He couldn’t believe it. ‘You can really get me back on the show?’

‘I reckon I can, babes.’ She leaned forward and he got a delirious lungful of her perfume. ‘I’ve got serious pull there now and reckon I can work something out.’

‘You’d do that for me?’

‘It ain’t the same without you, Abs.’ She sniffed. ‘Viewing figures are in the toilet. If I approach the producer in the right way, I think I can get you something.’

Abs grinned like an idiot. He was conscious of the little island of space he and Kelz had in the middle of the floor, as everyone else kept a respectful distance. She slipped her hand into his. Maybe a paparazzo would sneak in, or some random would snap this special moment on their phone and sell it to the tabs – he hoped so. He could see the story now: Abs and Kelz are spotted getting cosy at a showbiz party, the romance is rekindled. He’d never given up hope that she loved him, not just on the show but in real life, but knew he didn’t have a chance of winning her back unless he was as famous and successful as she was.

That was the thing about Kelsey. She loved being a celeb; doing the magazine covers, going to the parties, appearing on the entertainment shows. She called people who weren’t on TV civilians. Abs understood her all-consuming drive to stay at the top of the celebrity ladder. Once you tasted fame, there was no going back. Maybe, just maybe, getting back on the show would convince her to give him a second chance.

All he wanted to say to her now was, ‘I love you, Kelz. I’ve always loved you.’

But he didn’t, because he knew she’d prod his arm and tell him not to be such a silly sod. ‘You crack me up, Abs,’ she’d say, and he’d have to pretend it was all a big joke.

‘The new producer on the show is here tonight,’ she told him now, ‘and I’m going to go over and ask him.’

‘Wait,’ Abs said. ‘He’s here to enjoy himself. Maybe it’s better if you speak to him tomorrow.’

‘Babes.’ Kelz gave an arrogant pout. ‘I’m the last jewel in the crown of that show, so I’ve got clout. When I talk, he’ll listen.’ She glanced around the room at all the people pretending not to look at them. ‘Everyone’s talking about us, Abs. Just imagine what they’re gonna say when we get you back on – where you belong.’ She ran the tip of her tongue along her top set of perfectly straight, white teeth. ‘So how do I look?’

‘Like a million dollars, doll,’ he said.

‘Wrong answer, babes.’ She tapped his chest with an acrylic. ‘It’s a billion.’

Throwing her head back so her long mane of hair flew up over her head, she roared with laughter. Abs felt pathetically grateful to be with her.

‘I hear people talk about you all the time, Abs.’ Her thick curved lashes batted slowly. ‘But I always stand up for you. I know you couldn’t do anything like what they said, babes. That you had something to do with that… girl. I’ve never doubted you.’