Page 48 of Cover Story

‘Of course. I’ll set Saturday aside. Means I can help with the shopping or cooking too.’

Bel mumbled thanks. Keeping track of Connor’s fluctuating morality gave her seasickness.

Downstairs again, he said to Shilpa, nodding towards the freeze frame: ‘Clueless?’

‘Yes!’

‘Do you like Billie Holliday? I love him,’ he said, proving he not only knew the film but the dialogue in the specific scene.

‘Hahaha! Impressive,’ Shilpa said, eyes like pinwheels.

‘My ex loved it,’ Connor said. ‘First time I’ve called her that, feels odd.’

‘I know what you mean,’ Shilpa said, trying for ‘empath’ and gravitas despite the fact she was in a Gap adult romper and her hair was in space buns. ‘You’re welcome to stay and watch it?’

‘Oh, thanks but I’ve got a hot appointment with the Hotel Gotham bar. My brother is an embarrassing swag lord and he wants me to go make a booking for his forthcoming stayin person.’

Bel was grateful for Connor’s smooth refusal; they weren’t friends, and she had no interest in the pretence either. They had been air-clearingly honest about where they stood. It didn’t change the fact that where they stood was not close.

As he was departing, Bel said: ‘By the way, I didn’t wear Converse boots to my school prom.’

‘Oh …’ Connor said, catching up with what she meant, and looking suitably chastened. ‘Cookie Monster pyjamas with heels?’

Bel hated that she laughed. His audacity!

‘I was so “feisty” I didn’t go. Let me guess: you were Prom King?’ she said.

‘Er. Reluctantly.’

‘Hahahaha. See you at the office.’

Bel wasn’t saying she needed to establish her dominance in their farewell, but it didn’t hurt either.

She closed the door. There was half a minute’s pause.

Shilpa hissed: ‘Oh my GOD. He’s so gorgeous and lovely!’

‘You took lovely from that? I tooknot as bad as I thoughtat most.’

‘And he’ssingle?!’

‘Convenient, not exciting.’

‘Ahem, it’s absolutely highly pertinent. The market will be abuzz with the news he’s back on it.’

‘Is there a man market that stretches from London to Manchester? Like an old trading route with stage coaches.’

Shilpa rested her head on the edge of the sofa like a watchful dog.

‘Did you really not have any moment when he was pretending he was your boyfriend when you thought: nnnnggg this is hot? Did you hold hands?’

‘Nope and nope!’ Bel lied.

Shilpa rolled onto her back.

‘I would like to have the kind of fling with him that sees us both publicly condemned by the Pope.’

28

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