‘I’ve grabbed the feedback cards,’ Heather says, ‘And I’m about to order an Uber to take me and Mir home.’
‘Get a cab and let me know what I owe you tomorrow.’
‘Oh, don’t forget this,’ she says, grabbing the gong from the bar top.
‘Is that yours?’ Harry says, suddenly appearing at my side, his gaze anxiously flicking between Beckett and myself. Actually, between Beckett and where I’ve slid the gong under my arm.
‘It’s mine,’ I answer defensively. ‘Well, I just borrowed it.’
Beckett sets off laughing as Harry looks like... we’ll, I’m not sure what he looks like. Like he’s going to explode or maybe be sick?
‘Jesus, Beckett.’ He blows out a harsh breath. ‘Only you would be so blasé about something this old.’
‘Oh my God. Is this an antique? I thought it was something you picked up on your holidays.’ Because it’s so ugly.
‘Harry deals in art. He’s got a gallery in Belgravia. I think I told you that?’ Beckett says, still chuckling. ‘He also has a bit of a passion for antiquities.’
‘Here, take it!’ I shove it at Harry. ‘If it’s damaged, please don’t tell me.’ Because suddenlyIfeel sick.
‘I’ll go and... stow this somewhere,’ Harry begins.
‘The car should be outside,’ Beckett answers.
‘Olivia, lovely to meet you. Your drunken employee, too. She was rather sweet.’
‘Thank you for babysitting.’ And I mean that sincerely. ‘I like him,’ I say, looking up into Beckett’s inscrutable expression as Harry disappears through the door.
‘Maybe we’ll have him around for dinner one night soon.’
‘I’d like that.’ Really, I would. ‘I could cook. And you could pretend to wash the dishes.’
‘What is the point of paying someone to do something only to have to do it yourself?’ His gaze slides to a sleepy Miranda as Heather coaxes her out from the booth.
‘If only we were all as clever as you.’
‘Yes, if only. The world would make much more sense.’
‘You keep telling yourself that,’ I reply, patting his chest before reaching for my purse. ‘Could you help them into their cab or whatever? I just need to close out the tab.’ I pull out my company credit card, kiss him quickly on the lips and turn to the bar again. Only, as the cash register has been closed out already, so I make my way downstairs to the main bar. The eyewatering tab settled, I slip a sizeable tip into the tip jar, turning as I pull my purse higher on my shoulder and walk straight into a wall of unfamiliar chest. The thought that crosses my mind before I open my mouth is,it’s so strange how I know this isn’t Beckett without even looking up into his face.
‘Oh, excuse me. I wasn’t watching where I was—’
‘Olivia?’
I don’t know who is more shocked, Luke or myself. He certainly looks shocked. Meanwhile, I think my mouth has become unhinged. At least until this,
‘What are you doing here?’ The words sound more accusatory than they should.
‘I came with some mates for a drink.’ He indicates behind him to where two men sit with talented Prudence and another two women from tonight’s event.So much for our success. ‘How are you?’
‘Good. I’m good.’ I seem to be nodding quite a bit, and quite rapidly, as I try to process his appearance.
‘You haven’t returned any of my calls.’ His words are surprisingly soft and hold a trace of hurt rather than accusation. ‘I thought we were friends.’
‘Yeah, well, I thought that, too. But then I discovered I was just a bit of entertainment for you and your stepdad.’ I never was one to beat around the bush.
‘I’m sorry?’ He straightens, brushing a hand through his floppy fair hair. ‘I’m not sure I follow.’
‘Really?’ I wish my words were a rapier because then I’d poke him with it. How dare he make me feel dirty, used and disposable while they laughed, while they played me. Well, who’s laughing now?
