I unlock my phone so I can text Luc before he wakes up and sees the photos.
SIENNA
If you see these photos this morning, it’s not what it looks like
I somehow managed to snap the clasp on my dress and Alex gave me a jacket so I didn’t bare my breasts to the world
Apparently that makes him my ‘new man’
See you in two weeks x
‘No, seriously, what was he like? Alex?’
‘Really, really kind, actually. I like him.’ I take a sip of my tea. ‘I mean I guess he did save me from showing the world my boobs.’
‘The rest of the world will hate him for that.’
CHAPTER 11
LIGHT TOUCHES
TRACK 1 | SECRET GARDENS
I wrote this song in 2011 about the beginning stages of a relationship when you’re stealing light touches with the other person. You may not even be together, but you will find any excuse you can to touch them: your leg on theirs under the table, their hand brushing your arm when you’re talking. It’s full of excitement and possibility.
We hover near Table One,surrounded by wealthy people coming to spend money for a worthy cause. Everyone at this event is so rich, prim and proper that no one has so much as glanced in my direction yet. It’s almost like I’m a smaller artist again, like when I first met Luc, and I could leave my house without someone running up to me for a photo or an autograph. That if I wore a hat or sunglasses, I would generally be safe from being recognisable. That we could go to the supermarket for a couple of cans and then take them over to Tooting Bec Common before heading to Tooting Market in the evening for food and drinks on a Saturday night.
I could make aspects of my world fit inwith Luc’s, instead of him needing to give up everything he loves about his life to be with me.
There was no red carpet outside the venue tonight, no pit of journalists screaming questions in our direction, just some cameras and Luc clutching my hand. We walked in shielding our eyes from the cameras. To look like we’re hiding, wanting privacy, but nottoomuch.
We’ve decided not to address what happened two weeks ago with Alex and Luc’s sister-in-law. Neither of us did anything wrong and we don’t want to give the rumours the time of day. Jess says if we keep being us that people will forget about the rumours. Luc’s agent put out a statement that he was with his sister-in-law and Jess told the story of the dress. Kendra Heath wasn’t happy that news came out apparently, but maybe she should use better clasps.
The location for Rory’s charity gala is grand: an old theatre converted into a venue for events like this. My silk, blue dress has a high slit in the leg. It’s decidedly more understated than the dress I wore to the premiere three weeks ago. Since then, Luc and I have been lying low waiting for the rumours to stop. Texting every so often, but mostly I’ve been deciding the setlist, meeting with choreographers, and crashing in bed with a book as soon as I get home. Jess says that we can’t go too hard too fast with this, or people will smell a rat.
I tell Luc how Rory told me the seating plans at these things are designed to pit rich people against each other, for them to compete to show that actually they’re the most generous person in the room,thank you very much.
‘Paul on Table Three,’ I whisper, nodding my head subtly in the direction of a man with a designer shaggy 70s haircut, strands of grey running through the chestnut brown. ‘He asked for a pay rise this year, citing the cost-of-living crisis.’ I swallow and lower my voice further. ‘But he does his weekly food shop inFortnum and Mason.’
‘Don’t we all do that?’ Dennis points out, taking his Sainsbury’s-branded packet of tissues out of his top pocket.
My brother arrives, a shorter lady next to him. Her hair is scraped into a sleek, glamorous ponytail, eyes lined with a stunning burgundy liner which accentuates her green eyes beautifully. My mouth drops open.
‘You brought a date!’
Rory clears his throat. ‘Actually, this is Lilli.’ When my face shows no sign of recognition, he continues. ‘My assistant.’
It takes a few more seconds for the news to land, and then I open my arms. ‘Lilli, it’s lovely to meet you. I’m Sienna.’
Lilli returns my smile and hugs me back. ‘Thank you so much for being our guest of honour.’
‘You must be Luc,’ Rory turns his attention tomydate. They shake hands, and then someone calls Rory’s name across the room, and he disappears, Lilli following closely behind.
‘How’s everything going with the new show?’ I ask Luc.
‘Yeah, grand, thanks,’ Luc replies. ‘Lindsay – my agent – enjoyed it and she’s sending it to a few people who she thinks will also like it. Hopefully one of them will buy it.’
‘Fingers crossed.’ I smooth my dress over my legs. ‘Obviously it goes without saying but if there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.’
