‘Are they all taking selfies?’
‘Yes. And slow-walking.’
‘Infuriating.’
We both giggle and I melt into the warmth of her laughter – like a heavy blanket, it calms me. I can’t tell her. I can’t tell heryet.
‘How was it?’ Heather asks.
‘What?’
‘Your cousin’s party?’
‘Oh, right. Yes. Proper good. The wine pairings were spot-on – you should really do that for a living.’
‘That’s funny,’ she replies, without actually laughing. ‘It feels a bit weird not working.’
‘Things going well with Cristian?’
‘Oh, yes. Yes. Absolutely.’
Three confirmations. Not good.
‘I hope he’s showing you a nice time.’
‘Yes,’ she says quickly. ‘It’s basically been lots of lovely little romantic dinners on the balcony. The ivy is so thick and gorgeous right now.’
‘Romantic dinners are good,’ I say, treading carefully.
She perks up a bit. ‘Oh, you wouldn’t believe. A few nights ago we actually wentoutto dinner too. A trattoria, really, but the best courgette flower I’ve ever eaten.’
‘Courgette flower?’
‘Yes, stuffed with fresh cheese and honey. Battered as light as tempura.’
‘Tempura?’
‘Japanese method. Oh, really, Birdy, it’s never any fun sharing foodie stuff with you.’
‘Sorry,’ I say, knowing I’m hamming it up somewhat. The truth is I’m utterly intrigued by food, but equally intimidated by it. A childhood offix-it-yourselfdinners will do that to you.
There is a pause, and Heather does a strategic direction change. ‘Anyway, enough about me. How are you doing? Is staying with your cousin okay? The dinner party sounded fun?’
‘I wanted to ask you a question actually,’ I begin, really wanting to tell her all about Russell and the hotel, and posh, drunk Bill and Anis, and fabulous Irene.
‘Shoot.’
‘If a person was keen to learn more about wine, but really quickly – what would you say is the best way?’
‘Oooh … you’ve got the bug! Finally,’ she says, sounding genuinely thrilled.
I sit down on the edge of the bed, flicking through theNewbiesbook, willing Heather to give me a straight answer. I look down at my nails, bitten to the quick, and vow to try and grow them while I’m here. That is an achievable goal. I will go back to London with lovely long nails, and ten pounds lighter from all the walking up and down the hill to the house. Even if I do lose my best friend.
‘Yes, I know I didn’t show a lot of interest before, but I did kind of enjoy it the other night, and I thought I might learn some more.’
‘Well, you have to drink and compare is the first thing,’ she says, yawning lazily.
‘Drink and compare?’
