Lucy and Amy had giggled like giddy schoolgirls when they spotted Kirk Kelner, before telling each other to get a grip and act like they hadn’t seen him. There was nothing more pathetic than grown women drooling over a man just because he was famous.
‘Not just famous,’ Amy had pointed out. ‘He’s also the fittest man I’ve ever seen in my life. By far.’
Lucy had laughed, stealing a last glance at the actor. ‘Agreed. He’s divine. But enough about him. This restaurant was a great choice after all, Aims, and this lobster bisque is amazing.’
Amy lifted her glass and clinked Lucy’s.
‘Here’s to you, Luce – and the future.’
Lucy felt the effects of their gin martinis and the bottle of Chablis, and revelled in the abandon she felt.
‘It’s got to be better than the last few weeks, Aims. Here’s to both of us.’
The girls caught up on each other’s news over their main courses – Dover sole off the bone for Lucy and hake for Amy. There was so much to tell. James was desperate to marry. Part of Amy couldn’t wait for the fairy-tale wedding she’d always dreamed of but the thought of a lifetime of school runs didn’t do it for her.
‘I love my job, Luce.’
‘I know you do but James isn’t so stuck in the Dark Ages, Aims; surely he’d be happy for you to carry on?’
Amy drained her glass. ‘I don’t think so. I’m over thirty, his mum is desperate for grandchildren and it’s simply not the done thing for a de Vosse mother to work. It’s modern in the very worst way to them. But it’s just not me.’
Lucy felt a surging sense of respect for her friend. Many women would jump at the chance to be kept for the rest of their days, the hardest decision they had to make being what kind of nanny to hire – an enthusiastic young French one or a sterner lady of a certain age because the more nubile option might turn hubby’s head. Amy had never changed to fit with James’s set. She stood out, with her Manchester accent, swearing when the mood took her to bring a story to life. Lucy had no doubt that’s why James adored her – he had fallen for Amy as she was. Lucy couldn’t believe he’d expect her to change who she was just because he’d decided the time was right to start a family.
As the girls gave their cards to the waiter, he smiled back.
‘Mr Kelner has taken care of the bill for you.’
‘Mr…’
‘Yes, Mr Kelner,’ the waiter said, with a hint of an Italian accent. ‘He hopes you do not mind. He has also asked for a bottle of champagne to be sent to your table.’
Amy lowered her head to the table, then looked up at Lucy and spoke in a hushed tone: ‘Bloody hell, bloody Kirk Kelner has bought us dinner.’
Hollywood star Kirk Kelner. The man Armani dressed for free because the clothes looked so good on him.
‘Please tell him we would love to accept his champagne, and thank him for us,’ Amy told the waiter firmly.
‘Very well, madam.’ The waiter nodded, marching off to Kirk’s table.
‘Luce,’ Amy was still talking in a hushed tone, full of urgency and excitement, ‘Kirk Kelner – the only man in the world I’d be unfaithful to James with… I’ve told him that, don’t worry – is after you. He’s bought us dinner and is making eyes at you like a lovesick schoolboy.’
‘What’s your point, Aims?’
‘My point is… go and bloody say thank you. Now.’
Of course he wasn’t really after her. He had his pick. Mind you, she thought, looking over at his table, his dinner companion didn’t look much like a date. Unless he’d taken a fancy to the more mature lady. She was a stunning woman – perfectly turned out, great skin – but must be over fifty or wearing well for sixty. And she looked far too poised and refined to lust after a toy boy.
God, Kirk was handsome. Hell, when would she ever contemplate not thanking anyone who had just bought her dinner?
‘OK, I will.’
Lucy was grateful for every sip of alcohol she had had since opening the bottle of wine at the flat. She needed the courage it had given her.
Floating over to the other side of the room, she felt detached from her body, like she was watching this surreal scene from above. Was this really happening?
‘Hello, Kirk?’ Shit, it was real, she thought as she heard the words come from her mouth.
‘Yes, hello. Pleased to meet you…?’
‘Lucy – Lucy Summers.’
Kirk offered his hand and stood for a few seconds. He held Lucy’s frozen gaze. He was overwhelmingly handsome, gorgeous. Better than on film. She was aware he was motioning to the other side of the table.
‘This is my mother, Daphne.’
Daphne offered her hand and a broad smile. ‘Charmed.’ She was even more stunning up close, all white teeth and luminous skin.
‘I… I just wanted to thank you for your lovely gesture. It was very kind.’
Kirk’s eyes were twinkling, still fixed on Lucy’s. ‘It was my pleasure.’
Lucy felt she should be overcome with nerves and shyness. But somehow she felt alive, more sure of herself. Maybe it was the drink. More likely it was the fact that Kirk Kelner had bought them dinner. If that wasn’t a boost to the ego, what was? And why be nervous? He was, after all, only human.
‘There is, however, a catch.’ Kirk was studying Lucy. ‘I can’t pretend my motives were completely selfless.’
Lucy found herself smiling at him, intrigued by what was coming.
‘The thing is… I’m on the guest list for a club nearby – my driver’s waiting outside – and as hard as I’ve tried, my mother is refusing to even entertain the thought of accompanying me. So…’
Lucy raised her eyebrows, playing this fun flirting game with Kirk bloody Kelner.
‘Would you like to be my guest? You and your friend…?’
‘Amy.’
‘I’d be delighted if you and Amy would join me. I shall try to be as entertaining as is fitting for two such beautiful ladies.’
What was a girl to say to such a proposition?
‘Thanks, we’d like that.’
Lucy couldn’t wait to tell Amy.