‘Come on,’ she said. ‘Let’s get you back.’
Ed allowed them to go out for dinner on her last night. They waited ages in the lobby for a cab, then three pulled up at once. A woman in shiny thigh-high boots stepped from the first cab, shrieking with laughter. The passengers from all the cabs seemed to know each other.
‘Is that Christie Blackmore?’ Emily whispered to Will.
He gave a little shrug.
The woman headed straight for them. ‘Will!’ she cried. ‘Howareyou? Ed told me you’ve been laid up.’
Will went to speak, but his voice cracked and set him off coughing.
‘He lost his voice,’ Emily explained.
‘Oh, no!’ said Christie. ‘Rest that gorgeous voice of yours. Drink honey and lemon. But make sure the water’s warm. Not hot or cold –warm.’
Christie turned to Emily. ‘You must be…?’
‘Emily,’ she said, offering her hand.
‘Yes, Emily. Will’s told me all about you.’ Christie gave her hand a squeeze.
‘He has?’ Emily glanced sideways at Will. He was smiling, but not with his eyes.
‘Yes. So lovely to put a face to a name. And what a beautiful face it is. No wonder he’s so enamoured with you.’
Emily felt her cheeks bloom. ‘Oh, thank you.’
‘Where are you off to?’ Christie seemed genuinely interested.
‘We have reservations at Mildred’s in Greenwich Village,’
‘Oh, IloveMildred’s! Tell Paolo I sent you – he’ll look after you. Have a wonderful evening.’ As she walked away, she called back over her shoulder. ‘And Will, remember…’
Will raised his eyebrows and swallowed.
‘Warmwater.’
He nodded, and she strode off to join her waiting entourage.
‘Oh my God!’ said Emily as they climbed into the cab. ‘You never told me you met Christie Blackmore!’
‘I forgot,’ he wheezed. He was sweaty and grey.
‘Are you okay? We don’t have to go if you don’t feel good.’
He shook his head, avoiding her gaze. ‘I’m okay.’
It was awkward eating in a fancy restaurant with Will unable to talk much. She asked about the recording sessions, but the brief answers were becoming tedious for them both.
‘So, how did you meet Christie Blackmore?’ she asked.
‘Studio. Same label.’
‘She’s naturally beautiful, isn’t she? Wasn’t her sister a supermodel? Imagine looking like that and being talented as well. That’s hardly fair, is it? And sonice––’
‘I feel rough,’ he blurted.
‘Do you want to go?’