“Garrett? What do you mean?”
“Oh, one of my friends is in his media class and says he is a complete sleazeball. Tried it on with someone in the first week and got all funny with her when she said she wasn’t interested.” Considering that I was intending to tell him the same thing, this got me worried. “I was surprised when I saw you with him, to be honest. I’m glad you’ve found someone else,” she added with a smile.
“I haven’t,” I whispered. “I’m going out with Garrett tonight.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. My mouth just runs away from me sometimes. I didn’t mean to offend you, you know that?”
“Of course I do. No offence taken. I’d better be going. Thanks for the bag. I’ll bring it back tomorrow.” I started to cross the hall back to my room.
“Whenever. And, Neve? Be careful.” I waved my hand in response, unsure of what to say.
Once I had my shoes on, I sat nervously on the edge of my bed, my mind about as calm as a tempest-swept sea. I picked my phone up, wrote an apologetic text to Garrett but didn’t immediately hit send. I knew what Ruby had said, but Garrett was my only real friend; without him, I would be back to being Billy No-Mates again. Although there was no spark between us, I hadn’t felt unsafe around Garrett. I was hoping that, once I’d lain to rest his hopes of a relationship, I could still salvage a friendship from this. Who else did I have?
A short blast of a car horn disturbed my mental meanderings. Looking out the window, I saw a Jaguar parked outside the door to my block and Garrett signalling to be let up. I went to the intercom and buzzed him up, wondering what was going on with the different car.
Garrett rounded the corner to my room, looking devastatingly handsome in a charcoal-grey suit, silver tie and white shirt. His hair had been tamed even more than usual and his skin had that freshly-shaven glow. Yes, he looked fantastic. Yes, many girls would have been molten puddles just looking at him. No, I didn’t feel like that. Much.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said, leaning in to kiss my cheek. God, he did smell divine, though. “I’m glad you’re ready on time. I hate it when girls take too long to get ready. You look stunning in that dress. It was made for you.” He took my hand and made me twirl under his arm.
“I’m glad you approve,” I said, without thinking. Was I? Did his approval matter to me? He took my arm and led me away from the room. Away from Ruby and her concern.
“What happened to your car? Is this your weekend one?” I joked as we made our way outside.
“No, it’s Grandmother’s. I didn’t want to drive so she had Sam pick us up.”
“Sam?”
“Her driver.” Her driver? In what world do people have drivers? Not mine, that’s for sure. Probably the same world where people paid four hundred pounds for a dress.
“Oh,” was all I could muster as Sam opened the door and I sat in the cream-leather embrace of the Jaguar’s backseat. Garrett used the other door, shuffling along to sit close to me.
“Relax, we’ll be there in about ninety minutes.”
“What?” Yes, my voice did rise by at least an octave. “Where are we going?”
“We’re having dinner with Grandmother. We’ll be in central London by seven-thirty,” he calmly replied, before putting one hand on my bare knee. I picked it up and moved it onto his own knee.
“You didn’t think to tell me that was the plan? And why are we spending our first date with Grandmother?”
“It was supposed to be a surprise, honey. I thought you would like to experience something special. And Grandmother is a delight; you’ll enjoy her company, trust me.”
“Trust you? You’ve hijacked me! Nobody knows where I’m going. Take me back! Now!”
“See what I mean, Sam? She’s a real firecracker, isn’t she?” Sam looked at us through the rear view mirror and smiled. “You are perfectly safe, Neve. Sam used to be in the SAS and will do whatever it takes to protect you and your virtue this evening. Do you hear that, Sam? You are not allowed to let me take advantage of this beautiful young woman. Okay?”
“Yes, Mister Adams, whatever you say, Sir.” I swear he was laughing, but I honestly felt safer than I would have done in Garrett’s car so opted to count my blessings but angle myself slightly away from him. He chuckled and allowed me the space.
By the time we were in London, my bad mood was tinged with childish excitement at the sights as we drove over the Thames, past Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. Sam pulled the car under an illuminated canopy and parked. He was at my door before I could even read the sign outside my window: The Ritz. The Ritz!
Sam opened the door and I found Garrett’s hand held out for me. I took it and allowed myself that moment as I stood outside. You know the one I mean: the one where Cinderella finds herself at the ball and has to pinch herself. That was me, stood outside the bloody Ritz!