The One We Fell in Love With by Paige Toon

Author:Paige Toon
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781471138447
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

Eliza

‘I’m on the second floor,’ Angus says when I call him to let him know that I’ve arrived at Hotel Gotham. ‘I’ll meet you by the lift.’

The ‘Batman’ building looks just like something that you’d find in one of the comics, an imposing stone and steel neoclassical design with arched art deco windows and even gargoyles on the roof.

Angus appears a moment after I step out of the lift. ‘Hey,’ he says warmly, his eyes widening. ‘You look amazing.’ He comes over to give me a peck on my cheek.

When Michelle and I checked out the hotel’s website earlier, we saw that a lot of people make an effort to dress up. She convinced me to wear a 30s-inspired black dress from her wardrobe with my own high heels, but I stopped short of doing my hair in an up-do, instead blow-drying it to within an inch of its life so it falls glossily down my back.

‘So do you,’ I say with surprise. I was expecting him to be wearing his usual jeans and T-shirt, but he’s donned smart black trousers and a white shirt, rolled up to his elbows with the top button open. His dark-blond hair is still a shaggy mess, though.

‘Thought I’d make a bit of an effort to look less like the layabout that I actually am,’ he whispers conspiratorially. ‘Believe it or not, I’ve got a tie and suit jacket for later.’ He glances towards the corridor where his room is and then checks his watch. It’s almost five. ‘Do you want to go straight up to the bar?’ he asks.

‘Er, sure.’ I’m curious to see his room, but maybe I’ll get to have a look later.

That thought leads to another and a blush creeps up my throat as we step back into the lift.

The hotel used to be the Midland Bank building and there are nods to its financial history throughout, with bags of fake money holding back the doors and, Angus tells me, toiletries resting on blocks of fake gold in the bathrooms. The restaurant has beautiful arched windows with views out over the city, but the rooftop bar is what really takes my breath away. Manchester’s skyline is spectacular, and you can also sit right behind one of the gargoyles.

‘What time did you check in?’ I ask when we’ve ordered our drinks and sat down on a black bench seat, our backs resting against the outer walls of the grey-stone building. The sun is still high in the sky.

‘About an hour ago. I’ve just been on the bed, reading.’

‘What’s your room like?’ I ask.

‘Very opulent. And there are Batman-shaped biscuits in a cookie jar.’

‘Cool!’

‘You can come and have one along with a cup of posh tea later if you like.’ He says it casually and doesn’t blush like I do at the thought of us being alone together in his room.

‘So what have you been up to?’ he asks.

‘Joe called!’ I exclaim. ‘He wants me to do another gig the week

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