"Do you want to come back to my house?" Ethan asks as we pull into the station.
My tummy does a cartwheel before I nod in agreement whilst suddenly wishing I had a mint, a razor for my legs and some fresh wipes. I didn't have a shower this morning as I thought I'd have one when I got home before putting on a change of clothes. Perhaps I'll nip to his bathroom as soon as we get there. Good plan.
The cab pulls into Ethan's drive and he sighs. I look up to see Louis's car. Ethan looks at me as his shoulders drop.
"Sorry. I'll get rid of him."
"That's okay," I say "I'll freshen up whilst you talk to him. And by that I mean kick his arse out the front door!"
Ethan laughs and salutes, "Will do."
We walk through the door and are met by Louis and Helena: Ethan's publicist, who looks furious. She walks straight up to Ethan. "Where the hell have you been? I've been calling you. What happened at the nightclub? And why are you still in your clothes from last night? Oh my God did anyone see you?"
Ethan is standing looking at Helena whilst she rattles on.
I have a feeling our long-awaited romp in the sack is going to be put on hold—again.
Louis joins in with the barrage of questions, "Please don't tell me you stayed in some seedy hotel? The press is going to love this 'Up-and-coming star accused of a violent attack on a post office employee spends the night with celebrity personal trainer accused of a violent attack on innocent restaurateur.'
Seriously, the way they put it sounds bad.
Ethan runs his fingers through his hair and holds up his hands. "Guys, guys, calm down. I just needed to get away and no, we didn't stay in a seedy hotel, we stayed with an old couple we met."
"Oh great!" Helena says throwing her hands in the air, "Now they are going to go to the press and tell everyone how you sought sanctuary at their humble abode and how they didn't know you were on the run and then they'll give up anything they overheard you saying in the bedroom, for a nominal fee of course."
"Wow, you guys have a cynical view of people don't you?" Ethan says as he guides me towards the kitchen. "Would you like some tea, Wanda?"
"Tea?" Helena cuts in, "Ethan, there is a reason I'm cynical about people, because after working in this business for over ten years, I've seen how people who encounter celebrities are: if they're not trying to sue you for something you did, they get money by telling the tabloids about something you said—even if it isn't entirely true. Helena is now pacing around the room in circles."You know the press by now, they're not interested in the truth, they want to sell their papers or whatever and if the story has some semblance of truth to it so much the better."
"But the good news," Louis says, "is that due to the amount of publicity you have been getting, the phones have been ringing off the hook. Everyone wants a piece of you Ethan and we can't turn down any opportunities to plug your film. And ... "He pauses for effect. "... it's not a done deal yet but I'm pretty sure you are about to be offered the lead in the new Raymond Callegi film; an action thriller."
Ethan's eyes widen as he takes in this information. "Oh my God, you're kidding?"
"You know I don't kid about your career," Louis says with a grin.
Ethan fist bumps the air "I can't believe it. You're the best!" Then leaps forward to give Louis a bear hug.
"Stick with me son I'll make you a star."
I can't help but feel a little left out whilst I watch the celebrations. Ethan unravels himself from Louis and smiles at me.
"Congratulations! That's fantastic news," I say going in for a hug.
"Let's open a bottle of Champagne!" Ethan says before making his way towards the kitchen.
Louis waits for Ethan to be out of earshot before smiling regretfully. "And I'm afraid Helena is right about you, Wanda."
"Sorry?"
"As lovely as you are my dear, I'm afraid that being an up and coming heart throb means girls are going to want to know he's single. You know how this industry works. It's not personal but Ethan needs to be selfish right now. Millions of budding actors would kill to be in his shoes. He's waited all his life for a break like this; if he messes up, he won't get another chance."
I'm not really sure how to respond to this so I come up with a very weak, "Sure, of course."
"Great. I knew you would understand," Louis says squeezing my shoulder with his chubby hand.
I feel rather like the maid who fell I love with the Duke's son and has just been 'dealt with', although I wasn't offered any money.
"Right then, Wanda," Louis says holding his arm out. "I'm sure you would like to get home and change. I'll get my driver to take you."
"Oh erm, yes of course ..."
"Wanda where are you going?" Ethan asks as he exits the kitchen with glasses. "Don't you want some champers?"
"No it's okay," I glance at Louis who nods. "I do need to get out of these clothes. I'll speak to you later."
Ethan nods, reluctantly, and walks me towards the front door as Helena heads him off and ushers me forward. Presumably so we don't attempt a quick shag in the hall before I get in the car. Honestly.
I leave with a promise from Ethan that he'll call me later but I won't be holding my breath.