Page 72 of You Only Live Once
Jemima had done an amazing job, as had Martin. My hair, having lost a couple of inches that were dry and needed to go, now looked healthier but was still long and currently fell in soft waves about my shoulders and down my back. The highlights he had added shimmered as they caught the light, making it look thicker and fuller. Jemima’s make-up was picture perfect, literally. I felt like I’d fallen out of a glossy magazine.
‘I look like I’ve been airbrushed! I don’t know how she does it, but she’s absolutely brilliant. And totally lovely, of course.’
‘She’s over the moon about that collection of signed copies that you gave her.’
‘Yes, I rather got that from the fact she burst into tears. I wasn’t sure if I’d made a huge booboo initially, so I was super relieved to see that she was smiling. I wasn’t sure what to do for Martin, but I didn’t feel I could give Jemima something without doing the same for him. It seems rather vain to foist books upon somebody when they might not even like them.’
‘He’s thrilled with that boutique gin subscription you got him, though.’
‘That was down to you, really, with your detective work finding out what sort of things he liked. Thanks for that, Poppy.’
‘I think he’d have been extra thrilled if you could have got him a date with Jack.’
‘I think you’re right.’
‘I’m not sure we could have persuaded your butler to do that,’ she said, giggling as we moved to the door.
‘For God’s sake, don’t tell Jack that Martin called him the butler,’ I said, opening the bedroom door.
‘Your butler?’ Jack said, raising one dark brow, a hint of amusement on his full lips.
‘I… I didn’t realise you were there.’
‘No, clearly.’ The smile widened.
‘Martin was just, um, teasing. You know.’
‘Is there anything I can get you, ma’am?’
Poppy sniggered behind me and Jack looked over my shoulder, exchanging a grin with her.
I rolled my eyes and stepped fully out of the room, Poppy following me.
‘You look fab!’ she said, giving Jack the once-over. ‘Very dashing.’
‘Thanks,’ he smiled and momentarily adjusted his cuffs unnecessarily as if suddenly unsure of the compliment. Fab, however, was an understatement as to how damn good he looked. Freshly shaved, his hair was short, dark and perfect, and that suit definitely wasn’t off the peg. It was clearly made to measure from somewhere pricey and I have to say they measured very, very well.
‘Are you going out, or have you decided to stay here all evening? What time is the car coming?’ Poppy asked as I hovered on the landing.
‘Should be any time now,’ Jack replied. ‘By the way…’
‘Huh?’ I looked up at him.
‘Wow. I’ve been wanting to say it since you opened the door and then the butler thing was too good an opportunity to miss but seriously, wow.’
Poppy’s face broke into a huge grin. ‘Doesn’t she look amazing?’ She was practically vibrating with excitement beside me.
‘She does.’ Jack’s eyes were still fixed on me, his voice soft. ‘Absolutely incredible.’
I scratched the back of my neck as I looked off up the landing. ‘Poppy’s friends are definitely miracle workers,’ I said, adding a laugh that didn’t quite sound right. My sister-in-law gave me a nudge that was somewhat harder than necessary. ‘You’re supposed to say thank you,’ she whispered so loudly I thought next door had probably heard – and my next-door neighbours were several miles away.
‘Sorry. Yes. Thank you. You look very nice yourself.’ I suddenly felt like an awkward teenager going to her first prom.
Jack gave me a soft smile and then flicked his arm out, looking at the face of a simple but elegant Philippe Patek watch. ‘The car should be here in a couple of minutes. You OK?’
‘Fine!’ My tone sounded far more shrill than usual, and I felt like a whole raft of butterflies had just taken off inside my stomach and were now bashing against my insides, looking for a way out.
Oh God, was I doing the right thing? Perhaps I should have just started with going to a few more local cafés on my own or something. But no, my first flotations back into society had to be a party held by an earl at the local manor and a major film premiere. I certainly didn’t do things by half.
