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“Do you really think so?”
“May I speak frankly?”
“Please do.”
“Nick has an aura about him; something intangibly special. He’s like a magnet and sort of pulls people to him, if that makes any sense. I’m not surprised he’s such a successful hypnotist. I mean, just look around you.He has this whole place mesmerised.” To demonstrate the point, she nudges her head toward the large group of people crowded around him. My mouth gapes; I’m in complete awe of his ability to strike up conversations with total strangers.
“How did the two of you meet?” she pushes.
“I went to him for hypnosis to help me quit smoking. His offices are based in Harley Street.”
“Ooh, very swanky. Well, at least you’ll have an interesting story to tell your grandchildren.”
I burst out laughing. “Grandchildren? Whoa, I think you might be getting a bit ahead of yourself. It’s only been a few weeks.”
“Weeks, years, who cares? I think the two of you make a fabulous couple, and I can tell from the way he looks at you that he worships the ground you walk on. This one’s definitely a keeper.”
“Aw, thanks, Jill. That’s so sweet of you.” I turn away before I get too emotional and pick up a champagne flute for Nick. Suddenly, I freeze.Shit.I’ve forgotten to take my secondThurlax tablet. To compound matters further, I can’t remember what Dr Wong said about mixing alcohol with medication. Could there be any nasty side effects? Oh, God, just how many glasses of champagne have I had?
“Are you okay?” Jill asks, touching my arm. “You just went a bit white.”
“I-I’m fine. Let’s take the drinks over to the guys.”
When we return, we find Nick and James chatting away like old friends. There’s a lot of back slapping, a lot of laughter, and I wonder what on Earth they’re so happy about.
“Guess what?” James grins. “Nick says he wants to buy two of my paintings.”
“Wow, that’s fantastic news!” Jill beams. “Which ones have taken your fancy?”
Nick tells her and I watch her face transform from pleased to ecstatic. I have no idea how much the paintings cost, but from her reaction, I’d say they must be pretty expensive.
“Thank you,” she says with sincerity. “Your support means so much to us.”
“Oh, don’t thank me,” Nick grins. “I’m the one who should thank you. This kid is going places, so I’ve got to get in there early and grab a bargain while I can.”
“Are you a big art collector then?”
“I dabble a little from time to time. I’m more into antiques, but once in a while, I’ll pick up a nice piece of modern art.”
Brother and sister exchange silent smiles. It looks as if Nick has really made their night.
We hang around the gallery another thirty minutes or so, then make our excuses and head outside to the Jag.
“You were magnificent,” I say as we climb in. “Everybody loved you. You’re such a people person, Nick. Thank you for making this night bearable; I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t been there.”
He laughs gently. “Darling, it was no trouble at all; I enjoyed every minute. Plus, it was nice to get to meet your friends.” He performs a three-point turn and steers the car back onto the high street. “Are you cold?”
“A little.”
He switches on the heater. In a warm haze, I lean against the headrest and stare out the window at shop fronts, people, twinkling lights. Tentatively, I ask him how much he paid for James’s paintings.
Nick smiles mysteriously. “Why do you want to know?”
“I’m just curious.”
“Take a guess.”
“I have absolutely no idea.”
