Chapter 42 Nancy
WE WALKED OUT INTO THE WARM EVENING AIR and along the quiet streets of the City’s business district. Buffed tan brogues glinted in the street lamps while size-five biker boots clumped against the concrete. I smiled at our striking contrast reflected in the windows of the empty offices.
My scuffed black leather was padded out with armour at the shoulder, elbow, back, and knee, providing extra humps that bulked out my natural figure, while Alex gave off a vastly different vibe in his brown herringbone suit, straight out the nineteen-twenties.
“Where are we going?”
“For an evening stroll, and then we’ll grab dinner—your choice.”
“It must be love.” I gave him a side glance that he countered with an innocent smile.
We traversed between soulless eighties architecture and forgotten Georgian powerhouses until we reached the sandy castle walls of the Tower of London.
As usual, Tower Bridge was teeming with tourists hoping to capture the perfect sunset on the Thames.
Smartphones were everywhere as groups, couples, and selfie stick posers found their ideal spot.
“You do know I grew up here?” I smiled sardonically. “The tour isn’t necessary.”
“I do, and as a fellow Londoner, I’m sure you know the very worst places to find tourists.”
My eyes narrowed. “Alex, what are you planning?”
“To prove my love, like a gallant nobleman of the realm.”
He shot a charismatic smile at a group of Japanese tourists, and the teenage girls giggled, “Henri Tobaton!” A few more of the group looked around at the mention of the roguish celebrity.
Alex sauntered over and, much to my surprise, held out his hand and bowed to each of them in turn.
Then he introduced me in excellent Japanese, and we posed for our photo in front of the eager crowd.
“Can I get a selfie with you?” an enthusiastic teenager asked, running up to Alex.
“Why of course, but my girlfriend may feel left out. Do you mind?” He drew me in close.
“What game is this?” I hissed through gritted teeth as I smiled for the camera.
“Aren’t you two in a three-way or something?” the teenager asked.
“Nope,” Alex denied easily. “This is Nancy Cooper, the most incredible woman I’ve ever met and the love of my life.”
“Aww,” a few passers-by chorused.
“Tag me, I’ll share it. Our joint account is @tovertoncooper. You’ll find us on every platform.”
“Okay!” the star-struck teenager exclaimed.
I watched her hurriedly type out a post on IG. “Oh my god!” I turned to Alex in horror. “You can’t do this.”
“I bloody well can, and soon, anyone who cares, and probably several that don’t, will know exactly what you mean to me.”
“But you hate social media. I hate social media.”
“Not tonight.” He interlinked our fingers and walked us towards the excited crowd.
By the time we’d crossed the bridge an hour later, everyone who’d wanted a picture (including all the passengers of a hop-on-hop-off bus tour) had got their moment.
Alex went to the accounts he’d created and shared every image and video we were tagged in: hands out, holding The Shard aloft; kissing under illuminated arches; posing by the river with peace signs.
And, with each person we spoke to, Alex expressed his love and commitment to me—and only me.
“That’s the most bizarre and romantic gesture…possibly ever,” I said.
He kissed the top of my head. “And that was only part one of the plan.”
I stopped dead. “That was enough.”
“That was the amuse-bouche.” He grinned at me. “Next comes the starter, and then you can choose dinner.”
I shook my head, knowing a debate was futile. “You got me in the mood for Japanese. When did you learn to speak so fluently?”
“I lived in Tokyo after university. With the media driving the public’s interest in the book and the ongoing libel battle to gag it, I needed to escape London.
It was the ideal place to build investment interest while I worked on my first app.
” He hugged me to his side as we descended the steps to the Queen’s Walk.
“Is there a restaurant you have in mind?”
“Are you okay with a chain? There’s one near London Bridge. The gyoza and plum sauce are ridiculously good.”
“Perfect.”
We strolled as far as the pavement fountains, where children were running in and out the water, screaming with excitement as they cooled from the June heat. Alex watched a little boy bunny hopping through each jet towards a smiling woman holding a Spiderman beach towel at the ready.
I squeezed his hand. “I can’t imagine you being that young.”
“I’m not sure I ever was.” His expression remained neutral, but I’d learnt his tell.
“I’d like to see pictures sometime.”
“Sure.” He gave me a tender smile that reached the hollowness in his eyes, then his gaze drifted behind us. “Ah, right on time. Are you ready?”
“For what?” I followed his gaze and saw the mass of photographers approaching. “Oh, dear god! I can’t!”
“Yes you can because we’ll face them together. Come on.”
“What are we doing?” I said, as much to myself.
“Dancing.” With authority, he pulled me up, positioning us for a waltz. “Just follow my lead and look only at me, okay?”
I nodded as he held me firmly, commanding our steps.
The paparazzi piled into the plaza, flashing their cameras and shouting questions, but I only focused on Alex.
Some passers-by stopped to watch the spectacle, whooping and clapping as our speed increased.
Slowly, the photographers moved back to capture the gathering crowd, captivated by our public display.
A drunk-sounding man with a thick London accent bellowed, “It must be love, love, love!” which sparked a round of snickers.
Then, more and more people joined in the chorus.
Soon, a hundred-strong choir serenaded us to Madness as we spun around the plaza, giggling like kids.
The press quietened down their questions to film the uplifting scene.
Cheers and applause rang out as the song drew to a close. I looked around at the gathered spectators and buried my head in embarrassment. Alex held me protectively as we passed through the joyful crowd and guided us west along the Thames.
“Alex, are you both off to see Mimi?” a red-faced reporter shouted as he ran up behind us, and a few sniggers passed about the photographers.
I looked up and saw a flash in Alex’s eyes.
He stopped, calm and collected, keeping me pressed to his side.
“Has everyone got their cameras running, their recorders on, because I’m only saying this once, and then the matter is over?
” He paused to allow the mass of devices in front of us to start recording.
“As you know, Mimi and I dated on and off for some years, but our relationship ended once and for all two months ago. Since then, I’ve met Nancy, and as I’ve grown to know her, she’s astounded me more every day. I love her. She’s the only woman I’m seeing, and we’re in a committed relationshi—”
“If that’s true, what’s your response to the statement Mimi’s just released confirming you two are engaged?” the red-faced man interjected.
Alex’s grip on me tightened, but he continued, unfazed.
“Our families have been trying to protect Mimi during this challenging time, but the fact is, she isn’t well.
It’s led to this terrible mix-up, which is why it’s time you know the truth of the matter.
Mimi is a fragile woman who needs the care of her family right now.
I can only hope you’ll have the decency to leave her alone while she recovers.
” He raised his hand, dismissing them and pushed past. “We have nothing more to add. Good evening.”
Questions erupted. “Alex, are you implying Mimi has a condition that led to her erratic behaviour? Can you confirm where Mimi is receiving treatment? Alex, is that why your relationship broke down? Has Mimi threatened you both?”
I was so captivated by his confidence that I barely noticed the surrounding din. We kept silent and continued to walk as if a crowd of desperate individuals weren’t stalking us.
When we entered the restaurant, everyone around us went quiet.
“A table for two by the window, please.” Alex gave the server a charming smile, and she bustled off to set up a booth.
We sat across from each other, Alex’s legs hugging mine, and ate our fill of natto donburi and crispy gyoza, feeding each other with chopsticks and chatting away as if it were perfectly normal a crowd of photographers were ogling us through the window.
By the time Alex settled the bill, the paps had finally grown bored and left us to find their next prey.
“What shall we do now?” I asked as he led us out.
“I thought I’d leave that up to you.”
“Mmm.” I tapped my chin in consideration. “I’d better get an early night then. See you on Monday, Toverton.”
He pulled me to his chest. “That’s just cruel, bella.”
I ran my hands down his lapels and eyed him. “Well, I suppose we could finish with dessert.”
“Now you’re talking.” He grinned wolfishly, moving in for a single kiss.
I smiled and took his hand. “Walk with me.”
“But Evan can pick us up?”
“Oh no, I have something much more fun in mind.” I led him back towards Toverton Tower, stopping outside a mechanic’s shop en route. “You wait here, and I’ll be back with dessert.” Ten minutes later, I came out holding a Union Jack crash helmet.
“Why do you have that?” he said warily.
“You bought dinner. This is my treat.” I grinned. “You’re gonna ride home with me.”
He stepped back. “That’s a generous offer, but I’m not sure the back of your little bike and I will mix.”
I thrust the helmet into his hands. “You’ve shown me how much I can trust you this evening. Now it’s my turn.” Alex looked down at it and then back at me. He pulled it on.
I set up the motorcycle for a pillion passenger, and he squeezed himself between me and the top box, wrapping his arms around my waist so he was flush to my back. “You know, I could get used to this mode of travel.”