A Passionate Love Affair with a Total Stranger by Lucy Robinson

Author:Lucy Robinson
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780141968254
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2014-08-26T16:00:00+00:00

‘Careful, Bowes,’ I said, reading over Sam’s shoulder.

What I didn’t mention earlier was that I have two tickets for Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers on Friday next week. It’s a wonderful opera; that duet frankly makes me weep. You cannot say no. So ideally I suggest you say yes.

Yes?

I wonder how it’s going out there. You seem so incredibly driven, Ms Cartwright; I am quite sure you will be saving that company’s ass. You’re actually a bit amazing. X

‘Nice,’ I said, handing Sam his coffee. ‘Very nice. She can’t say no to that.’ As we chinked our cups, I felt a wave of excitement. ‘I love this!’ I told him. ‘I know it’s naughty, but isn’t it fun?’

Shelley did not say no. Ten minutes later, she rang me and fog-horned down the phone so loudly that Sam, who was in the bath, could hear. ‘THE PEARL FISHERS ! IT’S MEANT TO BE! SAY YES FOR ME! WHAT ON EARTH WILL I WEAR?’ she roared. I grinned. If these two worked out, they would make the best success story our website would ever hold. Psychotic workaholic tamed by doctor with exclamation-mark addiction, I imagined. Sam and I were flying.

Sam’s phone started to ring on the coffee-table and I leaned over to look at it. ‘Shit, Sam, it’s William!’ I called.

‘Bring it in!’ he yelled. ‘Door’s unlocked.’

I covered my eyes and launched myself into the bathroom with Sam’s phone held in front of me like a shield. I heard the water swell as Sam leaned forward. ‘You’re such an uptight Victorian, Chasmonger,’ he remarked, taking it from me.

‘I just don’t want to see your knob,’ I replied primly. I sat down on the toilet lid, facing away from Sam with my hand over my eyes just for safety.

‘Hi, William,’ Sam said calmly. ‘What’s up?’

A loud tinny voice filled the bathroom and I realized Sam had put William on speakerphone. ‘What’s up? That’s a very good question,’ William replied. I wasn’t sure I liked his voice. He sounded extremely self-important, the sort of person who made knowledgeable comments about champagne vintages.

‘Eh?’ Sam said. His casual manner alarmed me.

‘Are you in a toilet?’ William asked suspiciously.

‘Yeah,’ Sam replied. ‘I’m in the bath.’

William exhaled irritably and I tried to do a throat-slashing gesture in Sam’s general direction. He ignored me.

‘Well,’ William continued, ‘I was calling to ask exactly what you think you’re doing, inviting Shelley to the opera on my behalf. I do not have tickets. Furthermore I’ve looked online and they are not even available to buy. What the hell are you up to?’

‘Chill,’ Sam said.

I was flailing an arm in his direction. He couldn’t talk to a client like that!

‘Chill, William, I got you some tickets. The best in the house, actually. And you don’t even need to pay for them.’

William was momentarily silenced. ‘Oh,’ he said gruffly. ‘Oh, well.’

‘I didn’t have time to email you before I sent that message,’ Sam continued, ‘but basically you’re taking her to her very favourite opera in the world ever.

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