Knowing Me Knowing You

by Mandy Baggot

  ‘What’s happened?’ Hermione asked, bringing Bethan into the kitchen.

  ‘Matthew’s happened.’

  ‘Daddy, Daddy,’ Bethan spoke on cue.

  ‘What d’you mean?’

  ‘He turned up, let himself in to my house, was there when we got back from here. Said he was sorry, said he wanted me back, wanted to try and be a family again,’ Kate explained quickly.

  ‘Oh good God, you’re kidding,’ Hermione exclaimed.

  ‘And Joel just left. I asked him to stay but he said Matthew and I needed to talk, which we didn’t really. Joel was just being nice and staying out of it and he went and told me to call him but he isn’t answering and I just need to, hear his voice,’ Kate said tears forming in her eyes.

  ‘Is it ringing yet?’

  ‘Yes that’s all it does do and then it goes to voicemail and I’ve left at least five messages. I don’t know where he lives Mione.’

  ‘No, but you know where he works,’ she reminded.

  ‘But I can’t go there until lunchtime; I’ve got a stack of work to do this morning. And what with all the confusion with sleeping together I didn’t tell you the other bit of news from the show on Saturday.’

  ‘Go on,’ Hermione urged, handing Bethan a saucepan and wooden spoon to play with.

  ‘The Lady Dragon has somehow found out that Joel’s an escort and is threatening to blow our cover unless I turn down Colin Sykes’ offer to do the solicitor’s exam,’ Kate babbled.

  ‘Oh God.’

  ‘What am I going to do?’ Kate asked.

  ‘My advice would be to sit down and have a cup of peppermint tea before you go anywhere or do anything and put the phone down,’ Hermione ordered.

  ‘I care for him Mione, I care for Joel. Maybe I’m not ready for a relationship but I care for him and I don’t want to lose him yet. Why did Matthew have to do that? I was coping with him being a bastard, I had almost got used to it and now he’s thrown a spanner in the works,’ Kate said, emotion threatening to bubble over.

  ‘I don’t want you wasting another second of thought on Matthew.’

  ‘And the Lady Dragon?’

  ‘I would like five minutes in a room with her. I could always make a voodoo doll! Haven’t made one for a while but the results can be really effective,’ Hermione responded.

  ‘I’m not sure I can do the whole solicitor thing anyway. Look at me I’m a wreck and if I’m honest I’m finding the work totally boring. Maybe I should just leave Randall’s and take up something else that doesn’t numb my brain.’

  ‘Any ideas?’

  ‘I don’t know, burlesque? It seemed to go down well at the contest.’

  ‘Dance, dance,’ Bethan said, twirling around with Mr Crisps.

  ‘Can-I-play-with-jigsaw?’ Cyrus spoke, tapping his feet to the syllables of the words.

  ‘Of-course-you-can-Cyrus, in-the-bottom-drawer,’ Hermione spoke, copying the pattern in her steps.

  ‘Joel taught him to do that,’ Kate said her eyes misting over.

  ‘Yes, he’s a marvel; Cyrus’ mother just broke down when he greeted her with ‘Hello-Mummy-I’ve-had-fun’,’

  ‘And he’s funny and clever and gorgeous and kind and...’

  ‘Perhaps he’s just giving you a bit of space; I mean the weekend must have been an intense experience, all that time together doing the show and whatever happened in the romance lodge. Perhaps he’s just giving you a wide berth to think about things.’

  ‘We talked through things though, we agreed we would be honest with each other and he said he would give me time, time not space. I don’t want space,’ Kate explained.

  ‘Maybe that’s what you need to tell him.’

  ‘And I will but he isn’t answering the phone. Shit, is that the time? I’ve got to get to work; I don’t want to give the Lady Dragon another excuse to give me a black mark. Bye, bye Bethan, have fun with Auntie Mione, Mummy will see you later,’ Kate spoke, kissing Bethan on the cheek and standing up.

  ‘Joel, Joel,’ Bethan said excitedly, turning around and around in circles.

  When she got into the car park she dragged a brush through her hair. She hadn’t had the time or energy to put make-up on even though she knew she looked terrible. She hadn’t slept properly the night before; all she had done was dream, about Matthew, about Joel, about Larry Rawlins and the stupid Love Dove. She had a five thousand pound cheque in her handbag and she hadn’t even given that a second thought.

  She took the lift to her floor and when she got into the Probate room she couldn’t see her desk for the bouquets of flowers all over it.

  ‘Morning Kate, I take it the romance lodge worked its magic then! I’ve never seen so many flowers,’ Lynn remarked as she put down the contents of Kate’s filing tray and turned to greet her.

  ‘Oh, they’re lovely aren’t they?’ Kate remarked, looking at a bunch of roses and taking out the card.

  ‘You don’t need to look to see who they’re from do you? Dur!’ Lynn said.

  Kate read the card.

  I’ll never give up until we’re a family again. All my love Matthew x

  ‘Apparently I do. Could you get rid of them please Lynn, every bouquet. Get one of the runners to arrange to distribute them at the hospital,’ Kate said, starting to push the flowers to one side.

  ‘Oh, OK, I take it they’re not from Joel,’ Lynn stated.

  ‘No, they’re not from Joel, they’re from Matthew and I don’t want to look at them a second longer,’ Kate stated, switching on her computer.

  ‘Well, that’s funny,’ Lynn remarked as she began to gather up the flowers.

  ‘Funny?’

  ‘Yes, because Joel’s in the Lady Dragon’s office. He’s been in there for the last ten minutes and I just presumed he’d brought in the flowers, seeing as he was here,’ Lynn informed.

  ‘What?’ Kate exclaimed.

  ‘Joel’s in Miranda’s office,’ Lynn repeated.

  ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Dur! Of course I’m sure, he said “Hello Lynn” and then he went into her office and closed the door.’

  ‘Well what’s he doing?’

  ‘I don’t know, the door’s closed. Why don’t you go in?’

  ‘No, I can’t. I mean, I don’t know what they’re doing in there.’

  ‘He looked hot though. He’s got jeans on and a t-shirt, a white one. She’ll like that, she had a thing about one of the workmen that did the room alterations. Wore a white t-shirt every day he did, covered in sweat by midday but somehow it just made him look even hotter,’ Lynn informed.

  ‘I’ve got to go in there; I can’t sit here and...’ Kate began, standing up from her chair.

  The door to Miranda’s office opened and Joel walked into the Probate department. He smiled at Kate and came over to her desk.

  ‘Hi,’ he greeted.

  ‘Hello,’ Kate responded.

  ‘I’ll just do this filing then,’ Lynn remarked, leaving rapidly.

  ‘I’ve being trying to ring you, you didn’t answer,’ Kate stated.

  ‘No, that’s because my mobile’s in the romance lodge. They’re sending it by courier; I should have it this afternoon. I did try and call you about nine last night but it was constantly engaged,’ Joel spoke.

  ‘I was trying to call you, every ten minutes or so,’ Kate admitted with a blush.

  ‘How did it go with Matthew? I saw the flowers.’

  ‘He left, just after you.’

  ‘Did you manage to sort anything out?’

  ‘He said he wanted to give our marriage another chance, he said he wanted to be a proper dad to Bethan. He apologised for everything he’d done.’

  ‘I see. Well, that’s good.’

  ‘He didn’t mean it. He saw us on TV; he knows about the prize - he saw pound signs.’

  ‘Are you sure he wasn’t being sincere?’

  ‘I didn’t care either way,’ Kate replied.

  ‘I don’t want to complicate things for
you,’ Joel told her.

  ‘You haven’t. I want to see you; I want to carry on seeing you, like we were - just to see - what happens,’ Kate spoke quietly.

  ‘I’m glad,’ Joel replied.

  ‘So do you want to tell me why you were here seeing Miranda?’

  ‘I went to see her to ensure our survival in the competition. She won’t be telling anyone I was an escort,’ Joel replied with a wink.

  ‘What did you say to her?’

  ‘I can’t possibly say but if you want to do that solicitor’s exam the way is clear, and she’ll support you every step,’ Joel informed her.

  ‘I don’t understand,’ Kate said.

  ‘I’d better go or I’ll be late for sixteen stone Geoffrey. See you,’ Joel replied and he leant forward and kissed her cheek.

  Kate felt her face redden but she caught hold of his hand and gave it a squeeze before he could leave her.

  ‘See you,’ Kate spoke, enjoying touching him again.

  ‘Bye,’ Joel replied with a smile.

  No sooner had he left then Miranda’s office door opened and she emerged. Kate braced herself for another pile of work coming her way but Miranda looked uneasy. Her eyes looked watery and her trademark swagger of superiority was fundamentally diminished. She flicked her hair back and then rushed like a scared rabbit towards the ladies toilets.

  Twenty Five

  ‘Oh my God!’ Kate exclaimed out loud at her desk the following morning.

  For the first time in a long time she had caught the postman before she left for Hermione’s. She had taken the letters to work and as Miranda was out of the office for the morning she took the chance to open them before she looked at her files. A large brown envelope had a familiar look to it and she ripped that open first.

  ‘What’s the matter?’ Lynn asked, hurrying over to Kate’s desk, as she recognised the panic in her voice.

  ‘The Knowing Me Knowing You contest just got even more bizarre. You won’t believe what they want us to do now,’ Kate remarked, holding the letter out to Lynn.

  Lynn took the letter and began to read it. Her eyes started to bulge after reading a few sentences.

  ‘I told you it was bizarre,’ Kate said, letting Lynn continue reading.

  ‘Create a wedding dress to wear for a wedding fashion catwalk, decorating a wedding cake in two minutes and writing your own personal vows to act out in the final “Showdown of Sincerity”. Oh my good God,’ Lynn commented.

  ‘How can I do any of that? It also says the men have to create an outfit for themselves as well. What does “create” mean? Could that involve buying?’ Kate wanted to know.

  ‘I think they want you to make it.’

  ‘I know that but I could say I used to be a seamstress or something and just get a not too elaborate little number from BHS.’

  ‘Think they might notice.’

  ‘Great, so now I have to turn into a Blue Peter presenter and whip up a wedding frock and a morning suit in less than two weeks.’

  ‘Don’t you have your old dress you could alter and spruce up?’ Lynn suggested.

  ‘Oh, I couldn’t wear that,’ Kate said immediately.

  ‘Might save a bit of time.’

  ‘No,’ Kate said firmly.

  ‘Well if I was you I wouldn’t have Joel in a morning suit, I would have him in swimming trunks - very short swimming trunks. In fact why not forget about clothes altogether,’ Lynn told her.

  ‘Lynn!’

  ‘Sorry but dur! Covering it up is a complete waste.’

  ‘Sorry to interrupt ladies but Kate, could I have a word?’

  Neither of them had noticed Colin Sykes entering the room.

  ‘Yes, of course,’ Kate agreed.

  ‘I’ll go and get started on that dictation,’ Lynn replied, backing away from the desk and putting the Knowing Me Knowing You letter down.

  ‘Thanks Lynn.’

  Colin waited until Lynn had disappeared before speaking.

  ‘I just wanted to see if you had made any decision about the Legal Practice Course,’ he began.

  ‘Well, no, not yet. I haven’t had a chance to really think about it properly - I mean it sounds like it would be a good opportunity but I need to make sure it’s the right thing for me,’ Kate answered hurriedly, feeling uncomfortable.

  ‘Of course and I expect this competition has somewhat taken over your life hasn’t it? It’s a bit of a roller coaster of an experience isn’t it? Very enjoyable though, I’m looking forward to the final,’ Colin remarked with a smile.

  ‘Well, I think the final is really going to be something special,’ Kate said.

  ‘I like your chap, Joel; he seems to have a good head on his shoulders,’ Colin said.

  ‘Yes he does,’ Kate agreed.

  ‘And how are things with Miranda? I had thought that perhaps my offer to you might have ruffled a few of her feathers,’ Colin spoke.

  ‘I don’t think so, feathers look pretty intact,’ Kate replied quickly.

  ‘Very diplomatically put. Right, well I won’t hold you up. I see you have my client Dean on your desk so I’ll let you get started,’ Colin said, preparing to leave.

  ‘I will let you know as soon as I know - about the exam,’ Kate added before he departed.

  ‘I know you will,’ Colin replied with a smile.

  Kate let out a sigh as he went and picked up the letter again. She couldn’t make a wedding dress but she knew a woman who could.

  She picked up the phone and dialled. Her call went to voicemail.

  ‘Joel it’s me. Could you meet me at Hermione’s tonight, about six? Prepare to be measured.’

  She put the phone down and turned back to her computer.

  ‘Sorry to be back again but Frances on reception just gave these to me,’ Lynn spoke, handing Kate a large bunch of pink gerberas.

  ‘The hospital again please Lynn. In fact more aptly, take them to the hospice,’ Kate ordered, passing them back to her secretary.

  ‘Er, sorry, I took the liberty of reading the card - just to make sure because you freaked out yesterday. They’re not from Matthew, they’re from Joel,’ Lynn told her.

  ‘In that case could you get me a vase please?’ Kate asked, smiling at the bouquet.

  The morning had passed quickly and as she hadn’t had Miranda breathing down her neck and passing her more files than she could handle, it had been very productive.

  She had just stopped what she was doing and sunk her teeth into a large ham and salad sandwich when her phone rang.

  Kate cursed but picked it up.

  ‘Hello, Kate Baxter,’ she answered.

  ‘Oh Kate, it’s Ruby on reception, there’s a gentleman down here for you.’

  ‘Is it Joel?’

  ‘No, it’s a Mr Bruce Carmichael.’

  ‘Oh, does he look like a potential new client?’

  ‘I’m not sure but he asked for you by name.’

  ‘Oh OK, I’ll be down.’

  Kate put down her sandwich and picked up her executive folder and a pen. She checked her appearance in the glass door and hurried down the stairs.

  ‘Mr Carmichael?’ Kate greeted the suited individual who was sat in reception, his head bowed.

  The person raised their head to greet her with a smile. It was Matthew.

  ‘Kate, don’t be angry. I knew, if I said it was me you wouldn’t see me, so I lied,’ Matthew spoke, getting to his feet.

  ‘I don’t want to see you. No matter what you’re calling yourself,’ Kate said, turning around and heading back towards the stairs.

  ‘Please Kate, I mean it when I say I’m sorry. I would do anything to have another chance. I know I’ve messed up, with you and with Bethan. I was a fool, I felt claustrophobic and I know that was stupid but...’

  ‘You said all this on Sunday, I don’t need to hear it again especially not here,’ Kate exclaimed, looking at Ruby and fearing her business was going to be all over Randall’s by tea time.

  ‘I
think you do. I don’t think you believe I mean it.’

  ‘I don’t care if you mean it, it’s too late,’ Kate responded.

  ‘You’ve moved on with this Joel?’

  ‘No, I’ve moved on with Bethan. Joel and I are - Joel and I are...’

  Ruby on reception was visibly pricking her ears up, waiting for the juicy bit of gossip to fall from Kate’s lips.

  ‘Are what?’

  ‘It’s none of your business.’

  The door to reception swung open and Miranda entered dressed in a fur trimmed jacket, a boutique bag in each hand.

  ‘Oh hello, it’s Matthew isn’t it? Yes, I remember you from the last office Christmas party - you were a wonderful dancer,’ Miranda remarked.

  ‘Hello,’ Matthew greeted immediately smiling at the sight of an attractive blonde.

  ‘We haven’t seen you around here for a while, what brings you back? Business?’ Miranda asked.

  ‘Pleasure actually,’ Matthew answered, looking at Kate.

  ‘Excuse me,’ Kate spoke and she left the two of them in reception and hurried up the stairs.

  ‘Hello, hello, come in, come in. Joel, get your clothes off, I’m ready for your inside leg,’ Hermione exclaimed as she opened the door to Kate and Joel that evening.

  ‘What’s going on? What’s all this about measuring and stuff?’ Joel asked as he stepped inside.

  ‘You haven’t told him? Oh dear, I’ll let you explain while I get the tape, the material and the pins,’ Hermione spoke.

  ‘Hello-Joel,’ Cyrus greeted, tapping his foot in time.

  ‘Hello-Cyrus, how-are-you?’ Joel asked, tapping back.

  ‘Fine-thank-you,’ Cyrus replied.

  ‘Come on,’ Kate said, ushering Joel forwards.

  ‘Hang on; you don’t get away that easily. What’s going on? What’s all this about measurements?’ Joel asked.

  ‘You don’t really want to know do you?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘It’s mad.’

  ‘I still need to know.’

  ‘Hermione has wedding dress material.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘I told you you wouldn’t want to know,’ Kate replied, rushing into the kitchen and scooping up Bethan who was playing with the plastic tea set.