Page 74 of A Summer of New Beginnings
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The Kingsman was buzzing when Zara and her entourage arrived. A group of reporters snapped photos and there was a TV crew from Scottish Television broadcasting live as celebrities’ cars pulled up surrounded by security. A huge crowd of people was gathered and Zara wondered why. It was a prestigious literary awards’ ceremony but these things didn’t usually attract such raucous crowds. A loudcheer roared and Zara’s stomach knotted with anxiety as she looked back over her shoulder to find out what was going on. She watched as rock star Nick Dacre climbed out of a black car and waved to the gathered crowd. Her heart leapt.
Bloody hell, I’m going to be in the same room as Nick Dacre?It did nothing to calm her nerves.
She caught sight of herself in the mirrored exterior doors and hadto do a double take. The long, fitted black gown she wore made her look incredibly sophisticated, even if she did say so herself. Once inside her mum gripped her hand as they walked towards a set of double doors, flanked by security. They stepped through the doors into the room where the awards would be taking place and Zara gasped as she tried to absorb everything before her. Huge chandeliershung from a ceiling draped with fabric. Round tables with the most wonderful floral centrepieces covered the full extent of the humongous room. Zara hadn’t realised that the hotel was quite so big when she had visited it with Loretta. But it was massive. A smartly dressed blonde woman took their names and showed them to their table. Loretta and her husband were already there, and they greeted Zarawith hugs before she introduced them to the people she had brought.
There were several awards to be presented and from the running order Zara’s category was going to be one of the later ones of the evening. Great, longer to become a nervous wreck, she thought as she glanced round the room. There were various familiar-looking faces, but when her gaze fell on one particular face her heart almostjumped from her mouth.
‘Oh, my God, Shelley, it’s Ruby Oatley. Ruby Oatley is sitting right over there.’ Zara couldn’t quite believe she was sitting in the same room as a rock starandher absolute favourite author in the world.
Shelley twisted in her seat to look in the same direction. They had shared a love of Ruby’s books for many years. She slapped her leg. ‘Oh, my word. We have to go sayhi, Zee. We have to. I’d never forgive myself if we didn’t,’ she insisted. ‘Ooh, ooh, maybe we could ask for a selfie.’
Zara cringed. ‘Oh, I don’t know. I’ll probably make a total fool of myself.’
‘No, you won’t. Come on. I’ll do the talking.’ She grabbed Zara’s hand and tugged her from her seat.
Once they reached Ruby’s table Shelley tapped her on the shoulder. ‘Excuse me. I’m sorry to intrude.But my friend and I have been huge fans of yours for years and we had to come and say hello.’
Ruby stood and smiled graciously. ‘Oh, that’s so lovely, thank you.’
‘Yes, we’re here tonight because Zara is shortlisted in the Best Unpublished Newcomer category, aren’t you, Zara?’
Zara, transfixed on her favourite author, nodded and said, ‘I write books now.’What the hell did I say that for? Oh,God, what an idiot. Idiot, sodding, arsing idiot.
Ruby grinned and shook both of their hands. ‘Well, good luck to you, Zara. Have a wonderful evening.’ Just then a voice came over the sound system asking everyone to take their seats, so Shelley quickly dragged Zara back to their table.
‘I write books now?I meet my favourite author in the whole world and all I can say isI write books now. Fuckme, I’m a total plank.’
Shelley giggled. ‘Hey, just think, some utter loon might behave like that when they meetyouone day.’
As they turned to walk back to their table someone stepped into their path.
‘Zara, you look stunning.’
She lifted her face and her eyes were met with the sexy dark gaze of Lachlan Grant. He looked amazing in his dinner jacket. All clean-shaven and smelling deliciousas usual. ‘Lachy? What are you doing here?’
‘I’ll, erm, see you back at the table, Zee,’ Shelley whispered before hurrying away.
He watched Shelley walk away and took a step closer. ‘I… erm… I wanted to see you. God, I’ve missed you. I knew that you were shortlisted and, after the way things ended when I came to your hotel room that night, I wanted to speak to you. To find out why—’
Zara stiffenedher spine. ‘I have nothing to say to you.’
‘Zara, please, just tell me—’
‘Hey, gorgeous, is this guy bothering you?’ Josh asked as he appeared beside her and slipped his arm possessively round her waist.
‘No, Josh, it’s fine, he’s just going back to his table.’
Lachlan’s gaze switched rapidly between Zara and Josh and he pointed. ‘Is this… is thistheJosh?’ he asked with incredulity.
‘Notthat it’s any of your business, but yes.’
His brow crumpled and he opened and closed his mouth several times before saying, ‘Why the hell are you back withhim? After what he did—’
Josh stepped forward. ‘Hey, mate, I don’t know what you think you’re playing at but just do one, okay?’
Zara’s heart pounded in her chest and she feared a fight would break out so she grabbed Josh and tugged himbackwards. ‘Look, Josh, I think things are about to start. We’d better go.’ He nodded and gave Lachy one final, intimidating glare before walking back towards the table.
