Page 111 - Bridget Jones's Diary - by Helen FIELDING

Mark Darcy looked as if he was going to burst out laughing.

'What I mean is, if you're taking that sort of cutesy, morally relativistic, 'Blind
Date is brilliant' sort of line . . . ' she said with a resentful look in my direction.

'I wasn't, I just really like Blind Date,' I said. 'Though I do think it would be
better if they made the pickees make up their own replies to the questions instead
of reading out those stupid pat answers full of puns and sexual innuendos.'

'Absolutely,' interjected Mark.

'1 can't stand Gladiators, though. It makes me feel fat,' I said. 'Anyway, nice
to meet you. Bye!'

I was just standing waiting for my coat, reflecting on how much difference the
presence or absence of a diamond-patterned sweater can make to someone's
attractiveness, when I felt hands lightly on my waist I turned around. 'Daniel!'

'Jones! What are you doing skulking off so early?' He leaned over and kissed

me. 'Mmmmmm, you smell nice,' then offered me a cigarette.

'No thank you, I have found inner poise and given up smoking,' I said, in a
preprogrammed, Stepford Wife sort of way, wishing Daniel wasn't quite so

attractive when you found yourself alone with him.

'I see,' he smirked, 'inner poise, eh?'

'Yes,' I said primly. 'Have you been at the party? I didn't see you.'

'I know you didn't. I saw you, though. Talking to Mark Darcy.'

'How do you know Mark Darcy?' I said, astonished.

'Cambridge. Can't stand the stupid nerd. Bloody old woman. How do you