Jon now works out of Dubai flying planes for the big commercial airline out there. Not only is our proximity an issue, but he also spends an awful lot of time flying in the opposite direction of London. Apart from our last disastrous weekend together, we’d also had a fractious week spent in our hometown of Johannesburg. Let’s just say staying with our respective families—each in our own childhood bedrooms, and alone—wasn’t exactly advantageous for our relationship. Or sex life.
‘He says he’ll visit.’ I’m surprised to hear how insincere the statement sounds. He said he would but it was clearly said under duress. ‘Around the time of the christening.’ Fin’s best friend, Ivy, and her movie star husband, Dylan Duffy—yes, that Dylan Duffy—graciously invited Jon and me to their baby’s christening. In their own chapel. On the grounds of their castle. With a movie star guest list. I can’t help but cynically recall how Jon’s attitude to his visit had changed when I mentioned baby Alisdair’s special day. ‘I thought I’d book us a weekend in Scotland afterwards.’ Somewhere really rural. Somewhere without the usual city distractions. Somewhere we’d be forced to talk.
‘Really?’ She turns to look over her shoulder, the mug she’s pulled from the cupboard paused mid-air. ‘He’s travelling here?’ She’s not the only one surprised. ‘When?’
‘I’m not sure exactly. In a couple of weeks, I think.’ I duck down, slipping my feet into my running shoes.
‘Well, that’ll be great. If he arrives before, I’ll stay with Rory, so you’ll have the place to yourselves. But I’ll still get to meet him before, though, right? We could arrange dinner before.’
I shrug noncommittally. I hope she’ll get to meet him because that will mean he’s actuallyhereinstead of more excuses and vague promises. ‘I’m just waiting for exact dates.’ And for him to stop dicking me around. It hasn’t always been like this. We usually get on great, but the past few months have been... a strain.
I’ll admit, the changes I’m sensing in him are worrying. But again, I push it all to the back of my mind.I can’t think of that now.
‘Speaking of dates, are you okay for dinner tonight?’
‘Yeah. Eight, wasn’t it? Do you think Rory will be out of bed by then?’ I glance at the open kitchen doorway, half expecting him to appear. When in the same building, the pair is never apart for very long, though I’m sure he deserves his lie-in after last night’s performance. I almost needed a cigarette myself. ‘You must’ve worn him out.’
‘Ha-ha. Such a comedienne. He’s left already, you know. Gone into the office.’
‘On a Saturday?’
‘Don’t look so shocked. People do work on Saturdays, you know.’
I pull a face because, hell yes, I know. Weekends and evenings and all the hours between. Though my hours are a little better now that I have a touch more seniority.I’m no longer a junior doctor, but I still have so far to go.
‘I take it by that you mean you’re going to your office today, too?’
‘God, is it that obvious?’
‘Not by your state of dress.’ She glances down at her tiny pyjama pants and cream-coloured fluffy socks.
‘It would serve the bitch right if I went in looking like this.’ I infer frombitchshe means her boss, Savannah.
‘What has the wicked witch of Wapping got you in for today?’
‘She doesn’t live in Wapping. It’s Mayfair all the way for her.’
‘Fancy pants,’ I respond.
‘Yeah, so fancy she can’t attend the client meeting I’ve got to take because it’s Pierce’s birthday.’ Pierce is the owner of the events company Fin works for, and Savannah is her manager and Pierce’s current squeeze. ‘We’re not supposed to know they’re doing the dance with no pants on the regular.’
‘Got to make the most of birthdays at his age. After all, I suppose he can’t have too many left.’
‘You’re awful,’ she says, laughing. ‘He’s not that old.’
‘He’s positively ancient. Definitely one for the geriatric ward.’
‘He’s not ready for that yet.’ Not that it stops her from laughing.
‘No but the lifestyle he leads means he soon will be. The man undoubtedly has the onset of gout from the champagne lifestyle he leads, though he’ll most likely die with a stiffy from all the Viagra he takes. It’s no wonder Savannah makes your life hell. She’s just jealous of who you come home to.’
‘I usually come home to an empty flat.’
‘She can probably hear your moans of ecstasy from where she lives.’
‘Again, empty flat,’ she repeats, referring to the hours I keep at work.
‘Ya, but you’ll be moving in with Randy soon enough.’
