Although, technically, the Doris Day film season had ended, because the Doris Day Film Club met on the first Tuesday of the month, they were back together the following Tuesday, the fourth of August. They watched Lover Come Back, Doris’s second outing with Rock Hudson. Not as well-remembered as Pillow Talk, but some critics said it was better. Claire thoroughly welcomed being transported into the make-believe world for a couple of hours. Funnily enough, it was this film and the work they’d done in their rival advertising businesses that had got her interested in that profession when she’d been ready to work out what she wanted to do when she left school.
When the film was over and people were drifting away, Maggs cornered her. ‘Before you go, I’ve got some good news to share.’
Claire looked up, surprised. Maggs hadn’t breathed a word to her about this so far this evening.
‘You know I like my competitions,’ Maggs said. ‘Keep the mind sharp. Well, finally I won more than a year’s supply of cat food or a free iPod thingy that I don’t know what to do with.’ Maggs took a deep breath. ‘I won a holiday.’
Claire grinned. This was exactly what Maggs needed to cheer her up. ‘Congratulations!’
Maggs gave her a rueful smile. ‘But I don’t think I can go.’
Claire’s face fell. ‘Oh, no! Why not?’
Maggs shrugged. ‘Barney. I can’t possibly leave him just after he’s just come to live with me. It wouldn’t be fair.’
‘You have to take the trip now?’
Maggs nodded. ‘Yep. It’s in the terms and conditions. Have to fly out before the end of August. It’s one of those “now or never” kind of things.’
Claire pulled a glum face. ‘That’s too bad.’
Maggs cleared her throat. ‘That’s why I want you to take it. I want you to have the holiday.’
Claire blinked. She had not been expecting Maggs to say that. When the shock wore off, she laughed softly. ‘Me? Isn’t giving a travel agent a holiday a bit like taking coals to Newcastle?’
Maggs gave her one of those looks. ‘It would be if you ever took one. When was the last time you had some time off, Claire?’
‘I …’ she fell silent. Cripes. Maggs was right. That trip to Prague with Philip had been three years ago. ‘What sort of holiday?’
Maggs smiled. It was a happy smile, but it was a kind of mischievous one too. ‘This is the good bit. It’s a week, all expenses paid, in California.’
Claire’s eyes popped open.
‘Three days in Hollywood and another three in Carmel-by-the-Sea.’
Claire’s mouth dropped open. ‘But that’s—’
‘Exactly,’ Maggs said, nodding. ‘That’s where Doris lives. Now do you see why I want you to go? It’s fate, I tell you.’
Claire made a dismissive noise with her lips. ‘Maggs, you don’t believe in fate!’
Maggs suddenly looked very serious. ‘I do since I got Barney. That seemed like a lucky coincidence at the time, but that dog is the best thing that ever happened to me.’
Claire stood up and tidied her chair away again, then she walked over to where she’d left the DVD collection and her handbag and began bustling around putting things away. ‘Even if that’s true, I can’t possibly just drop everything and fly away for a week. Not before the end of August.’
‘I know you’re good enough at what you do that you could wrap up all your loose ends by then. Even travel agents have to travel sometimes!’
‘Erm …’ Claire had been tempted to disagree, but maybe Maggs had a point.
‘And you could do with a break,’ Maggs added sweetly. A little too sweetly, maybe. ‘It’s been a hard couple of months, what with the situation with your dad and the business with … well, you know … with the flat.’
Claire nodded. That was also true. She was feeling tired and drained. The idea of being able to escape it all, to fly away and be somewhere else for a week began to take hold.
‘The chance may never come again,’ Maggs prodded.
Claire looked at her. She was right. This was definitely not the sort of thing she would have thought of booking for herself, although now she thought about it, she wondered why. The thought of walking down Hollywood Boulevard, seeing all the stars on the pavement, visiting the studios and doing the tours, was suddenly very appealing. She knew it was all very touristy, but that’s what she’d be for a change, wouldn’t she? A tourist. And the thought of being able to visit the lots and sound stages where some of her favourite movies had been made …
And then there was Carmel, the idyllic little seaside town that Doris had fallen in love with when she’d filmed Julie, and had finally retired to. She’d always wanted to see it, to walk along the pale sandy beaches with the crashing Pacific surf, even if the likelihood she’d bump into Doris herself was slim to none.
‘Can I take anyone with me?’ she asked.
Maggs nodded. ‘It’s a trip for two. So, who do you think you’re going to ask?’