Strange Allure
Page 52
Carla and John were already laughing.
‘So what I want to know,’ Avril said, ‘is who I should call to set him free? The hotel manager, or the News of the World?’
Carla’s eyes were full of mischief as she looked at John and debated the issue. She could see how intrigued he was to hear her answer, but though she’d have loved to have chosen the News of the World, in the end she took enough pity on Chrissie to say, ‘Why don’t you call Gus, and let him do the honours?’
‘Now why didn’t I think of that?’ Avril responded, clearly very impressed with the answer. ‘But it wouldn’t be fair to wake him up at this hour, would it?’
‘Absolutely not,’ Carla agreed. ‘Call him around nine. And when he introduces himself to Richard I don’t think he need go to the trouble of explaining that there’s no film in his camera, do you?’
‘No. Too much detail,’ Avril replied. ‘And clothes? Maybe I should bike the ones I have here round to Gus?’
‘Mmm. But I think it would be a nice gesture on your part to send one of your warm dressing gowns round too. Gus can give him that first, then produce his own clothes when they get back to London, before he has to face Chrissie.’
‘Yes. Yes, that works.’
‘Oh! And just for that one shot,’ Carla added, ‘you know, in the dressing gown, do you think Gus might have a film in his camera?’
‘Oh, I’m sure he would,’ Avril assured her. ‘Just for that one shot. It’ll be a kind of keepsake?’
‘Exactly.’
‘OK,’ Avril said. ‘Love to John. Speak to you later,’ and she rang off.
Though John was laughing, he was all but writhing in Richard’s embarrassment as Carla dropped the receiver back in place, then rested her arms on his chest.
‘So,’ she said, trying not to laugh herself, ‘let that be a lesson to you, John Rossmore – never get tied up with Avril.’
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Copyright © Susan Lewis 2000
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