Shopaholic Takes Manhattan (Page 17)
- Page 1
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 14
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 15
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 16
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 17
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 18
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 19
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 20
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 21
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 22
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 23
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 24
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 25
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 26
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 27
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 28
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 29
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 30
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 31
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 32
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 33
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 34
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 35
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 36
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 37
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 38
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 39
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 40
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 41
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 42
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 43
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 44
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 45
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 46
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 47
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 48
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 49
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 50
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 51
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 52
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 53
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 54
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 55
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 56
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 57
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 58
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 59
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 60
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 61
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 62
- Page 62
- Page 63
- Page 63
- Page 63
- Page 64
- Page 64
- Page 64
- Page 65
- Page 65
- Page 65
- Page 66
- Page 66
- Page 66
- Page 67
- Page 67
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 68
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 69
- Page 69
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 70
- Page 70
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 71
- Page 71
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 72
- Page 72
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 73
- Page 73
- Page 73
- Page 74
- Page 74
- Page 74
- Page 74
- Page 75
- Page 75
- Page 75
- Page 75
- Page 76
- Page 76
- Page 76
- Page 76
- Page 77
- Page 77
- Page 77
- Page 77
- Page 78
- Page 78
- Page 78
- Page 78
- Page 79
- Page 79
- Page 79
- Page 79
- Page 80
- Page 80
- Page 80
- Page 80
- Page 81
- Page 81
- Page 81
- Page 81
- Page 82
- Page 82
- Page 82
- Page 82
- Page 83
- Page 83
- Page 83
- Page 83
- Page 84
- Page 84
- Page 84
- Page 84
- Page 85
- Page 85
- Page 85
- Page 85
- Page 86
- Page 86
- Page 86
- Page 86
- Page 87
- Page 87
- Page 87
- Page 87
- Page 88
- Page 88
- Page 88
- Page 88
- Page 89
- Page 89
- Page 89
- Page 89
- Page 90
- Page 90
- Page 90
- Page 90
- Page 91
- Page 91
- Page 91
- Page 91
- Page 92
- Page 92
- Page 92
- Page 92
- Page 93
- Page 93
- Page 93
- Page 93
- Page 94
- Page 94
- Page 94
- Page 94
- Page 95
- Page 95
- Page 95
- Page 95
- Page 96
- Page 96
- Page 96
- Page 96
- Page 97
- Page 97
- Page 97
- Page 97
- Page 98
- Page 98
- Page 98
- Page 98
- Page 99
- Page 99
- Page 99
- Page 99
- Page 100
- Page 100
- Page 100
- Page 100
- Page 101
- Page 101
- Page 101
- Page 101
- Page 102
- Page 102
- Page 102
- Page 102
- Page 103
- Page 103
- Page 103
- Page 103
- Page 104
- Page 104
- Page 104
- Page 104
- Page 105
- Page 105
- Page 105
- Page 105
- Page 106
- Page 106
- Page 106
- Page 106
- Page 107
- Page 107
- Page 107
- Page 107
- Page 108
- Page 108
- Page 108
- Page 108
- Page 109
- Page 109
- Page 109
- Page 109
- Page 110
- Page 110
- Page 110
- Page 110
- Page 111
- Page 111
- Page 111
- Page 111
- Page 112
- Page 112
- Page 112
- Page 112
- Page 113
- Page 113
- Page 113
- Page 113
- Page 114
- Page 114
- Page 114
- Page 114
- Page 115
- Page 115
- Page 115
- Page 115
- Page 116
- Page 116
- Page 116
- Page 116
- Page 117
- Page 117
- Page 117
- Page 117
- Page 118
- Page 118
- Page 118
- Page 118
- Page 119
- Page 119
- Page 119
- Page 119
- Page 120
- Page 120
- Page 120
- Page 120
- Page 121
- Page 121
- Page 121
- Page 121
- Page 122
- Page 122
- Page 122
- Page 122
- Page 123
- Page 123
- Page 123
- Page 123
- Page 124
- Page 124
- Page 124
- Page 124
- Page 125
- Page 125
- Page 125
- Page 125
- Page 126
- Page 126
- Page 126
- Page 126
- Page 127
- Page 127
- Page 127
- Page 127
- Page 128
- Page 128
- Page 128
- Page 128
- Page 129
- Page 129
- Page 129
- Page 129
- Page 130
- Page 130
- Page 130
- Page 130
Shopaholic Takes Manhattan (Shopaholic #2)(17)
Author: Sophie Kinsella
We’ve reached the reception desk by now, and a concierge in a trendy Nehru jacket smiles at us. “Good afternoon, Mr. Brandon,” he says. “And Miss Bloomwood. Welcome to Blakeley Hall.”
He knew our names! We didn’t even have to tell him! No wonder celebrities come here.
“I’ve put you in room 9,” he says, as Luke starts to fill in a form. “Overlooking the rose garden.”
“Great,” says Luke. “Becky, which paper would you like in the morning?”
“The Financial Times,” I say smoothly.
“Of course,” says Luke, writing. “So that’s one FT — and a Daily World for me.”
I give him a suspicious look, but his face is completely blank.
“Would you like tea in the morning?” says the concierge, tapping at his computer. “Or coffee?”
“Coffee, please,” says Luke. “For both of us, I think.” He looks at me questioningly, and I nod.
“You’ll find a complimentary bottle of champagne in your room,” says the concierge, “and room service is available twenty-four hours.”
I have to say I’m very impressed. This really is a top-class place. They know your face immediately, they give you champagne — and they haven’t even mentioned my Special Express parcel yet. Obviously they realize it’s a matter of discretion. They realize that a girl doesn’t necessarily want her boyfriend knowing about every single package that is delivered to her — and are going to wait until Luke is out of earshot until they tell me about it. This is why it’s worth coming to a good hotel.
“If there’s anything else you require, Miss Bloomwood,” says the concierge, looking at me meaningfully, “please don’t hesitate to let me know.”
You see? Coded messages and everything.
“I will, don’t worry,” I say, and give him a knowing smile. “In just a moment.” I flick my eyes meaningfully toward Luke, and the concierge gives me a blank stare, exactly as though he’s got no idea what I’m talking about. God, these people are good!
Eventually, Luke finishes the forms and hands them back. The concierge hands him a big, old-fashioned room key, and summons a porter.
“I don’t think we need any help,” says Luke, with a smile, and lifts up my dinky suitcase. “I’m not exactly overburdened.”
“You go on up,” I say. “I just want to… check something. For tomorrow.” I smile at Luke and after a moment, to my relief, he heads off toward the staircase.
As soon as he’s out of earshot, I swivel back to the desk.
“I’ll take it now,” I murmur to the concierge, who has turned away and is looking in a drawer. He raises his head and looks at me in surprise.
“I’m sorry, Miss Bloomwood?”
“It’s OK,” I say more meaningfully. “You can give it to me now. While Luke’s gone.”
A flicker of apprehension passes over the concierge’s face.
“What exactly—”
“You can give me my package.” I lower my voice. “And thanks for not letting on.”
“Your… package?”
“My Special Express.”
“What Special Express?”
I stare at him, feeling a few misgivings.
“The parcel with all my clothes in it! The one you weren’t mentioning! The one…”
I tail away at the sight of his face. He doesn’t have a clue what I’m talking about, does he? OK. Don’t panic. Someone else will know where it is.
“I should have a parcel waiting for me,” I explain. “About this big… It should have arrived this morning…”
The concierge is shaking his head.
“I’m sorry, Miss Bloomwood. There aren’t any packages for you.”
Suddenly I feel a little hollow.
“But… there has to be a package. I sent it by Special Express, yesterday. To Blakeley Hall.”
The concierge frowns.
“Charlotte?” he says, calling into a back room. “Has a parcel arrived for Rebecca Bloomwood?”
“No,” says Charlotte, coming out. “When was it supposed to arrive?”
“This morning!” I say, trying to hide my agitation. “ ‘Anything, anywhere, by tomorrow morning’! I mean, this is anywhere, isn’t it?”
“I’m sorry,” says Charlotte, “but nothing’s come. Was it very important?”
“Rebecca?” comes a voice from the stairs, and I turn to see Luke peering down at me. “Is something wrong?”
“No!” I say brightly. “Of course not! What on earth could be wrong?” Quickly I swivel away from the desk and, before Charlotte or the concierge can say anything, hurry toward the stairs.
- Page 1
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 14
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 15
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 16
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 17
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 18
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 19
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 20
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 21
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 22
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 23
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 24
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 25
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 26
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 27
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 28
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 29
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 30
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 31
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 32
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 33
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 34
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 35
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 36
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 37
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 38
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 39
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 40
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 41
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 42
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 43
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 44
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 45
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 46
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 47
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 48
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 49
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 50
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 51
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 52
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 53
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 54
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 55
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 56
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 57
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 58
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 59
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 60
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 61
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 62
- Page 62
- Page 63
- Page 63
- Page 63
- Page 64
- Page 64
- Page 64
- Page 65
- Page 65
- Page 65
- Page 66
- Page 66
- Page 66
- Page 67
- Page 67
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 68
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 69
- Page 69
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 70
- Page 70
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 71
- Page 71
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 72
- Page 72
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 73
- Page 73
- Page 73
- Page 74
- Page 74
- Page 74
- Page 74
- Page 75
- Page 75
- Page 75
- Page 75
- Page 76
- Page 76
- Page 76
- Page 76
- Page 77
- Page 77
- Page 77
- Page 77
- Page 78
- Page 78
- Page 78
- Page 78
- Page 79
- Page 79
- Page 79
- Page 79
- Page 80
- Page 80
- Page 80
- Page 80
- Page 81
- Page 81
- Page 81
- Page 81
- Page 82
- Page 82
- Page 82
- Page 82
- Page 83
- Page 83
- Page 83
- Page 83
- Page 84
- Page 84
- Page 84
- Page 84
- Page 85
- Page 85
- Page 85
- Page 85
- Page 86
- Page 86
- Page 86
- Page 86
- Page 87
- Page 87
- Page 87
- Page 87
- Page 88
- Page 88
- Page 88
- Page 88
- Page 89
- Page 89
- Page 89
- Page 89
- Page 90
- Page 90
- Page 90
- Page 90
- Page 91
- Page 91
- Page 91
- Page 91
- Page 92
- Page 92
- Page 92
- Page 92
- Page 93
- Page 93
- Page 93
- Page 93
- Page 94
- Page 94
- Page 94
- Page 94
- Page 95
- Page 95
- Page 95
- Page 95
- Page 96
- Page 96
- Page 96
- Page 96
- Page 97
- Page 97
- Page 97
- Page 97
- Page 98
- Page 98
- Page 98
- Page 98
- Page 99
- Page 99
- Page 99
- Page 99
- Page 100
- Page 100
- Page 100
- Page 100
- Page 101
- Page 101
- Page 101
- Page 101
- Page 102
- Page 102
- Page 102
- Page 102
- Page 103
- Page 103
- Page 103
- Page 103
- Page 104
- Page 104
- Page 104
- Page 104
- Page 105
- Page 105
- Page 105
- Page 105
- Page 106
- Page 106
- Page 106
- Page 106
- Page 107
- Page 107
- Page 107
- Page 107
- Page 108
- Page 108
- Page 108
- Page 108
- Page 109
- Page 109
- Page 109
- Page 109
- Page 110
- Page 110
- Page 110
- Page 110
- Page 111
- Page 111
- Page 111
- Page 111
- Page 112
- Page 112
- Page 112
- Page 112
- Page 113
- Page 113
- Page 113
- Page 113
- Page 114
- Page 114
- Page 114
- Page 114
- Page 115
- Page 115
- Page 115
- Page 115
- Page 116
- Page 116
- Page 116
- Page 116
- Page 117
- Page 117
- Page 117
- Page 117
- Page 118
- Page 118
- Page 118
- Page 118
- Page 119
- Page 119
- Page 119
- Page 119
- Page 120
- Page 120
- Page 120
- Page 120
- Page 121
- Page 121
- Page 121
- Page 121
- Page 122
- Page 122
- Page 122
- Page 122
- Page 123
- Page 123
- Page 123
- Page 123
- Page 124
- Page 124
- Page 124
- Page 124
- Page 125
- Page 125
- Page 125
- Page 125
- Page 126
- Page 126
- Page 126
- Page 126
- Page 127
- Page 127
- Page 127
- Page 127
- Page 128
- Page 128
- Page 128
- Page 128
- Page 129
- Page 129
- Page 129
- Page 129
- Page 130
- Page 130
- Page 130
- Page 130