big puzzle was, why was she being so evasive about it? OK, only one way to find out.
‘Good afternoon,’ said the charming blonde receptionist. ‘May I help you?’ The interior of the restaurant was pale green and silver, modern and expensive-looking and curvy
‘Hi there, I’m supposed to be meeting my friend,’ said Lola. ‘Her name’s Cheryl Dixon.’
‘I’m sorry, madam, we don’t have a booking in that name.’
‘I know, I’m so sorry, I can’t remember the name of the other person.’ Lola smiled, determined to out-charm the receptionist, and attempted to sneak a look at the list of names on the computer screen. ‘My friend just came in a minute ago, she’s wearing red stilettos.’
The receptionist swiftly swung the computer screen around so Lola couldn’t see it.
‘Sorry, madam, if you don’t have a booking ...’
‘Oh please, I have to see them, it’s urgent . .. her car’s being towed away ...’
The receptionist’s smile was now a thing of the past. ‘But that’s not actually true, is it?’
Blimey, what was this place, Fort Knox? The tables were situated in booths, which meant you couldn’t see who was seated at them. At this rate the restaurant had to be harbouring the Pope out on a hot date with Cilla Black.
‘OK, I need the loo,’ said Lola.
‘Madam, the cloakroom facilities are for customers only.’
Why was this girl being so obstructive? ‘Sorry, but I need the loo now. It’s an emergency.’ Lola gazed at her then raised her voice slightly. ‘I have to do a big poo’
She watched the receptionist wondering if she meant it. After a second — because what if she did? — the blonde pointed the way. ‘Over there, up the stairs and on the left.’
‘Thanks.’ Lola set off across the restaurant, peering into each booth as she passed and earning herself some odd looks along the way. No Pope so far. No Cheryl either.
Then she saw them. So wrapped up in each other theydidn’t even notice her standing there.
Stunned, Lola observed the giveaway body language going on between the two of them; if that wasn’t full- blown flirtation she didn’t know what was.
Hell’s bells, and she hadn’t even had the slightest inkling .. . On the other hand, thank God it wasn’t who she’d subconsciously been afraid it might be.
Cheryl spotted her first. Her face changed in an instant from lit up to oh fuck. She promptly knocked over her glass of wine.
‘Hi, Cheryl. I wouldn’t let him inject your frown lines if I were you. I’m not sure he’s a qualified doctor.’
‘You followed me!’ Cheryl bat-squeaked, the familiar flush crawling up her neck.
‘I had to. You wouldn’t tell me who you were seeing. Hello, Dad.’ Lola gave her father a hug. ‘I tried to ring you on Saturday night to see if you wanted to go to the cinema but your phone was switched off.’
‘Boring works do.’ Nick kissed her on the cheek then regarded her with concern. ‘Sorry about this. Are you upset?’
‘About you and Cheryl? God no, it’s fantastic! I just can’t believe it. How long has this been going on?’
‘A few weeks.’ Luckily the spilled wine was white; Nick used a pale green napkin to mop it up.
‘So that’s why you’ve been coming into the shop to buy so many books. I thought you were doing it so you could see me!’
‘Sweetheart, I was.’ Nick grinned. ‘You were the number one reason.’ He paused. ‘Cheryl was the unexpected bonus.’
Lola pulled up an extra chair and sat down. ‘Now I know how the star of the show feels when the understudy gets more applause than she does.’
‘Then I came in one day when you were off and we got chatting.’
‘I told him how nice you were to work for: Cheryl said hopefully.
‘Anyway, there was a spark between us, so I asked her out. We had a great time and it’s gone on from there.’
‘And you just forgot to mention it to your only daughter.’
‘We didn’t know how you’d react,’ said Cheryl.
‘You make it sound as if you’re scared of me.’ Lola shook her head in disbelief.
Cheryl pulled a face. ‘I am.’
‘Madam?’ A waiter materialised at the table with their menus. ‘Are you joining your friends for lunch?’
Lola’s stomach gurgled. She looked from her father to Cheryl then back again.
‘Is that your stomach? Are you starving?’ Nick squeezed her arm. ‘Of course you’re staying for lunch.’
Touched by the offer when it was so obvious they’d rather be alone together, Lola pushed back her chair. ‘It’s OK, I’ll leave you to it. And don’t worry, I think it’s great that you’re seeing each other.’
She honestly genuinely truthfully did. And not just because Cheryl was lovely and deserved someone nice after her pig of an ex-husband had abandoned her three years ago. Lola hugged them both and left them to enjoy their lunch in peace. What she couldn’t admit to anyone was the sensation of icy fear she’d experienced on realising that Cheryl didn’t want her to know who she was seeing.
Of course it seemed ridiculous now, but just for a while back there it had crossed her mind to wonder if it could
