‘It’s not very nice boasting when you are good either,’ said Fliss with a hiccough-sob as if she was going to start crying again. ‘I can’t help it. It’s the first time I’ve ever been one of the best and Jason’s so cocky and he’s naturally good. He reminds me of my brothers; it all comes so easily to him and then he treats me like they do. I had a rubbish call with my mum at the weekend and I just couldn’t brush it off this morning. So I had to get back at him.’
‘I don’t think Jason is quite as confident as he makes out, you know. I think this is a long way out of his comfort zone.’
‘What makes you say that?’
‘I recognise the signs.’ Hannah’s rueful grimace made Fliss frown.
‘You? But you seem so together, even when you’re having a disaster. It doesn’t seem to bother you. I didn’t think you cared that much. In fact, I wondered why you were here… unless it’s for Conor.’
‘Pardon?’
‘He’s the big attraction. Especially in the cooking world. You know Adrienne married into the family. Bridget was a famous cook and Adrienne married the son and established this place.’
Hannah nodded.
‘Well, lots of wannabe chefs think that snagging Conor is the fast track to success. You must have heard of Polly Daventree – she’s got a TV cookery show and three cookery books coming out...’ Her mouth turned down. ‘Shame he’s too old. That would have made the family sit up and take notice.’
Hannah gulped, glad that Fliss was looking down and couldn’t see the expression on her face. Conor and Fliss! It didn’t bear thinking about. She was far too young for him, and what a shame that she thought that he was the answer to her problems. No wonder Conor had turned his back on the celebrity chef circuit.
‘And I’ve just made a complete idiot of myself.’ Her chin wobbled. ‘I don’t know what to do now. Maybe I should just leave. I don’t think I can face everyone again.’
‘Don’t be silly,’ said Hannah, taking her hand and giving it a squeeze. ‘I think you and Jason have got a lot more in common than you think. That night in the pub when you played darts, you had a great time. Why don’t you talk to him, explain how you feel? He might surprise you.’
‘Huh, you think?’ Fliss bristled again.
‘What’s the worst that can happen?’
‘He can take the piss out of me even more.’
‘Well then, you can go home,’ said Hannah. It was a bit callous but sometimes being brutal with people and honest about a situation worked best.
Fliss laughed. ‘You sound like one of my brothers. Sorry. I’m much nicer than this normally. I was trying to be confident; instead I just came over as a stuck-up cow. Oh God, I’ve got to go back and face everyone, haven’t I?’
‘Yes, but if it’s any consolation, Meredith told Jason off. He was rude and unkind.’
‘I’m not going to say I deserve it because he was really winding me up. Doesn’t he realise how lucky he is to be here? And his boss is paying for him. I had to beg Daddy to let me come. He only coughed up because it was cheaper than me going to uni. Not that I’d have got in anyway after I loused up my A levels last summer. I couldn’t bear being compared to the boys; it was easier to completely mess up so they couldn’t make comparisons.’
Hannah gaped at her. ‘You did badly on purpose?’ The idea was complete anathema to her.
Fliss shrugged. ‘I couldn’t bear it if I tried hard and my results weren’t as good as the boys’.’ She put on a deep, exasperated voice, ‘“Oh, Felicity, a B. Perhaps if you’d worked harder, like Johnny, you might have got an A.” It’s always the same. I don’t try at anything these days except cooking – none of the boys can cook to save their lives.’ Her eyes glinted with a flash of fierce determination.
‘I can understand that. And so will everyone else.’ Hannah spoke briskly; she didn’t really do emotional scenes and high drama. ‘We’ll be breaking for lunch soon – why don’t you come back in then?’
Fliss shook her head. ‘I’m not sure I can.’
Just then, the door opened and Jason walked in, blinking a bit too self-consciously as he took in the feminine décor. ‘Nice in here. Not sure about the settee.’
Fliss immediately rolled her eyes. ‘It’s a chaise longue.’
‘Fancy sofa,’ he quipped immediately and Fliss managed a smile.
‘You say potato…’
‘No I say potater,’ he said, emphasising his cockney accent. ‘I’m sorry, mate.’
‘S’OK.’ She lifted her shoulders and looked down at her feet.
Hannah wished she were anywhere else but here between these awkward not-quite-adolescents but as she went to stand, Fliss touched her wrist. Feeling obliged to stay, she sighed inwardly.
