Margot nodded, a small frown wrinkling her brow.
‘So, I’ve been released,’ I finished.
‘Released? How curious. You’d think these films would be run like a very tight ship.’
‘Well, it’s my first one, so I’ve no idea. They seem to have plenty of money sloshing around at least – they’ve paid me my full fee for the month.’
‘I should hope so! The very least they can do,’ Margot said, shaking her head. I picked up the wine list and scanned the blackboard for the specials. Not that I really had a clue.
‘What would you recommend on the wine front? Something very cold and very dry. I can never remember which is which – you know how hopeless I am.’
Margot stopped to think, clicking her tongue. ‘Ah. I know it. I have just the thing.’ She leant into the fridge and clanked around with the bottles. ‘A delicious Vernaccia from San Gimignano that I know you will love.’
‘Sounds fab,’ I said, trying to see.
‘Holly sent me a case last month and it is—’ she made a chef’s kiss gesture ‘—beautifully crisp and full-bodied. Very drinkable. Too drinkable.’ She poured us both a glass, as I hopped onto one of the bar stools.
‘Lovely, thank you. I spoke to Holly this morning actually. She was trying to convince me to go out and visit.’
‘How wonderful!’ Margot said. ‘I can’t remember the last time you had a holiday.’
‘Neither can I. Too much time out of the city makes me edgy. The last time I went on arelaxinggirly weekend, I only got two hours’ sleep and came back exhausted. I struggle to sleep at the best of times, so without my weighted blanket, the fan and the blackout blinds, there was no hope of me dropping off.’
Margot raised a concerned eyebrow. ‘It’s a terrible thing not to sleep. Have you tried lavender oil?’
‘Everything. Pillow spray, pressure point roller, meditation, waves, whale noises – the lot! I even pop a couple of melatonin if I’ve had a particularly stressful day.’
‘That’s quite the night-time routine,’ Margot said in alarm.
‘It is. And you know what it’s like when you go abroad. On top of no sleep there’ll be no soya milk, no parks to run around, no London legs to get my steps in, hour after hour of doing nothing, I’ll be bored out of my brain.’
‘What do you mean? There are parks to run around wherever you go. And my Paris legs would beat your London version anytime. You can adapt your routine for a few weeks. Go and see Holly! It will do you good.’
‘I’m thinking about it but I’m not sure la dolce vita is for me. In fact, it’s the total opposite of me,’ I said, taking a sip of wine and revelling in the flavours. ‘Apart from the food of course, which I know I’d love. Speaking of which…’
‘Yes! Let’s get you some food. What would you like?’
‘The usual, please, Margot. A small charcuterie – heavy on the cornichons – with a tomato salad and a side of asparagus.’ I didn’t need a menu.
‘Bien,’ Margot said, writing it all down. ‘Let me speak with Chef.’ She walked through to the kitchen, leaving me to contemplate my wine. There was something very moreish in the Tuscan soil – that was for sure. A lightness of touch, and a rich, heady taste. It was a delicate balance, but this wine absolutely had it.
‘Alors!’ Margot came swinging back through the doors, my order now being prepared. ‘You have some time to fill, but living la dolce vita isn’t the only way to fill it. Italy is a wonderful place and there is plenty to do – the architecture, the food, the fashion – maybe even too much to fit into a few weeks.’ She picked up her wine and gave it a good sniff, closing her eyes to fully immerse herself in the aroma. Margot had a point. Italy was a very long to-do list, waiting to be done. It might be just the distraction I needed to while away the time, while everyone else was at work. I could throw myself into the Italian lifestyle and culture, take in a few walking tours and visit the sights.
‘Hmm, Holly said the same. It does sound full on – which I would like,’ I said. ‘Can’t be resting on my laurels, Margot. I am the queen of endeavour, after all.’
‘Like the proverbial ’amster on a wheel, Abi, running so fast. But what is it that you’re chasing?’ Margot fixed me with her kind brown eyes, her pixie curls pinned back, one hand on her hip. ‘Or is it that you’re running away?’
‘Not at all,’ I said, defensively. ‘I just like to stay busy; you know me.’
‘I do. But this sounds like a chance to be a different kind of busy. You haven’t seen Holly since Christmas – and the pair of you used to be joined at the hip. Go and meet her new man and see where she lives. Visit Florence and Siena, and the vineyards and all the beautiful art galleries. You will have a fantastic time together.’
‘I know. I’m just worried I’ll be overlooked if I’m not ready to jump on the tube at a moment’s notice. That the dream gig will come along while I’m lazing around in Italy.’ The smell of asparagus, frying in butter, wafted through from the kitchen and my stomach rumbled.
‘Taking a break isn’t lazing around, Abi,’ Margot said, swirling her wine. ‘It is just as important to rest as it is to work. And rest doesn’t need to be lazy, burning in the sun. You can rest however you like. In whatever way refreshes you.’
‘I suppose,’ I said, thinking about my love of Botticelli and the sculpture of David I’d only ever seen in photos. The country where Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and countless other amazing artists had been born, and produced their best work. The art alone was worth going for. And then there was the food. But most of all, I wanted to see Holly. I needed one of our four-hour chats, putting the world to rights, and to reconnect. We’d always been like twins, almost telepathic in our communication. I’d sense if she was about to phone, or had news, or something was wrong, and she was the same with me. But recently this had started to change. I’d noticed she’d cut her hair into a crop and posted a photo on Instagram at the weekend. We wouldneverhave made such a crucial life-changing decision in the past, without discussing it from all angles.
‘And if the gig of a lifetime comes along, then you simply… fly back,’ Margot said, making a lot of sense. ‘It’s only a few hours on the plane. You’re not going to the other side of the world.’
