eyebrows looking ragged. The headline was 'Savannah Needs a Damn Good Plucking'.’ She paused and tapped her wig. ‘Can you imagine the field day they’d have if they knew about this?’
‘But it’s not your fault.’
‘They don’t care about that.’ Two more tears popped out. ‘All they want is a good laugh and to sell a few more copies of their rotten magazine.’
‘Listen to me,’ Gabe said firmly, ‘you’re beautiful.’
Savannah shook her head. ‘Not without hair I’m not. My agent told me I looked like a wing nut.’
‘That’s not true. I saw you,’ Gabe insisted. ‘And you didn’t.’
‘You must have caught me at a flattering angle. Trust me, I do.’
‘You don’t.’
In response, Savannah reached up and peeled off her wig. She sat before him on her knees and gazed steadily at him.
How had he not noticed before? Minus the hair, her ears stuck out. She looked exactly like a wing nut. A weary, fearful, deeply ashamed wing nut.
•
‘See?’ whispered Savannah.
Gabe did the only thing he could possibly do. Reaching forwards, he cupped her damp, tear-stained face between his hands, drew her towards him and kissed her on the mouth.
He’d meant it to be a brief, reassuring kiss but Savannah clung on, wrapping her arms around his neck. Time stood still for Gabe; bloody hell, this was Savannah Hudson he was kissing and now she was the one making sure it carried on. All he’d wanted to do was stop her crying. Then again, he wasn’t going to be the one to pull away .. .
Finally Savannah did, but only by a couple of inches. Touching his cheek she whispered, ‘Do you really like me?’
‘You’re beautiful. Why wouldn’t anyone like you?’ Gabe stroked her head, as warm and smooth as a new-laid egg.
‘No wedding ring.’ She reached for his left hand, double-checked it was unencumbered.
‘Girlfriend?’
‘No girlfriend.’
‘You’re very good-looking.’
Gabe smiled. ‘Should have seen me before the plastic surgery.’
‘Oh no, you definitely haven’t had that. When it comes to men having plastic surgery, trust me, I’m an expert. Are you really single?’
He nodded. ‘Since just before Christmas!
‘I haven’t been with anyone for over a year! Savannah’s smile was wry. ‘Isn’t that pathetic? My manager says it’s no wonder my hair’s dropped out. But it’s so hard to trust people, you never know what they’re going to do or say. And now with all this business going on ...’ she indicated her head, ‘it’s even worse. It just seems like everyone lets you down, they can’t help themselves.
Every last one of my exes has done a kiss and tell. In the end you just think it’s easier not to bother.’
‘Right.’ Gabe realised he was still stroking her face. ‘Complicated.’
‘It is complicated. Nothing’s ever straightforward. You have no idea.’
‘My God, I’m glad I’m not a stunning, Oscar-nominated actress.’
Savannah broke into a smile. ‘I’m glad you’re not too.’ Then she kissed him again. Longingly.
And this time it didn’t stop.
’Hey, Gabe, any joy?’
Gabe stopped dead as he emerged from the hotel at nine o’clock the next morning. Lenny, one of the other paparazzi, was leaning against a wall smoking a roll-up and keeping his camera out of sight.
‘What?’Aware of the eyes of the bellboy on him, Gabe prayed he wasn’t giving himself away.
‘Any sign of Savannah Hudson? She’s meant to be staying here.’ When Gabe hesitated, Lenny said, ‘Isn’t that who you were looking for?’
‘Oh right, I didn’t know’ His pulse racing, Gabe gestured vaguely behind him. ‘I just called in to use the loo.’
Lenny rolled his eyes and grinned. Gradually Gabe’s heart slowed down. The bellboy, less amused, murmured, ‘Well, don’t do it again.’
Back at Radley Road by nine thirty, Gabe found Sally already ensconced on the sofa with an open packet of biscuits, a pile of magazines and Friends on the TV. It was the one where Rachel discovers Ross’s list of criticisms about her. Rachel, beside herself, was stamping her foot and yelling, ‘You think I’m SPOILT?’
‘Morning, cheap tart.’ Sally greeted Gabe jauntily through a mouthful of chocolate caramel digestive. ‘What time do you call this to crawl home?’
‘I call it time to Sellotape your mouth shut. Don’t do that,’ said Gabe as she flicked biscuit crumbs off her skirt and onto the rug.
‘I’m a poor helpless invalid who can’t even carry a cup of tea. What else am I supposed to do with crumbs? If I leave them on me I’ll just end up sitting on them. And I can’t exactly get the Hoover out. Anyway, don’t change the subject.’ Sally tapped her watch. ‘I still want to know where you’ve been.’
