by Penny Avis
‘Yes, you do that,’ said Carl and spun away to talk to another group of people.
Rachel marched over to Harry at the bar.
‘What on earth have you done to Rowan? He can hardly stand up!’ Rachel said.
‘I haven’t done anything. We’ve just been having a very nice evening, as instructed,’ said Harry. ‘Rachel, meet Paul. Other than being a Reds fan he’s a great bloke. We share the same taste in whisky, which is lucky.’
Harry was obviously now very drunk too.
‘Yes, we know each other, thank you.’
Paul nodded at her with his chin resting on his hand. ‘Just making sure my head doesn’t fall off,’ he said.
Paul and Harry both starting laughing.
‘Really,’ said Rachel.
‘And Paul thinks my trousers are rather cool, don’t you?’
Harry got off his bar stool and paraded up and down, hitching up his trousers to make them look even shorter. A few people looked round at him.
‘Harry, we’re going to leave very soon. So just sit down and stay here while I track down Shali.’ She didn’t want him wandering around in that state.
Harry sat back down. ‘Why would I go anywhere? I’m at my favourite bar, with my favourite mate and my favourite whisky. This is a bloody great night.’
Rachel was fuming. Why was Harry incapable of drinking in moderation? And worse still, he’d got Rowan drunk too. She couldn’t believe Rowan had mentioned the whole hotel thing to Carl in front of his wife. It was definitely time to go.
Rachel walked around the Great Hall a couple of times looking for Shali. She couldn’t see her. Maybe she was in the ladies’. When she didn’t find her there either, she checked the Rose Room. That was empty and being cleared up. Where was she?
Rachel was walking back towards the Great Hall when she heard laughing coming from a corridor just off to the side. She walked over and looked round the corner. Rowan and Shali were coming out of the door of a small anteroom. Shali had her arm round Rowan’s waist and was nuzzling his neck as they walked.
They stopped dead as soon as they saw her.
‘Where the hell have you two been?’ Rachel asked.
She looked at their faces and their dishevelled clothes and suddenly realised what a stupid question that was.
‘Oh my God, no, I don’t believe it!’ Rachel looked at them in shock.
Shali looked at the floor and Rowan stepped hurriedly sideways, dropping Shali’s arm from his waist.
Before Rachel could say anything else, two waiters walked down the corridor carrying trays of glasses.
‘Can we help you with something?’
‘We were just, um, looking for the ladies’,’ said Rachel.
‘They’re over there, on the left. This is the way to the kitchens.’
‘Oh yes, thanks, sorry,’ said Rachel, ushering Rowan and Shali back towards the Great Hall where she grabbed Harry.
‘Right, get your coats, we’re going outside to flag down a black cab. This evening is turning into a right bloody disaster,’ said Rachel, forcing herself to keep her voice down.
The four of them got into the taxi in silence. Harry soon fell asleep, shortly followed by Rowan. Rachel couldn’t bring herself to look at Shali, who said nothing until the taxi reached her road.
‘Just here on the left thanks,’ Shali said to the taxi driver as Rowan woke up. ‘Good night everyone.’
Only Rowan replied.
Rachel prodded Harry as they reached his flat. He looked out the window.
‘Can’t I come to yours? It’s still early.’ He tried to put his arm round Rachel.
She pushed him away. ‘No you can’t, and you have no idea what time it is,’ said Rachel.
‘Yes I have, it’s…’ Harry peered at his watch, trying to focus enough to see the hands. ‘No, you’re right, no bloody idea.’
‘Harry, go home. Call me tomorrow when you get up.’
Reluctantly Harry got out of the cab.
The taxi dropped off Rachel next.
‘I’ll call you tomorrow,’ she said, scowling at Rowan as she got out of the taxi. Rowan nodded sheepishly.
When she got into her flat, she sat down on the sofa and put her head in her hands. Despite the fact that she’d had a few drinks, she felt stone cold sober. What would Carl have made of Rowan’s remark about hotel bars? What if he’d seen her when she walked into the pillar in the hotel reception? The crash was so loud that they were bound to have looked round. And then there was Rowan and Shali. How could they? How could Rowan? Rachel couldn’t decide which nightmare she was most unhappy about.
She shivered: it was late and she was cold. She crawled slowly into bed and pulled the duvet up over her head in an attempt to block out the images that were dancing through her head.
Chapter 8
The next day was Sunday. Rachel decided it might not be best to ring Rowan at home, so she sent him a text message instead: Call me when you can, R. She resisted the temptation to add ‘Judas’ at the end: too melodramatic.
Rowan rang after lunch.
‘Hi, it’s me.’ His voice sounded croaky.
‘Hi, can you talk?’ Rachel asked.
‘Yes, I’m in the park with Naomi. Laura’s having a lie down.’
‘How are you?’ Rachel asked.
‘Feeling sick as a dog,’ said Rowan. ‘You?’
‘Not bad, a bit rough round the edges but could be worse.’ She couldn’t keep up the polite chat for long. ‘God, Rowan, I can’t believe you and Shali. What were you thinking?’
‘Rachel, it’s none of your business,’ said Rowan.
‘What do you mean it’s none of my business? It was me who invited you, it was my work party and you were with my friend. How much more of my business could it be?’ Rachel was furious.
‘I mean that it’s my business to sort it out,’ said Rowan.
‘Oh really, and how exactly do you intend to do that?’
‘Look, I really didn’t mean for anything to happen. I had too much to drink and just got carried away,’ said Rowan, not answering the question.
‘That’s no bloody excuse! What are you going to do now, leap on someone every time you drink too much?’
‘No, of course not.’
‘Well, why did you do it then?’
‘I don’t know. It just sort of happened,’ said Rowan.
‘These things don’t just happen, Rowan − you’ve got to want them to happen. And what about Laura?’ Rachel asked.
‘Laura and I haven’t been getting on that well lately. She just seems to have, well, you know, lost interest in me. All she cares about is Naomi.’ His voice cracked as he spoke.
Rachel paused slightly. He sounded pretty upset. Well, he deserves to be, she thought, and carried on. ‘I also can’t believe that comment you made to Carl Stephens, and in front of his wife, about not spending too much time in hotel bars. Are you trying to get me sacked?’
‘Shit, Rachel, did I? I don’t remember that at all. I’m so sorry, what an idiot. Did he figure out that we saw him?’
‘I don’t know. He looked pretty cross, though. I’ll have to see how he is tomorrow, I guess, and just try to bluff my way through it. Thanks for nothing.’
‘I am sorry, Rachel, really I am.’
Rachel couldn’t bring herself to say it was okay. ‘What are you going to do now?’
‘I don’t know. I think I’d better tell Laura what’s happened.’
‘Christ, Rowan, don’t do that!’
‘Why not? You think I should just lie to her?’
‘Well, oh I don’t know. I just think piling in with a confession straight off the bat might not be the best plan. What if she walks out on you?’
‘Don’t say that, Rachel. Shit, what a mess.’
‘Are you going to see Shali again?’
‘Absolutely not! It was a stupid one-off.’
It sound
ed like he was trying to convince himself.
‘Look, don’t say anything to Laura. Why don’t you try to book yourselves a weekend away somewhere? Spend a bit of time together and try to sort things out. Mum would love to have Naomi,’ Rachel suggested.
‘I’m not sure that Laura would agree to be away from Naomi for that long.’ Rowan didn’t sound that enamoured by the idea either.
‘Well, you can try. Talk to her, Rowan. Tell her you miss spending time with her. We girls love all that sort of stuff.’
‘Alright, I’ll try,’ said Rowan reluctantly. ‘Do you think I should call Shali, and well, you know, apologise or something?’
‘No! Don’t do that. I’ll speak to her tomorrow.’
Rachel was afraid that if they spoke it might spark things off rather than cool things down.
‘Don’t be cross with her, Rachel. It isn’t her fault.’
‘Well, I am cross. She should know better and she’s meant to be my friend.’
‘Rachel, please, this is bad enough without you two falling out. Promise me you won’t shout at her.’
‘Alright, I won’t shout. I can’t promise that I won’t speak rather loudly, though.’
Rowan sighed. ‘Look, I’ve got to go, Naomi’s crying. I really am sorry, Rachel. I feel just awful about last night. And tell Shali that I’m not that sort of bloke, really I’m not.’
‘I know,’ said Rachel. ‘Let’s speak in a few days, okay?’
‘Okay,’ said Rowan and they hung up.
Rachel sat looking at the phone. She was sure Rowan did feel awful but he was right, what a mess. Damn Harry; she was sure he was partly to blame by getting Rowan so drunk in the first place.
Harry came round later that afternoon and collapsed on a chair in the kitchen as she made bacon sandwiches for them both.
‘Well, I feel bloody awful,’ he said cheerfully. ‘Anyway, it was actually not a bad night for one of your work dos. And I think you’ll agree that I was pretty well behaved. I didn’t fall over or insult anyone and you had plenty of time to go off hobnobbing. I didn’t even make a fuss about the fact that you got me a suit that made me look a total arse.’
Harry got up and put his arms around Rachel’s waist and kissed the back of her neck as she fried the bacon. ‘So how were you thinking of rewarding my good behaviour?’ he asked, pushing himself up against her.
Rachel stiffened and then turned round.
Harry stepped backwards slightly.
‘Harry, last night was a total disaster.’
‘Was it? Why?’ Harry looked confused.
‘How did Rowan end up getting so drunk?’
Harry grinned. ‘He was rubbish at spoof, kept losing and it was a double shot penalty each time.’
‘You played drinking games?’
‘We had to amuse ourselves somehow while you were off brown-nosing with the big chiefs,’ replied Harry.
‘I was not brown-nosing, I was circulating; there’s a big difference. And anyway, it’s important that I catch up with the right people at these things. I don’t get that many opportunities as we’re all so busy.’
‘So you keep telling me,’ said Harry. ‘Anyway, what’s wrong with a few drinking games?’
‘Well, Rowan was off his face thanks to you, and as a result he and Shali ended up in some side room and, well, you know…’
She hadn’t told Harry about seeing Carl Stephens in the hotel over lunch, so there seemed little point in also mentioning Rowan’s unhelpful comments.
‘He never did! The old dog. He did say that Shali had been coming on to him a bit during dinner.’
Rachel looked at Harry in surprise. ‘Did he? What did he say?’
‘Nothing much, just that she was flirting with him and that if he wanted to he could probably get off with her. He asked me what I thought,’ said Harry.
‘What did you say?’
‘I told him he should grab it with both hands, make hay while the sun shined, so to speak. Sounds like he did just that,’ said Harry, laughing.
‘You did not!’ Rachel was horrified.
‘I did − what’s wrong with that? He’s a big boy. He can make his own decisions.’
‘Did you not think about the fact that he’s married and has a new baby?’
‘That’s his lookout. And anyway, that wasn’t what he asked me,’ said Harry.
‘So that’s your view of marriage is it − doesn’t matter when it comes to a quick shag. If you’re offered it on a plate, you take it?’ Rachel couldn’t hide the warning note in her voice.
‘Rachel, this isn’t about me, it’s about Rowan,’ said Harry, shifting uncomfortably.
‘I know it is, but you got him drunk and you encouraged him.’
‘Oh right, so it’s my fault now, is it? I knew you’d end up finding something wrong about last night. Never mind how hard I try, still not right for perfect Rachel,’ said Harry, glaring at her.
‘Last night was you trying hard, was it? I’d hate to see what you’d be like on a night when you didn’t try then. You could hardly stand up by the end of the evening.’
Rachel felt close to tears. Harry took his sandwich and they ate in silence.
‘Think maybe I should go after this,’ he said after a pause.
‘No, don’t,’ said Rachel. Maybe she was being a bit harsh blaming it all on Harry. ‘I’m sorry, you’re probably right: it is Rowan’s mess to sort out. He said the same thing. It’s just all a bit too close to home for my liking,’ said Rachel.
‘Did anyone else from work see them?’ Harry asked.
‘No, I don’t think so,’ said Rachel.
‘Well, you see that’s okay then. It can be just you and Shali’s little secret.’
‘And Rowan says he’s not going to see her again. I’ve got to tell her that tomorrow.’
Maybe then it will just blow over, thought Rachel. And maybe with a bit of luck Carl will think Rowan was just a rambling drunk.
‘I guess there’s not much point worrying about it,’ said Rachel.
‘Correct,’ said Harry. ‘Now come here and let me make you feel better.’
Rachel decided she’d better go into the office on Monday morning rather than going straight out to Beau Street. She sent AJ a text saying that she’d see them about lunchtime. That would give her time to talk to Shali and hopefully also check out the lie of the land with Carl. She stood in a long line of people patiently waiting to place over-complex coffee orders with the overworked coffee shop staff. There should be two queues, Rachel thought for the hundredth time: one for those who wanted a tall, decaf latte, extra hot with no foam and hazelnut syrup, and one for those, like her, who just wanted a black coffee.
She got into the lift with Pauline Rowe.
‘How’s the training for the ten-k going?’ Pauline asked, smiling.
‘Yes, not bad thanks. Did a bit of training yesterday. Legs aren’t too bad today, so I guess that’s progress,’ said Rachel.
‘What time are you aiming for?’
Christ! Rachel had no idea. She could vaguely remember marathon times, some people saying they wanted to run in under four hours or something. That was for twenty-six miles. How many kilometres was that? Rachel quickly tried to do the maths in her head.
‘Oh about, er, forty minutes, something like that.’
By the look on Pauline’s face, she’d clearly got the maths wrong.
‘Gosh that’s fast,’ said Pauline. ‘You must be a very good runner.’
‘Well, you know, I try,’ said Rachel.
Thankfully the lift doors opened and Rachel quickly walked away to her desk.
She couldn’t see Shali anywhere; maybe she was working on another floor. She was probably trying to avoid her. Bad luck, thought Rachel, and rang her.
‘We need to talk,’ she said. No point beating around the bush.
‘I’m working in a meeting room today as I need to be near
the team up here. It’s just me, so why don’t you pop up,’ said Shali.
Rachel could tell that Shali was nervous as soon as she opened the door.
‘Hi,’ said Shali. ‘Coffee?’
‘No thanks, just had one,’ said Rachel.
They looked at each other for a few moments.
‘Look, I know you aren’t happy about me and Rowan,’ said Shali eventually. ‘But I didn’t exactly force him, you know.’
‘You took advantage of him,’ said Rachel.
‘I did not! He made his own choice. It’s not my fault his marriage isn’t working.’
‘Shali, he was drunk and feeling lonely and you threw yourself at him,’ said Rachel, her voice shaking with anger.
‘How do you know? You weren’t there. It was him that made the first move!’ Shali retorted.
‘You could have said no,’ said Rachel.
‘Why should I? I’m single and he’s gorgeous. Nothing wrong with that.’
‘What about his wife?’ Rachel asked.
‘What about her? Maybe she should have paid him a bit more attention and then this might not have happened.’
‘Shali, that’s a bloody awful thing to say. She’s just had a baby!’ Rachel was conscious that she was shouting now.
‘Shh! There are people in the next room. All I’m saying is that it’s not my fault. If you don’t like your brother’s attitude to marriage, take it up with him, not me,’ said Shali, and she sat down and crossed her arms.
‘I have. I spoke to him yesterday.’
Shali’s face softened. ‘How was he?’
‘Awful, he feels absolutely terrible. He wanted to call you and apologise but I said I’d talk to you instead.’
‘Why would he need to apologise to me?’ said Shali. ‘I’m telling you, Rach, definitely no apology needed this end.’ Shali grinned.
Rachel didn’t think that was funny. ‘Shali, I don’t want to know. Anyway, he asked me to tell you that it was just a one-off and that he doesn’t want to see you again. Sorry to be so blunt.’
‘Is that what he said?’ Shali asked.
‘Pretty much. He’s going to try to work things out with Laura.’
‘Oh, I see.’ Shali stared out of the window. ‘I got the impression he really liked me.’