Page 35 of Hit For Six
‘It was nothing.’ Monty batted the disaster away. Ha, wouldn’t he just? ‘And it could have been much worse.’
‘Oh yeah? How? Short of upending our meals and making them hit the ceiling.’
‘Which might have been painted with priceless Michelangelo frescoes. And it could have been red wine that you splotched them with, at the same time sending it flying behind you to drench the poe-faced dude in his cream linen suit. This remarkable feat carried out at the same speed as your parting shot in Vicky Park.’
Lola couldn’t resist a furtive look over her shoulders. Such a man did exist and she could already feel his wrath.
‘Bit extreme, but when you put it like that.’
‘In other words, I brought you here to relax and have a good time. Don’t give it another thought.’
‘I suppose. I just wish I could… fit in a little better. Wherever I go. Stop causing scenes, quit creating so much drama.’
‘Lola, that’s your superpower. You’re uniquely, wonderfully you. And you totally belong in a place like this. Anywhere and everywhere should be honoured to have you on their guest list.’
‘Thanks, I think.’
‘I mean every word.’
Monty’s expression grew intense. This was getting dangerous.
‘Just nipping to the ladies!’ she announced.
After doing her business, Lola took a deep breath and appraised herself in the mirror before reapplying a smidge of makeup. Oh, all right, then. She’d take heed of Monty’s advice and feel like she belonged here, glam herself up a bit. As it happened, there was a cheap red lippy in a Taylor Swift shade in her little cosmetics bag just waiting to have its seal ripped. She’d bought it ages ago and never plucked up the courage to wear a colour so bold, even though she knew it would make her green eyes pop. Lola put a bit on. It complimented her dress, too. A fellow young female diner gave her a chef’s kiss sign. Bolstered by the approval of one so hip and trendy, she headed back to the restaurant.
Lola willed herself not to reach for the champagne as she returned to the table, where Monty was scrolling on his phone. She didn’t think she could hold stem or bowl of the glass with a steady hand, and now she’d quite possibly made herself look even more appealing to him, which would totally ramp up the nerves. She’d really not thought this through and should have just stuck with her girl-next-door look. Where were the blimming nuts when you needed them?
On cue, the waiter reappeared with a bowl of delicious-looking toasted almonds that made her stomach growl. It had been hours since her early lunch.
‘Dig in!’ Monty insisted, his eyes widening as he silently appraised this hot new version of her.
She scooped a delicate handful and dropped one on her tongue. At least that way she couldn’t talk. Oh, they were incredible with that rosemary infusion. Lola was unbearablypicky with herbs. Coriander tasted of soap, tarragon like cough syrup. But rosemary was the stuff of the gods– or goddesses, more than likely, as befitted its name.
Monty was less overawed, chowing the expensive nuts down as if they were an everyday snack.
‘Well? I haven’t forgotten.’
So much for thinking she could make a detour with the dialogue. Lola changed her mind and took a swig of her champagne cocktail, putting the glass down a little too forcefully.
‘Musical theatre,’ she announced emphatically.
Might as well let the entire brasserie know. And it was definitely important that Monty knew, so they could sever ties after tonight, because she was sure it would not be his bag.
‘But that is so cool!’ His eyes lit up so brightly that he had to relegate his own cocktail to the table, its contents sloshing about as he absorbed this new-to-him tidbit. Ah, but he was feigning interest to be polite. Any moment now and he’d change the conversation. ‘How many have you seen? Have you ever starred in one? Tell me how it feels when you’re watching a performance because… this is so embarrassing.’ He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose as if to spare himself from Lola’s reaction. ‘I have never been to a musical theatre production. I’ve not even watched a movie version.’
‘W– but you must have!’
‘Really, I swear. The not-having-a pet thing is the tip of the iceberg in a very long list.’
‘Okay,’ said Lola slowly. ‘Noted for discussion during main course.’
‘We’ll need to stay here for cheese and biscuits, portandcoffee to cover everything in said glacier. Trust me.’
‘No offence, Monty, but you crack me up. I can’t believe you’ve missed out on so many mainstream things when you’veprobably got to soak up hundreds of experiences that the average person misses out on.’
‘Like slimy fish eggs on toast, freezing my arse off in Kitzbühel, and Milan Fashion Week, you mean?’
‘Exactly. And all right, I’d pass on two out of the three, but you can’t downplay Milan!’
