Page 88 of The Good Neighbour

“What? What is it?”

“This may be your lucky day,” Mrs Wimpole said. “Report to my house at five o’clock tomorrow evening. All will become clear then.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

The place was buzzing. Models mingled with punters and the champagne flowed. Josh desperately wished that Hugh was here by his side.

Several fashion editors had gone wild over the designs as they had come out.

“You must be very proud to be back in the saddle,” Jessica Webber asked. She was the editor ofLooksmagazine.

“I certainly am,” Josh replied, forcing a smile on his face.

A model sashayed past in a delicate chiffon dress. The fabric almost floated.

“I don’t know how you find the time,” she said, examining the garment before the model drifted off.

“Meaning?”

“Oh darling, we’re all on the edge of our seats to see who you bed next. A word to the wise. Go for a higher profile. You have to think of your brand.”

For the second time that night, tears threatened to overwhelm him.

“I know it’s all a laugh to you,” he said through gritted teeth. “But this is my life.”

To her credit she looked embarrassed. “Sorry. My mouth runs away with me. If you ever want to do an exclusive, give me a call.”

Before Josh could reply, she wandered off toward a waiter brandishing shrimp canapes.

“Twat,” Josh muttered.

Suzanne was across the room. He made a beeline for her.

“I think we have a victory on our hands,” she said, clinking her glass to his.

“Yeah.”

She frowned. “What’s the matter?”

“I think I’m done. Can you wrap this up?”

“Sure,” Suzanne replied. “You want to stay with us tonight?”

Josh shook his head. “I need to go home at some point. I might as well face it while I’m running on adrenalin and champagne.”

“You call me if you need anything. Promise?”

“I promise.”

When he got home, his suspicions were correct. There wasn’t a dirty dish left in the house. It appeared Madeline had also removed all of Hugh’s clothes from the place, including the washing basket.

He’d missed her at the event but a weekend retreat with her latest leading man had to take precedence. She wanted to see if they had chemistry. He didn’t ask any more questions.

“She’s thorough. I’ll give her that,” he said to himself as he stood in the drawing room. His gaze rested on the couch where he and Hugh had shared that first forbidden kiss. What he wouldn’t give for another one of those right at that moment.

He spent the rest of the night sitting in the window, staring out. Jeannie’s house had been in darkness when he’d walked past. Confirming that Hugh had indeed gone.

At about half past three he’d sunk down on the sofa and got a little bit of sleep. He soon found himself back at the window, watching the early birds going for their morning run or to get a paper.