A Famous Affair

A Famous Affair chapter 22

Jonny and Jake, accompanied by Beef, set off early for a spot of golf in Hertfordshire. Lydia and I have only one thing on our minds . . . shopping! Simon collects us not long after the boys have left. Fortunately, there are only a few photographers outside. I anticipate that they shall soon grow tired and bored of all this hanging around. As Jonny rightly said, we are quickly becoming old news.

"Where you off to, Jessica?" one of them shouts out.

"Just a little shopping, lads." I smirk at Lydia, whose naughty brow absolutely loves all the press attention.

"Now darlings, be sure to get my best side, won't you?" I am smiling but shaking my head at Lydia's playful comment. Simon is amused as he holds the car door open for us.

Sitting in the car, I see Lydia is still working her very best pout, standing beside the car door. "Lydia Mason! Get in the bloody car and stop playing with the press, will you?" She's such a damn tease!

"Jessica, this is the one perk I get to enjoy with you going out with a celeb. I'm going to milk it for all it's worth, my darling." She slides into the car, but not before beaming and pouting back at the eager photographers one last time.

"Whereabouts are you ladies going shopping today?" Simon asks as he settles himself into the driver's seat.

"Could you drop us off at Kings Road please, Simon? We're going to shop 'til we drop and then stop for a light lunch somewhere."

Lydia grins from ear to ear. "How exciting!"

I swivel in the car seat, to look at Lydia. "That's not all. I've booked us in to have a champers and nail polish at a salon nearby. It's our treat to you for how wonderful you were all the time that I was in the hospital."

She takes my hand. "As grateful as I am, darling, there really is no need."

"There's every need and dinner tonight is part of the treat, too," I say.

I'm surprised to see Lydia's cheeks coyly redden. Her beautifully stained red lips, curl up with a delighted smirk. "I could get used to all this indulgent spoiling, you know?"

"I want to give something back to you by way of a very big thank you, Lydia," I say.

"Seeing you happy is thanks enough, Jessica."

I smile at her lovely words. "I am loving having you here, I really am. Isn't it great our men are getting on, too?" I ask, sitting back more comfortably.

"It's a relief, darling; that's what it is. Jake was really worried he wouldn't have anything in common with Jonny. He found it difficult to see beyond the whole fame thing, but after spending the evening with Jonny; he hasn't stopped talking about him. I think it's the start of a beautiful bromance." Lydia laughs.

"So, it's getting serious between you and Jake then?"

Lydia's expression comes over all dreamy. "We just fit, Jessica. We work perfectly together even though we are different in so many ways. He has made me less self-absorbed and I have made him more spontaneous, apparently." She sweetly shrugs her shoulders.

"I bet you have, Lydia Mason." With my teasing, slanted grin: I am greeted by her thrilled and proud eyebrow.

I spot Simon smirking to himself in the rear view mirror, pretending to concentrate on the road ahead.

"Seriously, darling. He's a wonderful person. I'm lucky to have him in my life," Lydia gushes.

"So, there's no running for the hills just yet then?" I ask with interest.