Page 24 of Unapologetic Love Story

‘I told you,’ Raina said in a resigned tone. ‘He wants a story!’

She picked up the phone but Pepper slapped it out of her hand.

‘Don’t give him what he wants! Make him wait!’

Raina answered the phone. ‘White Rabbit speaking.’

She could hear a dry and muffled laugh. ‘How did you know it was me?’

‘Oh, Alice, no one else in my life is as annoying as you right now.’

‘I was wondering if I could shadow you this week?’

‘No, thank you.’

‘I’ll be very discreet; you won’t even know I’m there.’

‘I know, because you won’t be.’

Raina heard him sigh on the other end of the phone and her societally programmed need to be polite infiltrated her senses. She fished her little pocket diary out of her bag and flipped it open.

‘All I’m doing this week is prepping for the next episode of Track,’ she said. ‘If you want to come and watch me type . . .’

‘I do.’

She resisted the urge to curse. ‘Seriously?’

‘Sure. I can ask you questions while you prep.’

‘Well, hold on—’

‘Where’s your office?’

Pepper suddenly lurched towards Raina to grab the phone. ‘She’s not telling you where she lives, you reprobate.’

‘Hello, Miss Cousins.’

‘I swear on McQueen, if you are trying to set my friend up,’ Pepper hissed down the line with pernicious intensity, ‘I’ll run you out of this city.’

‘I believe it.’

Raina snatched her phone back and gave Pepper a warning look. ‘Why don’t we meet on neutral territory? You said you’re in Fulham – do you know the White Horse in SW6?’

‘It’s my local.’

‘Fine. I’ll see you on Friday at two.’

‘You’ll really be there?’

‘With rings on my fingers, and bells on my toes, Alice.’

She hung up the phone before he could say another thing.

‘You worked at the White Horse,’ said Pepper, smirking. ‘Hardly neutral territory.’

‘I told you, Pep,’ Raina said, smiling sweetly as she lay back against the pillows. ‘He’s going to get an education. And I don’t have to be fair about it.’

‘Mirren says you’ve got a girl!’