Page 70 of The Love Letter

‘I doubt it. My editor wouldn’t print it anyway.’

‘Ah, but there’ll always be some scandal rag that will, darling.’ He kissed her. ‘Here’s Zoe.’

Joanna recognised the woman walking towards them, and was relieved that she too was dressed casually, in a pair of jeans and a cashmere sweater that matched her eyes. Her blonde hair was coiled in a topknot and her face was devoid of make-up – far from the glamorous star Joanna had expected.

‘Joanna, I’m Zoe Harrison.’ She smiled as Joanna stood up. ‘It’s lovely to meet you.’

The two women shook hands. Joanna, always aware of her height, realised she towered over the dainty Zoe.

‘Red or white, Zo?’ Marcus asked as the waiter opened the wine.

‘Whichever you’re both having.’ Zoe sat down opposite them. ‘So, where did you meet my brother?’

‘Er . . . I . . .’

‘Joanna is a journalist for theMorning Mail. She interviewed me about the memorial fund. By the way, when is that piece going in, darling?’

‘Oh, any time in the next week or so.’ Joanna was watching Zoe’s face. A flicker of anxiety had just passed across it.

Marcus handed Zoe and Joanna a glass of white wine each.

‘Cheers. Here’s to having the two most beautiful ladies in London all to myself.’

‘You’re such a smoothie, brother dear.’ Zoe raised an eyebrow at Joanna, then took a sip of her wine. ‘What kind of stuff do you write about, Joanna?’

‘I’m on Pets and Gardens at the moment.’ She noted Zoe’s relief at this.

‘But not for long,’ Marcus cut in. ‘I’m hoping this woman will become successful enough to keep me in my old age.’

‘She’ll need to,’ drawled Zoe. ‘Not exactly a candidate for the governor of the Bank of England are we, Marcus?’

‘Don’t mind my sister,’ he said to Joanna, shooting Zoe a warning glance. ‘We spend most of our lives bickering.’

‘We certainly do,’ said Zoe. ‘But it’s best you see Marcus as he really is, Joanna. We don’t want any shocks or surprises along the way, do we now?’

‘No, sis, we certainly don’t. Now, why don’t you shut up and we can all choose our food?’

Joanna saw Zoe grinning at her from across the table and knew she was enjoying teasing her brother. She smiled back.

After the waiter had taken their order, Marcus excused himself to run to the shop next door for a packet of cigarettes.

‘I hear you’re up in Norfolk shootingTess?’ said Joanna.

‘Yes.’

‘Are you enjoying it?’

‘Very much. It’s a wonderful role.’ Zoe’s face lit up. ‘I just hope I can do it justice.’

‘I’m sure you will. It’s great to see an English actress in the role,’ Joanna said. ‘I’ve always loved Hardy’s books, especiallyFar From the Madding Crowd. I studied it for O-level and they made us watch the video of the film every time it was too wet to play netball. Don’t they say that every man is either a Gabriel Oak or a Captain Troy? I wanted to be Julie Christie desperately, so I could kiss Terence Stamp in his soldier’s uniform!’

‘So did I!’ Zoe giggled. ‘There’s something about a man in uniform, isn’t there?’

‘Maybe it was all those shiny buttons.’

‘No, it was definitely the sideburns that nailed me,’ said Zoe with a grin. ‘God, you think back to some of the people you fancied then and shudder. Simon Le Bon was another one I used to dream of at night.’

‘At least he was good looking. No, mine was much worse.’