Page 110 of Guilty Pleasures

‘It will be absolutely beautiful. I love those long windswept beaches like Brancaster on the north coast. The lavender fields might still be out too. I’m jealous,’ she smiled.

‘I think Polly will like it too.’

Emma looked at him curiously, remembering what he had said to her once about not introducing girlfriends to Polly until he was absolutely ready. She felt a stab of something unpleasant, not envy exactly. No, it was disappointment that Polly was meeting Jessica. She’d hoped it would be someone more deserving.

‘Polly and Jessica?’

‘A breakthrough, I know,’ he grinned.

‘I knew that’s why you really wanted Winterfold,’ she teased.

He looked at her curiously. ‘I don’t understand.’

‘The huge family house. Actually half a dozen families could live quite comfortably in Winterfold, but the principle is the same – it’s a nesting instinct, Rob Holland. Secretly you want to settle down.’

‘Don’t be silly.’

‘So it’s a coincidence Polly is meeting Jessica?’

‘Actually, I double-booked,’ he said grumpily.

‘Whatever you say …’

He looked away, suggesting that he didn’t want to talk about it any more. After a pause, he said, ‘Seriously Emma, you did great. I always knew you were going to.’

She shrugged modestly.

‘I never did buy you that drink to say thank you.’

‘I suppose you’ll be less crazy after tonight.’

‘Uh-uh, fashion is a never-ending conveyor belt.’

‘Well, when you are less busy give me a ring, we’ll grab a beer at the Feathers.’

‘That would be nice.’

Over the crowd, Emma could see Jessica looking around for Rob, a look of annoyance on her face. Rob followed her gaze and frowned.

‘Listen, I’ve gotta go,’ he said quickly. ‘I think Jessica needs me.’

‘I bet she does,’ said Emma under her breath as Rob pushed through the crowd. ‘I bet she does.’

‘So do you think we’re the hottest power couple in London yet?’

Stella looked at Johnny and laughed.

‘The hottest what?’

‘Power couple,’ he said, entirely serious, before pausing to pose with Stella for a photographer. He didn’t need to pose; from any angle he was easily the most handsome man in the room, even dressed down in jeans and a white shirt.

‘If we were in New York it would be dif

ficult but over here … I mean Madonna and Guy are getting on a bit and once the Vanity Fair piece comes out…’

The week before, Johnny’s publicist had got a call from Vanity Fair’s London editor requesting an interview and shoot time with Johnny and Stella.

‘We’re not seriously getting the cover are we?’