by Lynne Shelby
‘I don’t know what to say…’ My throat constricted, and my eyes pricked with tears.
‘I’ve never told anyone else about my parents,’ Cassie continued. ‘Not even Ryan. I don’t want sympathy, and I certainly don’t want sob-stories about my childhood in the press – it really wouldn’t fit Snowdrop’s image. So please keep what I’ve just told you to yourself.’
‘Of course.’
‘Don’t look so sad, Lucy. I had a rough start, and a few tough years after I left care, but it was all a long time ago. When I’m filming my TV show, or at some glitzy showbiz event, or even when I look around this house, I have to say that I think I’m doing all right.’
‘You’ve made a good life for yourself,’ I said.
‘But I wouldn’t have any of it,’ Cassie said, ‘I wouldn’t be Princess Snowdrop, if your parents hadn’t been so kind to me when I was a child. So please let me have the pleasure of treating you to a plane ticket now that I can.’ She smiled, and I found myself smiling back.
‘Thank you,’ I said. ‘I really appreciate the offer. But I’m still not flying to New York.’
Cassie rolled her eyes. ‘Why ever not?’
‘Daniel hasn’t invited me.’
‘He hasn’t?’ Cassie said. ‘Then invite yourself.’
‘I can’t,’ I said. ‘I don’t want him to think I’m clingy.’
‘It’s hardly being clingy to –’ Cassie’s voice broke off. ‘Nadia. Hi.’
I turned my head to see Nadia standing just outside the living room. I wondered how long she’d been there. For reasons I couldn’t readily explain, even to myself, the thought that she might have overheard Cassie’s and my conversation made me feel vaguely uneasy.
‘Cassie, you need to change and do your hair and make-up,’ Nadia said. ‘The car will be here in an hour.’
‘What? Oh, yes, Princess Snowdrop is opening a children’s centre this afternoon. I’d completely forgotten.’ Cassie got to her feet. ‘Duty calls.’
She went out, and Nadia came into the living room and took her place on the sofa.
‘I know you don’t mean to be irresponsible Lucy,’ Nadia said, ‘but when Cassie has a PR gig, you do need to keep an eye on the time. It wouldn’t look good if Princess Snowdrop kept her young fans waiting.’
Gritting my teeth, I said, ‘I’m sure you’d never let her be late for a gig, Nadia.’
‘Well, I do pride myself on my exceptional organisational skills,’ Nadia said. ‘But don’t fret, Lucy, I do understand if you’re a little distracted right now. With Daniel out of the country, you must be worried sick.’
‘What do you mean?’ I said.
‘We all know what actors are like. It’s only natural to be concerned. But you have to remember DCOL. Have you heard that expression before? Doesn’t Count On Location.’
‘I know what DCOL stands for.’ Daniel had told me.
‘Then you’ll also know that even if Daniel sleeps with another girl while he’s off filming, it probably won’t mean anything. I’m sure you two will be able to pick up where you left off once he’s back in England.’
I gaped at her. ‘That is so wrong on so many levels.’
‘Oh, Lucy, you are such an innocent.’ Nadia smiled sweetly. ‘Then again, maybe Daniel is so besotted with you that he won’t even look at other women while he’s away. It’s odd that he didn’t ask you to go to New York with him, though… Will you be visiting him during the shoot?’
‘I don’t think so.’ As you know very well, I thought, because you were obviously listening while I was talking to Cassie.
‘How long is he away?’ Nadia asked.
‘Two months.’
‘That long?’ Nadia raised her eyebrows. Then she stood up, smoothing down her skirt, checking her reflection in the glass of the French windows that led to the garden, smiling at what she saw. ‘Anyway, I must crack on. I need to print out Cassie’s schedule for next week. Try not to worry too much, Lucy.’ With another sickly sweet smile, she walked out of the room.
That was when I decided that Nadia was a complete and utter bitch.
CHAPTER 12
Eleanor held up two pieces of thick cream card, and said, ‘I have here two tickets for the Star Gazer Gala, which is one of my favourite events in the showbiz calendar. As my sister has very selfishly decided to get married this weekend, my husband and I can’t go. So you three can fight or toss a coin over who gets to go in my place. Or if you’ve made other plans for Saturday night, I’ll give them to one of our clients.’
‘I went to the gala a couple of years ago,’ Adrian said.
‘I remember,’ Eleanor said. ‘I’d just given birth, so I couldn’t go that time either.’
‘So if Maria or Lucy would like the tickets,’ Adrian went on, ‘that’s fine by me.’
‘See you on Saturday, Lucy?’ Maria said.
‘Great,’ I said. I’d never actually heard of the Star Gazer Gala, but given Eleanor’s enthusiasm, I decided it was definitely an event that a theatrical agent like myself should be keen to go to.
‘Enjoy.’ Eleanor handed Maria and me a ticket and disappeared inside her office.
‘It’s a fundraiser,’ Maria said to me before I could scrutinise my ticket. ‘And yet another one of those networking opportunities that you’ll have heard so much about since you started working at Reardon Haye.’
‘It’s also a good night out,’ Adrian said. ‘You get a meal and a cabaret performed by the stars of a West End musical. They give their services for free because it’s for charity. There’s also dancing at some point.’
‘Everyone really dresses up,’ Maria said. ‘We’re talking ball gowns for the girls and DJs for the guys.’
‘Yeah, it’s full on glitz,’ Adrian said. ‘The year I went, one woman wore a tiara.’
‘It sounds fabulous.’ I wondered if I’d be able to avoid the dancing.
‘It’ll do you good to get out of the house, Lucy,’ Adrian said. ‘You can’t be sitting at home every night pining for Daniel.’
I shot Adrian a withering glance. While I obviously missed Daniel, wished he would call more often, and couldn’t wait for him to be back in England, I hadn’t sat around moping and waiting for him to phone. Instead, I’d used my boyfriend’s absence to put in extra hours at work, to pay another visit to my family, and to spend some time with Cassie, whom I’d rather neglected in the six weeks that Daniel and I had been together. The fact that there had been no stories in the press or on the internet about the Fallen Angel doing the dirty with any of the film’s cast or crew had been a plus.
‘Thank you for your concern, Adrian,’ I said, ‘but I can assure you that I’m not pining away. The shoot’s half over, and I’m sure I can survive another month.’
From inside her office, Eleanor said, ‘You can pine for Daniel all you want, Lucy. As long as you do it in your own time.’
Saturday afternoon found me standing in front of my bedroom mirror looking at my reflection in despair. As none of the dresses in my London wardrobe could possibly be described as a ball gown, I’d bought myself a new ankle-length dress, pale coral in colour and vaguely Grecian in style. When I’d tried it on in the shop I’d loved it, but now that I’d got it home, I realised that while it would have been ideal for a beach wedding on a Greek island, it wasn’t nearly formal enough for a charity gala attended by the great and good of the British stage and screen.
My mobile rang. Still looking at my reflection in the mirror, I picked it up and hit the answer key.
‘Lucy. Hi. It’s Maria.’
‘Hi, hun,’ I said, making an effort to sound considerably more upbeat than I felt. ‘I’m glad you phoned because I’m having a bit of a crisis over my dress –’
‘Lucy, listen,’ Maria said. ‘I’m sorry but I’m not going to be able to make it tonight.’
What? ‘But why not? I mean, are you OK?’
‘No, actually I’m totally not OK. I have the worst migraine ever. Poundi
ng head. Flashing lights. Throwing up.’
‘Poor you. Would you like me to come over?’ I’d never been to Maria’s flat, but I knew she lived in Swiss Cottage. ‘I can easily get a train.’
‘That’s very sweet of you, but all I want to do is go to bed and sleep it off. I’m sure you’d be fine going to the gala on your own tonight...’
‘Oh, yes, don’t worry,’ I said, willing myself to stay calm. In just a few hours, I’d be representing Reardon Haye at a prestigious, high profile event all on my own. No pressure there.
‘…But I’ve arranged for a courier to bring you my ticket,’ Maria continued. ‘He should be with you within the next half hour. I know it’s late notice, but I thought you might like to invite a friend to go with you…’ Maria’s voice faltered, and then she said, ‘Sorry, Lucy, I really do need to go and lie down.’ She rang off.
I studied my reflection gloomily. Maybe I’d look OK if I wore enough jewellery.
Twenty minutes later, every necklace, bangle and pair of earrings that I owned tried on and rejected, I heard a knock on my door, followed by Cassie saying, ‘Lucy? Are you there?’
I opened the door so that she could come in.
‘A motorcycle courier just delivered this for you,’ she said. ‘I signed for it.’
‘Thanks.’ I took the envelope containing Maria’s ticket and tossed it onto my bed. ‘Cassie, are you doing anything tonight?’
‘Yes, I am. Ryan’s team are playing at home this week. I’m meeting him after the game, and we’re going for a meal with the team’s manager and his wife. Why do you ask?’
I gestured towards the envelope. ‘I have a spare ticket for the Star Gazer Gala. Maria and I were going together, but she has a migraine.’
‘Oh, if I hadn’t agreed to go for this meal, I’d have definitely come with you. I bought tickets last year. It’s a great night and such a good cause… Lucy, I don’t mean to be rude, but are you thinking of wearing that dress to the gala? You look lovely, but it’s a little informal.’
‘Welcome to my world. No-one to go out with on a Saturday night and nothing suitable to wear. I don’t suppose you have a tiara you could lend me?’
‘I think I can do a bit better than that.’ Cassie put her hands on her hips and looked me up and down. ‘OK. This is the plan. You start making phone calls. You must know someone who’d be up for a free meal. I’ll start going through my evening dresses. I’ve so many, there must be one that’s perfect for you.’ Tucking her hair determinedly behind her ears, Cassie swept out of my bedroom. I picked up my mobile and opened my address book.
The obvious person to have Maria’s ticket was Adrian, so I called him first. His phone rang several times before he answered.
‘Hi Adrian,’ I said. ‘It’s Lucy –’
He interrupted me to say, ‘Could you call back later? It’s not such a good time for me right now.’
‘I’ll talk quickly. Maria’s not well and can’t make the gala tonight.’
‘What’s wrong with her?’
‘Migraine. Would you like her ticket?’
Before Adrian could answer, I heard an angry female voice say, ‘Who are you talking to? Get off your frickin’ phone and come here.’
Definitely not a good time for me to have called, I thought. ‘I’m guessing you don’t want Maria’s ticket.’
‘Er, no. Why don’t you offer it to Ruby? You know how starstruck she is. I’m sure she’d love to go to a showbiz event.’
The female voice shrieked, ‘Adrian! Get off your phone or I’m out that door.’
‘I have to go.’ Adrian ended the call.
I rang Ruby’s mobile. Her phone went straight to voicemail. I trawled through my address book. If any of my uni friends were at a loose end this Saturday, they lived too far away from London for me to invite them to an event that was due to start in just a few hours. Then I saw Owen Somers’ number. For a moment I couldn’t understand why I had it in my own phone rather than my work phone, but then I remembered I’d added it before I’d gone to see his play. He’d had several minor roles since then, a walk-on in a TV series, a speaking part (but with only one line) in a film, and an advert. I’d still not managed to get him seen for a lead on stage or screen, but I was working hard on it. I was convinced it was only a matter of time.
I could invite Owen to the gala, I thought. Maria had said it was good for networking. Eleanor had talked about giving the tickets to a client. I pressed the call button on my phone, and he answered straight away.
‘Hey, Lucy. I don’t usually hear from Reardon Haye on a Saturday.’ He obviously thought I was phoning him about a job.
‘Before you get your hopes up,’ I said, ‘I’m not calling about an audition. I’m representing the agency at the Star Gazer Gala tonight, and I find myself with a spare ticket. I wondered if you’d like to come with me.’ To my embarrassment, I realised that it sounded like I was asking him out on a date. Quickly, I added, ‘As long as your girlfriend wouldn’t mind, of course. If you’ve not got other plans for tonight. And if you have a dinner jacket.’
‘I can borrow a dinner jacket. I don’t have a girlfriend.’
‘Oh, did you and Julie break up?’ I felt my face grow hot. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘Julie?’
‘You introduced me to her in the wine bar after I came to see you in Siblings.’
‘You thought Julie Diaz was my girlfriend?’ Owen sounded incredulous. ‘Whatever made you think that?’
‘You seemed like you were close. You talked about her at the Reardon Haye party. You said she’d invited you for Christmas.’
‘She’s a close friend of mine,’ Owen said. ‘She knew I wouldn’t be spending Christmas with my family, so she invited me to spend it with hers. But I’ve never dated her. Or even thought about dating her.’
‘You’re just good friends?’
‘Yep.’ After a pause, Owen said, ‘So you didn’t recognise her.’
‘Should I have?’
‘Her full name – her stage name – is Julie Farrell Diaz. She’s married to the actor Zac Diaz, who is also a good friend of mine. They’re quite a famous showbiz couple.’
‘I’m sorry, but I’ve not heard of them. A fine theatrical agent I am.’
Owen laughed. ‘There’s no need to apologise. I don’t expect my agent to know everyone in showbusiness. Actually, a while back, Julie mentioned something about the Star Gazer Gala. She and Zac may be going. If they’re there, I’ll introduce you properly.’
‘You’ll come with me then?’
‘I’d be delighted to escort you to the Star Gazer Gala,’ Owen said. ‘As long as your boyfriend doesn’t mind, of course.’
‘My boyfriend’s out of town,’ I said. ‘He won’t even know about it.’
Cassie came back into my bedroom, holding something behind her back. I told Owen the time of the gala, said that I’d meet him outside the Hyde Park Hotel where it was being held, and rang off.
‘All sorted?’ Cassie said.
‘Yes. I’m taking a client. Owen Somers. You met him at the Reardon Haye Christmas party.’
‘Tall, blond and cute? With extraordinary blue eyes?’
‘That’s him.’
‘I didn’t talk to him for very long, but he seemed like a nice guy.’
‘He is. So now all I need to worry about is my dress.’
‘I believe I have that covered.’
With a flourish, from behind her back, Cassie produced a long evening dress. It had a plunging halter-neck and a high waist, and it was made of midnight blue silk, so dark as to be almost black, with a gossamer-fine overskirt that shimmered silver in the light.
‘It’s gorgeous,’ I said. ‘But do you think it’ll look good on me? I don’t usually suit dark colours.’
‘Try it on and see.’
I took off the dress I was wearing and stepped carefully into the dress that Cassie held out to me. She helped me with the halter tie and the zip. I turned to face the m
irror.
‘Oooh.’ A smile spread across my face. ‘I look…’
‘Beautiful? Sophisticated? Hot? All of the above?’
‘I’m not going to lie to you,’ I said. ‘I feel amazing in this dress.’
‘Good. Let me get the tags off it.’
‘It’s still got the tags on? Haven’t you worn it? Are you sure you don’t mind me borrowing it?’
‘You can keep it.’ Cassie ripped off the price tags before I could see how much the dress had cost. ‘Wait here.’
She raced out of my room and came back brandishing a pair of silver shoes and a matching clutch bag.
‘It’s so lucky we’re the same size,’ she said. ‘Now, how are you going to do your hair?’
‘Well, I thought up rather than down.’
‘How about up but with lots of loose curls?’ Cassie said. ‘Would you like me to style it for you? Princess Snowdrop is rather good at that sort of thing. She goes to a lot of balls and parties.’
‘Why, thank you, Your Highness.’
Cassie danced a few steps around my room. ‘Don’t you just adore getting ready for a date?’ She looked and sounded much younger than her twenty-five years.
‘I do,’ I said. ‘But tonight isn’t a date.’
‘No. No, of course not. I don’t know why I said that.’
‘I have a boyfriend,’ I said. ‘His name is Daniel Miller.’
‘That’s the name of the guy you’re dating?’ Cassie said, smiling. ‘I think I’ve heard that name before. Is he an actor?’
‘He’s done a bit of acting.’
‘OK, Lucy,’ Cassie said. ‘Pass me your straighteners, and I’ll fix your hair for your not-a-date with Owen Somers.’
CHAPTER 13
The Mercedes edged slowly through the Park Lane traffic, and drew up outside the Hyde Park Hotel. The driver sprang out and opened the rear passenger door.
