‘Minty, no,’ I groan. ‘Why didn’t you mention this yesterday!’
There’s a beat of silence on the phone. ‘Well… you were a bit down on my mates, to be honest.’
‘With good reason.’
‘Maybe but, look, this one I promise you, he’s absolutely perfect.’
‘I doubt it. What’s the dress code? Anoraks, in time for the meal deal?’
‘Not this one, sis. This guy is class. He’s done university, the whole thing.’
‘Minty!’ I sigh.
‘Just this once. If I get it wrong this time, seriously, never again.’
Now that is an offer almost too good to let slip. ‘You mean that?’
‘Yeah. Absolutely.’
I look at my crowded desk, it would be lovely to get Minty and his matchmaking off my back, but he couldn’t have picked a worse moment. ‘I can’t do it tonight. It’s been mad here. I’m exhausted.’ I stare at the rows of unchecked digital files. ‘And I haven’t even finished yet.’
‘Has to be tonight,’ Minty returns, enthusiastically. ‘He’s only in town for one night. You can make time for him. Just this once?’ There’s the muffled sound of the phone being grabbed and passed over.
‘Hi, Clara…’
It’s Tim, my brother’s best mate, his partner in crime. Tim had been on the scene the whole time I was growing up. He’s kind of Minty’s support network. Becoming a guardian must have been scary for my nineteen-year-old brother, but at least he had Tim there when he needed a buffer.
‘His name’s Robin,’ Tim says eagerly. ‘And Minty’s right, lovely lad and great name. Don’t you think that’s a lovely name? Robin.’
I sink down in my chair. Why is my love life so public? ‘Hi, Tim, the name is fine. It’s just–’
‘It’s like Christmas,’ Tim pipes up.
‘Thanks for the clarity, but–’
The phone is passed again. Minty’s back. ‘I told him all about you, showed him photos.’
‘Which photos?’ Tim asks, his voice sounding slightly distant.
‘The one at the water park.’
‘In my bikini!’ I shriek.
‘Nah. The other one. When you’re in the…’
‘Kaftan thing,’ Tim adds helpfully.
‘Exactly,’ Minty says. ‘You’re my sis, sis. No bikinis till you’re married.’
‘Minty.’ My voice carries a warning note.
‘Anyway,’ my brother continues, ‘Robin is super keen to meet my little sis!’
Oh dear. I massage my weary temples. The screen in front of me blurs. I could do with a break, but not my brother’s matchmaking. Although if this seriously was the last time…
‘I’m not a child, Minty. I can find my own relationships.’ There’s now absolute silence from the other end of the line. ‘I can!’
‘Sure,’ they both bluster together.
