Shadow Play

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‘Of course. It’s a great place, but I can’t leave here at the moment.’ He smiled at her. ‘We have A Midwinter Night’s Dream to finish.’

‘Wouldn’t they wait until we’ve finished it?’ Nell asked, stunned that he should think it important enough to risk losing the film contract.

‘Oh, yes. But I have other things that keep me here.’ A remark that put things back in perspective. The champagne came, their glasses were filled and Ben raised his in a toast. ‘To our collaboration.’

‘I’ll drink to that. Mm, it’s good. Is this how you usually live—alfresco lunches and champagne?’

‘Only on the first day of summer, when I have a pretty girl to take out.’

‘I’m flattered.’

His eyes met hers, warm and smiling. ‘You have no need to be.’

Nell caught her breath, a little taken aback. She was far from unused to receiving compliments, and had become not just blasé about them but at times almost resented them. So many men seemed to think that compliments were necessary to sweeten a girl up, that they only had to throw out one or two and the girl would be so grateful she’d do anything they wanted. Like patting a dog on the head so it would grovel at your feet. Other men paid compliments condescendingly, the stock phrases issuing from their mouths in exactly the same way, no matter which woman they were with. And the compliments weren’t really for the woman at all, but to boost her image in the man’s eyes, to make her conquest the more special.

Searching Ben’s face, Nell wondered in which category his compliment should be placed, but he had picked up the menu and was studying it, and made no attempt to follow it up. Which rather intrigued her. He was, she thought, rather an intriguing man altogether. But at least he seemed to be opening up a little today.

Their food ordered, Ben leaned back in his seat, making Nell say, ‘You seem very relaxed today.’

‘Don’t I always?’

‘No. Most of the time you seem to be pausing at the office before rushing off somewhere else.’

He gave a rueful grin. ‘Life does seem to get like that sometimes. But thankfully I hope to be able to spend more time working on the adaptation for the next few weeks. Until we’ve finished it with any luck.’