‘No. You’re not here for that?’
‘One hundred per cent.’
‘Oh my God!’ She knew she probably sounded overly excited at this, but she didn’t care. ‘That’s amazing. Have you done it before?’
‘A couple of years ago.’
‘Oh, you’re so lucky. You get to see all those clothes up close and in the flesh, so to speak.’ The closest Darcie had ever got to seeing a fashion show was watching YouTube clips. The Chanel shows spanned three days, exclusively showcasing House of Chanel collections and were, by far, Darcie’s favourite.
‘It’s cool, but probably not as cool as everyone thinks,’ confessed Matt. ‘It’s a bit of a scramble and there is a serious hierarchy for the photographers and who gets the best spot and who gets to photograph any of the top models or designers. I’m pretty low down in that pecking order.’
‘I know, but even so.’ She wondered whether she should tell him about the dress and her appointment with Chanel the next day, but she held back. Chanel had expressly requested that she didn’t discuss this matter with anyone else beforehand.
‘How would you like to go to the show on Tuesday?’ he asked.
‘What? Yeah, because I can just magic a ticket out of thin air.’ Darcie looked on as a couple huddled together to take a selfie, angling the phone to get the basilica in the background and then laughing with each other as they took several attempts to get it right.
‘You might not be able to, but I can.’
Darcie gave him a sceptical look. ‘You can?’
‘Absolutely.’
‘What’s the catch?’
‘There’s no catch.’
The young couple, seemingly happy with their selfie, were now at the little gift shop next to the carousel. The woman was looking at the array of colourful scarfs hanging among the racks of postcards, baseball caps, and practically any sort of Sacré-Cœur souvenirs imaginable. Her partner seemed intent on buying her some sort of gift.
Darcie smiled at the couple, before turning her attention back to Matt. ‘There’s always a catch when something sounds too good to be true.’
‘Definitely no catch. You have my word. Ivy League college promise.’ He held his hand across his body over his heart as if he was about to pledge allegiance to the US flag.
‘Ivy League college promise? What even is that? Is it a thing?’ Darcie couldn’t help laughing at his very serious face.
‘OK. It’s not a thing. I just made it up, but I promise you, there is no catch.’
‘You sure?’ This surely was some sort of dream.
‘Yeah. I’ve got a spare complimentary ticket. I might even be able to get another one if you want to bring someone with you.’
‘I love the way you say so casually you can get another ticket.’
Matt gave a shrug. ‘Perks of the job.’
‘I just need the one.’
‘Then that’s no problem,’ he said. ‘It does mean you have to come into the press pack with me. I can arrange a pass for you while I’m there tomorrow and we can meet up on Tuesday at the venue.’
‘It sounds amazing.’
‘Then say yes.’
‘Yes!’ Darcie squealed. And it was amazing. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she’d be going to the Chanel haute couture show.
Matt laughed. ‘It’s a deal.’
Darcie wanted to hug him but restrained herself. ‘Wait until I tell my mum and sister. They won’t believe it. Thank you so much. That’s very generous of you.’
