Shafted (33 page)

Shrugging, Ayshia called the security guards over and told them to escort Tania off the premises.

Yelping with indignation when the two burly men grabbed her arms and marched her down the steps, Tania screamed at them to get their hands off her.

‘This is illegal! I’ll do you for assault! And you can’t make me go, ’cos this is a public road.’

‘
This
is,’ one of the guards informed her as they deposited her on the actual road. ‘But that,’ he pointed back up to the steps, ‘is private property, and if you set foot on it again, you’ll be arrested for trespass.’

‘
Bastards!
’ Tania yelled after the men as they returned to their posts – getting slapped on their backs and cheered along the way by the women in the queue. ‘This is a conspiracy! You’re just trying to keep me away from Larry, but it won’t work! I’ll see him when he comes out, and then you’re
all
gonna get the sack!’

Back inside, as the women in the queue were finally being filtered through reception, Gordon came to Larry’s dressing room to let him know that they were close to the kick-off.

‘Fifteen minutes to get the audience seated,’ he said, rubbing his hands together excitedly.‘Another fifteen for the warm-up guy to do his bit, then you’re on. How you feeling?’

‘Like shit,’ Larry muttered, stubbing out his cigarette and downing his drink in one.

Terrified that they were heading for a repeat of the telethon when Larry got up and uncapped the bottle to pour himself another, Gordon cast a worried glance in Georgie’s direction.

Surreptitiously shaking her head to let him know that she thought it would be okay, she said, ‘Right, then, Larry, I suppose I’d better get to my seat before somebody takes it. You’ll be marvellous – as always – so please stop fretting and make that your last drink. Oh, and don’t forget to ask Liz about that
thing
. ’Winking at him now, she headed for the door, calling back, ‘Break a leg.’

‘Am I missing something?’ Gordon asked as the door closed behind her.

‘She wants to know if Richard Burton was as well hung as they say he was,’ Larry murmured, putting his glass down and scrutinising an invisible blemish on his chin in the mirror.

‘I hope you’re joking!’ Gordon croaked. ‘Please tell me you’re not going to talk to Elizabeth Taylor about
sex
?’

Grinning at him in the mirror, Larry said, ‘I thought you wanted a controversial show?’

‘Not
that
controversial. And not with
her
.’

‘Relax,’ Larry laughed, patting Gordon on the back. ‘Me and Liz had a nice chat in her dressing room earlier, and she’s not as fragile as people think.’

‘Maybe not,’ Gordon conceded. ‘But what she chooses to confide in private might not be what she wants revealing to ten million viewers.’

‘We’ll see,’ Larry drawled unconcernedly.

Taking her seat front-left of set, from where she’d have a clear view of Larry and his guests, Georgie glanced around at the audience, not at all surprised to see that they were all women. Larry had male fans, too, of course, but they’d obviously been too slow off the mark when it came to bagging one of the precious tickets for tonight’s eagerly awaited show, which had reportedly gone within minutes of the phone line being opened up.

Pity Stephanie wasn’t quite as eager to be part of Larry’s big night as these adoring women were. But Georgie wasn’t complaining as she folded her coat and laid it and her handbag on the chair beside her own – the only empty seat in the house.

Crossing her fingers tightly when the house lights went down and the floor manager called for quiet, she settled back in her seat and prayed that everything would go smoothly as the warm-up man stepped out onto the set and went into his routine.

Fifteen minutes later, he said his goodbyes and bowed out to a chorus of cheers from the audience – brought on more by the realisation that him going off meant that Larry was about to come on than by actual appreciation of his talents.

The theme music started up then, and the excitement was palpable as women all around the studio held their breath waiting for Larry to appear. When he did, Georgie literally ducked as every woman leapt to her feet and exploded into wild, raucous cheering and whistling.

Looking more handsome than Georgie had ever seen him look before, and far happier than when she’d left him in the dressing room – and, thank the Lord, still sober – Larry stood centre-stage and gazed around with a modest
I-can’t-believe-this
smile.

‘Wow!’ he exclaimed when the women finally gave him a chance to speak. ‘This is incredible . . . Thank you
so
much. It’s really fantastic to be back.’

Wincing at yet more cheering, Georgie exhaled loudly as all the tension she’d been hiding from Larry evaporated. She’d had to maintain an air of absolute positivity for his sake, but she couldn’t deny that she’d been worried about how he would cope when it came to the crunch. But he was obviously in his element, so she could relax and enjoy the show – like the proud old momma she felt like right now.

Grinning sexily now, making each and every one of them think that he was directing it at them alone, Larry looked slowly around the audience and said, ‘So many beautiful women, so little time to appreciate you all . . . But, hey, we’ve got a show to do, so what say we get started by welcoming my first guest . . . the most stunningly
gorgeous
Grande Dame of all time . . . the woman who inspired some of my finest teenage dreams . . . let’s have a huge
Larry Logan Show
welcome for Miss . . . Elizabeth . . .
Taylor
!’

It took Georgie almost an hour to get backstage after the show, and almost as long to get past the security guards who were guarding every door from there to the executive boardroom on the fifth floor to prevent audience members from sneaking into the after-show party. If she’d stayed in Larry’s dressing room she’d have had no problem, but coming through from the public side put her in the position of having to prove that she really was who she said she was at every point of entry. And with a building as enormous as this studio complex was, that took some doing.

Pushing her way through the crowds milling about inside the boardroom when she finally made it, Georgie raised up on her toes and scanned the room. Spotting Larry sharing drinks and jokes with that night’s guests in a far corner, she made her way across to him, keeping her ears pricked up along the way. No doubt everybody would be pouring praise over Larry to his face, but it was always good to hear their real opinions when they thought they were out of earshot.

Unsurprisingly, no one seemed to have a bad word to say about him, and Georgie was so proud that she could have burst. But Larry truly deserved the acclaim, because he’d been utterly tremendous out there tonight. Warm, witty, sexy, intimate, probing, empathetic . . . everything you could want from a host and more, as he charmed his guests – who were some of the biggest and most notoriously reclusive stars on the planet – into revealing far more of their inner selves to the enraptured audience than any interviewer had ever managed before. Pity he hadn’t asked Liz Taylor about her ex’s manhood but, oh, well . . .

Catching Larry’s eye now as she neared his table, Georgie gave him the thumbs-up to let him know that she was thrilled with his performance, then pointed to the bar to indicate that she would be over there if he wanted her. Turning then, she put her head down and manoeuvred her way back through the crowd.

Bumping into somebody almost halfway across the room, she was about to apologise when she saw that it was Stephanie. Forcing herself not to frown, as was her immediate inclination, she smiled, and said, ‘Oh, hello. I didn’t realise you were here. Does Larry know?’

‘Not yet,’ Stephanie told her, glancing nervously around. ‘I promised to get here for the show, but I was held up, and my phone ran out of charge so I couldn’t let him know I was going to be late.’ Pausing then, she flapped her hands, as if she knew that Georgie didn’t believe her. ‘There’s still loads of people outside,’ she went on, aware that she was babbling now. ‘It looks like some of them are trying to lie their way into the party, though, so the security guards are being really strict. I’m just glad I was on the guest list, or I’d never have got in.’

‘They have to be vigilant for Larry’s safety,’ Georgie told her, feeling a little guilty because the girl was obviously struggling. ‘Somebody’s already tried to get to him tonight.’

‘Really?’ Stephanie frowned worriedly. ‘What happened? He wasn’t hurt, was he?’

Flapping her hand to indicate that it had been something and nothing, Georgie said, ‘Just some delusional girl claiming she was supposed to have a date lined up with him. But he didn’t know anything about it, so she was escorted off the premises. Anyway, I’m sure he’ll be delighted to see you now that you’re here.’

Smiling uncertainly, because she always got the impression that Georgie was scrutinising her, Stephanie asked where Larry was.

‘He’s over there,’ Georgie said, pointing to his table. ‘Talking to his guests.’

Sensing from the pointed way she’d said that last bit that Georgie was telling her not to disturb him, Stephanie glanced around for a quiet spot where she could hide herself away. Seeing a reasonably secluded alcove off to the side of Larry’s group, between the locked drinks cabinet and the window, she said, ‘I’ll just let him know I’m here, then I’ll wait over there. See you later.’

Hurrying away before Georgie could stop her, she paused by Larry’s table and, catching his eye, gave him a little wave and was about to point out where she would be sitting when he’d finished when he jumped out of his seat and called her over. Blushing when all the famous faces turned her way, Stephanie shook her head and backed away.

Telling his guests that he’d be back in a minute, Larry edged out from behind the table and followed her to the alcove. Grabbing her arm, he pulled her around to face him and gave her a questioning frown.

‘How come you didn’t want to sit with me? And what took you so long to get here, anyway? You missed the whole show. And I’ve been trying to ring you for hours.’

Glancing around, sure that everybody must be staring at them, Stephanie pulled her arm free and rubbed at it, murmuring, ‘I’m sorry. I got held up.’

‘Convenient,’ Larry drawled, with a nasty edge to his voice. ‘What was it this time? Taxi break down again? Or maybe it was a national emergency, like you laddered your tights or something?’

Drawing her head back when the distinctive scent of Scotch wafted over her face, Stephanie said, ‘Have you been drinking?’

‘
Obviously
,’ Larry sneered. ‘It
is
a party, and that’s what people
do
at parties.’

Peering up into his eyes and seeing the glint of something she didn’t like there, Stephanie said. ‘I think I’d better go.’

‘What, running out on me already?’ he hissed. ‘Got someone waiting outside for you, have you?’

‘No, I’m going home –
alone
,’ Stephanie told him truthfully. ‘I said I’d come, and I did. I’m sorry I’m late, but it’s not my fault. And I’ve got a massive headache already without you shouting at me.’

‘You’ve got a headache,’ Larry snorted. ‘And there was me thinking
I
had it tough, doing my first big show in front of a live audience. How d’y’ think that made me feel?’

‘
Drunk
?’ Stephanie replied coolly.

‘Well, that’s where you’re wrong,’ Larry snapped. ‘’Cos I haven’t even had all that much yet. But you’d know that if you’d bothered to get here on time.’

‘I’ve said I’m sorry,’ Stephanie told him, knowing that he was lying about the drink because he only ever got this nasty when he’d had too much. ‘Anyway, you were enjoying yourself before I came, so why don’t you just go back to your friends? You can call me when you get home, and I’ll come and see you when you’ve sobered up.’

Larry wanted to carry on arguing, but peering into her dark, sexy eyes, he was overwhelmed by a sudden urge to hold her instead; to feel her silky hair against his cheek and taste the sweetness of her lips.

Tipping his head to one side, he gave her a penitent smile, and said, ‘Want to start again.’

Inhaling deeply, Stephanie shook her head and murmured, ‘You’re going to be the death of me, Larry, you really are.’

Putting his arms out now, Larry pulled her to him and kissed her softly.

‘I’m glad you got here,’ he said when she pulled back after a minute. ‘And I’m sorry for having a go at you. But it’s doing my head in that I always have to fight to get you to come out with me.’

Stiffening, Stephanie dropped her gaze. ‘I can’t help it, Larry. I’m not a celebrity, and I don’t want to be seen as one of those women who’ll do anything to be famous.’

‘I know,’ Larry murmured, tilting her chin back up with his finger so that he could see her eyes. ‘And I don’t want to force you to do anything you don’t want to, but I need to know you’re not just messing me about.’

‘How?’ she asked, amazed that someone who had so much going for him could be so riddled with insecurities. This was a side of him that the public never saw, and they wouldn’t believe it if they did.

‘I don’t know,’ Larry murmured, his eyes searching hers for signs of deception. ‘I know it’s stupid, but I can’t help thinking you’re still seeing that idiot behind my back.’

Jerking her chin away from his touch, Stephanie sighed wearily and said, ‘Don’t be ridiculous, Larry. That’s over.’

‘And you don’t still have feelings for him?’

‘No. I love
you
,’ Stephanie said, wondering why she was bothering to try and convince him when he obviously didn’t believe her.

‘So why won’t you move in with me?’

‘Because it’s too soon.’

‘Still?’ Larry gazed down at her. ‘We’ve been shagging each other’s brains out for six months.’