Holly turned back to Doug, giving him her full attention. ‘Please … it’s just Holly.’
Doug smiled and nodded. ‘Nice dress, Holly.’
Tentatively, she made her way towards the stairs, following the lead of those around her. She’d arranged to meet Jessica at the door, but right at that moment, and wearing that dress, she didn’t feel like Holly the Help; she felt just the same as any of these glamorous people.
She glanced around, taking in the faces, wondering if any of them happened to be the bracelet owner, and at the same time recognising several of the people around her.
Wow, Mayor Bloomberg … and was that Gwyneth Paltrow? she gulped, trying her utmost not to be star-struck, otherwise she’d be useless to Jessica once she got inside.
Holly looked down at her dress and whispered to it as if it was a living thing. ‘You probably feel right at home here, don’t you?’
Then, as she ascended the steps towards the door, she reached down for her charm bracelet, seeking out a particular charm, the tiny book she’d received way back in college.
‘Nothing exciting ever happens in a library, huh?’ she said, echoing her old roommate’s words from all those years ago.
With that, Holly took a deep breath and followed the crowds inside the New York Public Library.
68
She met Jessica in the foyer as arranged. ‘Oh, you look gorgeous! I told you the Marilyn suited you.’
‘Thanks, I’ve been getting compliments all evening actually.’ Jessica grinned and put down her clipboard. ‘I’m so excited you’re here. Thank you for offering to help me – I really appreciate it. And wow, I know I said you needed to look the part, but … ’
Holly flushed and looked at the dress, embarrassed. ‘What – it’s too much?’
‘Are you kidding me? It’s amazing – so amazing that I feel bad for setting you to work. You should be in there partying with the rest of them.’
‘Seriously, it’s wonderful but not quite my thing.’ She loosened her throw. ‘So where do you want me?’
‘Well to start …’ Jessica nodded to the rail of coats nearby. ‘There’s a room just down the hall set aside for all that. If you could just move the rails as they fill up, , that would be great. Just take care not to mess up the numbering system.’
Relieved, Holly nodded. This, she was used to. Taking note of Jessica’s directions for the makeshift cloakroom, she wheeled away the first rail of coats, noting that the majority were heavy wool for the men, and predominately fur for the women.
Not in the least controversial for a children’s hospital benefit, but she guessed things might be different if this was in aid of an animal charity. Or would it? Again, the rich never seemed to recognise the irony in such things.
69
Greg and Jeff were making their way through the crowd. Several times they were stopped by friends and business acquaintances, people looking to say hello or express condolences over Cristina. Thankfully no one asked Greg where Karen was. He wasn’t sure if it was because news had already spread about the break-up, or because people were aware of his very public proposal and didn’t want to embarrass him about the gesture that turned out to be less than romantic.
That is, until he bumped into Margot Mead.
‘Greg! How are you? Wonderful to see you again,’ Margot gushed, reaching forward to air-kiss him. ‘Is Karen here?’ she continued, looking over his shoulder, as if expecting to see his ex bringing up the rear.
He reluctantly returned her embrace. ‘Nice to see you again too. No, I’m afraid she’s not. We aren’t actually together any more.’ He exhaled, preparing himself to go through more small talk before he could take his leave.
‘Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. Of course, I guessed something was off,’ she said conspiratorially. ‘I saw her, I believe the day after Christmas, at the Plaza. She was with some man, and well, you know, there needs to be a level of discretion, but still I was surprised … ’
Discretion my ass, Greg thought, struggling to keep a smile on his face. Margot knew well that something was up. He knew that women like her lived for gossip, and he wasn’t going to be an active participant in spreading the goods about himself.
‘Well, it’s no surprise to me actually. But, you will have to excuse me, I see someone I must say hello to.’ Greg motioned vaguely in the direction behind Margot. He didn’t see anyone, but just didn’t want to get stuck any longer with her.
‘Oh, of course, I must go and say hello to your father. So sad about Cristina, you know – we all miss her terribly’ Margot said with some sincerity and feeling in her tone. ‘How’s everything at home? I can’t believe that just a year ago we were all here together.’
‘Thank you, yes, it’s been a long year,’ Greg said evenly. ‘Now, if you’ll excuse me. Happy New Year.’ Greg figured he might as well get the greetings over with, as he wasn’t planning on staying within an ass’s roar of Margot Mead or any of her dreadful society friends for the rest of the night.
Going through the crowds, he headed for the bar that had been set up and ordered a Scotch. Sipping his drink, he continued to scan the crowd.
Just then, there was a tap on his shoulder.
