For a moment we just stand there, staring at each other through the evening air. I’ve known Suze for many years, and she hasn’t changed a bit. Same blond hair; same endlessly long legs; same huge, irreverent laugh; same way of nibbling her thumb when she’s stressed. I can only imagine the state of her skin right now.
“Bex, I know you’re really busy.” Her voice is husky. “I know you’ve got all these big chances and everything. But I need you. Please. I need you.”
I’m so taken aback that she isn’t shouting at me, tears spring to my eyes again.
“I need you too.” I skitter to her on my heels and envelop her in a huge hug. When’s the last time I hugged Suze? Ages ago.
She’s crying, too, I realize. She’s really sobbing on my shoulder. She’s been totally wiped out by all the worry, and I wasn’t there for her. I feel a horrible gnawing in the pit of my stomach. I was a bad friend. A bad, bad friend.
Well, I’m going to make up for it now.
“I missed you,” she mumbles into my hair.
“I missed you too.” I squeeze her tight. “The red carpet wasn’t the same without you. I didn’t have the time of my life at all—in fact, it was awful.”
“Oh, Bex. I’m sorry.”
And I can tell she truly is. Even though I’ve been so crap to her, she still wishes I’d had a nice time. That’s how lovely Suze is.
“They’ve gone to Las Vegas,” she adds.
“I heard.”
She lifts her face and wipes her nose with her sleeve. “I thought we could follow them?”
“OK.” I squeeze her hands tight. “Let’s do it. Whatever you want to do, Suze, I’m right behind you.”
I have no idea what I’ve just signed myself up for, but I don’t care. This is Suze and she needs me, so I’m in.
“I’ve been texting Danny,” she adds, her voice a bit snuffly. “He’s coming too.”
“Danny is?” I say in astonishment.
She turns her phone to show me the screen.
Suze, my darling, do you even need to ASK??? I will be there in a nanosecond, and we will find that husband of yours.
Danny xxxxx
Danny is such a star. Although how we’re going to keep tabs on him in Las Vegas, I have no idea.
“Well, there we are, then.” I give her another hug. “We’re sorted. We have a team. We’ll do it, Suze. We’ll find them.”
How? I can’t help thinking. How are we going to find them? This whole idea feels a bit nutty to me. But Suze wants me to do it, so that’s all that matters.
I’m about to suggest that we all go home, order takeout, and pool our ideas, when the other passenger door opens. I feel a massive shock as another blond head appears. Alicia? Seriously? Alicia?
“Alicia’s going to come too.” Suze wipes her eyes. “She’s been so lovely. She was the one who found out about Las Vegas. Bryce told one of his friends at Golden Peace that’s where he was going. Alicia had every single member of staff interviewed until she got some information.… Honestly, Bex, she’s been amazing.”
“Great!” I say after a pause. “How … fabulous of her.”
“You two will be friends, won’t you?” Suze looks anxious. “You have put all that stuff in the past behind you?”
What can I say? I can’t add to Suze’s stress.
“Of course,” I say at last. “Of course we have. We’ll be great friends, won’t we, Alicia?”
“Becky.” Alicia comes forward, her footsteps silent in her trendy soft-leather yoga flip-flop things, her face in that composed, serene expression she puts on. “Welcome.”
Instantly, my hackles rise. She doesn’t get to say welcome. I say welcome.
“And welcome back.” I smile sweetly at her. “Welcome to you.”
“This is a challenge we have.” She looks at me seriously. “But I’m sure if we all work together, we can find Tarquin, your father, and Bryce before—” She breaks off. “Well. We’re worried that Bryce is … predatory. That’s our concern.”
“I get it.” I nod. “Well, let’s get back to the Batcave and make a plan. Don’t worry, Suze.” I give her another squeeze. “We’re on the case.”
“You get in.” Suze is tapping at her phone. “I’ll just be a second.”
I climb into the car, followed by Alicia, and we sit in silence for a moment. Then, just as Alicia is drawing breath to speak, I turn to her.
“I know you haven’t changed,” I say in swift, low, furious tones. “I know underneath all that sweetness and honey you have some agenda of your own. But just know, if you hurt Suze one tiny bit, I will burn you.” I’m glaring at her so hard, I think my eyes might pop out. “I will burn. You.”
The car door opens and Suze climbs into the front passenger seat. “Everything OK?” she asks breathlessly.
“Fine!” I say brightly, and after a moment Alicia echoes, “Fine.” She looks a bit shell-shocked. Well, good. I don’t care about me—she’s already hurt me enough. But I’m not having her hurt Suze.
Luke gets into the driver’s seat, slams the door, and turns to make a comical face at me. “Ready, Betty?”
“Ha-ha.” I make a face back at him. “Funny. Let’s head home.”
He starts the engine, and as we move off I look back through the rear window, craning my neck, slightly blinded by the streetlamps. We’re driving away from the TV cameras, the bright lights, the celebrities. We’re driving away from everything I was so excited about. I may never get to walk on a red carpet again, it hits me. That could have been my last chance. Maybe this is farewell to Hollywood.