‘What?’
‘You can even invite them to my wake, if you like,’ he said cheerfully, ‘and you could pose with my corpse.’
‘What the hell are you?—’
‘Because that’s the only wayHello!is getting into my house,’ he said. ‘Over my dead body.’
‘God, you’re so bloody selfish!’ Tina’s eyes sparked fury.
‘You don’tneedthat,’ he said.
‘It’s what Iwant. I can’t believe you won’t help me move on in my career!’
‘You don’t need my help. You can do your own thing.’
‘Well, it’s just as well I havesomefriends. Tessa’s put me in touch with her publicist – Dev Tennant, no less – and he’s agreed to take me on.’
Oh, great! Will thought. With the notorious Dev Tennant on the case, he’d never know another moment’s privacy.
* * *
When Will turned up for his duty dance, Kate was grateful the DJ was starting another slow set. She and Freddie regularly burned up the floors of the hottest clubs in town, but if years of school debs’ dances had taught her anything it was that no one looked cool shaking their booty in a ballgown and, besides, right now she didn’t have the energy for anything more than a desultory shuffle around the floor propped up by her partner.
When she stood up she realised she was seriously drunk. The room was spinning sickeningly and she closed her eyes, putting her head on Will’s chest as they swayed to the throbbing music. The warmth from his body and the steady beat of his heart were comforting.
‘Kate, are you all right?’ Will frowned.
‘I’m fine. Just knackered. I was travelling all day yesterday.’ She shivered.
‘You’re shaking.’
‘I’m a bit cold – it’s just sleep deprivation.’
‘Here.’ Will whisked off his jacket and put it around her shoulders, then took her in his arms again.
Next she felt his fingers in her hair. He was slowly and gently removing the pins.What about the woodstain?Kate thought,panicking. I’ll look like a scarecrow. It took an enormous effort to lift her head to protest.
‘It’s okay.’ Will soothed her. ‘I’ll fluff it out – you won’t look weird, I promise.’
‘Mmm.’ Kate settled back happily. As the pins came out, he massaged her scalp and she felt the tension seeping away. God, this is sexy, she thought, if only I was properly awake to enjoy it.
The next thing she knew, Will was shaking her gently. ‘Kate?’
‘Hmm?’ She opened her eyes lazily, then realised she’d been asleep, and the only thing keeping her upright was Will’s arms, vice-like around her. ‘God, sorry.’
‘You poor thing, you’re completely exhausted.’ He peered down at her in concern. ‘Come on.’ He pulled her off the dance floor, ‘I’m taking you home.’
‘There’s no need. I can get a taxi.’
‘Don’t be silly. It’s no trouble. Anyway, we can’t have you taking a taxi on your own in this state. And I don’t think anyone else is quite ready to leave yet,’ he added drily, as Grace hopped past, leading a long, snaking conga.
‘But what about you?’
‘I wouldn’t mind getting out of here for a while. When you don’t drink, these things pall after the first ten hours or so.’ Tina was happily holed up in a corner with Summer and Phoenix and he’d be back before she missed him.
‘Well, thanks, it’s really nice of you. I’d love to get to bed. I’m staying with Mum and Dad tonight.’ Kate was almost tearful with gratitude.
‘I’ll go and tell your father I’m driving you home.’
