Miranda's Big Mistake - Jill Mansell [62]
`It's eight o'clock.' Miranda pushed him towards the door. `We'd better get a move on. Bruce and Verity aren't going to be wildly impressed if they arrive to find you locked away upstairs with me.'
Chapter 25
Bruce wasn't wildly impressed with Orlando anyway. Miranda, keeping herself busy pouring drinks and passing around trays of M&S hors d'oeuvres, could only watch and admire Danny's performance. He might be a pig, but when it came to playing the part of the almost totally devoted younger man, he was perfect.
Florence was good too, as the besotted older woman.
Even Chloe was doing her bit, exchanging meaningful looks with Danny whenever Florence's attention was diverted.
If Bruce looked as if he was chewing a lemon, thought Miranda, Verity looked as if she was chewing a lemon with a maggot in it.
`So we thought a few weeks in Las Vegas first,' Danny was busy explaining to them, `then maybe fly on down to Miami.'
`If we've got any money left by then,' Florence put in cheerfully.
Danny gave her hand a squeeze.
`Don't worry, we will. I told you, we're going to bring each other luck.' His smile as he turned back to Bruce was warm. `And I'm on a winning streak at the moment,
wouldn't you say? Meeting Flo has been the best thing that's happened to me in years.'
I'll bet it is, Bruce thought savagely, suppressing the urge to take a wild swing at him.
He cleared his throat. `So where did you two meet?'
`The Grosvenor Casino. You know Flo, fond of a flutter.' Danny draped his arm casually around Florence's shoulder. `I've always been attracted to the kind of woman who isn't afraid to take risks. This is a fantastic colour on you, by the way.' He paused to admire the crimson brocade of Florence's dress. `You're looking stunning tonight.'
Patting his hand, Florence leaned forward and stage-whispered to Verity, `Isn't he a dream? Can you imagine how wonderful it feels, after years of… nothing, to be showered with compliments?'
Verity couldn't, actually. The only times Bruce remarked on her appearance were when he pointed out that her nail polish was chipped or her bra straps were on show.
`But doesn't she deserve compliments?' Danny protested. `I mean, forget she's your motherin-law, just look at her! She's a beautiful woman, a fabulous, original human being. She has a mind of her own-'
`Not to mention a fair amount of money,' Bruce blurted out before he could stop himself.
Florence glared at him.
`Bruce!'
`What?' Defiantly, he glared back. `I'm stating a fact. Aren't I allowed to mention that?'
Danny nodded understandingly.
`It's all right, I'm not interested in Florence's money,' he assured Bruce.`So what's this I hear about a Porsche?'
Danny looked hurt.
`I didn't ask Flo to buy me a Porsche. She offered.'
`That's absolutely right. Anyway, we haven't bought it yet.' Florence rushed to his defence. `There's a waiting list.'
For the first time in his life, Bruce was grateful for a waiting list.
`What kind of work do you do?' he demanded.
`Oh, this and that.' Danny shrugged, unembarrassed. `I'm not really your nine-to-five type.'
As he smoothed back his hair, the fake diamond glittered in the light. Miranda saw Verity and Bruce look at it, then at each other.
`I love that ring you're wearing,' she told Danny. `Where did you get it?'
`This?' Danny raised his eyebrows and waggled his little finger. `A gift, from a dear friend of mine. Heavens, is that the time already? We should be ordering a cab.'
`Where are you going?' said Bruce, startled.
`Darling, the casino,' Florence exclaimed. `Didn't I mention it? We go every Friday!'
`To celebrate our anniversary,' Danny chimed in. `That's when we met, you see, on a Friday night.'
`It's great fun,' Florence told Verity and Bruce. `You'll come along, won't you? We'll have the most wonderful time, the four of us together.'
`Why would we want to watch you throw your money away?' snapped Bruce. `More to the point, why would you want to throw it away?'
`Because it's fun.' Calmly, Florence opened her bag