Part 37 (2/2)

Silence.

'Zo?'

'Isn't it cool?' she bl.u.s.ters. 'It's a really up-and-coming neighborhood!'

'Don't you get scared here?' I grimace at the sound of someone's phlegm-tastic cough and a car backfiring. I hope.

'Oh no! It's all about keeping it real. There's loads of celebs in the area.'

A man in a hairnet and fiendish moustache eyes us suspiciously as he exits the building. I can't even imagine who Zo might mistake him for.

'I think I'll come back over Hollywood way,' I stammer, daunted by the prospect of having to stay here with her tonight. This is not the LA we had envisioned. Maybe we could just check into the Viceroy for the next two nights, I hear it's intimidatingly fas.h.i.+onable that's the level of discomfort I'm prepared to experience, not this!

'You have to go to Fredericks of Hollywood Lingerie Museum,' Zo busily plans my afternoon's itinerary. 'Boris told me about it they've got those fluffy Fembot negliges from Austin Powers and Ava Gardner's gorgeous nightie from s...o...b..at and Tom Hanks' boxers from Forrest Gump!'

'Okay!' I intervene.

'The best bit is the undie catalogues from the Fifties they had blow up bras called Belle Air and there's one called Tidal Wave that you could wear under swimwear-'

'Yup, I'll definitely-' I try to cut her short. I don't think Joel's enjoying the scenery.

'Ooh! And they've even got Tony Curtis's female body shaper from Some Like It Hot and it's so funny cos the bra straps are fixed with those clips you get on braces instead of hooks you know how useless men are at undoing-'

'Zo!' I yell.

'What?'

'I've got to go. I'll just get Joel to drop me-'

'Joel!' Zo cuts in. 'He's with you?'

'Yes!'

'Well, then I guess you don't need any tips on how to entertain yourself!'

'Actually he's got to go to a meeting,' I blush. 'But he can take me to a car rental place and then I'll whiz over.'

'Did you two ...?'

I know exactly what Zo is getting at but Joel is within listening distance.

'Yes, that's right,' I try to sound formal instead of gossipy.

'And?'

'Spectacular!' I cheer.

Zo cackles with glee. 'You can tell me everything later!'

'I'll pick you up at the diner at 6pm,' I conclude.

I flip the phone closed and turn to Joel. His face is still filled with disdain for Zo's accommodation.

'Do you girls have plans for tonight?' he asks as we return to his car, which amazingly still has all four wheels.

'I don't think so,' I shrug. 'Why?'

'Oh, I just thought of something you might enjoy. I'll have to make a couple of calls but if you like I could meet you at the diner later?'

'Sounds perfect!' I'm so relieved this isn't goodbye just yet. I was starting to get pangs of resistance at the idea of being parted from him.

'Okay. Let's get you hooked up with a car.'

Somehow Joel manages to talk the car rental clerk into upgrading me to a convertible. I can't believe my luck. It seems a waste to just go a few blocks to Hollywood. I want to fly down a freeway! I take out the map and study it. I've got four hours. I shouldn't really go further than an hour away ... Santa Monica is meant to be nice, or what about Hermosa Beach? Palm Springs is that little bit too far. Hold on what if I went and surprised Sasha? I get a sudden rush of high spirits. Why not? She could do with a boost, I'm sure. Zo and I have got two whole days to see the sights in LA. And if Ty would let her take a break I could help her with the Project Paradise fundraiser. I'm sure something must need decorating.

I put my foot down and floor it. After watching Joel drive I'm getting the hang of sailing through yellow and turning right on red, and when I get on the freeway I speed-weave w.i.l.l.y-nilly as good as the rest of them. I can't wait to see the look on Sasha's face when I stroll in!

However. Things don't go quite according to plan. When I arrive at Tiger Tiger the place is deserted. The cats are unattended and there's no one in the kitchen. I try Sasha's bedroom door. Locked.

I give it a knock.

A terrified voice calls, 'Go away!'

'Sasha!' I lean closer. 'Is that you?'

Suddenly there's a scrambling to the door and she drags me inside, swiftly locking the door behind me.

'What's going on? Did Freddie get out? Why are you crying?'

I take in her sob-stained face and juddering breaths.

'It's Ty,' she hiccups. 'He's totally trashed, I don't know what to do.'

I guide her to a seat, trying to calm her.

'Nina's gone to the vets and I'm the only one here.'

In the background I hear the sound of gla.s.s smas.h.i.+ng and some male swearing.

'What was that?' I panic.

'He must be in the kitchen now.' Her eyes widen.

There's another crash it sounds like the cutlery drawer being yanked asunder.

I have one thought he's going for a knife.'

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