The other girl looked down at herself and her face flushed with pleasure. ‘Thank you! I mean, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like this before in my life, never mind worn a dress like this. This is like prom night on steroids.’

Hannah laughed, sort of wishing she didn’t like Shelley so much. But it was impossible not to. ‘Well, you look gorgeous,’ she assured her, before glancing at Ward and realizing that while she had been complimenting Shelley, he had been studying her.

‘You look great too,’ he commented, and Hannah felt the din of the crowd melt away as if it was just the two of them.

‘Thank you,’ she replied evenly, her eyes moving to Shelley, who seemed oblivious. In her mind, there was no way she compared in any universe. ‘Looking good yourself.’

The trance was quickly broken as Hannah felt her cell phone buzz in her hand, reminding her to spring back into action.

‘Right, follow me.’ She directed them through the plaza and past the waving onlookers. ‘Shelley, pass me your clutch when you get inside, then you don’t have to think about it while you pose.’

Evidently nervous all the same, Shelley bobbed her head agreeably and handed over the small blue crystal Judith Leiber Couture evening bag shaped like a crescent moon – a last-minute purchase by Ward that day at the store. Her phone buzzed again but Hannah ignored it until they were good to go.

Ward and Shelley followed in her wake, winding through various other publicists and handlers and red carpet arrivals, as they made their way into the holding tent. ‘It will be less crazy once we get inside …’

The phone vibrated again, begging for Hannah’s attention.

Where’s the bloody fire? she thought, wondering what could be the issue, since shepherding her client and his date through this event was her only priority tonight.

But just in case it was one of the event organisers and there was a change of plan in the awards running order or somesuch, maybe she’d better check. Hannah juggled the clutch and the one-sheets she was holding and brought her phone’s screen to life.

To see five missed calls and a flurry of messages …

Clicking open the most recent text, she once again felt her stomach react – only this time it dropped like a stone as opposed to floating like a butterfly.

It simply read, Turn around.

Chapter 60

WARD

With Shelley on his arm, Ward trailed just behind Hannah, trying to keep the smile plastered on his face as they entered the holding tent.

‘This place is crazy,’ she remarked, just loud enough for him to hear.

He snorted. ‘Like I said, a circus.’ He glanced in her direction. ‘You doing OK so far?’

‘Yes, just don’t let go of my arm, OK? I really am afraid I’m going to fall.’