Darcy stared out of the window as reporters swarmed around the car. The driver had a job not to knock anyone over as he pulled them from the underground car park.
She had decided not to go, that she couldn’t face it, and then Blanche had strode in and demanded, “Are you still moping around?” and took Darcy’s mug off her. “You have a show to do.”
“I’ve decided to refrain.” She curled up on the sofa. What were they going to do, fire her?
Blanche put her hands on her hips. “Oh, suck it up.”
“Excuse me?” She glared up at her.
“Honey, you got found out. Everybody knows you’re a lady-loving babe. Get over it.” Blanche yanked her up by the arm. Strong for a twig. “I used to look up at that picture, dreaming I’d be where Kate is right now. You get that?” She scowled at her. “Every girl I ever dated swooned over you. You were a picture of strength.”
“Every girl?” She wagged her finger. “Why was I a pin-up?” And Blanche had drooled over her? Oddly satisfying. Did Zoë know that?
“Because you were full of this…” Blanche flapped her arms around. “This vivacious, vibrant, sexy attitude. You took no shit. Sheer feminine strength.” She let out a wistful sigh. “And you are hot.” She scowled again. “So every kid who drooled over you really needs you to step up.” She clicked her fingers. “Find your inner bitch.”
Darcy rolled her eyes. “I’m getting a pep talk from the other woman. How nice.”
Blanche pursed her lips and slunk onto one hip. “You’re getting a pep talk from a kid you once helped. Now find your inner bitch.”
Darcy walked over to the kitchen. She had no intention of doing anything other than curling up on her sofa.
Blanche growled, stomped over, and planted a smacker on her lips. “If you don’t get your ass to the reveal, I will take your place and make you look like a cheap has-been.” She nodded and raised an eyebrow. “Oh yeah. I got the girl. I got your babe. You want to lose another one? Because the next woman Kate falls for might just make her happier.” She clicked her fingers again. “You want someone else making her happy?”
“No.” She growled it. She couldn’t stand the thought, let alone if Kate did move on.
“Then quit moping around like you’re a pathetic loser and find your inner bitch.” Blanche planted another smacker on her lips.
Darcy grabbed her by the scruff and kissed her back, then shoved her off. “You’re too skinny to pull off my wardrobe.”
Blanche grinned. “There you are.”
Who would have thought that Blanche could spark her enough to make her call the driver? Darcy stared out of the car window, then frowned. Every shop, every building had her in the window. “Did I launch a product without realising?”
The driver chuckled. “Ms McGregor. I think you did something.” He pulled into the side street near Oxford Street, and crowds of people filled the pavements and road. A police escort pulled alongside them.
“When did I become royalty?” Police escort? She’d been to a lot of things, but the escort was for events, not a drive to a reveal. She frowned. “And why are we going through Oxford Street? Shouldn’t we be heading to the airport?”
“I think the Windermeres had an idea.” He smiled at her in the rear-view mirror. “And I think everyone misses you.”
She stared out. Every high-street shop had her picture and #EmbraceDesigner on it. She scowled. “I’ll beat her.” She slammed open the door and stomped through the waiting crowds. “I’ll beat her with her own heels.”