‘I don’t know. The thought terrifies me.’
‘Why don’t you see what you come up with? You can always duck out of it later.’
‘Well, Idohave ideas…’
‘You see!’ His grin is wide and infectious. ‘Well, better get some sleep, busy day tomorrow.’
‘Yes.’
‘Goodnight.’
‘Night.’
I lie in my enormous bed, unable to sleep. Just because the man showed the slightest bit of interest almost twenty years ago, doesn’t mean he’d be interested now. He didn’t mean what hesaid when we were young. About getting together. He couldn’t have done – he was in shock. I’d just told him I was pregnant, after all. He’s never shown any sign of having feelings for me since. Those few times we slept together, they were always instigated by me. He felt sorry for me. It didn’t mean anything; it was just sex. Besides, his girlfriend is gorgeous. Half my age. What was I thinking? Thank God I didn’t make a fool of myself.
I lie there, willing him to come to my room but knowing he won’t. He never once came to my bed in the past. It was always me going to him.
I fall asleep a moment before the alarm goes off at 6 a.m.
Chapter 77
July 2016
Emily
The larger bauble glitters under the lobby lights with the two smaller ones hanging at varying heights behind it. A garland of beads dangles in swooping loops, tying the whole piece together. I climb the Christmas present steps and peer into the viewing hole. The musical instrument models hang inside, rotating around, moving up and down like a carousel.
I skip down the steps and join Scott, who’s admiring the display from afar.
‘Pleased?’ he asks.
‘Very.’
We work through lunch to set up the photoshoot. The hotel staff bring us exquisite canapés, the kind you get at fancy functions, but also make an excellent working lunch if you eat enough of them.
Scott has booked a model ‘family’ for the photoshoot. The adorable little girl he’s cast reminds me of Liv when she was small. She climbs the steps and peers into the hole. Her eyes light up and she exclaims something in Dutch and the photographer captures the magical moment with a well-timed click.
After the photoshoot, Scott suggests we go for a celebratory drink and the two of us wander the banks of the canal until we find a quaint bar overlooking a flower-festooned bridge.
‘Pierre seemed happy, didn’t he?’ I say as we sit at a table outside.
‘He loved it and we’re back on track with the Christmas campaign, thanks to you.’
A waiter comes over. I go to order a glass of wine but Scott interrupts, ‘No, we’re celebrating. Let’s get a bottle of champagne. We’ll have the Veuve Clicquot. And some fries, please.’
I laugh. ‘Classy.’
Our order arrives. The champagne and fries combo is pretty good.
He raises his glass. ‘Congratulations on the commission.’
‘Thanks.’ I clink my glass to his and can’t help smiling despite my terror at the prospect.
We chat about the installation, the photoshoot and Amsterdam. We go quiet and people-watch for a while. He sits back in his chair, legs stretched out in front of him. He flashes me a killer smile and it almost floors me.
My phone buzzes on the table. I lean over it to check if it’s Liv. My face automatically unlocks the screen, revealing the message.
FHD:I miss you x