‘Please can we go?’ Lily impatiently asked before dragging him out of the building and onto the pavement.

  ‘Well,’ he said, sighing then looking up. ‘What a woman!’

  ‘What a cow, more like!’ snapped Lily, pulling her friend down the road. ‘She’s so patronising it makes me want to spit blood.’

  ‘She’s gorgeous. That sort of stern dominatrix look makes you go all goosepimply.’

  ‘Shut up Dominic! Did you hear what she said? I have to make one hundred bags for a week on Friday for Women in Film and-.’

  ‘Really?’ he suddenly said, coming out of his trance. ‘That’s a bit of a coup. What did Richard say about it?’

  ‘He wasn’t there,’ she quickly replied.

  ‘Oh no,’ laughed out Dominic. ‘You made all this effort and you didn’t get to see the man? Oh dear!’

  He put a comforting arm around Lily which she promptly shoved off.

  ‘What am I going to do?’ she moaned. ‘One hundred bags!’

  ‘You’re going to have to stuff for England, my dear.’

  Lily knew she had to do a good job and spent days working like a dog, pulling in favours, contacting companies and sourcing products she thought might be ideal. She realised pretty early on that Rosana wasn’t going to make her life easy and was met with such objections to her initial ideas, she wanted to give up there and then. But there were two things keeping her going.

  1 - The thought of getting paid

  2 - The chance of seeing Richard again.

  ‘Rosana says you have to turn up at seven and look smart,’ said Dominic putting down the phone as he stood in the middle of her living room.

  ‘What?’

  Lily was working on the last twenty bags.

  ‘That’s what the woman wants,’ he said, stepping over the bags towards the kitchen.

  ‘Dom, you’ve been a star for talking to that demonic thing. I don’t know what I’d have done without you?’

  ‘Yes I know,’ he replied, sighing to himself as he filled the kettle. ‘And she’s invited me to the shindig tomorrow night.’

  ‘You what?’ Lily sat there in shock. ‘She invited you but not me?’

  ‘I’m sure you’re invited,’ he replied, walking back into the living room. ‘That’s why she asked you to look smart.’

  ‘If I was invited she wouldn’t tell me what to wear, not that she has any right to as I’m only going to drop them off then come home.’

  ‘Well, I’ll come with you when you drop them off tomorrow,’ he gently said. ‘It’ll be shame if no one likes them.’

  ‘Why wouldn’t they?’ she defensively asked.

  ‘We’ll never go short on bath bombs, chocolates, champagne, eye masks, massage oil and whatever else you decided to throw in there.’

  ‘Discounts for beauty treatments, emergency vanity pack, then Harvey Nicks-.’

  ‘Okay. I’m sure the ladies will love them.’

  ‘As long as Richard thinks I’ve done a good job then I’m fine,’ she said. ‘Do you think I’ve done a good job?’

  ‘Of course I do,’ said Dominic, walking over and pinching her cheeks. ‘This is a big order and something good might come out of it. Have you put your business cards in the bag?’

  ‘I thought that might be a bit cheeky,’ she mumbled. ‘I don’t want to look too pushy.’

  ‘Compared to those ladies tomorrow night you’re like a little fluffy thing.’

  ‘Bunny?’ she asked, suddenly feeling cute. ‘Teddy bear.’

  ‘Nah, more like a skunk,’ he said shuffling back into the kitchen smirking. ‘A cute one though.’

  ‘I’m deeply touched.’

  Chapter Three

  ‘Calm down,’ said Dominic handing Lily the final box.

  ‘I’m so nervous. What if the guests hate them?’ replied Lily who started taking the bags out of the boxes to put them on display.

  ‘They won’t.’ Dominic shot her a look and Lily knew he was mulling something over. ‘Are you excited?’

  ‘Yes,’ she replied feeling her stomach churn at the thought of her biggest professional break to date. ‘I put the business cards in so hopefully one person will call me.’

  ‘What about Richard?’

  ‘What about Richard?’ Lily said pretending to hide her real excitement.

  ‘Lily,’ Dominic turned to look at her. ‘You’re acting like a fourteen year old with a crush on a film star. You’ve only seen the man twice and you haven’t made that much of an impression on him, have you?’

  ‘I have as a waitress, a delivery boy or a terrorist. Nothing’s wrong with that, is it?’ she blushed and prayed she looked more memorable this time.

  ‘Don’t get your hopes up. You’re just supplying something for him and the flowers were to soften you up.’

  ‘For what?’ Lily scowled at Dominic.

  ‘Take a look why,’ he said glancing at all the beautifully turned out bags displayed on the tables. ‘Well, better go for cocktails.’

  ‘What? You’re leaving me here? I won’t be long then I can join you.’

  ‘That’s going to be a problem as it’s invitation only,’ he said, waving his ticket in the air.

  Lily stood there realising she was excluded from the event and the chance of even sharing the same air as Richard was now looking thin.

  ‘Anyway,’ she said, brushing her disappointment aside. ‘My shoes will be killing me by the end of the evening so I better go home.’

  ‘Pity you made the effort once again and there’s no one to show it to,’ he sympathetically said.

  Lily looked down at her black dress and sexy black patent shoes then glanced up at Dominic, before shrugging her shoulders.

  ‘Go on. Enjoy yourself traitor,’ she sighed.

  ‘You’re here!’ shouted Rosana all dressed up and walking across the room towards them. ‘Good you’ve set it all up. You’ll have to stay here all evening to make sure everyone leaving the party gets one and-.’

  ‘Pardon? I was only commissioned to do the bags you didn’t say anything about handing them out.’

  ‘Didn’t I?’ questioned Rosana. ‘I told Dominic. Why did you think I wanted you to look smart? I was worried you’d look your usual scruffy self.’

  Lily, gob smacked by the bitchy comment, turned to a sheepish Dominic.

  ‘Dominic!’ she said.

  ‘I might have forgotten to tell you that bit. She can’t stay here all evening,’ he said to Rosana.

  ‘We agreed she’d get two hundred pounds for doing it. Don’t tell me you’re negotiating for more?’ Rosana falsely laughed.

  ‘Dominic!’ Lily shouted realising her friend had been doing some double dealing.

  ‘Two hundred and fifty,’ said Dominic as Lily was on the verge of putting a bag over his head.

  ‘Okay,’ said Rosana smiling.

  ‘In cash and up front,’ added Lily realising her evening had been sewn up.

  ‘Naturally,’ replied Rosana opening her bag and handing the money to Dominic.

  Lily managed to grab the cash before he could get his hands on it.

  ‘Thank you,’ said Lily to Dominic. ‘Shouldn’t you be going for cocktails?’

  ‘You can escort me,’ Rosana smiled enthusiastically.

  ‘One moment,’ said Dominic putting on a false smile. ‘You go ahead and I’ll follow.’

  The pair watched Rosana walk off. When it looked like she was out of ear shot Lily turned around.

  ‘How the hell could you’ve done that to me!’ she hissed. ‘You made me look stupid.’

  ‘I was only thinking of-.’

  ‘No you weren’t.’

  ‘Let me finish. I knew you wouldn’t get an invite and I thought, as you weren’t doing anything on a Friday night for a change, you might like to earn some extra cash.’

  ‘Which you were going to pocket,’ she snarled.

  ‘No, I was going to give you it along with this.’ He held out some money but, before handing it over, he took some notes away. ‘You got fifty pounds more so I’ll take back-.’

  ‘No you don’t.’

  Lily grabbed all the money.

  ‘You’re not very good at bargaining are you?’ he said peeved.

  For nearly three hours Lily stood waiting for someone to leave. Unfortunately she was placed near an open door letting in a draft. Her feet were killing her and she was dying for a drink but stood there nevertheless. Every so often Rosana would poke her head around the corner to see what she was doing, much to Lily’s annoyance as Dominic couldn’t bring her a drink, not that he actually bothered.

  ‘He’s gorgeous,’ she heard a woman say on the way to the toilet.

  ‘I know,’ the other woman said. ‘And he’s single.’

  ‘He’s also good at talking.’

  ‘And I hear he’s really good at other things too.’

  The women laughed as Lily stood there wondering if they were discussing Richard. She wished more than anything he’d come and admire her bags. More importantly, she was looking good and was sure he’d be impressed. But the minutes felt like hours as she waited patiently.

  She felt crippled by the pain in her shoes and it didn’t help she had to sprint to the toilet and back just to make sure the bags weren’t left unattended. This only added to the ache in her toes and the balls of her feet. Lily stood on one foot to alleviate the pain of the other one and even she knew it looked like she was desperate for the loo.

  Eventually people started to trickle out after ten as Lily smiled and handed out the bags. Some of the ladies looked so beautiful while others had made the most of the free bar.

  Then a flood of females came towards her, taking the bags off the display or grabbing them out of her hands. She was even accosted by a couple of men trying to get their mucky paws on more than one bag. Lily was pleased with the reaction but couldn’t tell if it was sincere or alcohol induced.

  Still there was no sign of Richard.

  ‘I’m off to party,’ Dominic announced handing her a drink after another group of women left. ‘So many women and so little time.’

  ‘I need this,’ Lily said grabbing the drink and gulping half the contents down. ‘Why didn’t you try to come out? I’m starving you know.’

  ‘I was sitting near Rosana. By the way, she’s got a fit friend called Monica who fancies me.’

  ‘She’s drunk, I take it?’ asked Lily taking another large mouthful of her drink.

  ‘Steaming! Anyway, we’re going to a club. Fancy tagging along?’ he asked insincerely.

  ‘Thanks but I better get rid of the rest of these. You have a good time.’

  ‘Cheers!’ Dominic kissed her on the cheek. ‘Have you seen him?’

  ‘No. How was he?’ she disappointedly asked.

  ‘You know,’ Dominic said, slowly walking away. ‘Good looking, witty, charming well educated bastard, what you’d expect?’

  ‘Ah,’ she sighed. ‘Oh well, at least I can imagine.’

  ‘Might be the only option,’ Dominic said before shuffling back into the main room.

  Glancing at her watch, Lily realised it was quarter to eleven and decided to call it a night. There were probably about ten bags left and frankly she had enough. Now sitting down on the table, she took off her shoes and started rubbing her feet.

  Then she saw him.

  Richard was walking very quickly towards her on the phone.

  ‘I’m really tied up,’ he said quietly. ‘Yes of course I do.’

  Lily noticed he seemed anxious and it was too late for her to put her shoes back on so she hopped off the table and watched him approach.

  ‘Bye,’ he said putting his phone in his pocket before looking around and noticing Lily. ‘Hello.’

  ‘Hi,’ she replied, trying to catch her breath.

  He looked absolutely adorable. His suit was well cut and his tie, a tad undone, just enhanced his green eyes. Lily noticed his hair was dishevelled and very sexy. She put on her best smile when he leaned over, looking around at the same time. Her heart was pounding so fast she could feel it vibrate in her head.

  ‘Do you know where the nearest toilets are?’ he asked with a frown before glancing down the corridor.

  ‘Try down there,’ she smiled knowing he didn’t remember her by the blank expression on his face.

  ‘Thank you,’ he replied, walking briskly along the corridor.

  She waited ten minutes to see if he was going to come back but there were only a few ladies and before she knew it, everything was silent.

  Wrapping up and walking out in to the fresh air, Lily looked around and saw Richard getting into a taxi with Rosana and two other people. Rosana noticed her.

  ‘The bags went down a treat. Well done Lily!’ Rosana shouted out and Lily recognised the sarcastic tone in her voice.

  ‘I’ll send an invoice tomorrow,’ replied Lily trying to force a smile at the patronising cow.

  ‘You do that,’ said a smirking Rosana before jumping in the taxi. ‘Not got a lift home, Ms Warner?’

  ‘It’s sorted,’ Lily replied.

  Richard turned and did a double take when he saw her.

  ‘Good night,’ said Rosana as the taxi cab drove off.

  ‘Now he thinks I’m a lavatory attendant,’ Lily sighed to herself while hobbling slowly towards the bus stop on a Friday night, depressed and alone but looking forward to a large bag of chips.

  Chapter Four

  Lily was surprised to find an email from an attendee at the dinner who wanted a similar bag for her niece as a birthday present. She couldn’t hide her glee when Dominic came to see her on Monday evening.

  ‘I’m so pleased,’ she said, energetically kissing Dominic on the cheek.

  ‘It’s only one bag,’ he said, throwing himself on the sofa after pushing her away and wiping his face with his sleeve.

  ‘It’s the beginning of something good, I can feel it. I’ve been feeling like shit since Friday,’ she said opening a bottle of wine.

  ‘Why? Everyone loved the bags and Rosana said afterwards she was pleased with your effort.’

  ‘Did she?’ Lily asked, sitting next to Dominic and pouring him a glass of wine.

  ‘Actually she said she was ‘surprised’ they went down so well,’ he said clinking his glass against the bottle. ‘You should’ve come out with me, man.’

  ‘Why? You weren’t exactly begging me,’ she replied eyeing him suspiciously. ‘How was Monica?’

  ‘She’s amazing and pretty good in the sack. That girl could do things on a full stomach I could-.’

  ‘No!’ Lily said, holding her hand over his mouth. ‘I don’t want to know about your sex life when I have a non-existent one other than the pocket rocket. Shh!’

  She laughed.

  ‘I had a good time. Funnily enough I was talking to Richard about you,’ he smiled.

  ‘Really?’

  ‘He asked me who you were. When I described you, he looked a little confused. He thought you worked there.’

  ‘Did he?’ she said trying to look as if she wasn’t crushed by the remark.

  ‘He didn’t recognise you.’

  ‘I bet.’

  ‘No Lily, he said he thought you were a bit plumper. Not like this wide,’ laughed Dominic demonstrating the width of a bus with his hands.

  ‘Very funny!’ Lily was trying hard to hide her total disappointment while looking down at her thighs before shrugging.

  ‘You know what?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘You look miserable.’

  ‘I’m not,’ she replied trying to put on a winning smile before grimacing at him. Then she let her shoulders and face slump. ‘Why doesn’t anyone gorgeous fancy me? Tell me.’ She looked at him. ‘No, on the other hand, I don’t want to know.’

  Her morning was turning into a disaster. After closely avoiding death with a bus and then having a security guard unceremoniously eject her from a building, because she used the wrong entrance, she received a call while delivering packages to her third order of the day. To make matters worse, it was Rosana.

  ‘It’s about your invoice,’ the stuck up woman sternly began. ‘We need to query some things.’

  ‘I see,’ Lily replied, knowing if they delayed payment she was going to have to take money off another credit card to cover her overdraft.

  ‘Can you come in now?’

  ‘I’m in the middle of something. Can’t I come in tomorrow?’ she said looking at the reflection of her tired face.

  ‘Do you want to get paid? If we sort it out I can arrange a bank transfer immediately.’

  Knowing she needed the money, but put off that she’d have to face Rosana, she sighed deeply before answering.

  ‘Give me half an hour.’

  Walking into the building, she knew it wasn’t going to be a good meeting and braced herself for the onslaught. Then her phone started to ring but soon as she answered it Lily knew she’d made a blinding mistake.

  ‘I forgive you,’ James said, sounding self-righteous.

  ‘Pardon?’ she replied and stopped in mid step halfway up the staircase.

  ‘You heard,’ he said trying to put on a deep voice.

  ‘You don’t have to forgive me for anything because I’ve done nothing wrong,’ she innocently replied.

  ‘Look, you’re obviously pissed off about your business idea falling flat on its face so I understand the stress-.’

  ‘Excuse me!’ she snapped and turned to face the wall just in case anyone could hear her. ‘I don’t want to be with you and I don’t want to see you again. It’s just not working.’

  ‘You’re so over sensitive!’ James barked as Lily held the phone slightly away from her ear. ‘Let’s meet up tonight and-.’

  ‘No, no, no!’ she said while starting to bang her head against the wall. ‘I can’t do this. Please I don’t want to see you again. We have to move on and-.’

  ‘Who are you screwing then?’ he said making Lily slightly shocked by the accusation. ‘The man who sent you the flowers?’

  ‘God I wish!’ she sighed shaking her head in annoyance. ‘Please leave me alone. Please.’

  ‘But I love you!’

  ‘You don’t love me, you really don’t. I’m not worth it and you’ll find someone else, anyone one else I hope,’ she said exhaustedly as she hung her head. ‘You’ll be happier without me.’

 

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