Page 77 of For Love or Money
‘Well, look how Peter ended up left to his own devices. He needs a firm hand. They’re just glad to still have him around, and I’m sure they’re grateful to you.’
‘I guess. Anyway, I’m very gladyou’rehere, Lesley.’
‘Me too. This place is lovely, isn’t it?’ she said, looking around. She fished in her bag for her phone. ‘I’d better get on Instagram and get busy making everyone jealous.’ She took a photo of the restaurant and posted it. ‘You’re not on Instagram?’ She thought it was worth asking, on the off-chance that Stella just kept her social media accounts private because she didn’t want Peter’s family to connect with her.
Stella shook her head. ‘I’m not on any social media.’
‘I’m kind of jealous. I’m a total addict.’
‘I had a … bad experience a while back.’
‘Bullying?’ That was common enough on social media.
‘Sort of.’ She looked down at her hands, fidgeting with the stem of her glass. ‘An ex was ... stalking me, I suppose.’ She lifted her head. ‘It’s a long time ago now. I deleted all my accounts.’
‘And you’ve never been tempted to go back? Even to do a bit of covert cyber-stalking?’
‘No.’ Stella smiled sardonically. ‘I’m afraid of what I might find. Anyway, I don’t miss it. It’s very freeing, actually, not being tethered to all that.’ She nodded at Lesley’s phone. ‘The constant clamour for attention and applause, the comparisonitis.’
‘The endless selfies,’ Lesley chipped in.
‘Oh God, the selfies!’ Stella struck a pose, hand on hip, chest thrust out, pouting at herself in an imaginary mirror while she held a phone out at arm’s length.
Lesley laughed.
‘I may be vain,’ Stella continued, ‘but at least I don’t spend all my time broadcasting pictures of myself admiring my reflection.’
‘You’d be perfectly justified if you did. I mean, there’s no point in pretending you don’t know how great you look.’
‘Well, it’s not as if I didn’t earn it – literally,’ Stella said, leaning forward confidentially. ‘Bought and paid for it with my own money.’
‘You mean ... plastic surgery? I must admit, I did wonder if you’d had a boob job.’
Stella nodded. ‘And the rest.’ She drew a finger over her face, along her jaw and chin. ‘I’ve had a lot of work done.’
‘Wow!’ Maybe it was the effect of working in Hollywood, Lesley thought. But even there, she suspected it would be unusual for someone Stella’s age to have had that much cosmetic surgery. ‘That must have cost a packet.’
Stella nodded. ‘It did. I spent pretty much all my money on it for years. But it was worth it.’
‘Well, good for you!’ Lesley raised her glass in salute. She was glad Stella was letting her hair down a bit with her. By the time they had drained the bottle of champagne and ordered another, she was really starting to loosen up.
‘Lesley, can I ask you something?’ She topped up their glasses. ‘A favour?’
‘Sure,’ Lesley said readily, glad she was gaining Stella’s confidence.
‘Would you be my bridesmaid?’
‘Me?’ she squeaked, taken aback.
‘You don’t have to, of course,’ Stella said quickly. ‘Feel free to say no if you’d rather not.’
‘No, it’s not that. I’m just surprised. I mean, you hardly even know me. You must have friends you’d rather ask.’ Lesley knew she should be pleased, but instead she was horrified. If Stella’s aim had been to make her feel like a prize snake, she couldn’t have done a better job.
‘That’s just it, I don’t. I haven’t really got any close friends.’ Stella gave a rueful smile. ‘God, that makes me sound like such a loser. But it’s just that I’ve moved around so much, and I’m not very good at keeping in touch. I’m a “live in the moment” kind of person, I guess.’
‘Love the ones you’re with,’ Lesley said, nodding.
‘Exactly. And now I’m with you.’
