For a moment I can’t quite find an answer.
Bouncers? Valet parking? I haven’t even thought about bouncers and valet parking.
‘Well, I certainly won’t use that company, then,’ I say as convincingly as I can.
‘Cool.’ Danny swings his feet up on to a chair. ‘Who are you using?’
‘I’m just … er … firming up on security arrangements.’
It’s fine. Don’t panic. I’ll just add it to the list. Book bouncers and valet –parking.
‘The restrooms were great, though,’ he adds enthusiastically. ‘They were in a separate tent, and everyone got a foot massage. Are you hiring foot masseurs?’
I can’t reply. I’m too gripped by horror.
Restrooms. Shit. How could I have forgotten those? Was I expecting two hundred people to use Janice’s en suite?
Surreptitiously I write ‘Book loos’ on my hand with a biro.
‘Of course I’m having foot masseurs.’ I try to sound nonchalant. ‘And hand masseurs. And … reiki people.’
I’m not letting some stupid fashion bash in Shoreditch beat my party.
‘Excellent.’ His eyes gleam. ‘And Luke has no idea?’
‘None. And keep your voice down!’
‘Well, that won’t last. No one ever threw a surprise party that was a genuine surprise.’
‘Yes they did!’ I retort crossly, but Danny is shaking his head.
‘Take it from me, Becky. Some moron’ll blab. Hey, look what I made for my god-daughter.’ He pulls out a little tartan T-shirt with “Minnie Rocks” in hot-pink letters.
It’s always the same with Danny. Just as you’re about to clonk him over the head for being so annoying, he does something really sweet and you fall in love with him all over again. I can’t help throwing an arm around him and giving him a hug.
But, oh God. What if he’s right?
*
As I’m arriving home, my mobile rings, and it’s finally Bonnie calling me back.
‘Bonnie!’ I retreat into the bushes. ‘How are you?’
‘I’m well, thank you.’ Bonnie sounds a bit strained, and not like her usual self. ‘All’s well.’
I peer at the phone dubiously. ‘Bonnie, what’s wrong? You sound really hassled.’
‘Well, the truth is …’ Bonnie sighs. ‘Luke didn’t react well when I tried to mention his shower gel just now. In fact, he became quite irritable with me.’
‘Oh, sorry,’ I say guiltily. ‘Well, don’t worry about that any more. It was worth a try. How’s the party going your end?’
‘We’ve had lots more acceptances today! I’ve made a file of all the details and special requests.’
‘Special requests?’ I echo uncertainly.
‘We’ve had requests for vegetarian food, kosher food, wheat-free food … I assume your caterers can take care of that? In addition, one guest needs a waiting area for his driver, another needs a baby-feeding area, one government minister would like to send in his security people first to sweep the area …’
‘Right! No problem!’
I’m trying to sound confident and can-do, but inside, I feel a bit daunted. Since when did birthday parties get so complicated?
‘Becky?’
‘Sorry.’ I wrench my mind back. ‘Bonnie, there’s something else. I need to ask you something.’ I take a deep breath. ‘Is Luke hiding something from me?’
There’s silence and my heart plunges. I knew it.
‘Is it about Minnie? Be honest.’
‘No, dear!’ She sounds taken aback. ‘I haven’t heard Luke talking about Minnie at all!’
‘Oh.’ I rub my nose. ‘Well, something to do with work, then?’
There’s another silence. The answer is obviously ‘yes’. Suddenly I have an ominous feeling about this.
‘Bonnie, I thought you were my friend,’ I say at last. ‘Why can’t you tell me what’s going on? Is it bad? Is it another court case?’ My mind is racing with awful possibilities. ‘Is Luke in trouble? Is he bankrupt?’
‘No!’ Bonnie cuts in hastily. ‘Please, Becky, don’t think anything like that!’
‘Well, what am I supposed to think?’ My voice rises in agitation. ‘I know Luke wants to shield me from all the bad things, but how can I help him if I don’t know what’s going on?’
‘Becky, please don’t get upset! It’s not bad! It’s simply … a new client.’
‘Oh.’
The wind is slightly taken out of my sails. That’s not what I was expecting. Although now I remember it, Luke did mention another new client, didn’t he? But why is it a huge secret?
‘Who is it?’
‘I can’t tell you,’ Bonnie says reluctantly. ‘Luke specifically asked me not to mention it. He thought you might get … overexcited. He wanted to be sure it would work out first.’
‘Over-excited?’ I stare indignantly at the phone. ‘Bonnie, you have to tell me.’
‘I can’t.’
‘Yes you can! We’re a team, remember?’
‘I can’t.’ Bonnie sounds pained. ‘Becky, you must realize that Luke is my boss—’
‘And I’m your friend. Friends are more important than bosses! Everyone knows that.’
There’s silence, then Bonnie whispers, ‘Becky, I should go. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.’