‘Great, he’d love to.’
We haven’t even known them a week, and they’re showering us with friendship and favours. I decide to organise a sitter anyway. I can unmake plans with Darcy for Joe to stay over. I can’t take advantage of her hospitality again.
Seven
We park across the road from the restaurant and I wait by the car as Jared heads over to the machine to get a ticket. There’s a lull in the rain, thank goodness, but a breeze is gusting off the ocean. I pull my jacket closer around me as my silk dress ripples across my body in deep green waves. Guilt pricks at me, at the extravagance and expense of my new outfit. Jared told me I should buy something new to wear and I have to admit it’s nice to feel glamorous for once. My shopping spree was worth it for the confidence boost. I promise myself that after tonight, I’ll be frugal for the rest of the year.
Jared returns and sticks the ticket on the inside of the car windscreen. I take his arm and totter beside him, unsteady in towering silver heels that give me the height I’ve always craved. In the end, we couldn’t manage to get a babysitter so I dropped Joe at Darcy and Mike’s earlier, giving the boys a few hours to play before bed.
‘That dress really suits you,’ Jared says. ‘You look good, Louisa.’
‘Thanks. You too.’ I smile up at him and he dips his head to kiss me. The scent of his aftershave makes me catch my breath. He grins and quickens his pace. I can’t keep up in such impractical footwear.
‘Slow down!’ I cry. ‘These shoes…’
‘Shall I carry you?’ He bends as if to scoop me up, and I hit him with my handbag, laughing at his childish behaviour.
We dodge the lingering puddles and come to an undignified stop at the restaurant. It’s one of those places with staff on the door. They nod as we go in, ignoring our stifled laughter. We tell the greeter that we’re meeting the Lanes and her snooty expression shifts into a smile.
‘Follow me, please.’
We do as she says, and she leads us to the bar where Darcy and Mike are seated on stools, chatting to a man in a dark suit.
‘This is the guy I was telling you about,’ Mike says to the man. Then he turns to us and smiles. ‘Louisa, Jared, good to see you again.’
Darcy and Mike get to their feet. Darcy stunning in a pale blue lace dress, her hair piled into an artfully created up-do. We say hello in a flurry of perfumed, alcoholic kisses and handshakes.
‘This is Saul Parnell,’ Mike says, introducing the man in the suit. ‘He owns Shore View plus several other restaurants along the south coast. I’ve been talking to him about you, Jared.’
‘Good to meet you,’ Jared says. ‘Your place looks amazing. That view…’
We all turn to gaze at the harbour view, the boats illuminated by the restaurant deck lighting, the distant on-shore lights twinkling in the darkness, the moon casting a silvery wash over the water.
‘You should see it during the day,’ Saul says. ‘Come for lunch, Jared. We’ll have a chat about advertising. See Molly on the front desk. She’ll schedule you in.’
‘Great,’ Jared says. ‘I look forward to it.’
Saul says goodbye and leaves us to our evening. My husband’s face is flushed with excitement. Doors are opening for him without him having to do a thing.
I catch Darcy’s eye. She’s seen me observing my husband. She’s noted his transparent excitement, too. I flush.
She winks and grabs my arm. ‘You must try one of the margaritas. They’re delicious. I’ll order you one.’
‘Sounds tempting,’ I reply with an apologetic dip of my head, ‘but I’m driving tonight.’
‘Absolutely not! Leave your car and grab a cab later.’
I turn to Jared and he nods with a smile. ‘The parking ticket’s good until eight tomorrow morning,’ he says. ‘I’ll cycle down in the morning. Pick it up before work.’
‘Nonsense,’ says Darcy. ‘Leave your car keys with reception and I’ll make sure one of the staff drops it back.’
‘I didn’t know they did that here,’ Jared replies.
‘They don’t, but they will for us.’ She winks at Jared and turns to the barman. ‘Four margaritas.’
I catch Jared’s eye and he shrugs. It’s like we’ve stepped into a parallel universe. One where nothing is impossible.
Several rounds later, we’re shown over to a table by the window. I go to sit next to Jared, but Darcy puts her hand on my arm. ‘Come sit by me. Give the boys a chance talk.’
