Chapter 56
People-watching had always been one of Nella’s favourite things to do, and there were certainly enough guests here this evening to keep her busy. But her favourite person in the world to watch was still Nick. Especially like this, from a distance across the room while he was chatting and laughing with other people, always interested in what they had to say and making them feel interesting in return, exuding charisma, humour and effortless charm.
Back in June when he’d been over in the US, Nella had thought it was absence making her heart grow fonder; now, however, she realised that it was living and working with Nick, being with him every day, that made her love for him continue to grow. At last she understood how Tommy felt about Juliet. When love hit you with such force, it was all-consuming. Her own life was better now, it was as simple as that. She loved Nick absolutely, and the fear that their relationship might not work out had dissolved within days of them finally getting together. Every minute in his company was a perfect minute. And yes, she’d enjoyed observing him like this ever since coming to work for him back in April, but it was even better no longer having to do it in a covert manner. Now they were a couple, it was allowed – you could gaze with undisguised appreciation at your other half as openly and as often as you wanted. It was the best hobby a girl could have, and one she knew she would never tire of.
The next moment, as he so often did, Nick turned his head and caught her eye, his smile letting her know he was thinking the same. Last week in mid conversation he’d said, ‘When we get married . . .’ and she’d said, ‘When we what? Hang on, did I miss something?’
‘Sorry, I know we haven’t talked about it yet.’ Nick had shaken his head. ‘But it’s going to happen, isn’t it? We can’t not get married.’
Stunned, Nella had said, ‘But . . . isn’t it too soon?’
In response, Nick had pulled her into his arms and replied simply, ‘It’s not too soon for me.’
That was it; she knew now that she loved him with her whole heart. And best of all, she knew that Nick truly meant it when he told her he loved her too.
Carla, Lizzie’s glamorous editor, was tapping a spoon against her glass, letting the assembled crowd know that the speeches were about to begin. Excusing himself from the guests he’d been talking to, Nick made his way over to rejoin Nella.
‘Saw you looking at me,’ he murmured in her ear.
Even having his mouth so close made Nella’s skin go fizzy all over.
‘Saw you looking at me .’ She leaned against him, unable to conceal a smile.
‘I know. Thought I’d come over and chat you up, see if I can persuade you to go out on a date with me tomorrow.’
‘A date? Why?’
‘Because you look nice. I quite fancy you. Well, it’s up to you.’ The corners of his mouth twitched. ‘You can say no if you’re not interested.’
‘I’ll think about it.’ She had to whisper, because the room was growing quiet now. ‘Where would we go?’
‘Oh, I don’t know. Up to you.’ Taking her left hand in his, Nick idly circled the third finger with his thumb. ‘But I was thinking maybe Tiffany’s.’
In the distance, above the drone of traffic far below, Lizzie was just able to hear the sound of Big Ben chiming the hour. It was eight o’clock and her editor was speaking. ‘Could I have your attention, everyone? We all know why we’re here, but before I formally introduce our star of the evening, may I just say my name is Carla and . . .’
Lizzie’s thoughts drifted away as she gazed out at the sea of faces, some familiar and others not. But there amongst them were those belonging to the friends she’d made during her time in Starbourne. There was Hugo, holding baby Ellie as proudly as if she were his own, and beaming whilst Carla introduced Cami to the assembled audience. Over to the left were Jed and Esme, as comfortable with each other as if they’d been partners for years. There was darling Maeve, standing next to Billy in his only slightly crumpled blue suit, and of course Nella and Nick, who were now inseparable and whom everyone had always known were destined to be together.
But the one person she most longed to see was still missing.
‘We all love her so much, and were thrilled, of course, to become her publishers.’ Carla was still speaking, tossing superlatives into the air like confetti. ‘But I can tell you, this truly exceptional book has exceeded even our wildest expectations! It’s everything a reader could want in an autobiography and we can’t wait for the rest of the world to read it. Anyway, I think that’s enough from me. It’s time for me now to introduce to you the outstanding actress and even more outstanding woman whose honesty and sparkling personality has made this book so completely irresistible. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you . . . Lizzie Rafferty!’
There were whistles, cheers and enthusiastic applause. Stepping forward and taking the microphone from Carla, Lizzie did a little curtsey and grinned at the sea of faces. Still no Matthew. Had he met with an accident on the way here? Please not that.
‘Thank you so much to all of you for coming. And thanks to Carla for making me sound far nicer than I really am. It’s a strange experience, growing up as an actress in La-La Land, and I did my best to be a good person, a sensible person, but over the years I certainly made my share of stupid mistakes and truly terrible decisions. Which, if you aren’t already aware of them, you’ll be able to read about in excruciating detail in the pages of this book.’
Waiting for the laughter to die down, Lizzie scanned the room once more. Over there by the signing table was her mum in her new lilac dress, standing next to Piers Sanders and clutching his arm as she reached up to whisper something that made him smile. The next moment, like a meerkat on red alert, Lizzie saw the door open at the very back of the room and caught her breath at the sight of Matthew coming through it. Yes, thank God, not injured, not dead. He was here at last, and all she wanted to do was race over and kiss the living daylights out of him. But she couldn’t do that, not right now. Matthew would be embarrassed.
Besides, she had to concentrate on the task in hand.
‘Anyway, if I’m honest, the reason I came over to the UK back in April was to take a break from work and recharge my worn-out batteries somewhere quiet and peaceful. I only agreed to tell my life story to stop my agent complaining. I certainly had no idea the break would change my life.’ She paused, her gaze flitting from Maeve on one side of the room to Cami in the centre, then to Matthew, still standing by the door. When he broke into a smile, she knew that what she most wanted to do was the best decision of all. ‘I’m not exaggerating. The people I’ve met over here this year have been incredible in so many ways. All of them, but . . . well, one or two in particular. So I’ve made up my mind that it’s time for a change.
‘As you may be aware, I’ve just finished filming in LA. But what none of you know is that there aren’t going to be any more Hollywood movies for me. That was my last one.’ There were gasps around the room, but Lizzie continued without a pause. ‘Neither my manager nor my agent knows about this either, and I’m sure they’ll be cross with me when they find out.’ She was now barely aware of the shocked reactions of the assembled crowd. ‘I want to build on the relationships that really matter to me. And that isn’t something I can do when I’m thousands of miles away. I want to spend time with them and tell them how much I love them while we’re actually in the same room.’ A lump rose in her throat, because she’d said it now, there was no going back. ‘So my plan is to move over here permanently and work in TV or the theatre, or maybe the British film industry. But the main aim is to be here, and to have a lovely life with someone who means the absolute world to me . . . if he wants me.’
The room was agog. Everyone was looking around, trying to work out who this coded message could possibly be referring to. Lizzie dared to glance over at Matthew, who she’d never seen look so stunned.
After a couple more seconds, Maeve did a very theatrical cough and called out, ‘Dad, I think she means you.’
Heads swivelled in unison, Wimbledon-tennis-style. Matthew’s gaze was fixed on Lizzie. Suddenly terrified, she nodded at him and said in a wobbly voice, ‘I do.’
As the man she loved but had never admitted to loving began to make his way towards her, the guests parted like the Red Sea to let him through. People were now avidly taking photos and no doubt videoing her too, Lizzie realised. Hello, potential worldwide humiliation . . .
Then Matthew reached her and said, ‘I should hope you meant me. Because I wouldn’t be happy if you were talking about someone else.’ He cupped her face in his hands. ‘I had no idea you were going to do this. But I love you. And I want you. More than you’ll ever know.’
He kissed her on the mouth with infinite tenderness, then murmured, ‘I can’t believe I just said that in front of all these people,’ because their audience was now applauding wildly and whooping with delight.
‘I love you more. I’ve loved you all this time.’ Giddy with joy, Lizzie kissed him in return.
The next moment they were almost knocked sideways by Maeve flinging her arms around the two of them. ‘Not quite all this time,’ she reminded Lizzie gleefully. ‘But we’ll gloss over the small matter of the stolen bluebells.’
‘What’s this? Now I’m really intrigued!’ Carla exclaimed.
‘Just as well that little incident didn’t get a mention in the book.’ Matthew gave Lizzie’s waist a secret squeeze. ‘We really wouldn’t want some reader contacting the police and having you arrested.’
Cameras were flashing from all directions now, and Lizzie’s heart was full. How wrong her first impression of this man had been, that early spring morning in the churchyard, and how perilously close she’d come to admitting defeat and catching a flight back to LA that same day. Now, all these months later, she knew he was all she’d ever wanted. Feeling as if she could burst with happiness, she said to Matthew, ‘I’d like to see them try.’