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"Thank you," says Tarquin "I’rateful, Becky" He comes forward and pecks me on the cheek, and I pat him aardly on the hand And as he disappears out of the door, I find et lucky at this party, and find someone He really does deserve it

As I hear Suze’s car drive away, I wander into the kitchen andwhat to do for the rest of the afternoon I was half-planning to do some more work on my self-help book But my other alternative is to watch Manhattan, which Suze taped last night, and would be really useful research for my trip Because after all, I need to be well prepared

I can alork on the book when I get back fro the video into the irl’s voice "Sorry to disturb you Is that Becky Bloo for the reirl "I’ Coffee We met the other day"

"Oh Er to remember

"We just wanted to check on which hotel you’re staying at in New York, in case we need to contact you urgently"

"I’ll be at the Four Seasons"

"Four… Seasons," says Sally carefully "Excellent"

"Do you think they ?" I ask excitedly That would be so cool! A special report from New York!

"Maybe," says Sally "And that’s with a Mr… Luke Brandon?"

"That’s right"

"For how hts?"

"Er at the telly, wondering if I’ve gone too far back Surely they don’t show that Walker’s crisps ad any in a room or a suite?"

"I think it’s a suite I could find out…"

"No, don’t worry," says Sally pleasantly "Well, I won’t trouble you anymore Enjoy your trip"

"Thanks!" I say, just as I find the start of the filoes dead, and I walk over to the sofa, frowning slightly Why did Sally need to knohether I was in a suite? Unless -- et all about it, as Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue suddenly crashes through the air, and the screen is filled with pictures of Manhattan I stare at the television, utterly gripped This is where we’re going! In three days’ time we’ll be there! I just cannot, cannot wait!

"Little Ridings"

34 Copse Road

Eastbourne