Page 15 of Wilder at Heart
He snorts. Clearly we have very different standards for how far we’re willing to prostitute ourselves (three words:Charmed in Chelsea.Yep).
‘Believe me, we won’t be doing anything you’re not comfortable with. I’ll hold your hand, yeah. I’ll put my arm around you. But we don’t need to deliver a shit-tonne of PDA to convince people. If we say we’re dating, we’re dating.’
‘That’s the other thing. I’d be lying to people. Your brother, who I’m working for. And your parents. All these lovely, well-meaning people—I’d be lying to their faces.’
‘There’s nothing lovely about my brother. Believe me. And you don’t think he’s capable of dirty behaviour to get what he wants in business? If anything, he’d admire you going after what you want. Miles invented the concept of the end justifying the means.’
He leans forward, and I have a feeling he’s about to close the deal.
‘You don’t need to lie overtly if it makes you uncomfortable. Just let people draw their own conclusions. Besides,’—he whispers in my ear, and once again my body betrays me in its physical reaction to his proximity—‘who knows? You may even enjoy yourself.’
CHAPTER 5
Nora
I’m bursting to talk to Elle.
I can’t conceive of going through this ridiculous charade with Theo ‘Romeo’ Montague without confiding in her. She’ll know what I should do.
She’ll tell me if she thinks I’m crazy.
I get my chance the evening before my and Theo’s first outing as a ‘couple’ (oh, dear God. Just thinking that makes me nauseous). Tomorrow we’re all due for a family lunch at his mum and dad’s place around the corner in Holland Park. Apparently, his parents want Elle to meet Saoirse, but I suspect they also want to get their hands on Elle’s boyfriend, Josh. I mean, who wouldn’t?
Elle and Josh have caused quite the stir in the media since they got back together properly onThe Gordon Kay Showa couple of weeks ago. I suppose it’s a good thing they’re up in Elstree shooting during the week. From what she says, it’s quite the little bubble they have up there, between the studio and the hotel.
Still, things are full on for her. She had a premiere last weekend, and a couple of weeks previously, she was in hospital with a nasty flare up. Elle has Crohn’s disease, a fact she keptfrom Josh until she was hospitalised, so now he knows he’s gone full-on Matron on her.
I have to say, it’s sweet. I had major misgivings about that guy—he behaved so badly to Elle in the past—but knowing how he was with her when she was ill, hearing him spill his guts onGordon Kayand seeing how devoted he’s been since then has all helped calm my fears. He’s a good boy. Good enough for Elle, even.
Today, Elle took Josh along to a #Crohn’sWarrior event for women that she and I organised super quickly. She went public with her illness onGordon Kay, and while I know exactly why she’s kept that part of herself private all these years, it’s been amazing to see the outpouring of support and gratitude around the world. The Crohns and colitis community now has a fierce new warrior in their corner.
Great as these events are, they take it out of her, especially on top of a crazy shooting schedule during the week. Matron, AKA Josh, has ordered her to rest while he works out in Elle’s basement gym, so Elle and I are camped in her bed with camomile tea and her gorgeous little dachshund, Olive (blonde, long-haired, miniature. And I’m Mummy to her Monday to Friday when Elle’s shooting). It’s rock and roll over here.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I fluff up my pillow, trying not to think about the fact that I’m sitting right in the spot where GQ magazine’s Man of the Year sleeps. ‘So, I imagine Mr Lander got a warm welcome from the ladies today?’
Elle snorts, but her expression is dreamy. ‘You could say that. I may as well not have been there.’
‘Oh, come on. I’m sure they were all over you.’
‘Not so much. He was so amazing, Nor. He had time for everyone—he really, really listened to their stories and asked them lots of questions. And then he made this impromptu toastto me and all the attendees, told us we were braver than he could ever be, and that having a Crohn’s diagnosis, or even a stoma, should never make them feel less than. He said something like, “I look around this room, and all I see is beauty and strength. And it takes my breath away”.’
I press my hand to my heart. ‘Holyshit.’
‘I know. There was not an unaffected ovary in the room, let me tell you. He’ssogetting it tonight. Even though I’m knackered.’
My beautiful friend wipes her eyes and I marvel at the length of her journey, the extent of her grace, and the joy I feel at her happy ending.
‘Did a lot of them have stomas, then?’
‘Yeah. Around seventy percent, probably.’
‘Jesus.’
I rub Olive’s soft tummy and we’re both quiet for a moment. I know this is the axe that hangs over Elle’s head constantly. That one day she’ll lose her bowel and have to poo in a stoma, which is a type of colostomy bag, for the rest of her life.
Thank God she has Josh in her corner now. Someone who’ll love her no matter what, and someone who’ll make sure she’s taking care of herself. Not spreading herself too thin.
