‘Why not?’ I asked, turning my palms up to the ceiling. ‘What was wrong with him?’ I never did get it. Bill reminded me of a young Hugh Grant in his bumbling, gentle way. The same floppy hair and bemused expression although that’s where the similarity ended. At six foot five he was much taller and twice the width. Bill didn’t play in the back row for nothing. For some strange reason he adored Kate and never bothered to hide it, to her total embarrassment.
‘He was my boss for one thing,’ she said, tapping the wooden slat beside her with her fingernail. ‘And you know he’s not my type.’
‘You mean he doesn’t work in the City and wear pinstripes,’ I said cynically.
Her fingernail was still tapping. ‘Don’t knock it. It might not matter to you, but it does to me.’
True. We were totally the wrong way round. I had the job with the smart clothes and restaurant lifestyle and while I enjoyed it, it wasn’t essential to my happiness in the same way it seemed to be to Kate.
When she’d stuck at Gainsboro’s Plumbing Supplies for more than the usual three months, Mum thought perhaps she’d found her niche. Aside from Bill’s devotion, Kate acquired a fan club among the plumbers thanks to her designer’s eye and constant suggestions for tiles, fittings and sanitaryware.
‘I want someone who’s going places. Not some family-run business where the pinnacle of success is a contract supplying gold-plated taps to footballers in Chelsea Harbour.’ Her finger tapped in time with her staccato sentences. ‘Someone with ambition. Style. Money.’ Tap, tap. ‘Someone who doesn’t buy the same pair of trousers... in three different colours... from the same shop because’ tap ‘... they’re comfy.’ Her voice rose as she finished.
‘Not Bill, then.’ I said sadly. Shame, he was lovely. Each to their own and all that. I’d be seeing him again in a couple of weeks’ time. Daniel had recruited him to play cricket in the forthcoming Old Codgers match. Hang on! I remembered now.
‘I forgot to ask you,’ I said, shifting to lie on my stomach. ‘Did Bill get in touch when he was in Oz a month or so ago? He asked me for your number?’
‘Yes . . . er . . . no.’
I raised my eyebrows and twisted my head round to look up at her on the top shelf of the sauna. ‘Which?’
‘He did get in touch...’ she faltered and lay down abruptly.
‘And?’ I pushed, intrigued. I couldn’t see her face anymore. Was she deliberately avoiding looking at me?
‘We . . . there wasn’t time to see him.’
I couldn’t help pressing to find out more. She’d always taken Bill’s adoration for granted. ‘Of course, rugby players are gods out there. Bet there were women falling all over him.’
‘He was training very hard most of the time,’ snapped Kate, sitting up again and slipping off the bench. ‘That’s why.’ She reached for the door. ‘I’m going for a shower.’
There was a brief blast of cooler air before the door was slammed.
Poor Kate. I loved her to bits but despite all her front I wasn’t sure she really knew what she wanted. The whole Australia thing still seemed out of character. She wasn’t exactly raving about living there.
* * *
‘That feels so much better,’ I said, rolling my head and stretching my neck as we stepped out onto the street. ‘I can’t believe I’ve never taken Isabelle up on the offer before.’
‘Great idea. Thanks for taking me.’ Kate paused on the pavement. ‘Sorry I’ve been so grouchy. I... just feel...’ Her voice trailed off. ‘Must be change of climate or... something.’
Did I imagine the momentary look of alarm that skittered in her eyes? ‘Don’t worry. Sure you don’t want a quick drink before you meet Caro?’
‘No, there are a few bits I need. .. want to get in. .. Boots.’ She screwed up her face thoughtfully.
Didn’t she have enough lotions and potions? Her toilet bags in the bathroom at the wedding had looked close to bursting.
‘Are you going to get everything in your suitcase?’ I asked sceptically.
‘What?’
‘Hello, earth to Kate.’
She gave me a tight smile. ‘’Course I will. Mum can sit on the case for me.’
‘I’d better make a move,’ I said, not wanting to but she clearly wasn’t going to tell me what was on her mind. ‘I have to face Emily some time. I’m still miffed with her.’
‘Olivia, stand your ground.’ Kate took hold of both of my shoulders and shook them gently. ‘Don’t you dare go apologising to that little madam. She’s the one in the wrong.’
