Susie was standing on the bow waiting for her with a big welcoming smile.
‘Cass! Lovely to see you! Come aboard. Wait a tick, I’ll give you a hand.’
Cass, who’d spent the journey looking out of the train window, too anxious about what was ahead of her to be able to concentrate on reading her book, instantly began to feel better. She handed over her basket, which, apart from a change of clothes and her overnight things, now held two bottles of Cava and a couple of bags of crisps which declared themselves to have been hand-fried in small batches.
‘Oh, you shouldn’t have!’ said Susie, spotting the Cava. ‘But I’m awfully glad you did. And it’s chilled. What a good guest you are!’
Soon they were sitting in the front of the boat in the evening sunshine, sipping what passed for champagne.
‘This is lovely!’ said Cass. ‘It feels like you’re in the country when you’re in the middle of London.’
‘I love it,’ said Susie. ‘It’s just about affordable and it’s convenient. I’d never be able to afford a flat in London. An actor’s life is very “feast or famine”.’
‘Had you always wanted to act?’ Cass asked as they watched a family of ducks paddle past.
‘Oh yes. Although of course the parents thought it was a dreadful idea and told me I must be mad to even think about it.’ She laughed. ‘So far, nothing has happened to change their opinion, but we only have one life so you have to make the most of it. And who knows what the future will bring? We only have today. So although it’s been quite tough thus far, I don’t regret it.’
‘And you have had some jobs? You were in that detective thing—?’
‘Yes! And the next job may be the one that changes things for me.’ Susie looked at Cass more seriously. ‘I do think it’s better to take a few risks in life even though you may suffer for them, because otherwise you’ll have no exciting memories.’ Then she laughed. ‘Here’s me giving you advice about taking risks! Rosa has told me about what you did after that hurricane in the Caribbean. Amazing! You obviously know all about risk taking!’
‘In some ways, yes, but you’ve made me realise it’s better to have a few regrets about mistakes you’vemade than wonder how things could have been if you’d been braver.’
Susie nodded. ‘There’s nothing like a few chilled bubbles for turning us into philosophers but you’re bang on with that. Good for you!’
‘I haven’t done anything yet!’
‘No, but you might. And if it involves a lovely man, seize the day but use a condom.’
Cass started to giggle. ‘I’m going to embroider that on to a cushion and send it to you.’
‘I’ll hold you to that! Now, I thought we’d eat out here. I’ve got a friend coming to join us. Hope you don’t mind.’
The Cava, blotted up only by some crisps, had gone straight to Cass’s head. ‘Of course not!’
‘But before he comes, and we eat, tell me about this man Rosa says you’re in love with.’
‘So much for Girlfriend Confidentiality,’ said Cass ruefully.
‘She knew I’d be interested and it’s good to talk about these things.’
‘You mean it’s fun for other people to talk about them?’
Susie laughed. ‘True. Now what are you going to wear tomorrow?’
Before Susie’s friend, Bill, arrived for supper, Cass’s choice of outfit (jeans and a stripy top) for the next day had been rejected.
‘You need a dress!’
‘I didn’t bring a dress—’
‘I have dozens of dresses. Your man knows you cando the rough-tough capable-woman stuff, but needs to get a different impression of you. Here, try this on.’
Susie’s wardrobe was crammed behind a curtain, but she knew where everything was. She had found the dress she was looking for and handed it to Cass.
‘It’s summery, knee-length, floral and pretty. Best of all, I won’t want it back. As you see, I have far too many clothes.’
‘But I can’t wear a bra with it,’ said Cass a couple of moments later.
