She raced down the stone steps, hurrying towards the car as she fumbled in her bag for her keys. She found them eventually and slipped into the car, quickly starting the engine. She swore softly as her mobile rang and tugged it out, wincing when she saw the caller’s name on the small screen. She opened the phone,

‘I am so, so sorry…’

There was a brief silence,

‘Where the hell are you?’

‘Just leaving the Embassy. The talks went over and…’

‘And what?’

She stiffened,

‘And I couldn’t leave. Look, I said sorry. I’ll be twenty minutes okay?’

Another silence, then,

‘Fine. Twenty minutes,’ he snapped and ended the call.

~

He stood up as the door opened,

‘Susie…’

She ran past him, headed up the stairs,

‘I’m sorry,’ she called back, ‘I won’t be five seconds…’

He followed her up and into the bedroom,

‘We’re going to be late anyway. Taking five minutes extra to look half-decent…’

She glanced up, hurt,

‘Only half decent?’

He ignored the guilt,

‘You promised to be home an hour ago.’

‘I know,’ she tugged off the tailored suit, the fitted shirt, ‘and I tried to leave, really I did! But…’

He tried to focus on his irritation and ignore how sexy she looked, standing in nothing but a black-lace underwear set and sheer black stockings,

‘But what?’ he argued, ‘there’s always an excuse! I know that your job’s important, how could I not when you’re always shoving in my face that…’

She stiffened,

‘That what?’

He shrugged,

‘Nothing.’

‘Don’t be a coward,’ she slipped into the dress, ‘finish your sentence.’

‘That you’re a political translator…or some shit while I’m just a footballer who…’

She blinked,

‘Or some shit? Six months together and you don’t even know what I do?’

He sighed,

‘Stop trying to change the subject.’

She struggled with the hooks of the dress as she slipped her feet into stilettos,

‘I’m not trying to change the subject, Connor. And I don’t shove my job in your face,’ she stepped close, raising her hand to his cheek tenderly, ‘why should I? You know that I’ve the greatest admiration for what you do…I’ve never tried to belittle it, and if I have-unintentionally-then I’m sorry.’

He stepped back,

‘Then why are you late, Hepburn?’

Her mouth tightened, as it always did at his mocking use of her surname,

‘Because-just as your job matters to you-mine does to me. And I couldn’t walk out half-way through a conference.’

‘And that’s a good enough excuse?’

‘I’m not giving you an excuse,’ she said quietly, twisting her hair into a messy knot, ‘I’m giving you a reason.’

‘Perhaps I’ve heard so many that they’re all beginning to sound the same.’

There was a long awkward silence as she fumbled with her earrings and his words echoed around the room. She nodded slowly, her eyes suspiciously bright,

‘I can do no more than apologise, Connor. And I’ve done that. I’m ready now.’

‘Then we’ll go,’ he picked up his coat, ‘and discuss this later.’

~

Richard beamed at the couple via the rear-view mirror,

‘It’s lovely evening for an outdoor party.’

‘Yes,’ Susie said when Connor only stared out of the opposite window, ‘it is.’

‘And you’re looking as lovely as ever tonight, Miss Hepburn. Though no doubt you’re tired of hearing flattery with compliments Mr Sullivan must be giving you all the time.’

Susie smiled palely,

‘Yes. Though I didn’t leave Connor much time to pay any compliments as I was running a little late.’

Richard smoothly steered the limousine through traffic,

‘I’m sure he didn’t mind, did you Mr Sullivan?’

Connor stirred,

‘I didn’t hear, sorry.’

‘I was just saying to Miss Hepburn-about her being late-that I’m sure you didn’t mind.’

He shifted guiltily,

‘Well…’

‘Not with the work she does. Lord, my Elizabeth is always going on about the work she puts in for…’

Susie interrupted, her cheeks pink,

‘I hardly do a thing.’

‘You’re a modest one,’ Richard shook his head, ‘we all know how hard it is you work. You’ve a wrap?’ he asked suddenly, ‘it’ll be cool later.’

‘No,’ Susie glanced around, ‘I…I must have left it at home.’

‘Shall we go back for…’

‘No,’ Connor snapped, ‘we’re late enough as it is. She’ll be fine. And if she’s not, she can wear my bloody jacket.’

‘Oh…oh yes,’ Richard said stiffly, ‘I see.’

Susie swallowed hard,

‘That’s a very kind offer, Richard, thank you.’

Richard looked somewhat soothed,

‘I’m going as fast as I can, it’s just this traffic…’

‘I know,’ Susie said diplomatically, ‘and Connor’s not annoyed with you. You’re doing splendidly, and we’d have missed all this traffic if I’d not been late. I’ve never seen anyone get through London like you,’ she said, changing the subject smoothly, ‘I’ve always wondered how you do it, is it just experience or a knowledge of the back-streets?’

‘Well,’ he began, ‘you see…’

~

She followed Connor past the suited security and into the secluded garden. He glanced at her,

‘I suppose you want a drink?’

‘Connor,’ she said softly, ‘I’m sorry, please…’

‘Susie…’

‘Oh Connor!’ Susie stepped back as a woman darted between them, flung her arms around him and gave him a loud kiss.

‘Antonia,’ he smiled, ‘what a surprise!’

She beamed at him,

‘It’s been ages since…what, three years?’

‘About,’ he nodded, ‘you look fantastic.’

She giggled, turning in a spin,

‘I should hope so! If you can’t look decent with four personal trainers and a…oh wow! You must be Susannah?’

Susie nodded, holding out a hand,

‘Yes, it’s a…’

‘Gosh,’ Antonia giggled and grinned at Connor, ‘she’s just adorable.’

Susie lowered her hand slowly,

‘I don’t believe we’ve met.’

‘Antonia Raymond,’ the woman said confidently, ‘Connor and I go way back.’

‘So I see.’

‘I thought the newspapers were joking about the two of you,’ Antonia laughed, ‘I mean, who’d have thought…the bad boy of international football and the politician’s bookworm daughter. I never thought you’d last a week.’

Susie stiffened,

‘For once, the media was…’

Connor interrupted with a grin,

‘Antonia’s not being rude. She just says what everyone else is thinking.’

‘And is that what you’re thinking, Connor?’ Susie said softly, ‘that we’ll never last?’

‘Of course not,’ he said easily, ‘but Antonia’s right. I mean I’d never thought I’d hook up with someone like you.’

Antonia leant forward, her voice husky,

‘And what kind of woman were you wanting, Connor?’

‘Well,’ he smiled at Antonia, ‘it’d be your type.’

‘Is that right? And what is my type?’ she murmured, stepping closer.

‘A woman who knows she’s the most beautiful in the room, who can wrap a man around her little finger with just a look and…’

Susie stepped back,

‘That’s your type, Connor?’

He glanced at her, breaking his gaze with Antonia,

‘Do you think you fit it?’

‘No,’ Susie said tightly, ‘and you know it. Now if you’ll excuse me…’

She stalked over to an empty table, sat down and tried not to cry. What was wrong with them both tonight? The way he’d smiled at Antonia, the way he’d talked…as if Susie herself didn’t exist and wasn’t standing right beside him. She started at the footsteps, watched as Connor sat on the other seat,

‘Tired of Antonia already?’

He shook his head, his arrogant gaze studying her openly,

‘You were quite rude.’

‘I’ve never met someone so patronising. She was one step away from pinching my cheeks, slipping me a pound coin and telling me to behave.’

Connor laughed,

‘Was she now?’

‘Why is that we can’t go anywhere without running into one of your old lovers?’

He sat back,

‘That’s a slight exaggeration, Susie. I’ll not pretend I was a saint…’

‘A saint?’ Susie couldn’t help her smile, ‘just the opposite I’d say.’

‘I suppose if you can put up with my ex’s, the least I can do is get you a drink. What do you want?’

‘Just a glass of sparkling water, please.’

‘Christ,’ he rose, ‘no one’s going to rap your knuckles for having a real drink. And you’re old enough now, you’ll remember.’

Susie frowned,

‘I know I’m old enough, Connor. If it’s too much hassle for you than I’ll…’

‘Leave it,’ he shook his head, ‘I’ll get the bloody water.’

‘Don’t swear at me,’ she said tightly.

‘Just sit here,’ he shrugged, ‘and you’ll have your water.’

Susie waited patiently, sitting just where he had left her. She spoke briefly with acquaintances, smiled obediently for the cameras and waited. He came eventually,

‘Christ, there was such a fuss.’

‘Thank you,’ she sipped from the glass, ‘Connor, when you’re done here, it’d be nice to go for dinner. I’ve not eaten since breakfast and it’d be nice to spend some time together before I go.’

‘Before you go? Oh, yes, the trip tomorrow.’

‘Yes,’ she sat up, ‘you’d forgotten?’

‘No, no. Listen, I’ll just go do the rounds, and then we’ll go. All right?’

‘All right,’ she smiled, nodded, ‘it sounds fair.’

‘Good,’ he flashed her a smile and walked off.

Almost an hour later, she’d finished her third sparkling water and was becoming painfully aware of the strap on her stilettos rubbing painfully on her ankle.

‘Susannah?’ an American voice asked loudly, ‘Susannah Hepburn?’

‘Yes,’ Susie turned with a polite smile to see two women, one tall and dark, the other short and fair.

‘Oh wow! This is just so exciting…’.

‘…I’ve always wanted to meet you…’

‘…Like, ever since your father was elected!’

Susie smiled slightly at the two women,

‘I can assure I’m nothing special!’

‘Oh shut up!’

‘…You English are like…’

‘…always so modest!’

‘…we all just love your fashion sense!’

‘ …and that is the most divine dress!’

‘Thank you. I’m afraid I don’t know your names…’ Susie began.

‘Delphine …’

‘…and Esperanza…’

‘…Not our really names…’

‘…of course, just our pseudonyms …

‘…we write novels…

‘…romance novels…’

Susie blinked,

‘Wow. Um…well, I’ve not had the…uh…pleasure of reading one of your books yet. But I shall make sure to buy one as soon as I can.’

‘No! Oh my god…’

‘…we’ll send you one…’

‘…as a gift…’

‘…from each of us….’

‘…it would be an honour!’

‘That’s really sweet of you,’ Susie was ridiculously touched, ‘thank you.’

They shrugged,

‘…it’s no trouble….’

‘….anything for you…it’s been an absolute…’

‘…just a delight…you’re such a darling…’

Susie grinned as they walked off, they’d been an amusing and energetic pair. Delphine and Esperenza…she smiled, such perfect names for such bubbly women who wrote romance novels. She shivered as she listened to the band and a quick glance at her watch had her starting in surprise. It had taken Connor almost an hour to say his farewells. Concerned, she drifted towards the bar with the iron railings entwined with roses. The patio centre was filled with dancing couples, swaying to the jazz and murmuring to one another. She stopped one of Connor’s friends,

‘John, hi…’

‘Susie,’ he grinned, kissed her cheek, ‘lovely as ever.’

‘I wondered if you’d seen Connor lately.’

‘Yeah. He was just at the bar…’

‘At the bar? Oh, right.’

‘So, probably somewhere in the crowd. You want me to get him?’

‘No,’ she touched his arm, ‘it’s all right. Thank you.’

‘No trouble. Take care.’

‘Thanks,’ she hurried on, if she couldn’t find him soon, she may as well give his mobile a ring and see where it was that he’d ended up. She froze suddenly, her mouth falling open. Connor was dancing with a pretty red-head, both of them laughing and talking quietly.

‘So much for fucking goodbyes,’ she muttered. She took a deep breath and turned, heading towards the exit. She was stopped at the fence by John,

‘Find him?’

‘Yes, but he was a little busy. If you see him later, would you tell him I’ve gone?’

‘Of course.’

‘Thanks,’ she smiled sweetly and shivering in the cool night air, made her way towards the nearest exit.

~

Connor smiled absently at the hyperactive blonde that he’d ended up dancing with,

‘Um…bye…Samantha.’

‘Sara,’ she corrected sulkily.

‘Sorry Samantha,’ he set down his wine and headed off, hearing her muttering behind him. He sighed impatiently when he saw that the bench where Susie had been seated was currently taken by a drunken crowd of models who all shrieked as he approached. He spun quickly on his heel, almost colliding with a friend,

‘Shit…John…sorry.’

‘No problem. How are you doing, mate?’

‘Great. I’ve lost the girlfriend, though.’

‘Susie? Oh she went home…’

‘Home?’

John looked confused,

‘I don’t know about home. She’s definitely gone. Must have left an hour ago. She tried to find you but didn’t have much luck.’

‘Oh.’

‘Is everything alright?’

‘Yeah, just fine, thanks.’

‘She told me to tell you but I’ve hardly seen you all night. I couldn’t be arsed to pry the women off you.’

‘Is that what Susie said?’ Connor asked, a trifle anxious.

‘No, no. She just wanted you to know that she’d left. I wouldn’t say that she was in the best of moods though.’

‘Thanks,’ Connor smiled, ‘I’d better get home and grovel.’

John laughed,

‘She’s a nice girl, Con. Don’t fuck it up.’

‘I don’t intend to,’ Connor said smoothly, ‘speak to you soon, John.’

‘Yeah,’ John lifted a hand in farewell, ‘bye.’

~

Connor was startled, when leaving, to discover Richard waiting outside. He frowned,

‘You got back quick?’

‘Huh?’ Richard stared blankly.

‘From dropping Susie home.’

‘Susie? Home?’

Connor frowned,

‘You didn’t take Susie home?’

‘No. She…she’s with you…at the party,’ Richard said slowly, confused.

‘No. She left an hour ago. She…fuck…she walked?’

‘She must have done,’ Richard said anxiously, ‘I didn’t see her leave or I’d have…’

‘Fuck,’ Connor yanked open the limousine door, ‘head for home. I’ll call her mobile.’

‘Shall I alert security?’

‘Not yet,’ he took a deep breath, ‘I’ll call first.’

‘Yes, sir.’

~

Connor yanked open the bathroom door,

‘Where the hell did you go?’

Susie opened her eyes sleepily,

‘Huh?’

He stalked into the bathroom,

‘I asked you where the hell you went?’

‘Home,’ she yawned, ‘I told John.’

‘Told John?’ he yelled, ‘what about me? What about Richard?’

She sat up reluctantly, twisting the plug to drain the bath,

‘Connor, stop shouting and calm down. I don’t understand what’s wrong.’

‘We didn’t know where you were.’

‘I told security and John.’

‘Shut up about John. What about me?’

‘What about you?’ she asked, her voice dangerously quiet..

‘Why didn’t you tell me?’

‘I didn’t want to be rude…you were having such a good time dancing.’

He stiffened,

‘You let me think you were dead because….’

‘I didn’t let you think anything. If you’d spent more than five minutes in my company, you would have known my whereabouts.’

He stared at her blankly,

‘I’m allowed to socialise.’

‘And I wasn’t stopping you…towel, please…’

‘Huh?’

‘Towel,’ she snapped, ‘if you’re going to ruin my bath, I…’

‘All right, all right,’ he handed her a towel, ‘go on.’

She frowned,

‘Go on what? You found out I was home safely.’

‘I had to call bloody security! You didn’t pick up the phone once!’

‘I couldn’t hear. I was relaxing.’

‘Yeah. Relaxing. While I was frantically calling to make sure that you were all right.’

She sighed, accepting the worry in his eyes as genuine,

‘All right Connor, I’m sorry. I was sulking and didn’t think you’d be worried.’

‘Didn’t think at all!’

‘Oh don’t be ridiculous,’ she stormed into the bedroom, ‘to be quite honest, I wasn’t even expecting you to come home.’

He stopped, stared,

‘What?’

‘It’s my last night in the city before I go away and you couldn’t even spend a moment of it at my side.’

‘You thought I’d just sleep with someone. Because I was angry with you?’

‘It’s what you’re good at, isn’t it Con? It’s what you’re famous for. Sleeping with the beautiful and the blonde and the…’

‘Now you’re being childish. I can’t believe you don’t trust me.’

‘Trust you? Why the hell should I trust you? You’re rude to me in front of your ex-lovers, you belittle me…’

‘Belittle…?’ he yelled in outraged.

‘Don’t be such a child,’ she mimicked his tone, ‘you can drink now…you’re not a baby…yes, I know Antonio, how silly of me to be dating her…just a little girl…yes….a politician’s bookworm daughter…’

‘I didn’t fucking say that!’

‘No! But you let her! You stood there and let her!’

‘And what about you?’ he roared back, ‘okay, so I may not be a fucking knight in armour but at least I trust you! I’m not always accusing you of sleeping with ex-lovers and…’

‘You have every reason to trust me,’ she hurled back, ‘I’m not the fucking Lothario of the twenty-first century.’

‘And have I given you any reason not to trust me?’ his voice cold and vicious.

Her mouth tightened,

‘Tonight was enough.’

He turned to the door,

‘Then you never trusted me, did you?’

‘Christ,’ she grumbled, ‘what’s the fucking point?’

‘That’s exactly what I’m wondering,’ he said icily, ‘what’s the point?’

And slammed the door shut behind him.

Of course, he came back. A few hours later when his temper had cooled, he found her fast asleep in bed, her lashes sparkling with tears. Exhausted, he tugged off his clothes, crawled into bed and, wrapping his arms around her, let the warmth of her heal the hurt and fury of the evening.