When Fools Rush In

Chapter 17 - Gala Night

"Lucy - grab Pep for the photo will you?" urged Steve as he waved Kevin and Phil over to the City in the Community centrepiece backdrop outside the gala reception area, "and where's Jack and Walks? It's a nightmare trying to get them all together!"

Glancing over at Steve, Lucy nodded, her phone in one hand as she dealt with last minute media queries. She was astounded at how little information journalists would take in from the official invitation, instead relying on phone calls fifteen minutes before the reception began.

Her dress of choice was sky blue in colour, a nod to the Man City colours. It was a simple cocktail dress that she had paired with white heels and a diamond necklace. She felt almost too summary for an autumn event, with the sun having already set outside.

Lucy had yet to see Jack and scanned the room for him, desperate to see him turned out in his smart suit and slicked back hair. She was still floating from their encounter in the physio room after the match, excited for the event but also counting down the hours until she could sneakily return to his flat to pick up where they had left off. Despite Steve's attempts to gather the first team and the manager for a group photo, the players that were in the immediate vicinity were already dispersing, continuing conversations with their wives, girlfriends or family members who had been invited to the charity gala night. Lucy took this cue to focus solely on finding Jack.

Journalists and pundits began to arrive, distracting Lucy from her mission. She found Gabby from Talksport and cornered him, knowing he was one pundit Jack would seek out to talk to.

"Hey Gabby," greeted Lucy, "good to see you here promptly - and on the champagne already."

"Thanks for the invite Luce," smiled Gabby, "have you seen Jack? He's bloody useless at replying to my messages sometimes."

Lucy laughed, "no but I'm guessing he's late as usual."

"When isn't he? Probably still doing his hair."

They chatted for five minutes, mostly about the frustrating draw that had taken place earlier that afternoon. It was then that a large hand slapped Gabby on the shoulder from behind and Jack emerged, hair neatly slicked back, dark eyes twinkling, his broad smile on seeing his friend.

"Broooo!" enthused Jack, "how are ya?"

It was at that moment Jack saw Lucy as Gabby stepped aside, clasping Jack by the hand in greeting. His eyes met Lucy's and she smiled carefully at him, keeping her arms folded across her front in a guarded pose. Tonight was not the night to be giving anything away. Yet Jack's eyes did not burn into hers as they usually did - not even a wink - he turned to Gabby almost awkwardly as they entered conversation. Lucy shifted on her feet, clasping her phone.

"Lucy said you'd probably be late," Gabby said, taking a sip of his drink, "so even you being at City hasn't changed that has it?"

"Nah I'm not late am I?" retorted Jack, furrowing his brow and glancing at his watch dazzling on his wrist.

A colleague of Gabby's briefly appeared and pulled him aside to show him something on his phone. Jack sidled up to Lucy almost bashfully and leant over to her.

"You look beautiful," he whispered, "in that dress."

Lucy looked up at him, he looked so handsome in his suit and smelt of cologne. He was delicious.

"You look amazing in that suit," she whispered, careful to lean her head but not her body into him.

Jack nervously looked down.

"Luce - " he began, "I need - "

"Jack!"

Karen Grealish had appeared out of nowhere, flinging her arms around her son and planting a lipsticky kiss on his cheek.