Read Coconuts and Wonderbras for Free Online Page B

seemingly popping her breasts back into her dress. I feel nauseous.
        ‘Yes, it certainly is a fantabulous party indeed,’ says a cool voice behind us and we all turn to see Alex Bryant. ‘This fell from your bag,’ he says holding out my Blackberry.
    A very flustered Toby looks from Serena to Alex and then back to me.
        ‘Libby, it isn’t what you think,’ he says.
    I mustn’t cry. Whatever happens I mustn’t cry in front of them all. Alex gives Toby a hard stare before turning to me.
        ‘Let’s get you a drink,’ he says softly and before I can speak he is taking my hand and leading me past Toby and towards the bar.
        ‘What’s your poison?’
    I look at him. My head is spinning. How could Toby humiliate me like that?
        ‘What?’
        ‘What would you like to drink?’
    Oh God, this is awful. Is Penelope watching us?
        ‘I should get back to the table,’ I say weakly.
        ‘I think you need a drink,’ he tells me smiling, ‘unless of course you are very hungry?’
    The truth is I have totally lost my appetite. I feel such a fool. Did Alex Bryant see them kissing as well? Oh, it is just too awful for words. I shake my head. The smell of Trésor seems to be all around us and I wonder if he can smell it too. God, I hope he doesn’t think it’s my perfume. I hate the stuff.
        ‘I’ll have a whisky and coke,’ I say.
    A whisky and coke, what am I saying? I never drink whisky and coke. I must be in shock. I’m also wondering what the hell I am doing drinking with Alex Bryant. Of course, had the circumstances been different, it would have been rather nice. I notice several women at the bar are looking at me enviously. Now that is a first.
        ‘Why were you there?’ I ask in an accusatory tone.
        ‘There?’ he questions, handing me the drink which I throw back in one hit. The burning liquid hits my throat with such force that I immediately cough and feel my eyes water.
        ‘In the courtyard,’ I say throatily and dab at my eyes with a tissue.
        ‘I came to give you your phone, but also to apologise for my rudeness the other evening in Dirty Doug’s.’
    His eyes are twinkling.
        ‘Oh,’ I stammer. I know I should apologise too, but somehow my pride won’t allow me.
        ‘Are you okay,’ he asks gently.
    I nod, although I’m not really.
        ‘Would you like me to take you home?’
    Now, there’s an offer I wouldn’t have refused when we were at Dirty Doug’s. Before I have time to answer Miles joins us at the bar.
        ‘Bottoms up old girl,’ he bellows, handing me a glass of wine. Oh, don’t tell me Miles saw everything too.
        ‘We haven’t been introduced properly,’ he says leaning drunkenly towards Alex. ‘But I’m a great admirer of your work.’ He shakes Alex’s hand vigorously, and Alex winks at me.
    Good heavens.
        ‘Down the hatch,’ I say gulping down some wine.
        ‘Here’s mud in your eye,’ chips in the waiter as Toby rushes up to the bar with a pained expression on his face. I gulp down the wine and hold out my glass for more, which Alex gladly refills.
        ‘Libby, for Christ’s sake, let me explain.’
    I give him a scathing look and lift the glass to my lips.
        ‘Down in one,’ shouts Miles.
    I giggle.
        ‘Get that doon yer gullet,’ laughs the waiter.
        ‘Over the lips, past the gums, watch out tummy here it comes!’ I hiccup and giggle at the guilty look on Toby’s face.
        ‘Don’t tell me Toby, she had something in her eye. Am I right?’
    Toby’s face colours and Miles laughs. Although, I don’t think he is sure what is going on. Alex looks scathingly at Toby.
        ‘Up your bum,’ Miles shouts and throws back his drink.
    Alex takes my arm.
        ‘Let’s get you home,’ he says softly.
    Toby pushes his hand off my arm roughly.
        ‘Take your fucking hands off her, you arrogant