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“I hope not.” Davina took one last look at herself in the full length mirror. “I want to be polite, endure this evening and get on with making the film. The last thing I want is Derek getting any ideas.”
“Good luck,” Marianne said.
The doorbell rang.
“That will be him,” Davina said.
They traipsed downstairs together as though walking to the gallows. As Davina reached for the front door handle, she felt a wave of panic and looked back at her best friend.
“Can you stay the night, Mar? It’d be great if you were here when I came home.”
“In case he invites himself in anyway?”
“Safety in numbers.”
“I’ll have a bubble bath and read the book I’ve been carting around for a month while I wait for you.”
Davina gave her friend a quick hug. She relaxed a little knowing she had backup.
“Hello,” Derek said as the door swung open, “you look...” His words trailed off.
“I know you had your heart set on the green dress,” Davina told him as she tugged her black trench coat on. “But there was an accident in my closet. I’m afraid this is it.”
“A plumbing leak?” He didn’t make any effort to hide how disgusted he was with her clothes.
“It was liquid,” she told him. “Okay, ready to go?”
“I guess so,” he said.
“You know, Derek, we can always cancel.”
She held her breath and hoped for a yes.
“No, it’s fine. You can always wear something better next time.”
Next time? There was a scream inside her head. And against her better judgement she followed him to the car. A window opened above them and Marianne’s head popped out. She was wearing Davina’s pink satin robe.
“Where are you going?” she called.
Derek frowned.
“Roommates,” Davina said. “They worry.”
“She’s staying with you?” Derek pointed at Marianne.
“She is tonight.”
“What restaurant?” Marianne said. “In case I need you.”
Davina looked at Derek.
“Oaks,” he said glumly.
Davina gave Marianne a thumbs-up. With any luck they would eat fast and he’d drop her off at the end of her drive. Surely having Marianne in the house would put an end to any thoughts of being invited in? It was all going to be fine.
Jack had one eye on the TV while he listened to more tapes from the house. So far the only positive thing to come out of it was that he now had Davy’s brownie recipe. It would be handy if he ever baked. Which wasn’t likely.
The BBC were covering the latest economic issues to plague Europe, while Davina explained to her crew how the lighting would work on the next scene. He wasn’t even listening anymore, he should just give up. Even if this Derek guy got out of hand Davina could take care of herself. His heart missed a beat. He had no doubt she would be great if she saw the attack coming. Unfortunately, he doubted that was how Ken Doll operated. No. She needed him to watch her back.
