“Something wrong” asked Shane with a curious flash of the eyes

“That” said Lena, pointing at Richard “Is Richard Bengston, a reporter for Enquire magazine”

“The tabloid magazine?” asked Tina clarifying

“The very one” said Lena “Your friends don’t have any secrets they want kept secret do they?”

The three other women exchanged glances.

“Dana is pretty sharp about balancing her personal and private life,” said Tina, watching as others joined their own table.

“And Richard is very clever at getting a story” added Lena with slight admiration, he may do a job people usually hated him for, but he did it well

“You know him?” asked Shane, running her finger over the lip of her glass as they all turned their attention back to their own table

“Yes, we’ve known each other for years” replied Lena, before being interrupted by a man gushing with enthusiasm sitting to her left

“Ah Miss Johnson I was told we’d be sitting together”

He was a small beady eyed man, with rosy red complexion and sprouting silver moustache hiding thin pink lips. Lena couldn’t place his face and wondered how he knew her. He extended a hand to Lena as she gave him a questioning look.

“I am Edward Lacey, editor of Screened magazine”

Lena knew of the magazine, it was still in its first stages of development and set to explode into the film and television magazine circuit in early spring. From what she had read of it, it certainly sounded innovative and ready to make itself a player in the popularity ratings.

“Pleased to meet you Mr Lacey” said Lena politely taking his hand. He grasped hers a little too tightly and held on a little too long than she would have liked. His palms were sweaty and she involuntarily sat back a little as he leaned forward to talk with her.

“I’m a great fan of your columns Miss Johnson, I’ve followed them very closely over this last year.”

“Thank you, I” started Lena, but he continued before she could begin

“As you probably know Screened is the new magazine set to hit the shelves in the spring”

Lena could tell what the spiel was going to be about, before he began and sent Shane, Bette and Tina an apologetic look. They all looked on intrigued as to his behaviour.