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‘Nothing fun is good for MS.’ Kat waves a dismissive hand. ‘Look, if this relapse gets worse, I’ll go home and cover myself in hot water bottles. But until that time, I’m at Ascot and I just won some money. I want to enjoy a glass of champagne with my friend. That’s you, in case you were wondering.’

‘I wasn’t. Seriously, Kat. You’re in pain. You should rest.’

‘I will rest in my grave. Ten years before the average person, if Dr Martin’s advice is accurate. So. Champagne!’

CHAPTER35

Freddy and I take stools in the Bollinger bar at a high, white-fabric-covered table. I hook my cane over my stool back and shift around, trying to get comfortable.

‘So what happened to Marcus?’ Freddy asks. ‘Did Chris scare him off?’

‘Yes.’

A waiter appears. He stares at my cane for a moment, then quickly pretends he hasn’t seen it. This puts him in the ‘polite’ category.

I smile at the waiter, but Freddy doesn’t.

‘It’s a walking stick,’ Freddy barks. ‘This lady has MS, but don’t worry. It isn’t catching. One glass of champagne, one glass of soda water, alright? Off you jolly well trot.’

The waiter hurries away.

‘There was no need to be rude to him,’ I say.

‘He was staring at your cane like you were a sideshow,’ says Freddy.

‘People do,’ I say. ‘They don’t know what box to put you in when you’re young and use old lady devices. I don’t take it personally.’

Two chilled glasses of fizzing liquid arrive at the table, along with a dish of perfect strawberries and an eye-watering bill.

‘I’m paying,’ says Freddy.

‘Don’t be silly,’ I say. ‘I just won five hundred pounds.’

‘So what? I’m a multi-millionaire.’

‘That doesn’t mean you have to pick up the tab every time. Unless you’re expecting something in return, Mr Transactional Relationship.’

‘I’m not expecting anything in return. Except to maybe cheer you up a bit.’

‘Mission accomplished.’ I take a sip of tart, sparkling champagne. ‘Thank you. For the drink, the company and for getting rid of Chris. There are a lot of women here, and I’m guessing you’d rather be chatting them up than drinking water with me. Do you know what Ahmet called you earlier? A real-life James Bond, hopping from bed to bed.’

Freddy laughs. ‘I like that one.’

‘Is it true?’

‘Yeah, it’s true.’ Freddy rubs his eyes with his knuckles, then stares over my shoulder. ‘But to tell you the truth, Kat, being with lots of different women can be lonely.’

‘That sounds like exactly the sort of chat-up line you’d use on the aforementioned different women.’

‘It isn’t.’

‘So why haven’t you settled down?’

‘I don’t want to settle down. It’s too restrictive.’

‘Do you want children?’

‘No.’