CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Thetop button of my jeans is wrestling to break loose and I’m not going to lie, I would love to be sat around in my pants, recovering from all that fondue, right now. Sadly those kind of shenanigans are probs not acceptable in the posh business lounge at Zurich Airport. Most people in here are wearing expensive suits or head-to-toe cashmere. At least I havethoughts of date number four with Ralph to occupy my mind. The cold shower did not do the trick and every time I close my eyes, all I can see is his smouldering stare and the face of a sculpted man god. Ralph made me feelseenin a way I haven’t in a long time. I’d love a repeat performance but I also feel happy to leave it there. There’s definitely something to be said for not over-thinking dates like I used to.
Violet’s thrilled to be back in the land of reception and has been glued to her phone ever since it was returned to her. Mostly she’s been sending love poems to Chip – ‘three days is the longest we haven’t spoken!’ – while I’ve been less excited to get my phone back. Other than the essential post-date message to Mila, I’m in no rush to dive back into my app-checking habit. This break from my phone has felt good. It’s been revolutionary to have a thought and then continue to have some more thoughts without taking a social media break every ten seconds. And though I hate to admit it, having time to think about my past might actually have made me feel a bit better?
‘OH NO HE FUCKING DIDN’T,’ Violet’s hands are clenched around her iPad.
I set my third coffee of the day down (I’ve missed my old pal caffeine!) and inch Violet’s coffee further away from her in case of any erratic movements.
‘Look at this,’ she hands me the tablet, a picture of Chip standing rather close to a bouncy-haired lady. It doesn’t lookgreat.
‘Do you know her?’
‘She’s always lurking around at events. I’m going to absolutely kill him.’
‘Hang on, you don’t know what’s happened yet. It’s not like they’re kissing.’
‘His hand is on the small of her back in this picture,’ she says, aggressively scrolling through. ‘The stupid arse. I’ve only been away for a few days!’ Suddenly fury turns into sadness and her face rumples, tears spilling down her cheeks. I actually feel sorry for her.Whatever Chip is up to, it doesn’t look good. Stuffing a tissue in Violet’s hand, I steer her towards the lounge bar. Sometimes even coffee won’t cut it.
Violet has fallen asleep after one glass of champagne and, after the weekend’s sort-of detox I’m feeling a bit woozy myself. Our flight’s been delayed and as Violet snoozes, I take the chance to catch up on my own stuff with no distractions.
Plugging my phone in to charge, I wait for my emails to update. Arnie’s emailed to see how the website’s doing, which is really sweet of him. So far no one has got in touch via the contacts page but I’m getting quite a few page visits, and my personal Instagram has started to grow too. It feels like a good start but I know there’s work to be done, and I remind myself not to get sucked into spending all my spare time on Violet’s job from now on. I have a sideline hustle to tend to. . . me!
From:Becky With The Clipboard
Subject:DENMARK
Babes, Hi!
Just to say we have finally got some dates together to interview for that knitwear shoot I was telling you about. You know, hot Danish brand Jump want a photographer to shoot their social media campaign for the UK launch?
We love you and we think you’d be great. Are you free to interview next Thursday, 3pm? If it was up to me you’d be a shoe-in but we’ve got to do all the boring box-ticking stuff first. Just a short meeting with me and my boss. Don’t worry, she’s not that scary. Well, she’s like 99 per cent petrifying but you might catch her on a semi-human day. What do you think?
Kisses, Becks
PsWe’re now looking at three days and the shoot will be in Copenhagen.
ARGH!!!! An actual interview for a real life job? In DENMARK? Naturally, being the serene swan that I am, I feel very cool and calm about the whole thing. Fingers shaking, I scroll back to see that the email was sent on Friday, the day we flew out here, which means that the interview is going to be THIS COMING THURSDAY. I tap back a nervy reply to say I’ll be there and try to block out The Fear. I haven’t had an interview in forever. I’ll be totally fine. I’lldefinitelynail it. Right?!
From:Mum
Subject:Mother Knows Best
Hi Jazzy
I hope Switzerland was fun and you saw lots of beautiful alpine trees, I’m quite jealous! This is just a quick one, Tiger’s nephew Charlie has suggested a couple of potential weekends for you to meet up – I’ve copied them onto the end of this email. He’s studying in Edinburgh and would love to show you around the city, doesn’t that sound lovely? Call me when you get home so we can discuss!
Mum x
Gawd. I feel bad messaging mum to say I can’t make the suggested dates (mostly because I am free for one of the weekends) but it’s a little white lie and I’m not going all the way to Edinburgh to meet a man who does not sound like my cup of tea, even if it would be another date closer to date number seven. I’d rather meet a man on my terms, that’s all. Nearly through my inbox, my finger wavers on one final email.
From:[emailprotected]
Subject:Hello
Hi Jas
I’ve been wanting to get in touch for so long and have had no clue how best to go about it. I’m so sorry that this is out of the blue, and will no doubt bring back painful memories for you, but I just wanted to say that I miss you and I think about you every day.
