Page 11 of Hidden Gem
Marnie nodded. “I won’t tell anyone.”
“Promises aren’t worth the paper they’re written on in this building, but I have no choice. I have to trust you, Marnie Browne.”
The way she repeated her name made Marnie shiver. Why on earth had she volunteered her full name to this lady? What if word got out somehow? Would she track her down and take revenge?
“You can trust me,” Marnie said in a small voice, backing out of the toilet. She still needed to pee, but she could do that later, maybe in another toilet somewhere far away from here. Or in her pants.
Kathleen struggled to her feet, refusing Marnie’s help. As she got to the sink, she glanced in the mirror and smoothed her hair.
“I’ll go first?” Marnie nodded at the door. “There’s a man out there asking for you. Jason. He said you’re needed out there to give a speech or something?”
Kathleen blinked, a vacant look falling over her eyes. “Who’re you?”
Marnie looked around, confused. “I’m ... Marnie.”
After a few seconds, Kathleen’s eyes lit up again and she smiled. “Yes, of course. Marnie. It was great to meet you. Now, off you go.” The smiled fixed on her face, she shooed Marnie off with a sinewy hand.
Marnie stepped back into the corridor. Whatever was going on with the minister, at least she was now on her feet and seemed to require no further assistance.
Jason appeared beside her and leaned in to whisper. “Is she there?”
The sensation of his warm breath in her ear sent a tremor down her body and she fought hard to ignore it.
“She’s there. She’s just ... freshening up. She’ll come out in a minute.” Marnie straightened her shoulders and turned to face those steel grey eyes – Jason. Oh, dear. So perfect. In a fitted jacket over a crisp white shirt and no tie, his jawline defined by a five o’clock shadow with a tinge of silvery grey. He had blue-tinted shadows under his eyes and a look of subtle defiance that stood out against the rigid tradition of the Parliament. A rebel. In a different life, if she’d been ten years younger, and a lot braver, she would have flirted with him. It would have been so much fun, like a scene from a movie, or one she would write in a book.
Marnie sighed. This was as much excitement as she was going to have tonight, and probably as much as she could handle. Her last hurrah involved a 60-year-old woman collapsed in the toilet – perhaps a terrifying sneak peek into her own future.
“Thank you.” Jason flashed her a smile and hurried down the dark corridor, back into the banquet hall.
She allowed herself one more look at his broad shoulders, until her bladder signalled a more pressing need. She still needed to pee. To her relief, Kathleen stepped out of the ladies’ room and followed Jason, brushing past her without a second look. Marnie caught the closing door and snuck back in.
Sitting down on the toilet felt heavenly. Marnie relaxed her posture, stretching her feet. How long could she hide out here?
A faint crackle of the loudspeakers alerted her that the official programme was starting. She couldn’t miss Tom’s moment. Marnie washed up and hurried back to the hall.
Kathleen Rush smiled under a bright spotlight as her commanding voice filled the room. There was no sign of the previous wobble as she waxed lyrical about the government’s commitment to arts and education.
After her short speech, another politician – a fat, balding man with rattling breath – stepped behind the microphone, introduced himself as Malcolm something and continued in the same vein.
Marnie made her way to the drinks table to get another glass of champagne. It was probably unwise, but she wanted something to hold. The bubbles tickled her chest, lightening her mood. As soon as the official programme finished, she could make her way back to the hotel. She wouldn’t even bother with the cinnamon crepes; it was too much of a walk. All she wanted was to take off the shoes and lie down.
The formalities ended and the crowd dispersed, the people likely rushing to better parties. Marnie looked around for Tom and smiled as he approached.
“There you are! I was looking for you earlier.” His eyes held a subtle concern.
“I must have been in the bathroom, sorry. Are you leaving now?”
“Yes. Are you sure you don’t want to join us?”
Marnie waved her hand. “It’s fine. I’m dying to go back to the hotel and take off my shoes, if you don’t mind.”
Tom flashed her a knowing smile. “Okay. I didn’t have high hopes, to be honest. But I’m glad I got you to come out for this.” He gestured at the hall. “I wish they’d done a sit-down dinner or something, but—”
“No! This has been perfect!” Marnie shut him up with a vigorous head shake. “I am one proud mama. This day has been so special. You have no idea. Thank you for everything.” She glanced at her dress, eyes wide with wonder. She still couldn’t believe she was dressed like this in public.
“Totally worth it,” Tom said, flashing her a victorious grin.
He gave her a tight hug before disappearing down the grand staircase leading to the exit. He didn’t get very far, as the simultaneous departure of a hundred people created a long queue by the security doors, which only let one person through at a time.
