‘Ooh! Bette Davis! Let me see!’

For a while I do nothing but dart backwards and forwards, looking for famous names. This is the most Hollywoody thing we’ve done yet, and I don’t care that we’re being total saddo tourists.

At last, we resume walking along, checking off famous names every now and again.

‘I’m sorry about your job.’ Luke squeezes my hand. ‘That’s bad luck.’

‘Thanks.’ I shrug. ‘But, you know, I’ve been thinking about it, and maybe actually it’s for the best. Bob Hope,’ I add, pointing at his star.

‘I agree!’ says Luke with sudden eagerness. ‘I didn’t want to say so before – but do you really want to commit yourself to a job when we’re only here for such a short time? This is a wonderful place to explore. I’d just enjoy the healthy outdoor lifestyle with Minnie. Go hiking in the hills, play on the beach …’

That is so Luke. First the work ethic, now the healthy outdoor lifestyle? What’s he on about? I haven’t come to LA for the ‘healthy outdoor lifestyle’, I’ve come for the ‘celebrity-big-sunglasses-red-carpet lifestyle’.

‘No, you don’t understand. I’ve got an even better idea. I’m going to become a Hollywood stylist!’

As I look up for Luke’s reaction, I’m taken aback. OK, so maybe I didn’t expect him to shout, ‘Go girl!’ but nor did I expect this. His eyebrows are raised and furrowed at the same time. His mouth is turning down at the edges. I’ve been married to Luke so long, I know his expressions off by heart, and this one is number 3: How do I break it to Becky that I hate this idea? It’s exactly the same expression he had when I suggested painting our bedroom purple. (I still say it would have been sexy.)

‘What?’ I demand. ‘What?’

‘It’s a great idea …’ he begins carefully.

‘Stop it,’ I say impatiently. ‘What do you really think?’

‘Becky, you know Sage only hired me as a consultant on a short-term basis. If this whole venture works out, maybe Brandon Communications will open a media arm here and maybe I’ll fly back and forth. But I can’t imagine we’ll relocate permanently.’

‘So?’

‘So, what will you do if you establish a whole new career here?’

‘I dunno,’ I say impatiently. ‘Work it out.’

This is just typical. Luke always lets practical plans get in the way of creative inspiration.

‘It’ll be a lot of hard graft,’ he’s saying now, ‘a lot of banging on doors, a lot of disappointment …’

‘You think I can’t do it?’ I say, affronted.

‘My darling, I think you can do pretty much anything you put your mind to,’ says Luke. ‘However, I think to get into the world of Hollywood styling in three months will be, let’s say, a challenge. But if you really want to—’

‘I don’t just want to, I’m going to.’

Luke sighs. ‘Well then, of course I’ll help. I’ll ask around for some contacts, see what I can fix up—’