Page 3 of A Night with Damien Spur

‘Single?’

‘Sometimes.’

‘Sometimes?’

‘When I feel I need a break,’ she said.

‘Mmm… That seems a good cue to me for your next hiatus. Why don’t I call your mobile and you’ll have my number if you feel like company,’ he said.

‘Didn’t bring it with me.’

‘Okay. Don’t have a piece of paper, but give me your arm.’ He took a sleek gold monogrammed fountain pen from the inside pocket of his jacket.

Sophie giggled as the tip tickled the inside of her arm.

He gave her a smile, and she blinked, her laughter fading. ‘The romance of a good fountain pen,’ said Damien. ‘Such a pleasure to control the flow of ink. Do you have a tissue?’

She took one from her satin evening bag. Softly, he blotted her smooth skin.

‘Now then, better not wash it away until you write it down. Unless, of course, you have no interest in keeping it.’

‘Why not? Always good to add entertaining people to my guest list. Do you always like to brand women like cattle?’

‘Only if they become my chattel.’

‘Hold your horses! We’ve only just met, and you’re already giving me the caveman chat.’

‘But I’ve already made up my mind – you’re definitely the one.’

‘Well, I like your enthusiasm, but I’m a slow burner.’

‘That’s fine. I can wait. Better than a quick-fire romance,’ he said.

It was the way he said it that made Sophie laugh. As if he were playing the smitten lover.

A wry grin spread across his face, as if to say, “How was I?”

You were great, Damien. Not too intense. But you’re reallykeen, aren’t you? Admit it. Like I always say, nobody knows you like I do, said the Voice.

George the pap whisked around.

Damien kept his grin as the photographer snapped. And that’s when he blew it.

Plucking a pistachio from the porcelain dish, he tried to prise the stubborn shell open with his finger, but the gap was too narrow, and his nail got stuck. He yanked it out and popped the nut in his mouth and, clamping the edge of the shell with his teeth, split his incisor.

A needle of pain shot through his mouth and into his head. He clapped his hand to his lips, his eyes squeezing shut.

That’s really blown your cool, hasn’t it?sighed the Voice.

Sophie’s laughter stopped abruptly. ‘Damien?’ she said, frowning, her hand gripping his forearm. ‘Are you okay? You’ve gone as white as a sheet.’

‘My tooth,’ mumbled Damien.

What a klutz!said the Voice.Just don’t make a fuss. Say goodbye and go, but Damien was already raising his hand in a polite farewell to Sophie, and heading for the door.

Chapter 2

Anna Rose examined her top lip. She hadn’t seen those finevertical lines before.

---