‘Yes, I emailed, and no, I didn’t specifically name Ashleigh’ –she’s not as famous outside of our house as she is in it; this she kept to herself – ‘but yes, all taken care of.’
‘Smashing. I was wondering’ – Remy rushed to the front of the building and felt her pulse increase as her mother continued – ‘do you think if we asked, they would give us that lovely table near the window, the one we had year before last at Easter, do you remember? It was nice, quite private, and if we get that one then no one is going to disturb Ashleigh.’
Remy pulled the phone from her ear and stared at it, trying and failing to think of a single reason that someone might want to disturb Ashleigh mid beef and Yorkshire pud, as if she were Madonna, who most likelywouldcourt attention in the pub on a rainy Saturday.
‘I could ask.’
‘You’re a love. And you’re picking us up, is that right? Only your dad was asking earlier about the plan for his birthday. You know he likes to know the details.’
‘Well, Icanpick you up, but it means Midge will have to take the van and put the two kids in the front and I’ll have to take Soph with me in the car, which leaves two spaces for you and Dad.Or’ – she lifted her tone to show her next suggestion was her preference, knowing Midge would find the whole arrangement a right faff when it really didn’t need to be – ‘you and Dad can drive or get Ashleigh to pick you up on the way through, and thenwecan all go in one car and go straight there. Plus, that would mean Midge doesn’t have to park the van in that tiny car park, and of course, Ashleigh’s car has plenty of space, but it’s up to you.’ She paused and waited for her mother’s decision, hoping she had done enough to persuade her on the best logistics to make the day work.
‘Smashing, so youcanpick Dad and me up. That sounds great. What time? We want to get there a bit early, before your sister arrives.’
‘To get the fanfaring trumpeters in place ...’ Remy whispered through gritted teeth.
‘What was that?’
‘Nothing, Mum.’ She rubbed her forehead. ‘Yep, I’ll pick you up. About one?’
‘One on the dot. We’ll be ready! And we must make sure Bertie brushes his hair.’
‘God, yes, we absolutely must!’
Her mother’s silence meant she had heard and understood her sarcasm.
Remy stood with the phone in her hand, wondering how such a short interaction could leave her feeling so frazzled. And that was before her working day had even started.
‘Anyway, got to rush. Mum, but see you tonight. It starts at seven.’
‘I know. I put a note on the fridge.’
‘Great.’ She ran towards the front steps.
‘Looking forward to it! I’m in a bit of a dither over what to wear to a fashion show!’
‘Youcanwearanythingyoulike.’ She took a sharp breath. ‘GottagoMum, seeyoulater!’
‘Always rushing ...’ She heard her mother’s lament as she ended the call and pulled the pass on her neck until she could place it on the automated system and gain entry. The security guard smiled and waved.
Reaching her work station in the nick of time, she shoved her bag under the desk and placed the headset on her head, readying her computer and preparing for her first call.
Graham appeared from nowhere, as if magicked from the cheap carpet like a supervising genie.
‘The skin of your teeth, Remy Hughes, the skin of your teeth!’
‘No Tyler today?’ She looked over the courtesy board and realised that the place had a rare and welcome serenity. There was no shouting, no performance, no fake and deafening laugh ... She hoped he wasn’t poorly, but my goodness, it felt like a treat!
The prospect of not leaving the place with her head confuzzled and the lingering memory of his roar filled with her joy. It was going to be a good day! Her headset beeped and she took the call with a certain jollity to her tone.
‘Good morning. Thank you for calling Castle Care. You are through to Remy. How can I help you today?’
The timer on her screen glowed green and, yet again, in this groundhog day of a job, her shift had begun.
Ashleigh
Ashleigh had taken her time in the shower; wearing the fatigue of a poor night’s sleep meant she was starting the day on the back foot.Her mood and movements were both a little sluggish. Wrapped now in a thick, white towel, she stared at her line-free face in the mirror. It had certainly paid off, getting tweakments before the first sign of wrinkles, and at forty, she carried the waxy, smooth complexion she’d been blessed with since her twenties. A fact that usually made her feel good, but not today. Today, like last night, she was distracted, trying to mentally filter the hurt and understand how Guy could have taken such steps, could have engaged their accountant, and could be thinking of doing something that would change the whole fabric of their business, their friendship, and had done so behind her back.
As hurt as she was angry, she knew she’d have to wait before confronting him, as becoming a father top-trumped anything work related, even this. There was also some small element of relief, the fact that she couldn’t call him immediately and therefore didn’t have to face it head on. It gave her time to process it. How she was going to break it to Archie without him going crazy was also a concern. It had never been an issue, her and her husband sharing a best friend, but this had the power to fracture their trust, even damage their future. She dressed and joined him downstairs.
