Page 63 of The Last Love Song
‘That’s grand news, Lulu. Congratulations to you.’
‘Thanks. I must admit I’m pretty chuffed.’ Lulu bent down to retrieve a bottle from a cupboard, giving Con a perfect view of two rounded buttocks. ‘Sure you won’t join me?’
‘No, thanks.’ Con turned away and went to look out of the window.
‘An Irishman refusing a drink.’ Lulu poured a healthy amount of whiskey into a glass. ‘Whatever next? Cheers.’
‘Cheers, yourself.’
‘So, no news from Freddy yet?’
‘No.’ Con sighed. ‘He doesn’t tell us much but I’m wondering whether he’s having problems getting us a deal.’
‘Freddy’ll get you a deal, Con. I have complete confidence in both him and the group.’ Lulu sat down on the sofa and tucked her legs underneath her. She patted the seat beside her. ‘Come and sit down.’
Reluctantly, Con did so.
‘Excuse me for being personal, Con, but is there something wrong? You look awfully down. Todd was saying you hadn’t been yourself for a while, too.’
‘I’m grand altogether, really, Lulu.’
‘You sure?’
‘Yes.’
Lulu stretched out a hand and patted Con’s knee. ‘Look, Con, I regard you as a friend and I hope you regard me in the same light. If there’s ever anything you want to talk about, you know where I am.’
Con studied the hand on his knee.
‘That’s kind of you, but I’m grand, really.’
Con heard the sound of a key turning in the lock. He jumped, throwing Lulu’s hand off his leg and sending her whiskey slopping over the side of the glass onto her bare leg.
‘Steady on, Con. You’re as jumpy as a kitten.’
‘Sorry, sorry.’ Con retreated to his spot by the window as Todd walked through the door.
‘Evening, all. Sorry I’m late. The tube stopped for ages at Earl’s Court.’
‘Darling, guess what?’ Lulu stood up, put her glass down and threw her arms round Todd’s neck, covering his face with kisses.
‘What?’
‘I got the part of Veronica! I’m going to be a proper film star.’
‘Wonderful, darling. I’m thrilled for you.’ Todd hugged her, then removed her arms from around his neck. ‘Don’t you think you should run along and put some clothes on?’
‘Sorry. Con caught me while I was in the bath and we’ve been having such a nice chat, haven’t we, Con, darling?’
Con grunted something in reply.
Todd patted Lulu’s bottom. ‘Go on. Run along now. Con and I have got work to do.’
‘You won’t be too long, will you?’ she pouted. ‘I want to go out tonight and celebrate.’
‘The sooner you go, the sooner we’ll be finished.’
‘Okay. Bye, Con.’ Lulu blew him a kiss and left the room.
