‘No, like I said, I’m a glutton for punishment. You know Lucy and I shared the interviewing for Hands Down? Well, I just spoke to Nick Jones about it and he’s going to persuade them to come and sing for Lucy tonight.’
‘That’s very sweet. Is Lucy such a convert?’
He nodded. ‘Check out her Spotify playlist – it’s full of Hands Down. The guys are okay, really. It’s just Jonny who’s a bit of a prick – probably because he gets all the extra attention, thanks to his famous girlfriend.’
‘How are things generally?’ I looked around to check no one was within earshot. ‘Have you told Lucy how you feel?’
Gav shook his head. ‘I’m still working up to that.’
*
Later, I popped out to buy candles and rang Alice.
‘Want to come by the office this evening?’ I asked her. ‘You may as well come and try some of the cake you helped make.’
‘But I don’t know the birthday girl.’
‘That doesn’t matter. Anyway, it will be nice to introduce you to everyone. You’re the first sister I’ve ever had.’
Alice sounded quite emotional by the time I rang off. I hadn’t told her that Hands Down would be there because I wanted to surprise her. I knew she’d be thrilled, and the thought made me very happy. And God knows how miserable I’d been the last couple of days.
Gav and Rob nipped out and returned with wine and nibbles, and by six o’clock we’d all switched off our computers and were huddled around Gav’s desk as he poured the drinks. I hadn’t had any alcohol since Sunday, but I knew it would look churlish if I refused a drink tonight, so I drank very slowly and kept my plastic beaker far from Gavin’s enthusiastic refilling arm.
Alice arrived and I made the introductions. She chatted to everyone and found she had a friend in common with Rob’s girlfriend.
Alice helped me light the candles and then followed me back into the main office and started off the first round of ‘Happy Birthday’.
Gav had been liaising with the Hands Down boys – minus Jonny – and as soon as Lucy had blown out the candles they burst in.
Lucy was bouncing up and down with joy, but my eyes were on Alice, who went bright pink and had to sit down. She looked over at me, mouthed ‘thank you’, then turned her gaze back to Guy Williams, who I happened to know was her favourite Hands Downer. They’d moved on to a very pretty version of Seal’s ‘Kiss From A Rose’ – although I doubted any of them had been born when it came out.
I was so busy looking at Alice’s happy face that I hadn’t noticed Nick arrive. He was sitting on the far side of the room next to Mike. He was back in his usual uniform of a suit and tie, and beside him was a bouquet of flowers, which he presented to Lucy when she bounded up to him after the song finished.
Unlike Simon, he’d rung several times since Sunday, but I’d never picked up and he hadn’t left a message. Things were too weird between us, and I had enough on my plate. But I had to admit it was nice of him to come and persuade the boys to sing for Lucy.
The last time he’d been here had been the night of Patrick’s funeral. I swallowed back a lump in my throat. I missed Pat so much. Part of me felt that I deserved to lose my job because, without Patrick’s wise advice, I was bound to fuck up sooner or later. Why delay the inevitable?
My attention was caught by a flashing light and I turned to see David, our photographer, snapping the Hands Down boys. Pics of them in our offices would add a nice touch to the issue. Thank God someone – most likely Mike – had thought to invite David and his camera.
Nick had moved and was talking to Gav. There were now only ten metres between us, instead of twenty. It felt far too close for comfort so I took myself off to the ladies to kill time. I wanted to go home, but it was far too early to leave.
By the time I got back, Lucy and Gav were arm-wrestling. How could she not realise he liked her? He’d done everything except pull her pigtails and run away. Wisely, he let her win, and she stood on a chair proclaiming herself Queen of the World.
I smiled and at that exact moment my eyes met Nick’s. He didn’t quite smile back, but at least I’d inadvertently broken the ice. The next moment Alice was by my side.
‘Nick seems nice,’ she said. She’d seen me smile, then.
‘You’ve talked to him?’
‘Yes, he was very interested in my Pilates studio. He told me he trained with a yogi in India.’
‘You must have a knack with him; he’s never opened up that much to me.’
‘Probably just making conversation,’ she said. ‘He doesn’t seem all that comfortable to be here.’
I didn’t know how to respond to that. This wasn’t the time to fill Alice in on our smooching in the karaoke booth.
‘You seem to be enjoying yourself, then,’ I said.
