Chapter Twenty-Five Clara #3
He laughs hard at this. ‘It’s funny you say that!
’ he grins. ‘There was a story recently claiming I did that! The truth is, I’d had a call about a family emergency – my brother broke his leg!
– and I had to go. I apologized profusely to the journalist and offered to reschedule, but that got turned into me behaving like a diva who’d thrown a tantrum.
My publicist Katies went ballistic over it but there’s no point trying to get a retraction.
The internet seems to have enjoyed portraying me as a wild child ever since, sharing pictures of me constantly scowling.
But that’s not who I am.’ He sighs as I reassess the bad boy image I’d painted of Milo.
‘To be honest, it’s a lot. I’m more comfortable at home, cooking dinner and watching Escape to the Country . ’
I nod like I agree, but I’ve literally never seen that show.
It seems like loads of different presenters in quilted jackets talking about views.
Who gives a shit about views? You know there’s such a thing as telly, right?
Look at that instead! I pride myself on never having looked out of a window except to spy on people.
And cooking? Ew. I’d rather clean , and I’m definitely not doing that either.
I change the subject. ‘Right, it’s definitely my turn to get the drinks in now,’ I tell him. ‘Though I’m not getting Jemma another one.’ I make a face at Milo. ‘Sorry again about her. I’ve never really known her to get drunk, it clearly doesn’t suit her.’
He shakes his head, eyes wide. ‘Don’t apologize! I think your sister is really great. I love people who are passionate about things—’
He does? Fuck, what am I passionate about? Anything? Anything at all?
He continues with enthusiasm, ‘Especially books. I’m a big reader myself; my mum was a librarian.’
‘I went to the library!’ I tell him, thrilled to have found something we have in common.
I add importantly, ‘I was totally there, literally today.’ I don’t mention that I was only there for ten minutes and didn’t even glance over at the books.
I add gravely, ‘I think it’s really important to use these resources, or we’ll lose them, right?
’ I echo words I’ve heard Jemma say and it works, as Milo nods excitedly.
‘I really agree!’ he says, regarding me with new eyes.
It’s happening, he’s falling in love with me.
‘Yeah, I was giving the librarians some tips about revamping the place. Making it a bit cooler , y’know? They really listen to me about stuff like that. I’m a really trusted member there so they take me way seriously.’
He gives me a small smile. ‘That’s great.’ He pauses. ‘But don’t make it too cool, will you? I think libraries are meant to be a little dorky and dated. Makes us nerdy types feel more at home!’ He laughs a little and I consider this.
Nerdy type? Milo Samuels thinks he’s a nerdy type ? What the fuck.
‘Sure, I promise not to make it too edgy!’ I say smoothly. ‘Jemma would never forgive me either actually. She loves the library.’
Milo glances over at Jemma, who is stealing half-finished drinks from a nearby table. ‘You guys are… close?’
‘Hmm,’ I sigh, ‘sort of! Jemma’s just quite no-nonsense, and – if I’m being honest – I am quite… enjoys-a-lot-of-nonsense. It’s hard to find common ground, y’know?’
‘I do know,’ he says nicely, and there is a beat of silence before we’re invaded by his publicist Katiezzz
‘Milo, darling!’ she squeals, looping her arm into the crook of his elbow. ‘I need you to come and meet this chap immediately – this second! He’s only here for a hot ten, so now now now!’
Milo frowns and I feel my heart leap. He doesn’t want to go! He’s having fun with us! Even with Jemma being an absolute knobber, he wants to stay. He likes me.
‘What are you even doing here, Katies?’ he asks her in a low voice. ‘You were supposed to finish up on Friday.’
She waves her hand. ‘The temp can’t start for another week and you needed someone with you tonight.’
‘I’m not a child,’ he says gently, ‘and the baby could come any day now. You need to be at home, resting up.’
My eyes travel down her black dress, landing on the neat bump I’d completely missed.
‘You’re pregnant!’ I blurt out pointlessly.
It’s such a minuscule bump. I have more of a bump even on days when I haven’t eaten 500 grams of pasta.
What’s the point of being pregnant if you can’t just really go for it and get gorgeously fat?
I can’t wait to get up the duff so I can eat everything in sight.
Katiezzz turns to me with a blank expression. ‘Pregnant? I am?!’ she says sarcastically. ‘Someone better tell my husband.’
Milo gives me a small, apologetic smile. ‘She is, and she’s meant to be on maternity leave.’ He turns to her again, disapproval clear on his handsome face. ‘You’ve already put the start date off twice.’
She waves her hand. ‘I’ll be fine, it’s just a few more days.’
Milo sighs. ‘I’m serious, Katies, go home . I don’t need to be looked after.’ He pauses, then grins. ‘Plus, there’s only that one opening thing I have to do tomorrow, right? Then I’ve got a week off anyway. I love you, mate, but I can manage one event without you.’
Her eyes burn with indignation. ‘Absolutely not, you need someone with you.’ She sighs. ‘I’ll call the agency again and see if there’s anyone they could send along tomorrow.’
My mouth opens and I am speaking before I can think any of it through.
‘I can do it,’ I say suddenly, and they both turn to look at me.
I shrug, like it’s nothing. ‘I’m a publicist. Or I was, over in America where I’ve been living.
I did all the big premieres over there, looked after all the Hollywooders.
’ The lies come so easily. ‘You know the Hollywood Walk of Fame?’ I nod at them as they regard me blankly.
‘All those celebrity hands in the cement? Mostly arranged by me. I, like, placed their hands into the mushy concrete, y’know?
Some of these A-listers have quite weak hands and I was, like, an expert at really making sure that handprint was done properly.
’ I wink at Milo. ‘Couple of days with me and I could probably get you a spot on that sidewalk. I think they have a spare bit of pavement over there.’
His eyes widen and I can tell he is impressed. Or possibly amused. It’s hard to tell which.
‘It wouldn’t be a couple of days,’ Katiezzz snaps. ‘It’s one day – one event .’
‘I think Clara would be great,’ Milo says slowly, and if I had to pick one or the other, I’d say his tone is now definitely amused over impressed.
Katiezzz narrows her eyes at me. ‘What PR companies have you worked at then?’
‘Ermmm’ – I wave my hand – ‘all the US ones. You’ve probably not heard of them because they’re in, um, America.
But y’know, that really big, main one…’ She continues to stare at me.
‘Yeah, like, Top Publicity, that was a good one. I also worked at Celebs R Us and, um, The Best PR. Oh, and obviously I had all those good years at… Lord of the High-Fliers.’
Harry’s voice at my shoulder takes me by surprise. I had no idea he was listening.
‘She’s the best publicist I’ve ever met,’ he says solemnly, and I fight an urge to laugh.
Milo grins. ‘She’s obviously qualified, Katies. Qualified enough to help me out at just one event! It’s not like it matters if I have someone with me anyway.’
Katiezzz sighs reluctantly, looking me up and down.
‘OK, fine,’ she says, resigned. ‘ One event. We’ll pay you a day rate.
I’ll give you my email address so you can send over any questions or concerns.
’ She hands me a business card, adding, ‘Send me a message right now, and I’ll forward you the details for tomorrow. ’
I pull out my phone to shoot off a greeting as Milo rolls his eyes. ‘It’ll be fine, Katies, stop stressing! And go home!’
She nods, stroking her bump fondly. ‘Fine, I will.’ She looks up with determination. ‘But first, come and meet this producer chap, he’s been asking after you.’
Milo laughs. ‘OK!’ He regards me with sad eyes for a moment and then takes a deep breath.
‘Sorry, I’d better go.’ He sounds reluctant.
‘But this has been really fun and I’ll see you tomorrow.
Thanks for shielding me from the showbiz crowds for a few minutes.
’ He winks, adding quietly, ‘Sorry we didn’t get to upend any tables.
’ He turns to Harry and Salma. ‘Feel free to come along tomorrow by the way, if you fancy it. And either way, it was great to meet you both.’ Harry looks crestfallen.
His new best friend has already forgotten him.
As he debates correcting the record I notice Milo’s distracted.
He’s watching Jemma across the room, where she is draining the dregs of strangers’ drinks.
He looks like he’s going to say something but Katiezzz seizes her moment and drags him away.
‘Bye, Milo!’ I call, my stomach fizzing with anticipation. ‘See you tomorrow!’
Holy shit. This is amazing. I’m Milo Samuels’ new publicist.