He winked at Liza in her awful wig. ‘Quite a changed woman, in fact. Once she lets her hair down.’
Liza had forgotten about the photographers camped outside. As they emerged from the restaurant she found herself being elbowed out of the way. Since they were both young and strikingly attractive, Abby and Kit were the couple they focused their attentions on. Abby they recognised as an up-and-coming children’s TV presenter. Kit — well, okay, maybe they didn’t recognise him yet, but with those looks and that smile it could only be a matter of time.
‘You two go ahead,’ said Liza, when they caught up with her further down the road. ‘Really, I don’t feel like a drink. I’d rather just go back to the hotel.’
Kit looked at her. Abby, still clinging to his arm, pretended to be disappointed.
‘Oh no! Are you sure?’
Liza nodded at Kit, signalling that she was fine, she wasn’t jealous and of course he should go for a drink with Abby. ‘I’m sure. I’ll see you later.’
‘Okay.’ Brightly Abby waggled her fingers at her, just as she waved to the millions of adoring young fans who watched her Saturday-morning TV show. 'Bye, Aunt Elizabeth. You take care.
See ya!’
Chapter 39
‘That girl’s as daft as a brush. Three years ago I told her they made rum from fermented coconuts and she still believes it. How she ever landed that job of hers is beyond me, although I suppose I can hazard a guess. Anyway,’ said Kit, abruptly changing the subject, ‘are you all right?’
Liza had washed her blonde hair — the wig always flattened it — and re-done her make-up. She had also changed into a black scoop-necked T-shirt, a clinging red velvet skirt and high heels.
She looked luscious and desirable again, Kit realised, and every man in the hotel lobby was visibly lusting after her. He kissed her on the mouth and sat down next to her.
‘Of course I’m all right.’
‘Not peed off because of ... you know?’
‘What?’
‘The old maitre d’ guy at Beaujolais, not making a move. Admit it,’ Kit nudged her, ‘you thought you’d pulled. You were gutted when he didn’t ask for your phone number.’
Liza had to smile.
‘When you book a table at Beaujolais, they automatically take your number. Anyway, speaking of pulling ... is Abby an old girlfriend of yours?’
Kit shrugged.
‘I went out with her for about two minutes. Got bored. She’s a nice enough girl, but ...’
Another shrug.
I’m not bored with you yet, thought Liza, watching him carefully, looking for signs. Are you bored with me?
.. like I said, thick as two planks,’ Kit concluded with a yawn.
‘I’m going down to Devon this weekend. It’s my mother’s birthday.’
This made him sit up.
‘When did you decide this?’
‘An hour ago. I rang her.’ Liza nodded at the pay phone just beyond the bar. ‘She was really pleased. I haven’t been to see them for ages.’
‘Something’s wrong,’ said Kit.
‘Nothing’s wrong.’
‘Okay. I’m free this weekend. I’ll come too.’
‘No you won’t.’
‘Why not?’
‘You just can’t,’ Liza said flatly.
He raked his fingers through his dark hair.
‘But I have to meet them at some stage.’
She raised an eyebrow. ‘Who says you do?’
Exasperated, Kit almost shouted, ‘Liza, it has to happen sooner or later. Why not now?’
‘Okay.’ Liza held up one hand. She began steadily counting off on her fingers. ‘We’ll make a list. One, the chances are this relationship of ours won’t last, so there isn’t much point in meeting them. Two, they’re just ordinary parents. They aren’t rich or famous, or remotely glamorous.
They aren’t brilliantly witty and they don’t tell jokes.’
‘Meaning?’ said Kit, stunned.
‘Meaning you’d probably be bored witless.’
He shook his head. ‘I can’t believe you’re serious.’
‘Three,’ Liza went on, still counting fingers, ‘my mother is seventy years old, my father’s seventy-two. They have traditional ideas. They want me to settle down and get married and have children. Knocking around with a
