‘Hey, I take offence at that,’ I say, screwing up my face. ‘You’re all just jealous.’
‘Damn right we are,’ says Wendy. ‘So when are we going to meet this antipodeanhunk?’
‘Whoa, not so fast! He’s only asked me to dinner, not to walk down the aisle with him. And I never said he was a hunk.’
‘No, but I bet he is,’ says Wendy, eyes twinkling mischievously, desperate for details.
‘Okay, so he is tall and looks like he works out, but what has that …?’
‘I knew it!’ she says, thumping her fist on the table, sloshing coffee and mineral water everywhere.‘Isn’t life funny? Here we are, flying all over the globe, never meeting anyone, and you work as a cleaner at the crack of dawn, when the only people around are milkmen and all-night garage attendants, and quick as a flash – oops, excuse the pun – this gorgeous, young guy from the other side of the world sweeps you off your feet!’
‘You know, when I was a teenager, I watched films likeTheAirport Affair, and read novels likeLove in the SkiesandCaptain of My Heart,’ says Faye wistfully. ‘I was sold a dream of an air stewardess’s life: stolen glances in the cockpit and romantic, candlelit dinners overlooking the Taj Mahal. And the reality? “I didn’t have a starter so knock five dollars off my share of the bill.”’
‘The people who wrote this stuff should be sued for misrepresentation.They should tell it as it is,’ chips in Wendy, toying with the sugar. ‘That you’re more likely to meet your Mr Right cleaning toilets than on board a plane bound for Rio.’
‘Somehow I don’t thinkLove in a Broom CupboardorKiss of the Cleanerwould exactly fly off the shelves,’ I remark. ‘Now, talking of dishy, charming pilots, which we weren’t, any developments in the Mike/Céline situation?’
‘Don’t ask!’ they groan loudly, in triplicate.
‘The latest thing is, he and his wife are now moving to a bigger house with land and stables so the kids can have horses. I mean, honestly, are these the actions of a man who is about to leave home?’ says Rachel, shaking her head wearily.
‘Why she stays with him, I’ll never know,’ I say. ‘Such a lovely girl, with so much to give.’
‘She once said to me, “What if there is no one else out there for me?” As if, and anyway, surely being on your own is better than this constant heartache?’ says Wendy.
‘I guess things are never black and white. I mean he must have something, mustn’t he?’ I say feebly. ‘Maybe I should have kept my dislike of him under wraps though. She never returns my calls or texts. Does she ever mention me?’
There is a thick silence between them as they stare into their empty coffee cups.
‘I only told her about Mike because I care, you know,’ I continue defensively. ‘She would have done the same.’
‘Shit! Is that the time?’ says Faye, gesturing for the bill, a slight wobble in her voice. ‘I’ve got to pick Tariq up from school, and I daren’t risk being late.’
‘Lunch is on me,’ says Wendy,helping her put on her jacket. ‘Now go!’
‘I’ll call you,’ mimes Faye, cupping her phone between her ear and shoulder as she dashes out of the door.
‘I’d better make a move too,’ says Rachel, pulling out her purse. ‘I’ve got to check in in three hours, and I haven’t packed yet.’
‘My treat,’ says Wendy. ‘Skedaddle! You know what the M25 can be like at this time of day.’
‘Thanks,angel,’ calls Rachel. ‘I’ll see you both at the play. Sooo excited! Break a leg, Em!’ she says, grabbing her car keys and blowing a kiss.
‘Why do I get the feeling you’re all hiding something from me?’ I ask Wendy when we’re alone. ‘I’m not asking you to take sides. I’d just like to know why you look uncomfortable whenever I mention …’
‘Céline knew,’ says Wendy.
‘Well there’s a surprise.She’s obviously in denial …’
‘About Nigel,’ Wendy blurts out.
‘Sorry?’
‘Mike told her about Nigel and … Miss Mile High, but made her swear not to breathe a word.’
‘What? You mean she knew all the time and didn’t tell me!’
‘Yes.’
