Page 112 of Christmas off Script
‘I’ll tell you after the panto.’
‘This one?’
‘No, our one. Now come on, let’s find our seats. It’s about to start.’
As the curtain rose,Ella set her worries aside and threw herself into enjoying the show. By the time the interval came around, her throat was sore from laughing and yelling.
‘I need the loo,’ she said. ‘The prosecco went straight through me.’
‘I’ll get the ice creams,’ Leo replied.
Digging in her pocket, she handed him her bank card. ‘I’llget the ice creams,’ she said firmly.
He took it and gave her a quick salute. ‘One salted caramel ice cream coming up. Meet you back here?’
‘Yep.’
Exiting through a door, Ella joined the queue for the toilets. When she’d finished, she wandered back along the low-ceilinged corridor towards the stalls, weaving around people stretching their legs and eating mini tubs of ice cream. Side-stepping a large man fanning his face with a programme, her feet and heart stopped dead at the sight of the person in front of her.
Oliver.
He was as familiar to her as her own reflection, but at the same time felt like a total stranger. Wearing a shirt she’d bought for him a couple of years ago, his hair was cut shorter than usual, and part of Ella’s brain thought she should compliment him for the new style. But the rest of her was preoccupied with the stunning brunette in Oliver’s arms. Long-limbed and graceful, she was wearing a green satin sheath dress, her hair cascading down her back in barrel curls. She was whispering something into Oliver’s ear and he was smiling. One of his hands drifted down the small of her back to cup her bottom.
A hot flush whooshed through Ella’s body, making her light-headed and nauseous. She had to get away, but her feet weren’t moving.
As if sensing her presence, the woman lifted her head and frowned.
Oliver turned, his face blanching as he clocked Ella.
Time seemed to slow, giving her mind the opportunity to peruse every excruciating detail of the scene. The woman was extremely beautiful, a natural confidence radiating from her.
She looks a bit like me.But better.
The woman’s eyes flicked down and up Ella’s body, then she gave a small, satisfied smile, as if coming to the same conclusion. Her left hand, which had been behind Oliver’s neck, moved down to rest in the centre of his chest as if stating ownership. Ella’s gaze slid to the woman’s ring finger, adorned with a massive diamond.
She couldn’t breathe. Stumbling sideways, she held onto the wall for support, gulping in air.
‘Er…’ Oliver began. ‘Lucinda, this is Ella.’
The woman’s eyes widened at the news, her mouth forming a perfect ‘o’ shape as she stared at her.
‘Ella, this is my…’
‘Fiancée,’ Lucinda supplied.
The corridor was getting smaller. Tilting. The edges of Ella’s vision darkened.
Then a strong arm was around her, holding her upright.
‘Oliver.’ Leo’s voice was cold and clipped. ‘What an unpleasant surprise.’
Ella sagged against him, her lower jaw quivering with the rush of air in and out as she breathed.
‘Er, hi, Leo,’ Oliver replied.
Lucinda extended her hand, a confident smile on her face. ‘You must be the best friend. Lucinda Harrington, Oliver’s fiancée.’
Leo didn’t take it. ‘Since when?’ he asked, his voice deadly quiet.
