The Complete #LoveLondon Collection. Nikki Moore

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СКАЧАТЬ then.’ He threw the scissors aside. ‘It’s coffee time anyway. Do you want one?’

      She giggled, dropping her arms, ‘You’d make a crap serial killer, so easily distracted by caffeine. And, yes please.’ He’d taken to making them fresh coffee in a cafetiere every morning and afternoon, a new brand with hints of vanilla. She loved it, and appreciated the effort. One of the girls from the Dior counter had grumbled the other day that he didn’t make coffee for them.

      ‘A sensible serial killer,’ he argued, checking his watch, ‘I think a caffeine hit would be pretty important. Get the blood pumping and the adrenalin spiking for all the running around I’d have to do, stalking big-breasted blondes down impossibly long corridors with thousands of doors.’

      She laughed as they closed the cupboard behind them. ‘Again, you’ve spent too much time thinking about this. I’m concerned that you haven’t got any meaningful hobbies. Anyway, I’m just going to take these down to Womenswear,’ she held up the tapes, ‘so I’ll meet you up there.’

      ‘No problem, see you in the staff room in a minute.’

      Frankie turned away, humming under her breath.

      ‘Oh, Frankie?’

      ‘Yes?’ she spun around.

      ‘The reason it wouldn’t matter what your dress size is, is because it’s about shape and proportions, not size. But given part of my job involves dressing dummies and working with clothes, I reckon you’re probably,’ he reeled off a set of figures that made her eyes widen because of their accuracy. ‘I’m guessing from your face I’m close, but don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone, or else all the girls will want the same service.’ He ducked and guffawed as a tape measure went sailing over his head.

      She was smiling as she turned away, and still was a few minutes later.

      ***

      ‘I said, here are the shoes that go with it,’ Millie extended a pair of black stilettos to Frankie, and she got the sense it wasn’t the first time the personal shopper had tried to hand them to her. ‘We’re going to get locked in, and you’re going to be late.’

      ‘Th-thanks.’ Frankie shook her head, ‘Sorry.’ Slipping them on, she checked her reflection. ‘Okay, good to go.’ She hesitated, ‘Do you know where I’m going next?’

      ‘No,’ Millie placed a black wrap around Frankie’s shoulders and handed her a matching handbag. ‘All I know is there’s a car waiting at the front entrance to take you to the next stop. Now, don’t worry about your jacket and clothes, a courier will run them home to you tomorrow. I put your phone, money, keys and other things in the bag. Let’s move.’

      ‘Thank you. I feel like a celebrity with her own entourage,’ Frankie admitted as they rode the lift down to the ground floor.

      ‘Let’s hope you’re going somewhere fitting then,’ Millie replied, leading her out to the entrance on Knightsbridge, signalling to a driver standing next to a silver limo. ‘Just promise me you won’t act like a diva.’

      ‘I won’t,’ Frankie grinned as they both stared at the luxury car. ‘Although it might be hard. Thank you for all your help,’ she said, sashaying over to the car door the driver was holding open, and sliding in carefully in the tight dress.

      ‘Just doing my job.’ Millie stooped to peer in at her, shaking her head in disbelief at the ready poured glass of champagne Frankie was already holding in her hand. ‘If you think it’s appropriate, I’d love to know how you got on.’

      Frankie took a sip of fizz, sneezing as the bubbles went up her nose, ‘Of course I’ll let you know,’ she replied.

      ‘Great. And if you could arrange for the limo to circle back and drop me home, even better,’ Millie quipped.

      Frankie nodded and winked, ‘I’ll do my best.’

      As the car drew away from the kerb and the waving personal shopper, Frankie leaned forward to speak to the driver, ‘Do you know where we’re going?’

      ‘Not far, Madam,’ he replied, ‘not far at all.’

      A minute later they were pulling in beside Hyde Park Corner, Frankie having only drunk half of the glass of delicious champagne. ‘We’ve only come about half a mile.’ She peered out at the grey statues, arches and columns.

      ‘Just under,’ the driver said, eyes meeting hers in the mirror, ‘but you wouldn’t want to walk it in those shoes, would you?’

      ‘I guess not,’ she said wryly, looking down at the pin-sharp heels. ‘So what now?’

      He gestured her forward and she shuffled toward him. ‘For you.’ Handing her an envelope. ‘I’ll wait while you read it. You have to tell me where we’re going.’

      ‘Right.’ She took another sip of champagne and set the flute aside. ‘Here goes then.’ The envelope was smaller than the others but with a bulkier object in one corner, so she opened it with care, unfurling the scented paper.

       A world class hotel, with old world glamour,

       A slice of pink heaven, refined not with clamour,

       Louis sixteenth design, art easy on the eye,

       Best dining rooms in Europe, that’s FYI.

       Bronze gilt and sumptuous chandeliers,

       join me for dinner, it won’t end in tears.

       ? x

       P.s. wear these.

      She tapped the envelope against her palm and a square jewellery box fell out. She flipped back the lid, holding her breath. A pair of twinkling diamond earrings nestled on the velvet pillow. This was too much. Getting her iPhone out, she did a google search and then texted Kate.

       Hey, hope you’re having a good NYE so far. Decked out in designer togs, with hair & make-up done. Heels, bag, expensive jewellery – the lot. Looks like it’s Christian and I’m going to a famous hotel. Will catch up with you later, F xx

      Frankie tucked her phone away, took a deep breath and let it out slowly. ‘I know where we’re going,’ she announced to the driver.

      ‘Where shall I take you Madam?’ he raised an eyebrow.

      ‘The Ritz, please. But can you circle the block a few times? I need a couple of minutes.’

      ‘Of course,’ he replied automatically.

      ‘Thank you.’ She said softly, sinking back against the seat, gazing out at Hyde Park Corner, where she and Zack had gone for a walk on their lunch break only a few weeks before.

      ***

      Zack was leaning up against the inside of the impressive Wellington Arch, traffic streaming past them, roaring and beeping. His breath was puffing out in front of him in clouds. It was the coldest day so far, and personally Frankie СКАЧАТЬ