Chapter 21
Emma
He’s done it again. Another one of my top ten Divine Checklist items knocked off—making out in a public place like you’re the only two people on the planet.
Fair enough, a hotel corridor might not be someone else’s idea of a public place, but it’s as public as I’ve ever been, so I’m taking it.
I have never wanted to have sex with anyone as much as I want to have sex with this man. It’s like he turns up the sexometer and I lose all reason. I’m fanning my face as I step into my room, but I really need to be fanning other areas. I feel like I’m burning up.
I collapse on the bed, arms splayed out on either side of me. My fingertips reach straight for my lips at the memory of another amazing kiss. He’s racking them up. The car park, now the corridor.
His scent is like an aphrodisiac all on its own. If he bottled it, he’d make a fortune. Oud de Jude.
I start to giggle like a schoolgirl. And I can’t stop.
Am I really going to do this? What about his girlfriend?
Oh MY God. I never gave her a thought, and clearly neither did he.
Is it true what he said? Could it be true?
Is there really no girlfriend? Did he go to LA to see his sister?
And I just jumped to conclusions. Why would he ask me to Venice if he didn’t want me to go?
And Jesus, I want to go. I’ve never been, and always wanted to.
I hear a quiet knock on my door. Oh sweet baby Jesus, he’s changed his mind and come back. Should I go, should I not answer.
The knock comes louder, accompanied by a voice. “Emma, Emma,” it hisses. “It’s me. I saw him go. Let me in.”
It’s Louise. She’s like a bloodhound on the trail of gossip.
The door is barely open before she bustles past me and gets a look at my face.
“Holy God, what did he do? I came up the stairs and saw you necking.” She grins like a lunatic at me.
“You look hot, hawt, hawt.” Now she's fanning at me frantically, and I’m laughing at her, rolling my eyes in happy exasperation.
She’s bonkers. “I’m calling the fire brigade.
Oh no, can’t do that! Actual men in firefighter gear might tip you over the edge.
Cold shower, now.” She points dramatically towards the bathroom.
“Louise. I’m fine.” I pause. “I think.” We stare at each other and start to giggle. Which degenerates into us ending up on the floor with tears rolling down our faces.
“Damn that man is fine. He looked as riled up as you as he got in the lift. I was stood at the end of the corridor, but I daren’t come out of my hiding place.
I wasn’t peeking, I swear it. But when I heard the lift ping, I peeked out.
” She shakes her head at me. “How you did not just drag him into your room is beyond me.”
“He’s asked me to go to Venice. To meet him there.” I gasp out, gritting my teeth together in a worried smile.
“No way. I hope you said yes. Do I need to sort flights?” She’s grabbed her phone and has a search started before I can even answer.
“Err… he never said. He said he would sort everything. He’s still here tomorrow, so if he was genuine, he’ll surely say.
But what about his girlfriend?” I grimace at her.
“Should I ask him? It seems a bit cheeky. It’s not as if I’m expecting everlasting love and marriage.
It’s just… well… I wouldn’t want to cheat on anyone.
Or be the ‘other woman.’” I lower my eyes, my face screwing up.
I know that feeling all too well, having had it done to me.
“I don’t think it’s an issue to ask him. He knows your past circumstances. He would know that’s a big no for you.” She smiles genuinely at me. “He’ll be fine. Just be up front.”
“I’ll call Mum in the morning. I’ve got to tell her she’s an internet sensation. She’ll have a hissy fit.”
“She’ll love it. She’s a party animal. Didn’t she get banned from the Bingo last year? For being too rowdy when she won?” Louise cracks up all over again reminding me of one of my mother’s exploits. My dad just rolls his eyes. We’re used to her now.
“Yep, she did. But this is so much more. She’ll think she’ll get asked onto Strictly with those moves she was blasting out with that doll. Craig is her favourite judge.” We both sink back into hysterics.
“Was it good tonight, at dinner?” She doesn’t wait for my answer.
“We were mobbed in the bar. Everyone was asking for you. I can’t wait for the morning now.
I think we’ll be the most popular stand.
People were asking if we’d shipped any ‘items’.
” She comically waggles her brows up and down.
“But I practically signed up two companies.” She moves to pop a coffee pod into the machine.
“It was amazing,” I finally manage to get a word in.
“A fab restaurant near the river. Food to die for, and everyone who sits at the top of the big company tree was there. It was like a who's who of construction. I met them, their wives and girlfriends. Everyone was very complimentary. I’ve even been asked to do another talk on how to carry on presenting when the world around you explodes.”
I shake my head at everyone’s reactions—to my story, but also to me. I can’t believe they’ve embraced me as one of their own. Have given me a foot in the door. It’s all my dreams come true.
“And so they should. You were fantastic. The more I think about it, the better it gets. You could have curled up and died, but you didn’t.
You bloomed. You kicked serious ass.” She high fives me, her tears and angst from earlier forgotten.
“Drink this, and try and sleep. It’s non-caffeine coffee.
” She grins. “No dreaming of Jude Greystone, otherwise you’ll be all hot and bothered. ”
She cheekily taps the end of my nose then moves to the door.
“You should be so bloody proud of yourself. To do that and then stay, go out, talk about it. FAB-U-LOUS.” She’s channelling Craig again from Strictly now.
“The gang and I have vowed to bring it in the morning. If you can punch that out for us, we can for you.”
She blows kisses at me and opens the door. Tears have started to well in my eyes as I thank god for my friends. I couldn’t do it without them.
My feet don’t touch the floor. As I walk towards my stand, there is already a queue. A throng, a mob. We’ve donned our ‘Pinks’, but I’ve added a longer knee length skirt to my ensemble. No need to add fuel to any fires at this point.
By lunchtime, I feel I’ve had more selfies this year than even Carter Maywood.
My face aches with all the smiling I’ve done.
I’m black and blue on my arms as Louise keeps punching me every time she gets details from a ‘great hot lead.’ Our swag bags are a hit, with the mini vibrators going down a storm.
Louise, Ben, and Holly have all got sashes with ‘Have you been Sinergised’ on them.
There’s even some badges. They had been busy whilst I was out eating and drinking.
I don’t see Jude at all. I don’t even have time to catch his speech. But we seem to have a further influx after the time he spoke ends.
A bunch of flowers arrive with a note.
A car will be available to take you to the airport in the morning. I’ve set the time to coincide with Louise leaving.
Let me buy you dinner.
In Venice.
I promise to have you back Sunday.
Jude
My heart rate increases with every word. I’m puffing and blowing by the end of the note.
I show Louise and she grabs me by both shoulders, looking intently into my eyes.
“Get on that phone to your mother. I refuse to let you get on that plane with us. I’ll tell the airport staff you're drunk and disorderly. Get you thrown off it if you come with us. Go to Venice. That is an executive order.” She punches me again.
And I call my mother.
“Hey, Em. Is it going well? I’ve had a few weird texts this morning. Is everything okay? I’ve locked myself out of my socials. And Noah and Nat aren’t here to sort it.”
OMG she doesn’t know. I just go for it. No point in beating around the bush.
“Look Mum, it’s going really well. But I had a technical malfunction, and somehow you ended up on my presentation. It picked up my phone bluetooth to the doorbell and camera in the porch.”
“Really, did I look okay? I’d been to the hairdressers.” I can hear her grin.
“You looked great.” I pause, debating whether to spill the beans about the doll and the tango. “You looked particularly good when you did the Argentine Tango with the blow-up doll. Very expert.” I grin at the phone. “I would have given you a ten paddle.”
There’s silence, then she starts to laugh. “It wasn’t on the screen was it?” She can hardly get the words out for laughing so hard. “Was Michelle on as well? Wait til I tell her.” I shake my head, she’s irrepressible. “And Dennis.”
“Who’s Dennis?” I ask, puzzled. Is he another driver?
“The doll, of course. We named him.” She sets off into peals of laughter. “Do I need to come out there to do a guest appearance?” I can tell she’s gone all sequins and feathers.
“No,” I huff, “but I should have got you to. That would be epic.” I pause a little, trying to gather my scattered thoughts as I think about the next bit. How to explain this. I just go for it. “I’ve been asked to go to Venice, with—”
“Oh god, you need to go. Cash in, Emma,” she interrupts me.
I was half hoping she’d say don’t go. Talk me out of it.
But no chance—I’m the coward, not my mother.
“And Venice is beautiful,” she continues.
“I can sort the boys out when they come home tonight, get them off to Nigel’s. No problem. Venice. Wow! I’m jealous.”
“I’ll be back on Sunday for when they come home.
” I’m still explaining and justifying. I really need to stop.
It’s just… I’ve never been away from the boys.
And if I have, it’s been for work, or my mum and dad were there.
But I suppose, the little devil on my shoulder points out, it is work. Sort of.
“Go have fun. You work too hard. Take a little time for yourself.” Mum is egging me on. I can hear the enthusiasm in her voice.
“Okay. I’ll call you when I’m on my way back from the airport.”
Decision made. I’m off to Venice.