‘Oh, it’s all for the cause,’ Ivy said. ‘I knew what I was doing.’
‘I don’t think you did,’ Blair said, looking at her with his intense piercing eyes.
‘No, well,’ Ivy dismissed. ‘People are talking. That’s the main thing. Do you know how long it might take for this interview tomorrow? Only I’ve got him lined up with The Guardian, Mirror…’
More interviews. Quinn wasn’t sure he could handle it.
‘It won’t take too long. An hour or two at the most. We can get everything we need,’ Blair assured her. ‘Don’t suppose you could get Noah in, could you?’
‘Noah?’
‘Well, an author endorsing it is pretty big news,’ Blair said. ‘These stories can disappear from the limelight. Adding another name to it helps get people talking.’
Through all the bother of the day, Quinn had thought very little of Noah, except for the fleeting and dying hope he would arrive to see the interview. Of course, why would he have turned up? They weren’t friends. They had that drink and … well, it meant nothing, didn’t it? Quinn couldn’t expect the world from him. He’d been with him to celebrate the interview, not knowing where it would lead, and that was that.
Quinn felt gratitude for Blair being in town. Without him, the BBC interview wouldn’t have happened.
‘I’m tired.’ Quinn hoped Blair would drop the topic of Noah.
‘I don’t blame you,’ Blair said. ‘I can be here tomorrow around ten-ish.’
‘For the interview?’
‘The very one.’
‘He’ll be here,’ Ivy said.
‘You will be, too?’
‘You want me here?’
‘I’d quite like that.’ Blair smiled.
Oh, my god.
Blair and Ivy?
No.
Quinn watched Ivy blush and giggle, and the two of them disappeared to the front of the shop, where Ivy saw Blair on his way. He heard the door close and lock, and Ivy was back, failing to hide a beaming smile.
‘Oh, what a day.’
‘Be careful with that one,’ Quinn said.
‘I’m a grown woman,’ Ivy said. ‘But I will. Charming men like him are too good to be true.’
‘Charming men don’t exist.’
‘You do.’
‘Oh, Ivy,’ Quinn simpered. ‘Straight men, then.’
‘Oh, I don’t think he’s straight.’
‘What?’
‘Bisexuals exist, Quinn, you should know that.’
