‘Keep in mind, Holly, that no one probably ever had to tell Anna Bowery to have fun in that dress,’ Kate called out. ‘Time to do it justice.’
Giving the three of them a final hug goodbye, Holly got into the waiting black town car.
The trio on the steps waved after her as the town car pulled from the kerb and drove slowly up the street, before a moment later turning north in the direction of Fifth Avenue.
66
The Cadillac that Greg and Jeff were in pulled up to the kerb and Greg stared intently at the mass of people who were arriving for the hospital benefit, the majority of them being dropped off in sleek black cars much like the one that they were in right now.
Greg scanned faces in the crowd. Some he knew from his mother’s work on various other charities, as well as their past attendance at this event. Others he didn’t know personally, but recognised them because of their penchant for appearing on Page Six of theTimes. Still, most of the people he didn’t recognise at all.
The car rolled forward in line and then stopped. Greg threw open the door of the car, not waiting for the kerbside valet to open it for him, and stepped out.
Jeff followed suit, straightening his jacket.
Father and son walked up the granite steps at the front of the building and Greg felt impressed, as he always did, by the grand façade. A regal lion statue sat to his right, a silent and noble sentry, seemingly unimpressed by all the glam and glitter of the people who strode around him. Corinthian columns soared overhead and Greg thought back to what his mother had said last year as they walked up these same stairs together.
‘It’s comforting to know that people still have it in them to build temples to knowledge. These places will still be here, long after we are gone.’
As Greg and Jeff neared the entryway of the building, both men reached into the breast pocket of their jackets and extracted their tickets to the event, ready to hand them to the striking blonde woman who was standing at the door, checking off names on a clipboard.
She wore a figure-hugging dress that looked as if it might have come out of Marilyn Monroe’s closet, and Greg took note of her startlingly high gold platform shoes. She was practically as tall as him in them – he never could understand how women had the ability to totter around on six-inch heels. He would definitely fall on his face if faced with the challenge.
‘Good evening,’ the blonde woman said with crisp efficiency.
‘Happy New Year,’ Jeff replied. ‘The name is Matthews, both of them.’
The young woman consulted her list and checked off the names. ‘I have a total of four for your party. Will Cristina and Karen be following?’
Jeff shook his head. ‘They couldn’t make it,’ he said by means of explanation.
The blonde girl nodded. ‘Noted. Have a great evening.’
67
Holly swallowed hard as she took in the scene around her. Dozens of black town cars were pulling up to the kerb in front of the building and she felt a flutter of anticipation run through her stomach. She opened her small silver clutch and grabbed her lip gloss, touching up her lips. Placing the tube back in the tiny evening bag, she once again verified that the bracelet was inside. It was about the twentieth time that she had checked to ensure that she hadn’t forgotten it.
Just in case.
She smoothed her skirt and glanced back out of the window. Men in tuxedos and women in stunningly beautiful evening gowns milled about outside. Some called out in greeting to one other, while others pointedly made for the entrance, eager to keep their feet on the red carpet and to get in out of the cold.
As Holly’s car pulled forward once again, and then stopped, the driver turned around.
‘Have a fantastic night, Miss. Whenever you are ready to leave, just call this number,’ he handed her a card with his direct number on it, ‘and I will come back and pick you up. Doesn’t matter what time, I’m yours for the evening.’
Holly smiled and couldn’t deny that she was tickled pink by the special treatment. ‘Of course.’ She looked at the name on the card. ‘Thank you, Douglas,’ she smiled.
‘Just call me Doug. I like it better,’ the man replied. ‘I keep Douglas on there just for the stiffs.’ He nodded to the people who were outside the car, the people he was clearly used to driving around. ‘Doug sounds like a guy you meet at the bowling alley, you know?’
She grinned knowingly. ‘Well, I don’t know about you, Doug, but I happen to like bowling.’
‘You and me both, sister,’ he replied in his thick Brooklyn accent. ‘Now you go and have a great time.’
‘Well, I’m sort of working, but thank you.’
At that moment, the kerbside valet opened the door for Holly, and she extended a graceful leg.
‘Oh and Miss?’
