‘We could go out for dinner. The night is young. So are we. Allegedly.’

‘I can’t face putting the war paint on.’ Or leaving this room ever again, Lauren thought.

‘I assumed you wouldn’t want to go out,’ her friend said. ‘I have extensive experience of love-lorn women. Therefore, as well as a fiendishly distracting board game, I have brought along a selection of rubbish girly DVDs for your delectation too.’ He opened the man bag that was slung over his shoulder and from the inside pocket pulled the promised bunch of DVDs. Slapping them down on top of the nearest coffee-table, he reeled off the titles. ‘27 Dresses, Sweet Home Alabama, Enchanted, Sleepless in Seattle – bet you can’t get through that one without crying – Bridget Jones’s Diary, Pride and Prejudice, and, last, but certainly by no means least, the inimitable Mamma Mia!’

‘They’re all pretty rubbishy,’ Lauren concluded. ‘Perfect viewing.’

Zak scooped up the DVDs and tossed them on to the bed. ‘You can’t beat a bit of Colin Firth or Tom Hanks for a broken heart.’

‘You have a point there. Sleepless in Seattle is, indeed, my favourite film. And I will need the Kleenex to hand.’

‘Wonderful.’ Zak pointed at the champagne. ‘You can pour me a glass of that and we can begin our evening’s entertainment in earnest.’

Lauren touched his arm. ‘Thanks,’ she said. ‘I warn you though, I might be rotten company.’

‘You always are,’ he told her brightly, as he stripped off his jacket. ‘That’s why I like you. The more miserable you are, the more fun I seem.’

And Lauren couldn’t help but laugh at that.

Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Grabbing another glass, Lauren curled up on the bed and poured out more champagne. She kicked off the fuck-me shoes, pulled the dressing-gown around her and tucked her legs under her. Zak tugged off his Converse trainers and tossed them to the floor. He sat sprawled out in front of her.

‘You look very drunk,’ Zak noted.

‘I am,’ she admitted.

‘I bet you haven’t eaten either.’

‘Not a thing.’

‘Then may I select something for you from the room service menu, madam?’

‘I don’t—’

Zak held up a hand. ‘I’m going to stuff my face at your boyfriend’s expense and I suggest you do the same thing.’

‘I have a butler,’ Lauren giggled.

‘Then let’s force him to bring us burgers and fries.’ She rang the bell and, sure enough, the butler appeared to take their order.

When he’d gone, Zak spread out the films on the bed. ‘Close your eyes and pick one.’

She did.

‘Enchanted. Oh, yes. A fine choice. Particularly cheesy, Ms Osbourne.’

He slotted it into the DVD player and then set up the Scrabble on the bed, climbing on so that the board was between them. ‘Have you played this before?’

‘Not for years.’