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.'Plus our special guests Heaven Sent 7 singing live in the studio.'The theme music blares out of the loudspeakers and both Emma and Rory leap to their feet.'Wonderful debate,' says Emma, hurrying off.'Sorry, I'm dying for a wee.''Excellent stuff,' adds Rory earnestly.'Didn't understand a word but great television.' He slaps Lukeon the back, raises his hand to me and then hurries off the set.And all at once it's over.All finished.It's just me and Luke, sitting opposite each other on the sofas,with bright lights still shining in our eyes and microphones still clipped to our lapels.I feel slightlyshell-shocked.Slightly dizzy.Did all that really just happen?'So,' I say eventually, and clear my throat.http://www.fictionbook.ru/author/kinsella_sophie/the_secret_dreamworld_of_a_shopaholi.3/16/2006 The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic Page 124 of 140'So,' echoes Luke, with a tiny smile.'Well done.''Thanks,' I say, and bite my lip awkwardly in the silence.I'm wondering if he's in big trouble now.If attacking one of your clients on live TV is the PRequivalent of hiding clothes from the customers.If he really changed his mind because of my article.Because of me.But I can't ask that.Can I?The silence is growing louder and louder and at last I take a deep breath.'Did you-''I was-'We both speak at once.'No,' I say, flushing red.'You go.Mine wasn't& You go.''OK,' says Luke, and gives a little shrug.'I was just going to ask if you'd like to have dinner tonight.'I stare at him, taken aback.What does he mean, have dinner? Does he mean'To discuss a bit of business,' he continues.'I very much liked your idea for a unit trust promotionalong the lines of the January sales.'My what?What idea? What's he&Oh God, that.is he serious? That was just one of my stupid, speak-aloud, brain-not-engaged moments.'I think it could be a good promotion for a particular client of ours,' he's saying, 'and I was wonderingwhether you'd like to consult on the project.On a freelance basis, of course.'Consult.Freelance.Project.I don't believe it.He's serious.'Oh,' I say, and swallow, inexplicably disappointed.'Oh, I see.Well, I.I suppose I might be free tonight.''Good,' says Luke.'Shall we say the Ritz?''If you like,' I say offhandedly, as though I go there all the time.'Good,' says Luke again, and his eyes crinkle into a smile.'I look forward to it.'And then oh God.To my utter horror, before I can stop myself, I hear myself saying bitchily, 'Whatabout Sacha? Doesn't she have plans for you tonight?'Even as the words hit the air, I feel myself redden.Oh shit.What did I say that for?There's a long silence during which I want to slink off somewhere and die.'Sacha left, a week ago,' says Luke finally, and my head pops up.'Oh,' I say feebly.'Oh dear.''No warning she packed up her suitcase and went.' Luke looks up.'Still it could be worse.' Hegives a deadpan shrug.'At least I didn't buy the holdall as well.'Oh God, now I'm going to giggle.I mustn't giggle.I mustn't'I'm really sorry,' I manage at last.'I'm not,' says Luke, gazing at me seriously, and the laughter inside me dies away.I stare back at himnervously and feel my heart begin to pound.'Rebecca! Luke!'Our heads jerk round to see Zelda approaching the set, clipboard in hand.'Fantastic!' she exclaims.'Just what we wanted.Luke, you were great.And Rebecca& ' She comes andsits next to me on the sofa and pats my shoulder.'You were so wonderful, we were thinking howwould you like to stand in as our phone-in expert later in the show?''What?' I stare at her.'But& but I can't! I'm not an expert on anything.''Hahaha, very good!' Zelda gives an appreciative laugh.'The great thing about you, Rebecca, is you'vegot the common touch.We see you as finance guru meets girl-next-door.Informative but approachable.Knowledgeable but down-to-earth.The financial expert people really want to talk to.What do you think,Luke?''I think Rebecca will do the job perfectly,' says Luke.'I can't think of anyone better qualified.I alsohttp://www.fictionbook.ru/author/kinsella_sophie/the_secret_dreamworld_of_a_shopaholi.3/16/2006 The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic Page 125 of 140think I'd better get out of your way.' He stands up and smiles at me.'See you later, Rebecca.Bye, Zelda.'I watch in a daze as he picks his way across the cable-strewn floor towards the exit, half wishing hewould look back.'Right,' says Zelda, and squeezes my hand.'Let's get you sorted.'Twenty-TwoI was made to go on television.That's the truth.I was absolutely made to go on television.We're sitting on the sofas again, Rory and Emma and me, and Anne from Leeds is falteringlyadmitting over the line that she's never once sent in a tax return.I glance at Emma and smile, and she twinkles back.I'm one of the team.One of the gang.I've neverfelt so warm and happy in all my life
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