“She’s not told me anything yet either,” Harriet said, not sounding especially happy.
“There was no point telling it twice when we were all going to be together.” I cast my eye over the menu although I already knew what I’d be having.
“I hope it’s worth telling,” Erin sat back and folded her arms.
“It is.” I was pretty sure of that.
“Well?” Harriet hadn’t even looked at what she was having for breakfast yet.
“Should we not order first?”
“No.”
“Absolutely not.”
“I can’t even think about food until I’ve heard this.”
I laughed. “You don’t even know what this is,” I said to Harriet. “I could’ve called you together to tell you I’m joining a nunnery.”
“You could,” said Fallon, “except I wouldn’t believe you. It’s about Carter. So tell. That’s if I don’t know already.”
The expression on her face told me she did know something. “When did you see him?”
“Yesterday.”
“What did he say?” Carter had also spoke more to Fallon than the other two, mainly because they were in the same job and came across each other more.
“I’ll tell you after you’ve told us.” She sat back, mimicking Erin’s pose.
The waiter made an appearance at that time to take drinks and food orders. I opted for a bellini as well as a tea because I needed at least a little alcohol to get through this. Harriet didn’t need the menu because she ordered the same thing as always.
“I saw Carter on Thursday night.” I began, unsure how this was going to go down, because they weren’t getting the full story.
“Finally. I do think you made him suffer for slightly too long.” Erin tapped the table. “What was his excuse?”
“I can’t give you details; it isn’t mine to tell so don’t push. Carter can tell you if he wants.” Or Laurie, but that was less likely. “But he explained why he hadn’t contacted me much or told me he was moving back, and I get it, I’m okay with it.” I still wasn’t exactly happy at the thought of him going through awedding ceremony with Laurie, but I could deal with it. It helped that I actually liked her.
“Okay. I think dragging us here warrants more of an explanation, so go on.” Erin again. “But I’m glad you’re happy. You have that sparkle in your eyes again.”
“Actually, Carter has told me why he went all quiet and he said I could tell Erin and Harriet because he knew you wouldn’t, and he figured you’d need someone to talk to about because it is a bit, you know, on the large size.” Fallon admired her unpolished nails as she spoke.
“Did you see Carter’s penis, Rose?” Harriet looked aghast.
“No, but why are you acting like you’ve never seen one before?” I knew damn well that Harriet’s little miss innocent persona was an act. She hadn’t had much luck with men, but that didn’t mean she hadn’t enjoyed several flings of a variety of lengths, with some rather graphic descriptions of other sorts of lengths too.
“I wasn’t referring to Carter’s penis size, and for the record, I have no idea about the size of Carter’s appendage. I think we need to make that clear right now.” Fallon took the Bloody Mary out of the waiter’s hand like it was the key to eternal life.
“Good.” I shot her a glare. “I’m glad that’s been clarified. When did you speak to Carter?”
“Yesterday. We were stuck in a lift for about ten minutes, and he explained himself then.” She added extra tabasco to her drink. “If I don’t tell them, Rose, they’re not going to let me live long enough to drink this mother fucker.”
I groaned. I didn’t really want them to know about Carter’s wedding because there would be all kind of judgement and questions – mainly around my sanity.
“Fine.” I nodded thanks to the waiter for my drink and sipped at it. I had a free day after this, up until we went to Silversmiths’ opening at six this evening. I was planning to buy a new outfitand then sit on the sofa and read for the day. Total self-care Saturday after the breakfast interrogation.
“Carter’s getting married.” Fallon watched the grenade explode.
“What?” Erin leaned forward, almost knocking over her drink.
