indoorarea with folding glass doors that lead onto a large terrace that overlooks the cobbled roads surrounding Borough Market, Southwark cathedral availing itself as a backdrop. People down below flow in and out of various restaurants, kissing each other in greeting or parting, and I feel alone and completely separate from them, as if I’m untethered from reality.
‘Jess?’
I freeze, my cocktail glass resting on my lip. I’d know that voice anywhere. Do I deny it, pretend I’m someone else, or do I turn?
I turn. Mainly because, after the day I’ve had, it’s such a relief to see someone who belongs in my present-day life.
‘Are you Priya’s friend?’
I nod.
He presses a palm to his chest. ‘I’m Luke. Sosorry I was late! I thought I must have missed you. What luck to find you up here.’
