‘She’s so glamorous, though.’ I drag my fingers through salt-encrusted hair.
‘Yeah, but you’re a natural beauty.’ He winks, and my heart swoops. My husband still has the ability to make me blush. Sod it. Who cares if my clothes are creased and my makeup has melted. Like Jared says – it’s just a barbeque.
Half an hour later, Jared and Mike are out on the decking, firing up the state-of-the-art gas grill. Tyler and Joe are on the kitchen sofas, heads together, glued to Tyler’s iPad. The house is immaculate but there’s no sign of the maid this evening. Darcy’s taking some thinly sliced steaks and salmon out of the fridge.
‘Surf ‘n’ turf,’ she says. ‘I’ll make us up a salad, too.’
‘Sounds great,’ I say. ‘Can I do anything to help?’
‘No, sit, keep me company,’ she says, pointing to a bar stool by the vast black-granite island.
I plonk myself down with my glass of ice-cold beer and watch as she pulls out tub after tub of freshly-prepared salads from the American-style fridge – pasta salad, wild rice salad, green salads and more. She lifts down several glass bowls from a cupboard and spoons out the contents of the tubs. The salads must have all been prepared that day, and I’ll bet it wasn’t Darcy who made them. Not that I’m criticising. If I had the money, I’d love to have my fridge stocked with delicious, healthy food.
I sip my beer and enjoy the buzz. I’m glad we came. This is the perfect end to a lovely day. ‘It’s so nice of you to invite us over this evening,’ I say.
‘Psht.’ Darcy waves away my comment with a smile. ‘I’ve got a feeling we’re going to be great friends. And look,’ – she points outside at Jared and Mike who are chatting away like they’ve known each other forever – ‘our husbands are getting on like a house on fire, and our sons are in heaven.’
‘I can’t believe Joe has found such a good friend already,’ I say.
‘He’s a lovely boy,’ Darcy says. ‘We had great fun during the sleepover the other night. I’ll just take the steaks outside to Mike.’ She picks up the platter. I stand and take it off her.
‘I’ll go.’
‘Thanks,’ she says with a warm smile.
I walk out onto the deck, enjoying the glow of the sinking sun on my face and arms. They stop talking and turn to me. Mike’s wearing a navy striped apron, and he smiles as I hand him the heaped platter of meat and fish.
‘Thanks, Louisa. I think the barby should be hot enough now.’
‘Mike’s been telling me about the office buildings he’s developing in Poole,’ Jared says.
‘Not talking business are you, boys?’ Darcy brings out the covered salads and places them on the table.
‘Just making conversation,’ Mike says. ‘Jared’s in advertising. Maybe he could help us with our latest project?’
‘Sounds good,’ Darcy replies.
‘I’m actually thinking about setting up my own agency,’ Jared says.
My relaxed mood disappears at his words. He shouldn’t be talking about this to other people. Not until we’ve discussed it properly between us.
‘It’s still just an idea,’ I say. ‘Nothing definite.’
Darcy nips back inside and returns with our drinks. I take my beer from her gratefully and gulp down the chilled alcohol. A sudden gust of wind lifts a pile of napkins from the table, scattering them across the deck. I bend down to gather them up.
‘You can recommend Jared to some of your clients,’ Darcy says to Mike. ‘Mike knows everyone who’s anyone. If you’re setting up a new business, Mike can open a lot of doors.’
I dump the napkins back on the table and watch in dismay as my husband’s eyes come alive with the numerous possibilities opening up before him. This is just the green light he needs to go steaming ahead with his plan.
‘Yeah, sure,’ Mike says, picking up the tongs and transferring the steaks onto the grill. ‘I can think of at least a dozen companies who aren’t happy with their current ad campaigns.’ He turns to Jared. ‘Question is – are you any good?’ He smiles at my husband but there’s an edge to it. He’s assessing Jared, waiting for his answer.
I wonder how serious Darcy and Mike are about actually putting Jared in touch with potential clients. Maybe they genuinely do want to help, or perhaps they’re simply making conversation. I guess Darcy’s words could sound like bragging, but I’m betting they really do know the right people. Maybe their contacts could give us the security we need.
Jared reels off a list of accounts he’s successfully pitched for – all prestigious household names. He tells Mike about the awards he’s won, and about the calibre of people who’ll be working for him.
Mike nods, his mouth quirking upwards. Won over by my husband’s enthusiasm and credentials, he claps Jared on the back. ‘We’ll have a meeting. Call me next week.’
Thankfully, no more business is discussed, and we spend the rest of the evening enjoying the perfect food and the perfect sunset. Joe is excitable and funny. Jared is witty and charming. And I am quiet. Happy that my boys are happy, yet unable to quell the bubbling anxiousness in my stomach. Hoping I’ll feel calmer by morning.
