The crowd was still considerable, but in here it was just the red carpet players; sport stars, celebs and their respective dates with handlers and security close at hand. Hannah would give cues as to where to wait, when to step out onto the carpet, when to turn to face the cameras and media line, and which press member to talk to thereafter.

‘OK,’ she began. ‘So, just a few people in line up ahead. You guys ready?’

Ward noticed she was being deliberately perky, despite her obvious distraction and as they waited, kept throwing errant, concerned glances all around as if scanning the crowd for something.

Or someone.

But every time he attempted to track her gaze, she seemed to refocus on him and Shelley ensuring that they paid attention to what she was instructing.

He knew something bad was at play at that moment though; he just wasn’t sure what.

‘Seriously, Hannah … is everything … ?’

But she cut him off. ‘All right you two,’ she prompted, giving them a terse smile. ‘We’re up.’ Hannah then bent down to the small train at the back of Shelley’s dress, fanning it out for maximum impact. ‘You feeling OK? Nothing uncomfortable? Lipstick still good? Yes, I can see it is. Hold on, there’s a fleck of mascara just right here … ’

Shelley murmured her thanks, but Ward could tell that his companion was in her own little world just then too, steeling herself and mentally preparing for her moment in the spotlight.

Assured that his date was good to go, Hannah turned her attention back to him.

‘And you,’ she said, giving him a once over. ‘No doubt you’re fine,’ she added playfully, her face softening as she looked at him from head to toe. ‘Not your first rodeo, after all.’

While he did feel calm until now, Hannah’s voice was full of nerves which really unsettled him. He peered at her curiously.

‘Never mind me. You sure you’re OK?’ he pressed. ‘You seem … tense.’

She tsked him and waved a hand at the suggestion, but again, her eyes darted off to the right.

‘I’m fine. You know me.’

‘That’s exactly it. I do,’ he said softly, privately. ‘And you’re not fine.’

But before he could press any further, one of the organisers beckoned to Hannah. Their turn to walk the carpet.

‘OK, here we go. Now both of you … smile. Relax. Ward, help her out, take her hand and put her at ease. You really do both look amazing. Just perfect together.’

Her gaze met his then for just a beat too long and he saw something in her eyes, which made his pulse quicken, but for a different reason this time.

Fear.

But then Hannah shushed them away. ‘What are you waiting for? Now … go.’

Chapter 61

HANNAH