As I make my way towards the kitchen, I wonder how much longer I can keep this up. Hopefully, everyone will start to feel the effects of the alcohol soon, and I’ll be less conspicuous. The waythat everyone is surprised to see me, it seems like Bella might have been a bit of a recluse.
I navigate the crowded hallway, trying not to initiate eye contact with anyone. There are doors leading into various beautiful living spaces – a dining room, a study, TV lounge, formal lounge, and is that a... yes, a ballroom set up with the DJ at one end, the volume slowly cranking up.
Finally, I find myself in a massive kitchen-diner with limestone floors and a barrel-vaulted ceiling. Since doing all my research into the world of estate agents, I have a whole new repertoire of property terminology. Makes me feel quite clever, and I like it.
A slightly overweight guy in shirtsleeves, with curly brown hair, waves and comes over. He’s panting, and there’s a sheen of sweat on his face. ‘Happy New Year, Bella. How’s tricks?’
‘All good, thank you. How about you?’
‘Oh, you know, same old, same old. Bloody Richard H is unbeatable. I just lost two hundred quid.’
‘No go on the arm-wrestling?’ I ask, feeling quite proud of the fact that I can spit out something other than a vague greeting.
‘Absolutely humiliated me. Took less than twenty seconds. And I’ve been practising all year.’
‘You need a personal trainer, Monty.’
‘I do, don’t I! Clever girl! Right, watch out, Tricky Dicky, I’m coming for you next year.’
I grin back, feeling as though this is the first proper connection I’ve made since arriving here. I think I’m genuinely warming to Monty.
‘Now,’ he says, growing more serious. ‘I’ve been meaning to ask you, Bella. Calista’s interested in getting into the property game. What’s the likelihood of an internship at Newbury’s next summer?’
‘Um, I’m sure we could sort something out.’ I think back to my months of desperation when I was trying to get some workexperience, and no one would give me the time of day. Now here’s this rich guy with the right connections, and he gets his sister, or niece, or whoever, an internship after one brief conversation at a party. ‘Call me when I’m back in the office, and I’ll check my diary.’
‘Super, will do. You’re an angel. Anangel.’
‘I try,’ I reply with a smile.
A woman in her forties taps me on the shoulder. ‘Bella, darling, so lovely to see you out and about. We haven’t chatted since Miranda’s birthday party in the summer.’
‘Hi.’ I attempt to summon another smile from somewhere, tuning out as she starts rambling on about yachts and how some stupid idiot wore heels on deck and ruined the floor. I’ve got to get out of here, I can’t deal with this. I could probably cope with two or three conversations, but with everyone wanting to talk to me, one after the other, I feel out of my depth. Like I’m going to mess up and everyone will realise I’m an impostor. But, more importantly, how can I escape this terminally boring woman? She’s barely stopped to draw breath.
I reach out to place my glass on the black quartz island, but purposely let it drop on to the floor to distract from her relentless drone. The glass smashes, having the desired effect, jolting her from her monologue.
‘Oh, I’m so clumsy,’ I say. ‘I’d better find a dustpan and brush.’
The woman tuts. ‘One of the staff will do that.’ She beckons over a waiter and points to the floor without so much as a ‘please’ or ‘thank you’.
‘Now, where were we?’ She moves away from the broken glass, taking hold of my elbow in a vice-like grip to drag me with her.
‘Hey, Bells, there you are! Been looking for you for ages.’
I turn to see a stunningly handsome guy with dark hair and a strong jawline. It’s Bella’s boyfriend, Reece, and my heart flips with nerves. His timing is impeccable, though. ‘Excuse me,’ I sayto the boring woman and take Reece’s arm, steering him out of the kitchen.
His eyes rake over my body. ‘You look incredible.’
My cheeks heat under his gaze. ‘Thanks.’
‘But how on earth did you manage to get stuck with Minty?’ he adds.
Minty? Monty? Jeez. ‘She pounced when my defences were down.’ I mime strangling myself. ‘Got me in a chokehold.’ Reece laughs, and I thrill at the sound. I’m not sure if I’m more excited about having fooled him or having made him laugh. ‘Honestly, the most boring conversation I’ve had in my life.’
‘Well, duh,’ he replies. ‘They don’t call her Monologue Minty for nothing.’ He bends and kisses my lips, a light brush, nothing more, but it sends shivers down my back.
Interesting. Maybe Reece isn’t going to be a fly in the ointment after all. I don’t think I’ll be rushing to ghost him.
With my boyfriend by my side, the night suddenly takes on a different hue. He’s handsome and witty, and we laugh all night. He keeps giving me these funny looks, and I know he senses that there’s something different about me, but I also know he likes it. I feel strangely powerful and confident, and I still can’t quite believe that this is now my life.