Platinum Coast. Lynne Pemberton

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СКАЧАТЬ stood up and crossed the few feet that separated them. Taking both her hands in his he said, ‘Don’t take any notice of me. I’m just a little stoned; it always makes me horny. Anyway, I fancy you like mad.’

      The blush that spread over Christina’s face seemed to encourage him, and he tried to pull her closer.

      She backed off and chose her words carefully.

      ‘Really, Max, I’m very tired. And, like I said, someone’s waiting.’

      ‘Okay, okay, I get the message.’ He dropped her hands. ‘It’s been great working with you. I’ve been in this game a long time and believe me when I say you have a lot of potential.’ His voice was sincere as he leaned forward and pecked her on the cheek.

      ‘Thanks, Max, I really appreciate that,’ Christina said.

      ‘Off you go, then.’

      He steered her towards the door, and patted her gently on the bottom.

      ‘Back to the sticks, baby. Bye bye.’

      She let herself out of the studio in Elm Park Mews into a warm, dusky evening. Fading sunlight glinted on the windows of the pretty, shuttered houses, where gaily coloured flowers spilled in profusion from window boxes and an assortment of terracotta and stone pots.

      She recognized the number-plate, SRC 20, as the dark-blue Mercedes turned the corner into the mews.

      Christina waved furiously, and was unable to stop a wide smile from transforming her face as the car pulled to a halt next to her and Stephen jumped out.

      The exhaustion she had felt only moments previously evaporated, to be replaced by a feeling of euphoria when he ran towards her.

      ‘I’m so pleased I caught you.’ Stephen raked his fingers through dishevelled dark-brown hair. ‘I’ve driven like a maniac from Heathrow to get here. I finished in Paris quicker than I thought and literally raced out to Charles de Gaulle. The flight took off moments after I boarded. Then I ran through Heathrow, and had a real up-and-downer with the customs boys who stopped me. The traffic was dreadful on the M4 … I really didn’t think I’d make it.’

      He stopped for breath, and Christina said, ‘I was on my way back to Manchester. Your secretary left a message to say you were delayed.’

      ‘Excuse me, is that your car?’ an irritated voice intervened. ‘I can’t get out.’

      ‘Sorry,’ Stephen said to the irate driver, and, picking up Christina’s bag, he led her to his car, which was double-parked. He backed quickly up the narrow mews.

      ‘I’ve rung the studio three times in the last two days. The phone either rings continuously or else some dimwit of a girl answers and seems incapable of taking a message coherently.’

      ‘We’ve been out on location for two days and the girl you are referring to is Max’s assistant, Pippa, a complete air-head.’

      Stephen stole a swift sideways glance at Christina, feeling ridiculously pleased to see her.

      Her face was flushed and her eyes were bright with anticipation. She caught his glance and a surge of excitement passed between them.

      ‘Fancy something to eat?’ he suggested.

      ‘I’m absolutely starved. I haven’t had a good meal for five days. Max seems to live on sandwiches and take-away Chinese and Indian.’

      ‘Okay. What sort of food?’

      ‘I really don’t mind. As my father used to say, I could eat a scabby horse between two mattresses.’

      Stephen chuckled. ‘I’ve got just the place, and it’s only round the corner. Fingers crossed it’s not fully booked.’

      Christina lifted both her hands and crossed two sets of fingers. Stephen turned the car into Roland Gardens and pulled up outside Blake’s Hotel.

      ‘You jump out while I try to park,’ he said.

      Christina did as she was told, and walked up three deep stone steps into what resembled a very chic London town-house. Entering the small reception area, she felt as if she was in a private home, and stood awkwardly next to the discreet reception desk manned by a trendy young man.

      ‘Can I help you?’ he asked pleasantly.

      ‘I’m waiting for someone, actually,’ she replied in a small voice, and turned as she heard the young man say, ‘Mr Reece-Carlton, how are you?’

      ‘I’m fine, Rupert. And you?’

      ‘Overworked, underpaid, and busy,’ he replied, and then added, ‘So what’s new?’

      Stephen led Christina to the head of a narrow open-tread staircase, calling to Rupert before they descended, ‘See you soon. Take care.’

      ‘You obviously come here often,’ Christina said before she reached the bottom of the steep stairs.

      ‘I used to stay here a lot before I bought a place in London.’

      ‘Monsieur Reece-Carlton, long time no see.’ The head waiter came forward.

      ‘I’m afraid I don’t have a reservation, Philippe.’ Stephen’s voice was apologetic.

      The small man glanced at his reservations list and his watch. It was 8.30.

      ‘I can give you a table now, but I’m afraid you will have to vacate it by 10.30. I have an after-theatre reservation.’ He looked at Stephen. ‘Is that okay?’

      ‘That’s fine by me.’ Stephen stood back to allow Christina to follow the head waiter to their table, which was located in the far corner of the small restaurant.

      ‘Aperitifs, I presume?’ Philippe asked as they sat down.

      ‘I would like a large glass of Perrier, please, with lots of ice and lemon,’ Christina said.

      Stephen ordered a glass of champagne.

      ‘What a fantastic place.’ She looked around the dimly lit restaurant, fascinated.

      There were long-stemmed white lilies spilling out of several tall glass vases and unusual feathery tulips in the palest shade of pink on every table.

      The dark, narrow bar was packed with smartly dressed people, and Frank Sinatra’s voice crooned in the background. Their drinks arrived along with the menus.

      Christina, determined not to make a fool of herself again, asked, ‘Can you advise me what to have, Stephen? You must know the menu pretty well by now.’

      ‘It does change, but there are some firm favourites.’ He glanced at the carte.

      ‘Why don’t you try the soup followed by fish? It’s always very good here.’

      Christina took his advice.

      The food was delicious. She ate most of her cream of leek СКАЧАТЬ