He put his hand over Stella’s and looked into her eyes.
‘I’ve been talking with the agency and they reckon that if my career is going to take off Stateside then I need to decamp over there for a little while. I mean it makes sense, doesn’t it? I’ve no idea how Jude Law managed to be so bloody successful living in London.’
Stella looked at him aghast, her happy mood starting to crumble.
‘LA? But what about us? You know my work is here!’
‘I’ve been thinking about that,’ he said handing his black AMEX card to the waiter. ‘What about going back to Cate Glazer?’
She jerked her hand away from his, sending a dessert fork clattering to the floor.
‘First, leaving Milford isn’t an option,’ she snapped, ‘and second, you know how miserable I was at Cate’s.’
‘What about my career?’ he pouted, ‘in twelve months I’ll be rich enough for you never to have to work again.’
‘Aren’t we the progressive husband?’ she said tartly.
‘Fiancé,’ replied Johnny. ‘We’re not in any rush to get married, are we?’
Stella glared at him.
‘The way you’ve been acting tonight it’s as if you don’t want to get married at all.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous. I just think with my career taking off, there’s no big hurry is there? And anyway, you know how birds get if they think their heartthrob is completely off the market. At least if you’re only engaged they still think they’re in with a chance. We want to keep the box-office receipts rolling in, don’t we?’
Stella stood up, throwing her napkin down on the table.
‘I’m going home,’ she said shaking her head incredulously.
‘Keep your voice down,’ he hissed. ‘I’m coming with you.’
They drove back to Stella’s house in silence. Once inside, Johnny took off his coat, flung it over the sofa and flopped down in an armchair.
‘You do understand where I’m coming from,’ he said finally. She looked at him and almost laughed at his beautiful, insolent good looks. He was so self-assured, so self-confident, so selfish. He really didn’t think she would mind.
‘Of course I understand,’ she said quietly, too tired and disappointed to argue with him any longer. She walked into the kitchen to make some coffee and noticed her answerphone was flashing red. She pressed the button.
‘Stella, it’s your father. Please call me.’
Stella looked at the machine, puzzled.
‘What’s wrong?’ asked Johnny, kicking off his shoes.
‘My dad,’ she replayed the message. ‘He sounded upset. I should call him back.’
Johnny swung his feet onto the coffee table and switched on the TV.
‘Sure, babe, bring us a beer first, eh?’ he called, not taking his eyes off the screen. Stella threw him a bottle, slightly harder than was necessary, and took the cordless phone into the kitchen.
‘Dad. It’s me. Sorry it’s late but I think you called earlier. I forgot to take my mobile out with me.’
There was a long silence.
‘She’s left me, Stell.’
Stella felt a flood of panic. ‘Who’s left you, Dad?’ knowing the answer to her question before she’d even asked.
‘Chessie,’ he croaked.