“God, that’s delicious,” said Rachel, savouring the drink all the more because it was free.
“So how was your day?” Anna asked, taking everything in around her as she spoke.
“Good, actually. I’ve broken the back of what I need to sort out before I go. How about you?”
“Pretty mundane today. No meetings anywhere exciting so it’s just as well I had this to look forward to. What did Adam think about the promotion?”
“He’s really pleased for me.” A tiny stretch of the truth but Rachel was in a tricky position because Adam and Anna never saw eye to eye on anything, which left Rachel defending each of them to the other.
As predicted, Anna raised an eyebrow. “Really, he’s pleased?”
Rachel nodded with a look of what she hoped was total honesty on her face.
“Well, good. I must admit I didn’t think he’d be keen on you being away for so long.”
“He wasn’t keen on that part but he knows it’s a great opportunity for me. And I pointed out that being apart for a while, having the chance to miss each other might make things more exciting when I get back.”
“Are things okay between you? You’re not looking forward to missing him because you want to get away?”
“It’s not been great lately,” admitted Rachel. “He’s been working all hours because of this huge deal he’s been putting together.”
It was one thing trying not to give Anna more reasons not to like Adam but she did confide in her friend and as any good friend would, Anna seemed to know the difference.
“It’s made me realise that things aren’t how they used to be. We take each other for granted but I suppose that happens in every relationship.”
“I don’t know Rach, I haven’t got to that part with anyone yet. I know you love Adam but I think he takesyoufor granted. He’s obsessed with his job and makes no time for you. Everything’s on his terms. Though having said that, you took some serious persuasion to drop work for tonight.”
“Very funny. That’s what I said tohimin a roundabout way, that he lets work rule everything. He said it wouldn't always be like this, you know, he might do something different with work at some point. He thinks he has to carry on while the going’s good because younger people are coming up all the time who could take his job.”
“That’s probably true. It’s pretty cut-throat.”
Anna was right. You did have to be on top of your game in the City. Even though Rachel hadn’t known Adam when he was starting out, he’d told her enough stories for her to know how hard he’d worked to get to where he was now.
“But it’s made no difference to him that I’m leaving in a few days, he hasn’t suggested doing anything together before I go. Whenever I mention that I’ll miss him he just says it won’t be that bad because he’s going to come out to Iceland for a weekend.”
“Well, perhaps he will,” Anna said, but Rachel knew she was just saying that to make her feel better, not because she thought he would.
“Perhaps,” she said, rolling her eyes and laughing. “This cocktail’s going down well.”
“A good cocktail is a good start. We probably can work with them, there’s definite potential.”
She smiled at the barman who had discreetly placed some beautifully presented nibbles next to them.
“He fancies you,” said Rachel, raising her eyebrows. “He gave you The Look.”
“He did not! Anyway, even if he did it would be unprofessional.”
“He’s not your client. Go for it.”
“I’m not picking up the barman. Anyway, it’s easy for you to talk, you’ve got Adam, even if he is a workaholic. His hair alone is worth the grief.”
Rachel laughed. Anna always went for men based on their hair or whether they had a beard. Given what she did for a living, it was amazing that she hadn’t met someone completely perfect for her. While most people were relying on internet dating, Anna did at least have chance to meet men in real life, the old-fashioned way and Rachel thought all her talk about hair and beards was just a cover for the fact that she was holding out for someone perfect and actually looks had nothing to do with it.
“It’s not all about the hair. It’s about the suit, you know that,” Rachel joked.
“Sorry, yes. I forgot. The problem is you still need the right man with the right hair to make a suit look good. Although the last bloke I went out with, the one that I met at the champagne bar launch, had amazing hair and a very expensive suit but he turned out to be a complete dick.”
“Very hard to tell without actually getting to know them.”
