Page 2 of A Night with Damien Spur

‘Thanks for that, Elsa.’ He rubbed his battered earlobe.

‘My pleasure, Damien.’

‘You’re such a bitch,’ he said.

‘Best in show. My bite’s always worse than my bark,’ she replied, and turned away. He moved on.

The blonde beauty was talking to his agent.

‘Ah, Damien!’ Angus said. ‘Our star. Let me introduce you to the charming Sophie Fox.’

‘I fully intended to introduce myself, but thank you,’ he said.

‘Oh, by the way, we need to discuss the film rights,’ Angus said as a parting shot.

Sophie Fox was even better close up.

The breeze from the open French window brought with it the faint sounds of picnic conversations, cyclists, children laughing, birdsong.

But Damien was not to be distracted.

Sophie’s red silk sleeveless dress flattered her slim, graceful body, falling just short of her knees. His eyes slippeddown to her ankles, encased in delicate leather-strapped high-heeled sandals, which showed off her pretty feet and bright red toenails.

‘Writing in the Sandis an intriguing title,’ she said. ‘Who wrote the message? Who sees it before it’s washed away? A stranger? Or someone the writer knows?’

A good opener. And he liked her voice. Low and throaty. Soothing, like a hot toddy on a cold night. He swallowed. He could see at a glance that it wasn’t going to be easy. She wasn’t the type to fall for a quick pitch.

I like her, said the Voice, startling Damien.

‘Y-yes,’ replied Damien. ‘Good titles create a platform for intelligent readers to project a storyline even before reading the book.’

He watched her face. Was she still interested? Yes, she was focused.

‘And that’s why I don’t like spoilers from the critics. Before today’s launch, the story has been kept strictly under wraps.’

For heaven’s sake, cut to the chase, said the Voice.

‘Must say, the reviews were fascinating, very mysterious. Couldn’t have asked for better publicity.’

Nearly there.

‘And with this title I’ve never pre-sold so many.’

Boom! Now, Damien, now…said the Voice.Switch gear. Enough about you. What about her?

‘So, are you very mysterious, Sophie?’

‘Let’s put it this way, I’m not going to tell my life story to a stranger.’

Not the sort of answer he was looking for. He’d have to try harder.

‘That’s fair,’ he said, ‘but a little bit of history makes a conversation more compelling, don’t you think?’

‘Okay, so what would you like to ask me?’

‘Are you married?’

‘Not anymore.’

---