It Had to Be You (41 page)

The darkness that had descended over Lizzy’s life over the past few days vanished like a puff of smoke. She got that weirdly intense tunnel vision again. Like she and Elliot were the only two people who mattered in the entire universe.

‘Amber will always be a big part of my life. But she’s not the love of my life.’ Elliot put his hands round Lizzy’s face. ‘Don’t you get it?
You’re
the love of my life, Lizzy Spellman. You wonderful, infuriating, intoxicating, animal-print-wearing madwoman.’

He went to kiss her. ‘Hold on a minute,’ Lizzy said. She pointed at the deelyboppers. ‘Take those off. I can’t take you seriously.’

‘Now you know how I felt.’

‘Oi! Any more of that and I’ll set Shaman Ron on you!’

Elliot pulled his Happy Halo off and chucked it away. ‘Now come here and kiss me.’

‘Hey! That Headbutt Girl!’

Lizzy opened one eye. They’d been kissing so deeply she hadn’t realized a gang of Japanese tourists was standing round them.

One woman waggled her camera at them. ‘Can I get picture?’

‘I’m very sorry, we’re off duty,’ Elliot told her. Amongst cheers and wolf-whistles he pulled Lizzy in to finish what they’d started.

Where there were people, there were camera phones. ‘Girl Who Gets Jilted at Friend’s 30
^th
and Headbutts Boyfriend Gets Her Man After All’ was put up on YouTube that night, and by Boxing Day evening it had received over two million hits. There were intense Twitter debates about whether it was better than the John Lewis advert in terms of feel-good Christmas schmaltz. In a BBC interview Prince Harry was even asked if he thought redheads were the new sex symbols. ‘Not that you need much help in that department,’ the interviewer had cheekily added.

It was a surreal, exhausting, happy time. The days passed by in a whirlwind for Lizzy, and before she knew it, she and Elliot were dressed up in a cab on their way to a New Year’s Eve party.

Having barely had an appetite over Christmas, for the first time she could remember Lizzy was wearing something that didn’t have an elasticated waistband. The midnight-blue dress with the plunging back (a daring last-minute purchase from ASOS) hugged her body like a second skin.

‘Stop wriggling.’ Elliot was beside her looking very debonair in his black dinner jacket. ‘You look gorgeous.’

‘It’s so tight I feel like you can see my organs.’ Lizzy tried to unsuccessfully tug the skirt down.

‘No one can see your organs and tight is good.’ He leaned in and gave her a smooch on the lips. ‘I’m already thinking about taking it off later.’

‘Road’s closed, mate,’ the cabbie announced at the top of High Street Kensington. ‘You want me to do a U-ey and try another way? Everywhere is going to be pretty jammed, though.’

Elliot looked down at Lizzy’s strappy heels. ‘How do you feel about finishing the journey on foot?’

Amber had invited them both along to the party she was holding at the iconic Kensington Roof Gardens. A hundred feet above the concrete streets, the sprawling site was famous for the four pink flamingos that lived in the grounds, as well as some of the most spectacular views in London.

‘Are you
sure
Amber’s cool about me coming?’ Lizzy asked again as they walked to the venue.

‘Of course. Why wouldn’t she be?’ Elliot had his arm firmly round her. It was more of a practical gesture than a romantic one; Lizzy had already gone over on her ankle twice.

‘I didn’t know if she’d find it all a bit weird.’

They walked past the entrance to Kensington Palace. ‘Amber’s happy that I’m happy,’ he told her. ‘She’s really looking forward to getting to know you.’

People kept passing by and giving them knowing little smiles and looks. A flower seller outside the tube station stopped the pair to give Lizzy a red rose. ‘I’m so pleased you’ve got together. You make a lovely couple.’ The old man tapped Elliot warningly on the arm. ‘You make sure you treat her right, now. This one deserves a happy ending.’

‘I hadn’t realized I was going out with a national treasure,’ Elliot commented after they had walked off. ‘I’d better watch my step.’

A line of black cabs was pulling up outside the venue, depositing their glamorous fares on to the pavement.

‘I’m not sure I’m going to fit in here,’ Lizzy said.

‘Don’t be so ridiculous. Amber hasn’t just got friends with their heads up their own arses.’

They had just turned the corner to the discreet side entrance when someone stopped in their path. ‘Lizzy?’

She stared at the man. He looked a bit like Justin, except that somebody had taken a bicycle pump and blown his face up, and then added a rather unattractive beard. The next moment she realized it
was
Justin.

There was a look of astonishment on his face. ‘I thought it was you.’

Lizzy tried not to show her shock. Her ex had put on quite a bit of weight since she’d last seen him, and he was dressed in a pair of scruffy tracksuit bottoms. Justin had only ever shopped at Reiss when they’d been going out.

His gaze wavered towards Elliot. ‘You look nice,’ he told Lizzy. ‘Going anywhere good?’

She pointed up at the building. ‘A party up there.’

He looked envious. ‘Wow, I bet that will be amazing.’

Lizzy felt Elliot gently squeeze her hand. ‘Have you got any plans?’ she asked.

Justin held up the Sainsbury’s bag with a four pack of beer and a pizza box. ‘My mate’s house-sitting at his aunt’s. I said I’d go and keep him company.’ He looked down at his trainers. ‘I don’t know if you heard. Me and my, er, girlfriend split up. Well actually, she dumped me.’

This was the moment Lizzy had fantasized about. But now, looking at him standing there, all she felt was pity.

‘I’m really sorry to hear that. I hope you’re OK.’

Elliot squeezed her hand again. Lizzy gave Justin an apologetic smile. ‘We’d better get going.’

‘Of course, don’t let me keep you from all the fun. You’re looking really good, Lizzy,’ Justin added.

‘Thanks, Justin. I’ll see you around.’

‘Lizzy?’

She turned back round. Justin was still standing there under the street light. The bags under his eyes looked huge in the lamplight. ‘I am sorry,’ he said. ‘For the way I ended things, I mean.’ He smiled poignantly. ‘I’m pleased it all worked out for you.’

‘Thanks, Justin. I really hope things work out for you as well.’

‘The bloke looked in complete shock,’ Elliot said afterwards.

‘Well, the last time he saw me I did nearly break his nose.’

Elliot slid his arm round Lizzy’s waist. ‘I bet he’s kicking himself now.’

They ended up getting into the lift with a gorgeous creature who looked like she’d just stepped off the set of
Made in Chelsea
. When the doors had closed the girl turned to Lizzy.

‘I’ve just got to say, you’re a total inspiration.’

‘I am?’ Lizzy said in surprise.

‘You give all us single girls hope.’ The girl looked sad for a moment. ‘I got dumped by my boyfriend at the start of December. He said he couldn’t see me as a board director’s wife.’

‘What an idiot. You’re much better off without him.’

‘I hope so.’ The girl hugged her clutch bag to her chest. ‘I hate walking into places by myself.’

‘I know exactly what you mean. You can walk in with us if you like.’

Elliot got quite a few envious glances as he walked in with the two women on his arms. Their glamorous companion gave a shriek. ‘Petra! There you are!’ She fluttered off into the crowd like an exotic butterfly.

‘Another deed done for the good of mankind,’ Elliot remarked. ‘I’m going to have to start calling you Lizzy Mandela.’

Amber had very kindly extended the invite to a couple of Lizzy’s friends and Nic and Poppet were already at the bar. They both looked fantastic, Nic in a black asymmetric dress that showed off her toned shoulders and Poppet was wearing a strapless red cocktail dress that revealed an indecent amount of cleavage. When Lizzy clocked the dapper, clean-shaven chap standing with them she nearly fell over.

‘Robbo! You scrub up all right!’

‘I could say the same about you, Sis.’

‘Where’s the beard gone?’

He rubbed his chin. ‘The maintenance levels were getting too much. So I’ve gone back to being boyishly handsome.’ Robbie shook Elliot’s hand. ‘Mate, it’s good to see you.’

‘Have you guys been outside yet?’ Elliot asked the others. ‘The gardens are spectacular.’

Poppet shook her head. ‘Nic’s a bit scared of running into one of the flamingos.’

Nic drained her glass. ‘Another one of these and I should be OK to go outside.’

While Poppet and Robbie placated Nic, Lizzy and Elliot went to the cloakroom. She’d just handed over her faux-fur stole when Amber rushed up in a cloud of Chanel No. 5.

‘Guys, you made it!’ Elliot’s pregnant ex was radiant in a flowing red gown, her hair in an elaborate fishtail plait down her back.

‘Nice kaftan,’ he told her. ‘The earth-mother look suits you.’

‘Cheeky sod, this is new-season Marchesa!’ Amber touched Lizzy on the arm. ‘I love your dress. Blondes always do carry off navy the best.’

‘Thanks for inviting us,’ Lizzy said, suddenly feeling rather shy.

Amber gave her a radiant smile. ‘Thank you for coming. I wanted to have one last big night out before I get too enormous to move!’

Even six months pregnant the fashion designer’s stomach still looked smaller than Lizzy’s did after a blowout at Giuseppe’s.

Someone came up to say hello to Elliot, leaving the two women alone for a second. ‘Lizzy, I’m so pleased it’s all turned out OK for you and Elliot. And I’m so sorry about the big misunderstanding and all the heartache it must have caused you.’ Amber’s expression looked heartfelt.

‘It’s fine, really,’ Lizzy smiled. ‘I get it now.’

‘Elliot and I – we were never meant to be together. And when I hear the way he talks about you, I know you two were meant to be together.’

Lizzy blushed. ‘Does he talk about me?’

‘He never stops!’ Amber laughed. A mischievous look entered her dark brown eyes. ‘You and I can gang up on Elliot now. I’ll let you into all his horrible little secrets.’

Lizzy pulled a face. ‘I’ve already experienced the sneezing.’

‘Oh my God! The squealing pig thing? I used to get
so
embarrassed when he did it in public. I’m telling you now, he could clear whole rooms in seconds.’

‘What’s so funny, you two?’ Elliot was looking at them with a quizzical expression on his face.

‘We’re talking about your sneeze-squeal,’ Lizzy told him.

Elliot rolled his eyes. ‘I do not squeal when I sneeze.’

‘
Yes, you do
,’ Amber and Lizzy both fell about in giggles.

Marcus joined them, looking very impressive in a sharp tuxedo. ‘Anderson,’ he said gruffly, putting a protective hand on Amber’s shoulder.

‘Marcus,’ Elliot replied equally stiffly.

It was Amber’s turn to roll her eyes. ‘Will you two just get over yourselves? Seeing as both of you play an important role in my life, you’re going to have to learn to get along together.’ She winked at Lizzy. ‘Now shake hands like you mean it.’

The two men gazed at each other unwillingly. Elliot stuck his hand out. ‘Marcus.’

He accepted the handshake. ‘Elliot.’

The handshake seemed to go on for ever. Lizzy looked at Elliot’s whitened knuckles. It looked like he was squeezing really hard. She gave him a subtle nudge.

‘Well, it’s good to see you,’ he told Marcus.

‘Darling?’ Amber said pointedly.

Marcus swallowed, as if it was a massive effort. ‘It’s good to see you.’ He nodded at Lizzy in a semi-friendly fashion.

‘Twat,’ Elliot muttered as they walked away.

Despite Lizzy’s fears that the party would be a load of stuck-up fashion folk, there was actually a really good mix of people. Amber’s generosity knew no bounds; the champagne and canapés kept coming round all night.

Lizzy came back from the toilet to find Elliot standing at one of the windows, looking out into the night. He looked so tall and dashing she felt her heart fill up.

‘There you are.’ He put his arm round Lizzy’s shoulders. ‘Fancy taking a midnight promenade?’

‘But it’s not midnight yet.’

He put down his glass. ‘Do you have to kill anything romantic I say stone-cold dead?’

They wandered out past the marquee where the swing band was playing and further into the gardens. Ducks floated past on the stream, although the famed flamingos had yet to make an appearance. Everywhere they turned was another little bridge, or a flower-strewn pond. It was like being in their own enchanted forest, high up on the rooftops of London. They wandered into the Spanish garden with its vivid red walls, and sat down on a bench.

‘So,’ said Elliot after a few moments. ‘We’re definitely going to be business partners then.’

Something rather remarkable had happened. Between them, Lizzy and Cassandra had persuaded Elliot to take Beeston Hall off the market, with a view to turning the stately home into a viable business. Lizzy was setting up meetings in the New Year, while Elliot was going to approach investors for the funds they needed to get the thing off the ground, as well as putting in his own money. In time they would need to think about hiring a team of staff, but one thing at a time. In the meanwhile Lizzy was going to do the PR and travel between London and Dorset. She was both excited and terrified about what lay ahead.

Antonia had already offered Lizzy a significant pay rise to come back, but it was too little and too late. Lizzy had already decided to go freelance, and had the added bonus that Karen Jones wanted to come with her. Technically of course, Karen was still a Haven PR client, but since Antonia had never bothered to draw up proper contracts, Karen was free to go where she wanted.

‘I feel sick every time I think about it,’ Elliot said. ‘You do know we could end up going bankrupt and having to sell the Hall anyway?’

‘So you keep reminding me,’ Lizzy said dryly. ‘It’s good to know you’re going in with such a positive attitude.’

‘Sorry,’ he sighed. ‘I’m hoping some of your relentless optimism will start rubbing off.’