Chapter Thirteen
Alex was grateful that Richie always knew what to do.
Smoothing the way ahead of them, speaking to the reporters – telling them what they could and couldn’t ask.
Shaping the damn narrative, and threatening to blacklist the journalists who didn’t play ball.
Which was why an official event like this was the ideal place to publicise their fake relationship, and also why Richie was paid so well, despite the fact that he could be a complete asshole at times.
Alex had been furious with Richie’s rudeness to Ellie in the car.
It was Alex’s fault for not telling Richie her name.
In fact, he’d only confirmed her full name with his mother that morning, after she’d threatened to contact a private detective.
He’d delayed telling them because he knew that, once he revealed who she was, the entire family would be looking into her, and their safe little bubble of privacy would be gone for good.
He also didn’t want to give Richie an opportunity to talk Ellie out of helping him, and he couldn’t trust his mother not to tell Richie.
A journalist was asking him about his latest production, and he reeled off all of his planned talking points, in well-rehearsed answers, steering the conversation to the talent of his actors and crew.
As always, the interviewer then turned to Ellie and asked a question to draw her into the conversation.
This time it was the very benign, ‘Who are you wearing?’ question.
Ellie gave a sexy pivot on her elegant heels, her hips seductively tilting with the movement and causing his mouth to dry. ‘Me, of course.’ She giggled.
‘You’re a designer?’ gasped the interviewer with admiration.
Ellie shook her head with a sweet blush.
Alex was quick to interrupt before she dismissed her abilities. ‘It’s one of her passions – her designs are fantastic, don’t you think?’
The interviewer gushed enthusiastically in agreement, and Ellie was obviously flattered by the praise.
Richie came over and quickly ended the interview, then ushered them on to the next.
The earlier green-carpet viewing area had only been the beginning.
Camera crews, interviewers and photographers filled the entrance area, assistants and agents flying around like tennis balls arranging interviews.
‘Bloody hell, are we ever going to get inside the theatre?’ quipped Ellie, as they walked away from yet another reporter.
‘You’re doing brilliantly, and don’t worry, we’ll be going in soon,’ he said, and he meant it – she was a natural in interviews.
Bubbly and friendly, but not overbearing.
She took a back seat and let him do most of the talking, only answering questions when they were directed specifically at her, or if he asked for her opinion, which he often did.
‘One more,’ said Richie firmly, and directed them towards a familiar face – at least to Alex – the Arts Review journalist, Mei.
Today she wore a black cocktail dress with dramatic puffy sleeves.
The design was probably a deliberate choice, as it seemed to keep the other reporters at bay, despite their jostling forward with their own microphones and lenses.
Alex stiffened and tucked Ellie’s arm under his more firmly, as if he could somehow guard her from the indomitable Mei. He was prepared to drag Ellie away if she played one of her tricks again.
‘Hello again, Alex.’ Mei beamed, not an ounce of guilt on her perfectly made-up face. She had a TV cameraman beside her today.
‘Hello…’ He glanced at Richie, who gave a see how it goes head-nod.
‘And who’s your gorgeously vivacious lady in red?’ asked Mei with a flash of canines.
He slipped his arm around Ellie’s waist and pulled her closer as she answered cheerfully, ‘I’m Ellie.’
‘Ellie?’
‘Ellie Jones.’
‘Ellie Jones.’ Mei breathed out the name with a puff of satisfaction. ‘What’s that short for? Elizabeth?’
‘Eliza.’
Damn, thought Alex; Mei had gotten her full name faster than his mom. Still, it was bound to happen eventually.
A slow, Cheshire Cat smile spread across Mei’s face. ‘How delightful. I hear you’re a nurse? This must be a change from bedpans and patients, yes?’
Alex was about to interrupt when Ellie laughed. ‘It’s certainly more glamorous. But tonight is about Alex’s line of work, not mine.’
‘Oh, I don’t know about that,’ said Mei slyly. ‘Everyone is so thrilled to hear that Alex is dating again. Alex, you previously mentioned you were looking forward to the future – is Ellie the reason for that?’
Alex nodded, his fingertips stroking the silky warmth of Ellie’s curvy waist. ‘Like I said, I’m optimistic about the future, both professionally and personally.’
‘Great, and how long have you two been together?’
His eyes locked with Ellie’s. In the past he’d always found it better to stick as close to the truth as possible.
But Richie had said it would work better if they already seemed committed, so it was probably best to be vague.
‘Oh, a little while, but it’s like we’ve known each other for ever,’ he answered, and Ellie’s lips twitched.
‘Well, aren’t you two just the cutest,’ declared Mei, and then, with a wink at Ellie, she added with a merry laugh, ‘you’ve given all of us ordinary ladies hope. Who’d have thought Alex King would be into curvy girls now – you must feel very lucky.’
Outrage seared through him and he was about to pull Ellie away, but her grip on his arm tightened and she kept him firmly at his side as she replied, ‘I think we’re lucky to have found each other, don’t you?
’ She tilted her head up at him, and he was tempted to kiss her again, and not only to shut Mei up.
‘Yes, I’m the luckiest guy alive.’ He turned back to Mei, and said with a charming but firm look, ‘I think Ellie’s the hottest, kindest, funniest, and best damn woman I’ve ever met.’
As Mei opened her mouth to ask another question, he gave a brisk and cheerful goodbye, before leading Ellie away. ‘I’m so sorry,’ he said, leaning towards her in case any cameras picked up his words later with a lip-reader.
Ellie stopped walking and turned to face him. To his relief she wasn’t visibly upset by Mei’s rudeness; in fact, her jaw tilted up with confident defiance. ‘Don’t be. That’s not the worst thing anyone’s ever said to me.’
Anger fizzed in his veins. What was the worst thing? Who had dared to hurt her? ‘I’m sorry, people are assholes, especially in this industry.’
Ellie squeezed his arm and rested her head on his shoulder lightly. An oddly comforting gesture considering that she should be the one needing support, not him.
‘Thank you, but don’t worry about defending me. I’m tougher than I look. When it’s strangers making those kinds of comments, it’s not too bad and I can deal with it. It’s kind of you, but you don’t need to defend me, honestly.’
An ache settled low in Alex’s stomach, and his throat tightened as he thought about what Ellie might have suffered in the past, and not only by strangers, but by people she’d trusted and loved.
He knew she had a difficult relationship with her mother, but he had a feeling that she wasn’t the only person who’d let her down.
Was it his place to ask? He suspected now wasn’t the right time to ask, regardless.
They strolled away from the interviewers.
The sun was beginning to set and turning the sky above the Royal Albert Hall slate grey.
The warm lights from within the historic building seemed to be calling to him, offering them shelter and warmth.
The pop princess was close on their heels, so the press quickly lost interest in them, and they were finally able to go inside to take their seats.
He’d almost forgotten the point of the evening, after spending so long working through the press.
‘Alex!’ cried Isaac, slapping him on the shoulder excitedly.
‘Shouldn’t you be backstage?’ asked Alex.
‘Just about to go. Getting in took longer than I’d expected,’ said Isaac with a slightly bewildered expression, as if he still had camera flashes going off behind his eyes.
‘You’re performing tonight?’ asked Ellie.
Isaac nodded. ‘Yeah, the big party number, can’t believe you managed to get us in, Alex. Thanks so much, the cast are thrilled. Scared witless too,’ he joked, ‘but thrilled.’
Alex gave his leading man a supportive clap on the shoulder. ‘You’ll be great. Now, get backstage quick, before people start to panic.’
Isaac hurried off, going the wrong way at first, and then quickly correcting his direction with a panicked expression.
Alex smothered a laugh. He knew those jittery nerves well.
‘You really care about them, don’t you?’ Ellie was beaming up at him with obvious admiration.
‘I know what it’s like early on in your career. It’s a whirlwind, and you have no idea what you’re doing half the time. I had my parents’ support, but many young actors don’t have that. I’d like to think I can help them.’
Ellie nodded with approval. ‘I’m sure you are. Getting them here must be a huge help.’
‘Hopefully. It’s only a small slot, but Russell and I pulled every string we could think of to get them this gig. Not only will it boost sales, but it’ll get them well known in the industry for their next job. I’m trying to get Isaac a meeting with another producer I know.’
Ellie pressed a hand to her chest. ‘That’s really good of you. You should be proud.’
His chest expanded with a glowing warmth.
He was proud of both himself and Russell – who he was getting along much better with these days.
Probably because Alex had heard about the last-minute cancellation at the awards programme and had been the first on the phone to the organisers begging for the free slot.
‘Come on,’ said Alex, and he led Ellie into the huge glittering awards space. Rows of ruby seats were gathered around the shiny black presentation and performance stage. Their seats were positioned at the end of a row, a helpful tag on them proclaiming, Alex King and Alex King’s Guest.
‘Sorry,’ he said. Ellie must think him so disorganised.
‘I’m happy to be here. Don’t apologise.’
They sat down amongst the stars and waited for the rest of the audience to arrive, which didn’t take long as a flurry of people began to pour in all at the same time.
Ellie moved out of the way so that a famous actress, Dame Mary Woodhouse, could take her seat.
She barely glanced at Alex, but to his delight she stopped to compliment Ellie on her dress.
‘Stunning, darling,’ she declared, with an upper-crust pout, and Ellie thanked her with a blush.
‘Wish I hadn’t picked something so bloody wide!’ huffed the actress, flapping frustratedly at her sweeping purple skirt. ‘I’m going to be up and down to the loo like a yo-yo – nervous bladder and all. So, apologies in advance.’
Alex tried to stifle a chuckle. He found the Brits so adorable with their variety of accents and phrases.
‘That’s no trouble,’ said Ellie hurriedly, more than a little star-struck, but then she appeared to gather her composure, and added cheerfully, ‘I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.’
‘Thank you, darling.’
The pair of them chatted for a little longer, Ellie explaining who they were and why they were here. She constantly referred to Alex’s ‘amazing production The Great Gatsby’, but the dame seemed more intrigued about where Ellie was from.
‘My family was born on that street!’ she declared with wide eyes.
‘Really? Oh, my nanna would be thrilled to hear that. She’s lived there since she was a little girl.’
They chatted a little more, and then, when the dame started speaking with another actor to the other side of her, Ellie turned to Alex and whispered, ‘Who’d have thought Dame Mary would be nervous. She’s an absolute icon. Goes to show, we’re all just human.’
Alex nodded and then took her hand in his and squeezed it, proud of her ability to triumph on any occasion. ‘It gets very intense. I get nervous and I’m not even up for anything.’
‘Not this year… But maybe next,’ she said with a playful grin before returning the squeeze.
He tried to imagine his life a year from now, potentially nominated for an award and waiting nervously to hear the announcement. Would he be alone?
The evening began. The awards were being presented by a well-known British comedian who gave a light-hearted spin to the proceedings. The awards were interspersed with outstanding performances by West End shows and musicals.
Ellie kept turning to him and saying, ‘I’ve got to see that one,’ after each performance.
‘Me too,’ he replied, and he hoped they would see them together, that they would remain friends even after their deal had ended. That she wouldn’t walk away and never want to see him again.
When his cast performed their number, he was so nervous he almost couldn’t bear to watch. However, he needn’t have worried; they were awesome, and when they took their bow he and Ellie leapt up to give a standing ovation, and even Dame Mary rose from her seat in support.
‘Bravo,’ she declared, and turned her manicured clap towards him. Which was more than a little flattering.
‘They were brilliant,’ squealed Ellie. She gave him a quick hug, pressing her soft body against his, and tilting her bright and beautiful face to look up at him, eclipsing the crowd’s applause with her radiant cherry-red smile. ‘Well done!’
More than anything he wanted to kiss her again, but the ceremony was already moving on, and they had to retake their seats. Dame Mary caught his eye as he sat down, and flicked her wrist in a whimsical gesture. ‘Ahh, to be young and in love.’
He only wished they were.