‘Thanks.’ It was a small thing, but at least she had her stuff back even if she didn’t have anywhere to put it.
‘When would you like to collect it?’
So much for whenever suits you. ‘I can come straight over now.’ She glanced up at her father’s front door. There didn’t seem to be any sign of Tarty Tara leaving; her tarty Toyota was still parked outside. Maybe she’d be gone by the time she got back.
‘Great. I’m off to Waitrose, so please lock up properly and push your key through the door.’
‘Will do. Bye.’ It was some consolation that she hadn’t broken his heart with her phone call this morning – although had he been a little more upset, it might have helped her feel a bit more valued than she currently did.
Regan was dashing about Jarvis’s kitchen when Cleo FaceTimed. Her phone was on the counter so she hit the answer button.
‘Regan? You there?’
Regan picked the phone up from the counter. ‘Hiya, I’m just … I’m …’ She realised she couldn’t drop all her woes on Cleo – she’d only fret. And what could she do when she was thousands of miles away? ‘How are you?’ asked Regan, trying to sound bright and carefree.
‘I’m okay.’
‘You at another party?’ It looked like a hotel lobby in the background.
‘Yeah. I’ve stepped out for a bit of a break.’ Cleo looked like she was stifling a deep sigh, or a yawn.
‘What time is it there?’ Regan opened and closed kitchen drawers.
‘Nearly three in the morning.’ She looked tired. ‘I could go but I loathe being in a hotel room alone. I think I might be a bit homesick.’
‘Blimey. Ow!’ Regan was only half listening. ‘Bloody skewers.’ Regan sucked her finger.
‘Are you cooking?’
‘Don’t look so surprised!’ said Regan. ‘No, I’m not cooking, but I could be. I’m looking for a corkscrew.’
‘What else are you doing? Remind me what normal people do.’
‘It’s riveting. I’m having a mug of soup.’ Regan held up the mug as evidence whilst she moved around the flat picking things up and stashing them in a black bag.
‘Soup?’ Cleo chuckled.
‘Yeah. It’s hot and nutritious.’And I don’t know when I’ll get to eat again, she added in her head. Regan squinted at the screen. ‘Is that Elon Musk behind you?’
‘Oh, I expect so. I’m so bored with celebrities. Oscar wheels me around like a kid in a supermarket trolley introducing me to anyone who might get us more social media coverage. They’re like playing cards. On one sideis a pretty picture: bright, colourful and engaging; but on the other there’s very little at all and what’s there is bland and functional.’
‘Wow, that’s deep,’ said Regan, pausing with a gin-scented candle in her hand. It was hers, but did she really need it?
‘Unlike most celebrities,’ quipped Cleo.
Regan watched a parade of beautiful people mill about behind Cleo.That could have been my life, she thought dreamily. ‘Oh, Cleo, you’re so lucky.’ Cleo opened her mouth to protest. ‘No, please don’t get me wrong; I know you’ve worked so hard for this, but to get the chance at a life like yours is millions to one and I’m so happy for you. Tell me how fabulous it is?’ She knew she was staring at her like a child anticipating a bedtime story.
Cleo took a moment to answer. Her smile seemed forced. ‘Yes, of course it’s fabulous. Let me show you the view.’
Regan made a series of awestruck noises as Cleo panned around the sights of Hong Kong harbour. It was quieter outside and Cleo found somewhere to perch.
‘Okay, well you’d better get back to the party,’ said Regan. ‘Have a brilliant time.’ Still holding her soup, Regan moved out of the kitchen and into the hallway – she didn’t have long before Jarvis returned and she wanted to avoid a face-to-face confrontation if she could.
‘Hang on!’ Cleo’s voice sounded a bit desperate and it drew Regan’s attention. Cleo was silent for a moment as if trying to think of something to say. ‘How did it go with the plumber?’
Regan shrugged. ‘Fine.’
‘Er … Any difficulties?’ Regan shook her head. ‘All fixed then?’
