Can You Keep A Secret?

Emma.'

'Emma. Of course!' She nods conspiratorially. 'Well, have a wonderful dinner! And call me

some time.'

As she stumbles back to her chair, Jack gives me a quizzical look.

'Is there something you want to tell me?'

'Yes,' I say. 'That woman is extremely drunk.' As I meet his gaze, I can't help giving a tiny

giggle, and his mouth twitches.

'So, shall we sit down? Or do you have any more long-lost friends you'd like to greet?'

I look around the room consideringly.

'No, I think that's probably it.'

'If you're sure. Take your time. You're sure that elderly gentleman over there isn't your

grandfather?'

'I don't think so…'

'Also, you should know that pseudonyms are fine by me,' Jack adds. 'I myself often go by the

name of Egbert.'

I give a snort of laughter and hastily stifle it. This is a posh restaurant. People are already

looking at us.

We're shown to a table in the corner, by the fire. A waiter helps me into my chair and fluffs a

napkin over my knee, while another pours out some water, and yet another offers me a bread

roll. Exactly the same is happening on Jack's side of the table. We have six people dancing

attendance on us! I want to catch Jack's eye and laugh, but he looks unconcerned, as if this is

perfectly normal.

Perhaps it is normal for him, it strikes me. Oh God. Perhaps he has a butler who makes him

tea and irons his newspaper every day.

But what if he does? I mustn't let any of this faze me.

'So,' I say, as all the waiting staff melt away. 'What shall we have to drink?' I've already eyed

up the drink which that woman in gold has got. It's pink and has slices of watermelon

decorating the glass, and looks absolutely delicious.

'Already taken care of,' says Jack with a smile, as one of the waiters brings over a bottle of

champagne, pops it open and starts pouring. 'I remember you telling me on the plane, your

perfect date would start off with a bottle of champagne appearing at your table as if by magic.'

'Oh,' I say, quelling a tiny feeling of disappointment. 'Er… yes! So I did.'

'Cheers,' says Jack, and lightly clinks my glass.

'Cheers.' I take a sip, and it's delicious champagne. It really is. All dry and delicious.

I wonder what the watermelon drink tastes like.

Stop it. Champagne is perfect. Jack's right, this is the perfect start to a date.

'The first time I ever had champagne was when I was six years old-' I begin.

'At your Aunt Sue's,' says Jack with a smile. 'You took all your clothes off and threw them in

the pond.'

'Oh right,' I say, halted mid-track. 'Yes, I've told you, haven't I?'

So I won't bore him with that anecdote again. I sip my champagne and quickly try to think of

something else to say. Something that he doesn't already know.

Is there anything?

'I've chosen a very special meal, which I think you'll like,' says Jack, with a smile. 'All preordered,

just for you.'

'Gosh!' I say, taken aback. 'How… wonderful.'

A meal specially pre-ordered for me! Wow. That's incredible.

Except… choosing your food is half the fun of eating out, isn't it? It's almost my favourite bit.

Anyway. It doesn't matter. It'll be perfect. It is perfect.

OK. Let's start a conversation.

'So what do you like doing in your spare time?' I ask, and Jack gives a shrug.

'I hang out. I watch baseball. I fix my cars…'

'You have a collection of vintage cars! That's right. Wow. I really… um…'

'You hate vintage cars.' He smiles. 'I remember.'

Damn. I was hoping he might have forgotten.

'I don't hate the cars themselves,' I say quickly. 'I hate the people who… who…'

Shit. That didn't quite come out right. I take a quick gulp of champagne, but it goes down the

wrong way and I start coughing. Oh God, I'm really spluttering. My eyes are weeping.

And now the other six people in the room have all turned to stare.

'Are you OK?' says Jack in alarm. 'Have some water. You like Evian, right?'

'Er… yes. Thanks.'

Oh, bloody hell. I hate to admit that Jemima could be right about anything. But it would have

been a lot easier if I could just have said brightly, 'Oh, I adore vintage cars!'

Anyway. Never mind.

As I'm gulping my water, a plate of roasted peppers somehow materializes in front of me.

'Wow!' I say in delight. 'I love roasted peppers.'

'I remembered.' Jack looks rather proud of himself. 'You said on the plane that your favourite

food was roasted peppers.'

'Did I?' I stare at him, a bit surprised.

Gosh. I don't remember that. I mean, I like roasted peppers, but I wouldn't have said-

'So I called the restaurant and had them make it specially for you. I can't eat peppers,' Jack

adds, as a plate of scallops appears in front of him, 'otherwise I would join you.'

I gape at his plate. Oh my God. Those scallops look amazing. I adore scallops.

'Bon appetit!' says Jack cheerfully.

'Er… yes! Bon appetit.'

I take a bite of roasted pepper. It's delicious. And it was very thoughtful of him to remember.

But I can't help eyeing up his scallops. They're making my mouth water. And look at that

green sauce! God, I bet they're succulent and perfectly cooked…

'Would you like a bite?' says Jack, following my gaze.

'No!' I say, jumping. 'No thanks. These peppers are absolutely — perfect!' I beam at him and

take another huge bite.

Suddenly Jack claps a hand on his pocket.

'My mobile,' he says…'Emma, would you mind if I took this? It could be something important.'

'Of course not,' I say. 'Go ahead.'

When he's gone, I just can't help it. I reach over, and spear one of his scallops. I close my eyes

as I chew it, letting the flavour flood through my taste buds. That is just divine. That is the

best food I've ever tasted in my life. I'm just wondering whether I could get away with eating

a second one if I shifted the others around his plate a bit, when I smell a whiff of gin. The

woman in the golden jacket is right by my ear.

'Tell me quickly!' she says. 'What's going on?'

'We're… having dinner,'

'I can see that!' she says impatiently. 'But what about Jeremy? Does he have any idea?'

Oh God.

'Look,' I say helplessly. 'I'm not who you think I am-'

'I can see that! I would never have thought you had this in you.' The woman squeezes my arm.