Season's Meetings

by Amy Dunne

  Her spirits rose when Kimmy bounded into the room. She looked around, spotted Catherine, and rushed over. She leapt up on Catherine’s lap and covered her face in doggy kisses. It meant so much that she’d come straight over to Catherine and ignored Holly. Again, it was immature and petty, but it made her feel better.

  “Could you put it down?” Amanda said coldly.

  Catherine looked over Kimmy’s head and saw Amanda bunched near the end of the sofa. Her expression was difficult to read, but from the unattractively scrunched-up face, Catherine determined Amanda wasn’t a fan of dogs.

  “Her name’s Kimmy and she’s my dog,” Catherine said. She ruffled the grey fur affectionately.

  “I’m highly allergic to dogs,” Amanda said in a nasally tone. She shivered dramatically, covered her chest with her arms, and began to hiss loud breaths.

  “Come here, Kimmy,” Holly said. She clicked her fingers. “Come and meet Sky.”

  “I love dogs,” Sky said in a velvety voice.

  Of course she does! Catherine held on to Kimmy, but after a lot of squirming, she had to let go. She watched with dismay as Kimmy went to Holly. Sky actually got down onto her knees to fuss Kimmy, and when she stood, her shirt hitched, revealing a toned stomach.

  “Excuse me,” Catherine said. She left the room with her glass. She hovered in the hallway outside the kitchen. She could hear the clattering of pans and Florence’s chattering. After finishing the wine, she entered the kitchen.

  “What are you doing in here?” Beth asked.

  “I’ve come for a refill.” Catherine held up her empty glass as proof. Common sense told her to drink some water, so she poured another glass of wine.

  “So, what do you think of Amanda?” Beth asked. She stirred a steaming saucepan on the stove.

  “She’s allergic to dogs.”

  “Oh, well there are tablets for that,” Beth said dismissively.

  “She’s got bright red hair,” Catherine said.

  “You like redheads. They’re your type. I thought you’d be happy.”

  “Happy?” Catherine asked in disbelief. She was astounded by Beth’s faulty judgment. “Just because Paula was ginger doesn’t mean red-headed women are my type. Amanda’s isn’t even natural.”

  “The first course is about ready,” Beth said cheerily. “Please ask everyone to take their places.”

  Catherine went to storm from the room, but a wave of vertigo assaulted her senses, making her grab the counter and wait for it to pass. She returned to the living room and gave the announcement in a slightly slurry tone. She also shot Sky a dirty look, but as she was too busy looking at Holly, it was wasted.

  What kind of a name was Sky anyway? It was a stupid name. She doubted it was her Christian name—more likely an attempt at quirkiness, by naming herself after an inanimate object.

  Holly and Sky. It sounded like a hippy folk group. What did Holly see in Sky? Apart from her sexy body, her youth, her outgoing personality, her affinity of piercings and probably love of tattoos, too.

  A hell of a lot more than Catherine could offer.

  The thought was so sobering, she drank more wine.

  *

  Catherine was well on her way to being drunk but didn’t care. She sat opposite Amanda, and as rude as it was, the leering looks and Amanda’s overall appearance ruined Catherine’s appetite. Beth sat next to Catherine and aimed disapproving looks and jabs to her ribs, both of which Catherine ignored.

  Holly sat between Amanda and Sky. Florence sat at the head of the table next to Katie. She was unashamedly gawping at Amanda in the innocent way children can do. Her eyes were wide, as if studying something completely alien. Katie tried to encourage Florence to eat her soup, but she sat transfixed. Catherine hadn’t seen her blink in a while. Her mouth hung open and her hand limply held the small spoon.

  “Florence, eat your soup, please,” Beth said. She looked uncomfortable at Florence’s behaviour.

  “Mummy Beth, why she looks so funny?” Florence asked with a deep-set frown.

  Catherine nearly choked on her wine while trying to stifle her laugh. From the mouth of babes!

  “What did she say?” Amanda asked, directing the question at Beth. She mustn’t have heard what Florence said, or she was an excellent actress who was hell-bent on making Beth squirm.

  “She said you look so sunny,” Beth said, clearly flustered. “I think she means your disposition.”

  Sunny my ass! Catherine thought to herself. If anything, you’ve had too much of the fake sun.

  “Aw. Aren’t you a sweetie-pie? I could eat you all up,” Amanda said in a condescending way, waving her claw like fingers at Florence.

  Florence’s eyes bulged. Her bottom lip stuck out and began to wobble.

  “Florence, come and help me clean up.” Beth hastily scraped her chair backward. Florence, on the verge of crying, ran from the room.

  “Cute kid,” Amanda said, seemingly oblivious to the terror she’d caused.

  “Do you have any children, Amanda?” Holly asked.

  “God, no. I’m not giving up this figure for anything.” Amanda chortled her loud atrocious laugh again.

  “Do you have any pets?” Holly asked, persevering for a reason Catherine couldn’t fathom.

  “I’m allergic to most animals, so no. Although I suppose in your case I might make an exception, Cat.” Amanda turned the limelight onto Catherine. “I have it on good authority that I’m excellent with pussies.” Her laugh filled the stunned silence.

  Catherine covered her mouth with a napkin, trying to mask her retch and swallow down her nausea. This woman was vulgar and terrifying. The only small mercy was Florence hadn’t been in the room to be subjected to the comment. For the umpteenth time, Catherine questioned what the hell Beth had been thinking. She risked a glance at Holly, noting she looked equally appalled, as she pushed her half-filled soup bowl away from her. The rest of the meal was torturously slow, but at least Amanda refrained from making any further inappropriate comments. Katie excused herself to keep an eye on Florence, who for some unknown reason wouldn’t step back inside the room.

  Holly and Sky continued to giggle and talk in whispered voices. It struck at the core of Catherine. She wanted to valiantly demand that Sky back off and then kiss Holly in front of everyone. She’d claim her as her own. Screw what Beth, Katie, or anyone else thought. The only thing prohibiting her from doing exactly that was her cowardice. Even copious amounts of wine didn’t seem to provide enough Dutch courage.

  “Beth, the meal was divine, darling. How about Catherine and I clear up?” Amanda asked.

  Beth shook her head. “No, you’re guests.”

  “Nonsense. It’ll be our pleasure, won’t it, Catherine?”Amanda asked, grinning manically.

  “Whatever,” Catherine said. If it meant she didn’t have to watch Holly and Sky canoodling, she’d do it.

  Once inside the kitchen, it turned out Amanda had no desire to help clear anything up.

  “I don’t want to risk breaking one of my nails. You don’t mind emptying the dishes and putting them in the dishwasher do you, baby?”

  Catherine didn’t bother replying. She scraped the plates and rinsed them, while Amanda watched from her seat at the kitchen table like Lady Muck.

  “I like a woman who isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty,” Amanda said.

  Catherine could feel her temper rising. She was fed up with Amanda’s comments. All interest in making Holly jealous had lost its appeal. She wanted to clear the kitchen and go to bed. “Seeing as I’m doing all the frigging work, you might as well go and be with the others.”

  “And miss watching you bending and stretching. Not a chance.”

  Catherine shoved the cutlery into the plastic tray and turned to face Amanda. The time had come to be honest and put an end to this absurd pairing. “Amanda, you seem nice.”

  “If by nice, you mean gorgeous, I know. But thank you anyway.”

  Catherine was almost speechless a
t the gall of the woman. She was seriously deluded. “I’m sorry, but I’m not looking for a relationship at the moment.”

  Amanda sauntered over to her. “Poor baby. Beth told me all about what happened with your ex.”

  “It’s got nothing to do with that,” Catherine said. Anger settled in the pit of her stomach. Beth and she were going to have a big conversation about respect.

  “Shush, baby,” Amanda said as she closed the distance. “You have to let yourself love and be loved again. You’re cute, and I can see in your eyes that you want me. You and I are going to have some fun.”

  Catherine stumbled backward, her backside meeting with the wooden counter, effectively cornering her. She held her hands up to ward Amanda off. “I’m not interested in having fun with you. Ever.”

  “You’re scared of getting hurt again,” Amanda said, her tone infuriatingly sympathetic. She interlocked her fingers with Catherine’s, her strength surprising and the tips of her nails clawing into the back of Catherine’s hands. “I’ll fix you, baby.”

  “You really aren’t listening to what I’m—”

  Catherine was cut off as Amanda’s mouth assaulted hers. Shocked, it took a few seconds to fully register what was happening. Amanda’s breath was sickly sweet, and her tongue felt invasively foreign as it stuck in her mouth. Forcing her face away and tearing her hands out of Amanda’s vice grip, Catherine pushed Amanda away. She gulped down fresh air, trying to cleanse herself.

  A smashing sound made them turn in unison.

  Holly stood in the doorway and shard remains of her wine glass were scattered on the floor. Her gaze bored into Catherine. Harrowed hurt flashed across her face.

  “We didn’t realise we had company,” Amanda said, her shrill laugh filling the silence.

  “Holly—” Catherine started toward her.

  Holly turned and fled without saying a word.

  “You’re not going anywhere, bab—”

  “Move,” Catherine said. She shoved past Amanda’s body and rushed to the door.

  “Hey! Who’s going to clean up this glass?” Amanda asked.

  Catherine raced down the corridor and bumped into Beth.

  “What did you break?” Beth asked.

  “Nothing.” Catherine tried to get around Beth, but failed.

  “I heard something smash. It wasn’t the decanter, was it? It’s an heirloom.”

  Catherine heard a door slam from somewhere in the house. “Holly dropped her glass. Move, Beth.”

  Frowning, Beth finally stood aside. Catherine rushed past her into the living room. Sky was helping Florence to teach Kimmy to sit and give a paw.

  “Where’s Holly?” Catherine asked. Her panic was spiralling out of control.

  “She’s sick. Katie’s taken her upstairs,” Sky said in a brusque tone. She looked at Catherine strangely, as if she knew what had transpired in the kitchen.

  Catherine ran up the stairs, taking two at a time. She knocked on Holly’s door, wanting to burst inside, but knowing it would only make the situation worse. Getting no response, she knocked again, this time louder. The door swung open.

  “Catherine?” Katie said, sticking her head out. She blocked the doorway with her body. “Are you okay?”

  Catherine tried to peak into the room but couldn’t see Holly. She wet her lips. “I…wanted to check on Holly.”

  “She’s not feeling well.”

  “Can I talk to her?”

  Katie smiled weakly. “That’s kind of you, but she’s in a bit of a mess. I’m going to stay with her. Hopefully, after a good night’s sleep she’ll be okay. I’m praying it isn’t the food, otherwise we’re all going to get it.”

  Catherine rubbed her face. “Is there anything I can do?”

  “Afraid not,” Katie said. She studied Catherine. “How are you feeling? You look a little green around the gills yourself.”

  “Actually, I’m not feeling too great. I think I’m going to lie down.”

  Katie nodded sympathetically and took half a step back. “Shit. I said the meat smelled funky.”

  “Can you let Beth know for me?”

  “Yeah, no problem. Feel better, Catherine.”

  Catherine turned and stumbled up the hallway to her room. What had she done? She’d ruined everything. She’d hurt Holly and this time it was irreparable.

  “Shit,” she whispered. She cupped her mouth with her hands. “What am I going to do?”

  She tried to think up a plan of action. She needed to speak to Holly and explain, but it was impossible with Katie guarding her. Her only choice was to wait it out, and as soon as Katie left, which she’d have to do at some point, Catherine would sneak into Holly’s room and beg her to listen.

  She piled up the pillows on top of one another and leaned against them, propping her torso up. She would wait it out and then explain everything to Holly and apologise. She’d make everything right. They could tell Beth and Katie the truth if that’s what Holly wanted. This madness would stop and things would go back to being fine.

  Holly couldn’t genuinely think she was interested in the monstrosity that was Amanda, could she? It was ludicrous, so absurd it was almost funny. She hoped they might laugh about it one day.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Catherine woke, and pain flared in her neck. She wore the previous evening’s clothes and lay on top of the duvet. She glanced at the bedside clock and did a double take. It was after one—in the afternoon.

  “Shit!” She rushed to get up, but the urge to be violently sick nearly became more than an urge. Her head was killing her and her mouth tasted like crap. She didn’t have time for the hangover from hell. Not today.

  Taking a slower approach, she made her way to Holly’s room. It was unlikely Holly would be in there at this time of day, but it was the best place to start. Catherine knocked timidly and waited. No response. She knocked again, and having wasted enough time already, ventured inside.

  The room stood empty, the bed neatly made.

  “I knew it,” she said in frustration. She wasn’t sure how she was going to convince Holly to speak to her alone. Maybe she’d want to talk? It wasn’t likely, but a little bit of hope went a long way.

  The house was eerily quiet. Normally, Florence or Kimmy would have appeared in noisy greeting. Not today. What the hell was going on? She found Beth in the living room and recognised the sulky expression straight away.

  “You finally decided to come and face me, then?” Beth asked.

  “Where’s everyone?” Catherine chose not to reply to Beth’s loaded question. She winced at the stabbing pain behind her right eye.

  “Katie and Florence have taken Kimmy out for a long walk.”

  Catherine perched on the arm of the sofa. “Where’s Holly?”

  “Well, let me see,” Beth said, glancing at her watch and frowning in fake concentration. “I’d say she’s probably an hour or so away from arriving home.”

  “Home?” Catherine’s voice raised several octaves. “What do you mean home?”

  Beth sat back in the chair. “Home, as in London.”

  Catherine hurried over to the window and looked outside. Holly’s car was gone. Turning back to Beth, she tried to mask her hysteria. “When? Why?”

  “A little after six this morning. Apparently, there’s a problem at the bakery. Which is total bullshit. She wouldn’t say anything else, though. Do you know what’s going on with her?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Since you both arrived here she’s been acting strangely. Has she mentioned anything to you?” Beth asked. Catherine shook her head. “Katie’s worried sick about her. I had to insist she take Florence and Kimmy for a walk to try to take her mind off being so upset.”

  Catherine sat on the sofa. She felt numb.

  “Don’t worry. Katie’s going to drive you home on the second of January,” Beth said. Her annoyance was palpable. “Holly’s the least selfish person I know. It doesn’t make sense she’d just up and leave.
Especially when she knows we’ve got the Hogmanay party in two days’ time. I was relying on her baking skills. I’ll doubt I’ll be able to find something else at this late notice. Two days is not enough time.”

  “Hogmanay?” Catherine asked just to fill the silence. She couldn’t give a shit what it was.

  “It’s huge in Scotland, bigger than Christmas. It’s a big celebration of New Year’s Eve, and after midnight we do the first-footing. We go visit neighbours and take them gifts and they return the favour. We’ve got loads of guests invited. Oh and here.” Beth reached beside the sofa and took out a plastic bag. “Holly left these for you.”

  With trembling hands, Catherine accepted the bag but refused to look inside—knowing if she did, she’d start to cry and perhaps never stop.

  “I’ll hope you’ll be better behaved for the Hogmanay party. Last night was a total disaster. What a complete waste of time and effort. You were exceptionally rude to both Sky and Amanda.”

  Catherine hugged the bag close to her chest. “I can’t believe you honestly thought I’d be interested in that sex-crazed lunatic. And how dare you tell her about Paula.”

  Beth blushed. “She wanted to know about you, and it came out. It wasn’t intentional.”

  “Don’t ever try and set me up again,” Catherine said angrily. “I mean it, Beth. It was one of the worst nights of my life. Thinking about it makes me feel sick.”

  “Are you sure that’s not your hangover? You nearly drank us out of wine.”

  Catherine bristled. “It’s probably the aftereffects of food poisoning.”

  Beth floundered. “I stand by the belief the meat was fine. Everyone except you and Holly are perfectly well today. You probably picked something up from that village.”

  Catherine wasn’t in a fit state to argue further. She got up, holding the bag protectively in her arms. “I’m going to lie down.”