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I arrive at Vinny’s at 5:30 p.m. on the dot, and walk into one of the best Italians in London. It's homey with its familiar scents and unusual wallpaper. Vinny has had family photos and newspaper headlines with everything from birthdays and marriages to cousins turning up from Italy immortalised into wall coverings. Basically any important date in Vinny’s family has been literally plastered on the walls. There is only one white wall remaining in the entire place, waiting to be filled with future memories.
Vinny is at the front of house as I walk in. He throws himself at me and hugs me. “Come, Bella,” he croons, “I have the best booth for you today. I’ve seen the news.” He nods his head sagely, and goes on to say that I’m safe here, just like always. For some reason I get a bit emotional and, when tears fill my eyes, he pulls me in again for a hug, telling me it will all be fine; he’ll get me my favourite pasta dish and all will be well. I laugh at that and follow him to my booth.
I expect to see Grace and Lauren sharpening their knives and thumbscrews, with Lauren adjusting the lights to shine in my face. Smiling at them both, I drop into the booth, my back to the door and them facing it, thanking Vinny in my mind that no one other than them can see me. They both just sit opposite and stare at me.
“What’s up?” I get a bit self-conscious and start to check and adjust my clothing. “Why are you staring?”
“You look lovely, Evie,” says Grace.
“Don’t I always?” I laugh out at her. “Stop it, stop staring at me, you’re freaking me out.”
“I know but, anyway…” She stops and reaches across the table to hug me, Lauren follows suit, also staring at me.
“Right, what’s up? ‘Cos if you’re both going to sit staring like fish, I’m off.” They say nothing and look at each other. The waitress comes over and gives us a practised smile, she’s seen us many times.
“Water for the table and wines all round, house white will be fine,” Lauren orders before the girl can get a word out. The girl turns and moves away quickly, never getting a word out at all.
I stare back at Lauren and slow blink twice. “Lauren, that was damn rude, you better tip her well!” I look down to study a menu I reckon I could write out from memory any day of the week, and wait for them to get it together.
“So are you gonna tell us then or what?” I look up at Lauren, as her tone of voice is way too sharp to be funny.
“There’s nothing to tell.You’ve seen the statement, no doubt,” I retort, equally pissy.
“What Lauren means is, spill sister. We could not believe it when we saw James’s name. I know you’ve never said who his dad is, but it all makes so much sense. How good James is at music and everything,” Grace smiles at me.
“Well, I can’t believe you haven’t been in contact with him. Just think of the lifestyle you could have. No work, hanging around celebrities,” Lauren adds.
I look at them, a bit gobsmacked. “I love my job, Lauren. I don’t need to hang with anyone. Whatever happened to our ‘ladies earn your own money’ mantra? You know I don’t like stuff like that.”
“Yeah, ‘cos you had an ace up your sleeve,” she says with a practical sneer on her lips.
“You know what, I’m not really hungry.” I slap my napkin down on the table. “I came to have a nice night with my friends, but obviously they’ve not turned up. You two have. If you think I need Marcus Russell’s money, you’ve not been paying attention these past five years.”
“No, Evie, please stay. Lauren, knock it off. I came to gossip, yes, and get any insider info on him. The man, let’s face it, is totally to die for. But we’re not bothered you didn’t say anything. It makes sense you wouldn’t, with all the stuff he’s done over the years. I know you would want to keep James safe.”
I can see Grace is totally on my side, but the curl of Lauren’s lip confirms she’s pissed off my baby daddy turned out to be a famous man.
“We were kids. You know how young I was when I had James. We’ve spoken since he met us at the Green Dragon, and we’ve been out to talk things through.”
I shrug and relook at the menu as the girl plonks the water down and goes to pour the wine. I smile at her and say, “Thank you,” looking pointedly at Lauren. “Can we order?” I ask. “I’m starving. I’ve hardly eaten today.” It also buys me a little more time from the interrogation I know is coming.
“Vinny said you’re having your usual pasta dishes?” The waitress asks.
“Indeed we are, the usuals all round.”
I smile at her and as soon as she’s gone, Grace gushes, “Is he as gorgeous up close as he looks on screen?”
I smile at her eager face, when my phone rings. The caller id says Kell. “Hell,” I breathe out, and both the girls look at me.
“Are you answering that?” Lauren gripes. “I thought we had a no phone rule at dinner.”
I plaster on a fake smile and think fuck it. “Kel?”
He doesn’t wait for niceties. “Where are you?”
“Out for dinner with friends.”
“Where?” he snaps.
