Page 76 of London, Can You Wait?

Lucy snorted. Alex stepped on her friend’s foot.

“Not at all, babe,” said Naomi.

“They can shove their STI propaganda. Guess who’s off to Dublin and the Promise shoot?”

Alex and Lucy looked at each other.

“But they turned you down…” said Naomi.

“Some dude dropped out. I got the call on my way here. They need someone who can do a French-Canadian accent. I leave ce soir.” He waved his cigarette with a Gallic flourish.

“Congrats,” Alex and Lucy chimed in at the same time.

“Looks like hanging out with Simon paid off.” Freddie gave a thumbs-up.

Naomi laid a smacker on his mouth. “Did Mark put in a good word?”

“Maybe.” Tom stuck out his bottom lip. “Don’t know. I’m just chuffed to have a proper acting gig for a few days.” He dropped a lanky arm around his bride and looked over his shoulder. “Man, this place brings back memories…my first proper snog was in the Wakefield Tower on a school trip.”

Freddie looked up from his pamphlet, the cold making his eyes water. “Says here the Wakefield Tower is home to instruments of torture.” He snickered. “Rather fitting, eh, Tom? You BDSM beast, you.”

“Hey, if the fetish gear fits…” He laughed and kissed Naomi on the forehead. “We joining one of those Yeoman Warder tours, then?”

“We can now.” Naomi pulled her hubby towards the sign listing the tour departures. Alex, Lucy, and Freddie followed, their noses stuck in their pamphlets.

Tom extinguished his cigarette with the heel of his boot. “I need a piss first. Be right back.” He set off in search of the washrooms.

“I need one, too.” Lucy chased after him.

Freddie sniffed his runny nose. “Lex…you know, Keegs got in real shit for flying out after you on New Year’s Day. He was due on set the next day, but he blew it off, hoping to patch things up with you.”

Alex smirked, her gaze settling on Traitor’s Gate. “This is Mark we’re talking about. He doesn’t skip work.”

“On January 2nd, he waited at your flat. When he didn’t hear from you, he caught the last flight back.”

Her expression softened.

“The director gave him a right old bollocking.” Freddie shoved his hands deep into his pockets. “They had to scrap filming. Keegs was in every scene.”

Naomi nodded. “I’ve seen directors tear into actors when they’re late but not showing up at all…” She winced at Freddie. “Did they fine him?”

Alex blinked rapidly as her eyes volleyed back and forth between her friends.

“Yup.”

“That won’t do his reputation any good,” said Naomi. “If directors or producers hear he’s unreliable, fat chance he’ll get hired again. Word gets around.”

Freddie rounded his shoulders, seeking warmth. “Well, let’s just say he’s not the most popular person on set right now. The cast and crew waited hours—in the cold. He said his agent was terrific, trying to smooth everything over with the production staff.”

“I wanted to make him pay for what he did, but not like this.” Alex’s phone vibrated in her coat pocket. Joan hadn’t been feeling well lately, so she peeked.

Mouse, your present…thank you. I don’t deserve it. I don’t deserve you, but you’re all I want. I miss you. I love you. x

She hid the evidence in her pocket.

“I’ve never seen Keegs in such a state. He’s beside himself over what he’s done to you,” said Freddie. “I’m not saying he’s not been an arse, Lex, but he was trashed—he didn’t even know his name that night, let alone who he was in bed with. Won’t you even try to make up with him?”

Naomi laid a reassuring arm around Alex’s shoulder. “I don’t think one terrible error in judgment is worth ending your relationship. He risked a lot, coming here. If last week doesn’t prove how badly he wants to fix things, babe, I don’t know what does.”

Dump him…keep him. Never mind the Tower—Alex was imprisoned in her own thoughts.