by Penny Avis
‘How bloody rude,’ said Meredith. She rang Daisy on her mobile but it went straight to voicemail. Now what was she going to do?
Meredith stared around aimlessly and out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of large silver Mercedes pulling up by the side of office. The rear door opened and she was astonished to see Jamie climb out of the car. He smiled shyly at her and raised one hand in acknowledgment. Meredith walked towards him.
‘What are you doing here?’
‘I’m taking you out for your birthday… if that’s okay?’
‘How did you know? Honestly, I think that the birthday fairy must be following me around today.’
‘Your friend Daisy rang me.’
Meredith’s hand flew to her mouth. ‘Oh my God, I’m so sorry.’
‘Don’t be sorry! She’s a bit mad, though, isn’t she? Blimey. It took me quite a while to work out who on earth she was, particularly as she wasn’t sure whether I was the right person either. Apparently you hadn’t given her many details to work with. Just my name and the fact that I was CEO of “some sort of computer business”,’ said Jamie, laughing. ‘We had the most bizarre conversation until the pieces finally fell into place.’
Meredith winced. ‘I can imagine. At least that explains why I just got some cryptic message from her, blowing me out. We were meant to be having a drink this evening.’
‘I know. Luckily she’s let me take over.’
‘Bullied you into it, more like.’
Jamie put his arm around Meredith’s shoulders and gently led her towards the car.
‘Rubbish. I leapt at the chance.’
The driver of the Mercedes jumped out as they approached the car and opened the door for Meredith.
‘Good evening, madam,’ he said, touching an imaginary hat.
In the central console of the car were a selection of DVDs, a bottle of wine and two glasses.
‘Where are we going?’ asked Meredith, intrigued.
‘Well, I hope you don’t mind, but as I had no idea what sort of things you like, I’ve opted for one of my favourites.’
‘Oh, yes?’
‘Yeah, we’re having supper in a little pub I know.’
‘Sound great. But why the DVD?’ said Meredith, confused.
‘The pub’s in East Sussex. It takes about forty-five minutes to get there. So I thought we could watch a DVD, have a glass of wine and relax on the way there and back. I hope that doesn’t sound too boring?’ Jamie looked concerned. ‘I just thought it might suit you too, given how busy you’ve been.’
Meredith smiled at Jamie. ‘I can’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing. It’s an inspired idea!’
Jamie handed her a glass of beautifully chilled white wine and Meredith laid her head back against the soft, cool leather seats.
‘Which do you fancy?’ Jamie asked, handing her the DVD wallet. Meredith flicked through the selection and picked a tried-and-tested romantic comedy.
‘Not very original,’ she said, apologetically, ‘but one of my favourites.’
The TV screen on the back of the headrest in front of her flickered into life and she shifted closer to Jamie and laid her head on his shoulder. The two of them sat together, watching the film and sipping wine as the miles slipped quietly past. Jamie had been right: the stresses and strains of the last few weeks just seemed to fade away.
The Eldridge Tavern was a beautiful stone-built pub set on the river. The restaurant was simply decorated with wooden tables and white napkins, and Jamie and Meredith were shown to a small table by a huge inglenook fireplace. The daily menu was written up on a blackboard by the door and there was a small notice on each table explaining that all of the food was locally sourced.
‘This is lovely!’ exclaimed Meredith as they sat down.
‘I thought you’d like it,’ said Jamie.
‘How do you know about it?’ she asked, suddenly worrying that this might be his standard ‘impress the girl’ trip.
‘My parents live just a few miles away. We often come here for Sunday lunch. I haven’t been here for a while, though; I’ve been so busy.’
‘Oh, I see,’ said Meredith, relieved. ‘The menu looks great. What are you going to have?’
‘Pork belly, I think.’
‘I think I’ll have the risotto.’
‘Birthday champagne?’
Meredith shook her head. ‘If you don’t mind, I’d rather just have a glass of red wine. Otherwise I might end up falling asleep on you again.’
‘That’s okay. You can fall asleep on me anytime you like,’ said Jamie, smiling.
They ordered, and when the wine arrived Jamie raised his glass.
‘Happy birthday.’
‘Thanks.’
‘So how was your friend’s gallery? Did you buy anything?’
‘Oh no, it wasn’t that sort of visit. We have a new training building at work and she’s pitching for the art commission. We were helping her get some ideas together, as it’s got to be compliant with our brand values – you know the sort of thing.’
Jamie nodded. ‘Yeah, I do. A necessary evil, I think.’
‘Probably. Anyway, it went pretty well. I think she’s in with a good chance. Mind you, what do I know?’
‘More than you think, I suspect,’ said Jamie.
Meredith smiled at him. He was so easy to talk to, especially about work. They seemed to be on exactly the same wavelength. He knew exactly what it was like to have a busy, demanding job and seemed to be really good at finding ways to switch off. She’d never have thought of coming so far for dinner. To her, it would have seemed like more hassle than it was worth. How wrong she was.
After they had eaten, Jamie suggested they wander down to the river for some fresh air before they got back in the car for the return journey to London. The hazy moonlight combined with the lights from the pub gave them just about enough light to make their way to the path by the river. They sat down on a bench and Meredith slid under Jamie’s arm. They sat quietly, watching the river flow by. No people, no music, just the sound of the gurgling river – Meredith found it amazingly peaceful. She leant up and kissed Jamie.
‘Thank you for a lovely birthday.’
‘That’s okay. Can we do it again?’ He kissed her gently back. ‘And again? And again?’
‘As many times as you like,’ said Meredith quietly.
Jamie wrapped his arms around Meredith and pulled her towards him. He didn’t try to kiss her again. Instead he held her against him and gently stroked her hair, as if just being close to her was enough. It was such a simple gesture, but one that made Meredith’s heart leap with happiness.
On the way back to London they watched the rest of the movie, and when it had finished, they chatted about the week ahead. As the car pulled up outside Meredith’s flat, she started to worry about whether she should invite Jamie in. In the end he made the decision for her.
‘I’ve got a really full-on day tomorrow. Maybe we could have lunch this week and then go out somewhere on Friday? We could even go dancing,’ said Jamie, smiling.
‘Ooh, you party animal,’ said Meredith. She leant over and kissed him. ‘Yes, please. I’d love that.’ And she loved the fact that he let her take things at her own pace.
Back inside her flat Meredith poured herself a nightcap and stood by the window, watching the late-night stragglers making their way home and reflecting on her evening. Jamie was such a lovely guy, and although she hadn’t known him that long, he already felt like a soul mate, however clichéd that might sound. And most importantly, in just a few short hours he’d managed to make her feel happier and more relaxed than she could remember feeling in a very long time.
Three weeks later, Daisy and Meredith were standing in the Orwell Room of The Brook Hotel, a large private function room that had been sumptuously decorated with fresh flowers. The room was crowded with people, who were chatting in small groups and helping themselves to a delicate finger buffet laid out on a long trestl
e table. Waiters in white coats were floating around the room, topping up people’s glasses and a string quartet was playing softly in the corner.
Alan, the hotel manager, hurried over to them. ‘Is everything okay?’ he asked, concern flushed across his face.
‘It’s perfect, thank you, Alan,’ said Meredith.
‘When are you doing the toast?’
‘In about five minutes.’
‘Right. I’ll make sure everyone’s glasses are topped up.’
‘They’ve been amazing,’ said Daisy, shaking her head. ‘And I still can’t believe that you got this place at such a cheap price. We thought there’d be no way we could afford something like this.’
‘The manager owed me a favour.’
‘Why?’
‘Long story,’ said Meredith, thinking about how she had traded her free weekend at the hotel for a hefty discount on the room. ‘You look beautiful,’ she said, smiling at her friend.
‘Thanks,’ said Daisy.
‘When do you start on the training centre?’
‘Next week. I can’t wait. It’s going to be such fun. We’ll be there Tuesday and Wednesday probably, taking measurements and meeting the lovely Vivien. Can you pop in and see us?’
Meredith shook her head. ‘I’m in France all next week, on that big pitch I won, remember?’
‘Oh yes, of course you are. There’ll be plenty more opportunities, and obviously we’ll have to have a big unveiling party at some point.’
‘Obviously’.
Jamie and Dougie, who had been chatting a few feet away, came over to join them. They were both carrying two glasses of champagne and they handed one each to Daisy and Meredith.
‘Ready?’ Dougie asked Meredith.
‘Ready,’ said Meredith.
Dougie nodded at one of the waiters, who banged a small gong on the buffet table.
‘Ladies and gentleman, if I could have your attention please,’ he announced.
Meredith climbed onto a small stage at the end of the room and looked out at the assembled mass of smiling faces.
‘Firstly I’d like to say thank you to all of you for coming today. I know that many of you have travelled quite some distance to be with us. It’s lovely to see so many friends and family together in the same room. As nominated chief bridesmaid… ’ Meredith paused and smiled as there was a loud cheer from several people in the room ‘… it gives me great pleasure to propose a toast to celebrate the engagement of Daisy and Dougie. We’re thrilled for you both and can’t wait for the happy day to arrive.
‘When Daisy told me that she and Dougie had got engaged, she was so happy that it made her cry. She then asked me to be her chief bridesmaid and that made me cry! You should’ve seen us; we looked like a really woebegone pair. And I’m trying very hard not to cry again today.’
Meredith looked over at Daisy, who already had tears in her eyes, and a large lump welled up in her throat. She took a deep breath and carried on.
‘I was, of course, honoured and delighted to be asked to be Daisy’s bridesmaid, but I would just like it noted, in front of witnesses, that I do not, and will not, wear pink,’ said Meredith, causing the room to laugh loudly.
Meredith raised her glass towards where Daisy and Dougie were standing. ‘So please, raise your glasses and join me in this toast to the happy couple.’
‘To the happy couple,’ the room chorused.
Once the applause had died down, Meredith stepped down off the stage.
Jamie slipped his arm round her waist. ‘Well done,’ he said quietly.
‘Phew, was that okay?’
‘You were brilliant.’
‘Look at how happy they are,’ said Meredith, watching Daisy and Dougie being rapidly encircled by people wanting to congratulate them.
‘Look how happy I am,’ said Jamie.
His warm brown eyes were sparkling with energy and his face was creased with such a lovely genuine smile that it made Meredith want to cry all over again.
‘You look how I feel,’ said Meredith.
‘That’s lucky,’ said Jamie. ‘I’d hate to be this happy all on my own.’
‘I don’t think there’s much chance of that,’ said Meredith, kissing his cheek. She grabbed his hand. ‘Come on, handsome, let’s circulate. There are loads of people here I need to show you off to.’
‘Are you sure that shouldn’t be the other way round?’ said Jamie, running his hand up and down the back of Meredith’s dress.
‘Flattery will get you everywhere,’ said Meredith, laughing.
‘And where is “everywhere”, exactly?’ asked Jamie, pulling her towards her.
‘I’m not sure yet,’ said Meredith, ‘but I think I’m going to like it.’
Also in the Never Mind the Botox series:
Alex Fisher is a high-flying lawyer close to making partner and busy planning her perfect wedding to Elliott. But life suddenly becomes complicated when she’s faced with a hot junior lawyer on her team and an actress threatening to jeopardise the deal by exposing her dodgy cosmetic surgery. Soon Alex is forced into a series of impossible choices that are all inextricably linked and life will never be the same again.
Rachel Altman is a corporate financier with a prestigious accounting firm who’s desperately trying to keep on the straight and narrow. Hopelessly led astray by her bar diving boyfriend, she gets the chance to turn things round when her boss gives her the break she’s been waiting for. But when the deal doesn’t go as planned Rachel panics, sparking off a chain of betrayal and lies that threatens to ruin both her love life and her career.
Stella Webb is a successful but bored cosmetic surgeon whose career is going in a very different direction to that of the A&E doctor she’s dating. With credit card bills larger than the latest implants, this deal should be the answer to her prayers, but it seems that not everyone has been playing by the rules. Desperate to leave her working-class roots behind, will she be forced to choose between money and love?
The series can be read in any order.
Praise for the Never Mind the Botox series:
“Glamorous, high-octane fun, it’s best read with a cocktail and a smile! Each book in this clever series intertwines with the others, but can be read in any order.”
Cosmopolitan
“If you’re bored of the usual chick-lit formula… the smart characters in a swish corporate world provide a fresh twist. We want a job in the City now, please.”
Heat Magazine
“Our very own Sex and the City. A series celebrating the lives and loves of four professional women… good fun and a little bit different.”
Bella Magazine
“A rip-roaring read with plenty of humour and warm, believable characters – best read with a chilled glass of Pinot Grigio”
Candis Magazine
“A fabulous new contemporary women’s fiction series and recommended holiday read.
Daily Mail
“One of the best beach reads this summer – Chick lit with a welcome twist.”
The Sun
“The must-have read of the summer. A brilliantly biting novel that does for cosmetic surgery what Absolutely Fabulous did for fashion.”
Waterstone’s
“A sassy read that gives a real insight into the fast-paced life of a city girl. A must-read and our book of the week.”
Now Magazine
“Fabulous fun! With their own business experience the authors have created a top read.”
Star Magazine
“It’s our Best pick of the week.”
Best Magazine
“A rollicking summer read. If you’re looking for something to read on the beach this summer, then look no further.”
Cosmetic Surgery Today
“A classic slice of chick-lit. The humour is sharp and indulgent and the characters are terrific. Can’t fault it.”
Books Monthly
For more reviews, news and events see www.avisberry.com
Penny Avis, Never Mind the Botox