know Harry and he obviously had no idea how strict nightclub bosses were when it came to their girls not skipping off work.
âSure.â She shot him a caustic grin. âIf you can pull that one off, then Iâll come with you to your coffee bar, by all means. But, since I donât see that happening, Iâll just bid you goodnight and tell you that itâs no use your coming back here because the next time you wonât even get a conversation out of me.â
It was a little disconcerting to feel a tug of regret at the thought of that, but Mattie was nothing if not practical. Her life was just too full of problems for her to take another one on board in the shape of a man, probably married, because good-looking, well-spoken men like that were never single, who was after a little no-strings-attached fling with a pretty young thing.
She would make sure not to look in his direction again.
What she hadnât bargained on was Harry calling her over ten minutes later as she was on her way back for a refill of champagne for a table of men who had already had far too much to drink.
âI what ?â Mattie stammered, after he had said what he had to say.
âCan take the rest of the evening off.â
âIâve just got here, Harry.â
âJacks wonât mind covering your patch. She needs to catch up on some lost earnings.â
âHow did he do it?â Mattie glanced around her, seeking him out in the darkness and through the crowds, then finally returning her narrowed eyes to Harryâs flushed face. âWell?â she demanded. Then a thought crossed her mind. âHe didnâtâ¦he isnât⦠some kind of dangerous thug, is he, Harry? He didnât threaten you, did he?â She thought back to her throw-away remark about guns and heads.
âThreaten me ? Harry Alfonso Roberto Sidwell?â He rocked on the balls of his feet for a few seconds, straightened the lapels of his jacket and gave her a superior look. âNo one has ever dared do such a thing, Matilda Hayes, and donât you forget it! No. Just said he wanted to talk to you, that this seemed the only time you could snatch. Gave me his card. Told me that if I ever needed any advice, just ask for him.â
âAdvice? Advice about what?â She felt as if the ground had unexpectedly opened up from under her feet. âRelationships? Is he some kind of counsellor or something?â
âHarry Sidwell has never needed advice on relationships! Heâs in finance, Mats. Powerful man. Even Iâve heard of him and you know how much distance there is between the underbelly of life here and the Olympic heights of some of those money men.â He chuckled at his own sense of humour but Mattieâs head was reeling with shock.
â Youâre giving me the night off because some man asked you to and handed over a business card? And what about my tips , Harry? I canât afford to take the time off! You know how much I need the money!â
âIâll cover you, Mats. Give you roughly the amount you usually pull in on a Friday. Donât say Iâm not fair.â
âI canâtââ
âYou deserve a night off, Mattie. Reliable as clock-work, you are. Never let me down. When was the last time you went out for enjoyment? Eh? When youâre not at college or poring over textbooks, youâre here. And youâd be doing me a favour, love.â
âHowâs that, Harry?â
âThinking of expanding business, Mats. Might need that business card sooner than you think.â He grinned craftily, and Mattie felt her options closing in.
âHeâs after one thing, Harry. Thanks very much!â
âYouâre safe with that one.â
âI wouldnât be safe with anybody who comes here, and you know it!â
âYouâre safe with that one, Mats. I wouldnât be giving you the evening off otherwise. Heâs a big cheese.