She felt uncomfortable under everyone’s gaze as she considered her reply to his patronising question, “I don’t really do diets, Lenny, but I don’t really do big breakfasts either.”
“Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day,” chipped in Sara as Lenny nodded furiously to agree.
“I do usually eat something, and I understand the importance of it as a source of energy to start the day, but I’m unsure if sugar packed cereal or carbohydrate jammed doughy waffles or pancakes loaded with syrup is the best was to start the day, any more than fried bacon or cholesterol packed eggs are,” she said as Sandra returned.
“Sorry, Tasha, I left your tea in the kitchen.” She placed a cup down. “Do you want me to do you something else?”
Tasha shook her head, feeling a little embarrassed that the other woman had overheard her comments and mistaken her ‘fuck off’to those criticising her breakfast choices with some kind of ingratitude at the huge effort Sandra had gone to. “No thanks, Sandra, and thank you for the tea.”
“If you’re sure. Mike has some sugar puffs at home or coco pops,” she said making Tasha laugh.
“No, thank you, I really am fine,” she assured her.
“Okay, but let me know what you do like and I will add it to the shopping list,” she said and left again.
“You should eat something,” said Jim now.
She could feel her agitation increasing and wondered if she could tell them all to fuck off for real and eat their own breakfast and leave her alone, but decided against it.
Relief washed over her when Juan spoke and wasn’t offering his opinion on breakfast in general or specifically what she should eat. “Tash, what are you wearing for the concert next week?”
“I’d almost forgotten about it. When is it and who are we going to see? Jim had no details.” She laughed with a glance in Lizzie’s direction who apparently had details in abundance.
“Oh my God, Tasha, it is going to be awesome. Next Monday and we will be seeing Peroxide Pirates,” gasped Lizzie.
“No way,” cried Tasha to Jim’s amusement.
“Way,” cried Philip who clapped excitedly.
“Oh my, do you think Andy will get his top off and are we close enough to touch?” asked Tasha making Lizzie giggle and Juan and Philip both clap now.
“He is seriously hot,” Philip now interspersed fanning himself with clapping.
Tasha laughed loudly then noticed that Lenny was frowning at them all. He really did seem uptight. How had Sara gone from Jim, who was controlling, but fun, to Mr Conservative, fun is not allowed Lenny? She giggled out loud as she thought maybe he was a really good shag or had a huge dick. They stared at her but she ignored it, instead returning her attention to Philip,
“He is indeed seriously hot, Phil, but unfortunately for you the lovely Andy Steele swings my way not yours.”
Juan laughed at Philip’s pout and staked his own claim to the singer of the band. “Maybe he just hides it well, or I could turn him.”
Tasha almost howled at Juan’s optimism and thought Lenny was at actual risk of a stroke as she saw the look of shock and horror on his face and decided she might as well add to his obvious agony.
“Ah, Juan, the problem with that plan is that I am actually the one that turns even the gayest of men straight.” Lenny appeared to choke on his coffee. “So says Jim,” she added and sipped her tea as all eyes turned to Jim.
“What can I say?” Jim shrugged as if that explained everything clearly. “My girl is hot.”
Tasha grinned down the table towards Jim, for his understated initial response, but also for his reference to her being his and being hot.
“Who is Andy?” Lenny seemed confused as much as anything now.
“Andy Steele is the singer with Peroxide Pirates and he is gorgeous,” replied Lizzie, “isn’t he, Tasha?”
“Oh yes.” Grinned Tasha and he was.
“So fickle, Natasha. I’m sure Christian Bale will be devastated that you have replaced him so quickly,” said Jim, staring at her.
“Ah well, James that is where you are wrong because I have not replaced Christian. I have a varied palette. In fact, I was thinking more of a Natasha sandwich with me between Andy and Christian.”
The air and space between them thickened, as if there was nobody else there. Suddenly, Tasha’s confidence began to wane and her banter disappeared as she wondered if Jim was angry with her, jealous of her celebrity crushes. His expressionless face, devoid of any emotion gave nothing of his feelings or thoughts away.
