Miranda's Big Mistake - Jill Mansell [32]
Miles laughed.
`Johnnie dragged me along, that's all. He's an old mate of mine and Tabitha's his godmother. Five minutes after meeting her,' he went on, `I realised the middle of the swimming pool was the safest place to be. I'm telling you, that woman has seriously wandering hands.'
`Weren't you scared she might jump in after you?'
`She told us her hairdresser was on his way over, soshe mustn't get her hair wet. That,' he told Miranda with a crooked smile, `was when I dived in.'
`If you can handle a Formula One racing car, I'd have thought you could cope with a middle-aged nymphomaniac.' Miles considered this for a second.
`The difference is, Tabitha doesn't have brakes.'
Downstairs once more, with her soggy clothes bundled into a Fortnum and Mason carrier bag, she was formally introduced to Johnnie, Tabitha's godson. He dutifully apologised for giving her a ducking. Miranda in turn admired the splendid bump on his forehead, inflicted by the melon. Then it was time to roll up the sleeves of her borrowed white sweatshirt and help Fenn with the defoiling of Tabitha.
`Aunt Tab, we're off.' Johnnie poked his dark head around the bathroom door as Miranda massaged conditioner into Tabitha's scalp.
`Have fun, you two. Don't do anything I wouldn't do.' Tabitha's head was bent over the basin. `And where's Miles? I haven't had my goodbye kiss yet.'
`His manager called. He's outside, on the phone.' Johnnie's wink indicated that Miles had legged it to the sanctuary of his car. `By the way,' he addressed Miranda, `we're off to a party at the Unicorn Club tonight. Miles wondered if you'd like to come along.'
Astonished, Miranda stopped massaging. She felt her cheeks go pink with pleasure.
Miles Harper was actually inviting her to a party?
Well, maybe not asking her himself, but getting his friend to invite her.
Golly, was that exciting or what?
She had been beaming idiotically at Johnnie for a couple
of seconds before her brain clicked in, reminding her why she'd been in such a good mood this morning and why she was already looking forward to tonight.
Talk about rotten timing.
`I'd love to.' Miranda's insides crumpled with regret. `I mean, I would have loved to. But I can't, not this evening. I've already… er, got something on.'
`Okay.' Johnnie sounded unperturbed. It clearly didn't bother him either way.
But it bothers me, Miranda thought frustratedly.
`What a shame, it would have been great.' She plastered a bright smile on to her face. `Maybe another night? I mean, I'm usually free. In fact, any other evening and I'd definitely be able to make it.'
She clamped her runaway lips together. Oh dear, how desperate could a single girl get? Now she sounded like Bev.
Johnnie, nodding, checked his watch and backed out of the bathroom door.
`Okay, right, see you around.'
`You blew it,' Tabitha said flatly when he had gone. `Darling, you must be mad. With people like Miles Harper, you don't get a second chance.'
Miranda poured an extra dollop of conditioner into her hand and gloomily resumed the scalp massage. Typical. Six whole months since her last boyfriend, and now this had to happen. Maybe it was God's way of punishing her for pinching Greg from Bev.
`So what is it you're doing tonight?' Tabitha persisted with annoying cheerfulness. `Flying over to LA for the premiиre of the new Tarantino movie? A cosy dinner for two at the Ritz with Leonardo DiCaprio?'
`I met this chap on Wednesday night,' Miranda mumbled. `It's our first date.' She couldn't bring herself to say they'd probably go for a couple of lukewarm beers and a limp pizza.
`Would I have heard of him?'
`No. He works in insurance.'
`Good grief.' Tabitha burst out laughing. `And you turned down Miles Harper for that!' Rather heartlessly, in Miranda's view, she went on, `I only hope he's worth it.'
Remembering suddenly how unreliable men were and how often she had been let down in the past, Miranda wondered if Greg would even turn up tonight.
Feeling distinctly