‘You’re very kind, but – ’
‘Not at all. We at the Chatsfield insist. Our guests’ comfort is our only concern.’ He gave a winning smile. ‘We want you to come back, Ms Lancaster.’
Libby managed a nervous laugh, and as she did so, she noticed how the manager’s eyes lit up every time he looked at Lucaj.
‘Libby?’ Lucaj prompted.
He was right. She had to say something. She couldn’t stand here with her brain frozen, blocking the entrance to the bar. She had around two seconds to decide.
‘That’s very kind of you,’ she said.
‘Would you both like to come with me?’ the manager invited, gesturing towards the elevators.
Both? Did he really say both?
Bad girl? Good girl?
Which was it to be?
‘Lucaj…?’ she murmured.
‘Yes?’ Dipping his head with his lips already tugging in the suspicion of a smile, Lucaj looked as if he knew what she was going to ask him.
‘Would you care to inspect the suite with me?’
He barely missed a beat. ‘Of course. I’d love to. After you…’
She’d never seen elevator doors as the entrance to Sodom and Gomorrah before, and this was her last chance to turn back –
Idea rejected.
Going back on a decision was a sign of weakness. Changing her mind was acceptable, but she didn’t want to change her mind, because she was here, at last, on her own, after years of playing extra in a crowd. She could do exactly as she liked – or she could do nothing. She could follow her nose, her instinct, or none of the above. She could go to bed, maintain the status quo, and wake to a new day that would be just the same as every other day, or she could be adventurous and take a step into the unknown.
Better still, she could be quiet, dependable Libby, whose clothes were probably back from the hotel laundry by now …
The elevator door slid open. Lucaj and the duty manager stood back to allow her to precede them. She could be bad, or she could be good.
Wait – there was a third possibility. She could be good and adventurous – take a look round the suite with Lucaj – imagine he was hers for the night, and then, because she was essentially a realist and all good things had to come to an end, she would say goodnight to him.
Perfect.
Except she got the strangest feeling when she walked past the two men into the lift, that she was entering the world of the bad girl. And it felt good.
She had talked herself into such a high state of confidence by the time the elevator slowed down that she got a little careless. Turning to avoid touching either man as she prepared to step out, she swung the strap of her handbag onto her shoulder and succeeded in flipping the contents onto the floor. Two heads collided as Lucaj and Libby dipped down to sweep up her debris while the manager held the lift. The first thing Libby picked up was the hotel magazine, and she had to try very hard not to show any reaction at the sight of Lu
caj’s face on the front cover.
‘I haven’t read it,’ she assured him red-faced as she scrambled to her feet. She didn’t have a clue who he was, only that Lucaj was important enough to get a front cover.
She got nothing from Lucaj in the way of a clue, other than an amused look.
The elevator doors had slid open on a haven of quiet good taste, which was the Chatsfield’s premier suite floor, the duty manager explained. He walked ahead of them, and then stood back after opening an impressive-looking door onto a cavernous suite.
After you, Ms Lancaster, and –’ At a look from Lucaj, he fell silent, Libby noted as she walked past both men.
‘Is this accommodation acceptable, Ms Lancaster?’ the manager asked with a note of concern in his voice.
‘It’s absolutely beautiful,’ Libby stated, frankly awe-struck. But she couldn’t afford it. No way could she afford it. But it didn’t cost to look. The suite was beyond stunning. It was everything people dreamed about when they came to London. There was a view of the Thames moving in stately fashion towards the sea, and several iconic buildings, including the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the Gherkin, as the tall glass structure was known for its distinctive shape, and St Paul’s Cathedral.