My stomach gives a little flip, and I stare straight down at my notebook, pretending to make more notes. Scribbling any old rubbish.

“Oh right!” says Erin. “And what’s that?”

There’s a long silence, and eventually I can’t bear it anymore, I have to look up. As I see Luke’s expression, my heart starts to thud.

“I’ve been reading your literature,” he says, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a leaflet entitled The Personal Shopping Service: For busy people who need some help and can’t afford to make mistakes.

He pauses, and my hand tightens around my pen.

“I’ve made mistakes,” he says, frowning slightly. “I want to right those mistakes and not make them again. I want to listen to someone who knows me.”

“Why come to Barneys?” I say in a trembling voice.

“There’s only one person whose advice I trust.” His gaze meets mine and I feel a small tremor. “If she doesn’t want to give it, I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

“We have Frank Walsh over in menswear,” says Erin helpfully. “I’m sure he’d—”

“Shut up, Erin,” I say, without moving my head.

“What do you think, Becky?” he says, moving toward me. “Would you be interested?”

For a few moments I don’t answer. I’m trying to gather all the thoughts I’ve had over the last couple of months. To organize my words into exactly what I want to say.

“I think…” I say at last, “I think the relationship between a shopper and a client is a very close one.”

“That’s what I was hoping,” says Luke.

“There has to be respect.” I swallow. “There can’t be canceled appointments. There can’t be sudden business meetings that take priority.”

“I understand,” says Luke. “If you were to take me on, I can assure you that you would always come first.”

“The client has to realize that sometimes the shopper knows best. And… and never just dismiss her opinion. Even when he thinks it’s just gossip, or… or mindless tittle-tattle.”

I catch a glimpse of Erin’s confused face, and suddenly want to giggle.

“The client has already realized that,” says Luke. “The client is humbly prepared to listen and be put right. On most matters.”

“All matters,” I retort at once.

“Don’t push your luck,” says Luke, his eyes flashing with amusement, and I feel an unwilling grin spread across my face. I catch Erin’s eye and with a sudden blush of comprehension, she hurries out, leaving us alone.

As the door closes, Luke and I stare at each other. My throat is suddenly tight with emotion.

“Well, Mr. Brandon…” I say at last. I clear my throat and doodle consideringly on my notepad. “I suppose ‘most’ would be acceptable. In the circumstances.”

“So.” His eyes are warm and tender. “Is that a yes, Becky? Will you be my… personal shopper?”

He takes a step forward, and I’m almost touching him. I can smell his familiar scent. Oh God, I’ve missed him.

“Yes,” I say happily. “Yes, I will.”


FROM: Gildenstein, Lalla [L. Gildenstein@anagram.com]

TO: Bloomwood, Becky [B.Bloomwood@barneys.com]

DATE: Wednesday, January 28, 2001, 8:22 a.m.

SUBJECT: HELP! URGENT!


Becky:

Help! Help! I lost your list. I have a big formal dinner tonight with some new Japanese clients. My Armani is at the cleaners. What should I wear? Please e-mail back soonest.

Thanks, you are an angel.

Lalla.


P.S.: I heard your news — congratulations!



Ms. Rebecca Bloomwood

Apt. 4D

418 W. 46th Street

New York


January 30, 2001


Dear Ms. Bloomwood:

New Account No.: 4567 2346 7689

Welcome to Second Union Bank! We are sure you will be happy with the wide range of banking services we can provide.

We at Second Union Bank pride ourselves on our highly individual approach to clients. May I invite you now to contact me personally at any time if there is anything I can help you with. No matter is too small for my attention.

Thank you for choosing Second Union Bank, and I am sure this is the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship.

With kind regards.

Yours sincerely,


Walt Pitman

Head of Customer Services

Acknowledgments


HUGEST THANKS to Susan Kamil and Zoë Rice for their help and encouragement, to Nita Taublib and everyone at The Dial Press, who made me so incredibly welcome in New York, and again to Zoë for a wonderful afternoon of research (shopping and eating chocolate). Special thanks as always to Araminta Whitley, Celia Hayley, Mark Lucas, Kim Witherspoon and David Forrer, and all at Transworld. Also to David Stefanou for the gimlets and Sharyn Soleimani at Barneys who was so kind, and to all the people who have given me ideas, advice, and inspiration along the way, in particular Athena Malpas, Lola Bubbosh, Mark Malley, Ana-Maria Mosley, and all my family. And of course, Henry, who has the best ideas.