by Anita Notaro
He nodded and looked a bit uncomfortable again. I guess I was giving him a very hard time at these meetings.
‘I’m sorry, you must think I’m particularly bitter and twisted. It’s just that my father tried to control us – me especially – for years. So it’s ironic that of the three of us, I’m the one left sorting all this out . . .’ And the only one who’s emerged whiter than snow, I didn’t add.
‘Please, don’t apologize, you’ve been through an awful lot these past weeks. I’ll arrange to have the money we discussed transferred to your account immediately, to tide you over until everything is finalized.’ He held out his hand. ‘And Lily, don’t hesitate to call if you need me.’
‘Thanks,’ I told him. ‘I just wish I wasn’t on my own. I need her, you see. She’d have told me what to do next.’
23
LILY
‘HELLO,’ I SAID absent-mindedly, my mouth full of butterscotch sauce.
‘You’ve been avoiding me,’ Sally said.
‘Not really. Well, sort of.’ There was no point in lying.
‘What are you eating?’
‘A toffee concoction that I’ve obviously got wrong because it’s sort of glued itself to my teeth.’ I was running my tongue around my mouth, hoping to rid myself of the sticky brown substance that was threatening to dislodge one of my molars, never mind half my fillings.
‘Right, so tell me all.’
‘Well, I’ve talked at length with each of them,’ I said, gulping water straight from the bottle.
‘What? Lily, are you mad? Alone? Where?’
‘Yep. I could hardly have brought Aunt Milly, could I? In the flat in Wicklow.’
‘For God’s sake, that’s the most stupid thing I’ve ever heard!’
‘You read too many Real Life Murders, or whatever they’re called,’ I told her. ‘Anyway, one of them took me out to dinner in a chauffeur-driven limo, another was in tears half the time and the third one was too busy doing John Travolta impressions.’ I heard her familiar dirty laugh and realized how much I missed her. ‘The stink of his aftershave is still all over my clothes.’ I wrinkled my nose as I spoke.
‘Ugh, well, that’s it, she couldn’t have had an affair with him.’
‘That’s exactly what I thought as soon as I opened the door to him. It would have been like having sex with a member of a boy band, all carefully styled and everything co-ordinating. Like a cardboard cut-out. In fact, I just know he’d have been worried about tossing his hair.’
‘Right, I get the picture. Was he young, even?’
‘No,’ I told her. ‘He was Tom Selleck without the class.’
‘Does Tom Selleck have class?’ She laughed doubtfully. ‘I suppose he did, sort of, in Friends. One of our garbage collectors looks just like that, come to think of it. Leathery skin from too much sun. Gold chain nestling underneath his luminous yellow jacket.’
‘That’s Dave.’ I filled her in a bit more.
‘So tell me about the surgeon? How did you know where to contact any of them, by the way?’
‘Well, I had all their mobile numbers, but with William I made an appointment at the hospital where he works. It wasn’t difficult to find out which one – there aren’t that many private hospitals in Dublin. Still, I was terrified, to be honest.’
‘So how did you end up going to dinner with him?’
‘He had it all arranged the night he came to the flat,’ I told her. ‘Christ, I’d say he’s the one who bought Ali that expensive handbag, now that I think about it.’
‘Is he loaded? What does he look like?’
‘Yeah, he’s worth a few bob. He’s smooth, well groomed – though not to within an inch of his life, like Dave. You know the type, Sal, they’re in every boardroom in the country.’
‘Yeah, I’ve even had a few come on to me and they were married too,’ Sally said. ‘Clean nails, I’ll bet? Manicured.’
‘Clean everything. And the only thing he smells of is money. I’d say he likes his girls young,’ I told her, thinking about him now.
‘Lily, that’s obscene.’ Sally sounded agitated now.
‘I don’t mean children or anything,’ I said quickly before she hopped on the next flight home. ‘I’m making it up,’ I told her. ‘It’s just that I was wearing a pinafore and white blouse and I plaited my hair – you know, the way I do sometimes. He commented on how different I looked, that’s all.’
‘Christ, Lily, be careful.’
‘I was. I am. All I did was have dinner with him, remember? Cost a fortune too, I’d say. I think he liked being seen with me, though. I reckon his ego is bigger than his car engine. The only thing I’m surprised about is why doesn’t he just find a new girlfriend, if that’s what Ali was? Surely powerful men like him simply move on when they get tired?’
‘Listen, Lily, mistresses become just like wives, eventually.’ Sally sounded very knowledgeable all of a sudden so I teased her for a bit. ‘So . . . James, anything new there?’ she said after we’d exhausted the subject of two of her single friends dating married men.
‘I really liked him, for some reason, just as I did the first time. Happily married, as I told you . . . loves his wife to bits.’
‘Now where have I heard that before?’ Sally wanted to know. ‘And don’t tell me, she just doesn’t understand him?’
‘No, on the contrary,’ I told her. ‘They’re soulmates.’ I explained about the infertility thing. ‘He was fantastic to talk to, Sal. You know, like having a gay friend? Or a night in with you?’
‘Is he gay?’
‘No, but the way he understands women you’d swear he was. Not a bit effeminate or anything, mind.’ I tried to think of how to describe him. ‘Ordinary,’ I said at last. ‘Boy-next-door material. Clean-living.’
‘God, I wish I was at home. I could talk to you about this all night.’ She sounded a bit lonely. ‘And tell me briefly, when are you meeting the fourth guy?’
‘I’ve met him once. He’s single, did I tell you that last time? He and Ali seem to have been just good friends, as far as I can tell. He met Charlie once. I wonder why she never mentioned him?’ Questions like that were keeping me awake at night.
‘Maybe they were having kinky sex or something.’ We laughed together at the thought, neither of us able to imagine it.
‘Listen, if most of my friends – such as you – are anything to go by, kinky sex is not a novelty any more.’ I giggled.
‘Run of the mill.’ She laughed. ‘On TV over here on a daily basis. One guy even brought in his favourite sheep on Sleepless in Sydney on the talk show channel last week.’
‘Ugh. I am not even going there, Sal, it’s gross. So, come up with something else . . .’
‘Commitment phobia? Now that I do know something about.’ She went on to tell me the story of some man in her office – single – who refused to commit to anything more than two days in advance. He liked to keep his girlfriends guessing, apparently.
‘Maybe, although I couldn’t see Ali putting up with that sort of shite, could you?’ I asked. ‘No, for some reason it suited her to have it all casual. Oh, I dunno any more, it’s wrecking my brain,’ I said tiredly. ‘Anyway, I haven’t found out much about Richard yet, although someone called Daisy rang in the middle of our chat. I told you he owns a café, yeah? So I’ll want him for his brains rather than his body if my plans ever come off.’
‘What does he look like?’
‘Gangly, thin. Hair like Jonathan Ross.’
‘Lily.’ I could feel the warning all the way from Oz. ‘Don’t go falling for him. I’m suspicious, you sounded all soft there.’
‘Don’t worry, I’m not that much of an eejit, I promise.’
‘Tell me honestly, why are you doing this?’ Sally’s tone changed.
‘I’m not sure. Mostly to try and find out why she hid that side of her life, I suppose . . . and to see if I can—’
‘I’m just worried about you, that’s all,’ Sally interrupted.
‘I don’t want you getting fixated by this because I don’t think you’re ever going to find all the answers. It’s just too complicated, Lily . . . and in real life the ends don’t get tied up neatly. That’s the movies, remember?’
‘Yeah, I know that.’ I sighed. ‘Anyway, I’m more worried about someone completely new turning up out of the blue and claiming to be Charlie’s father. What would I do then?’
‘What’s brought this on again?’
‘I haven’t a clue,’ I told her honestly. ‘But she didn’t really have a boyfriend at the time she became pregnant, remember? I tried to talk to her about it but she hinted it was a one-night stand.’ I wished I’d probed a bit more at the time. ‘Anyway, I want to be prepared if someone tries to take him away from me.’
‘Lily, listen to me. That is not going to happen. I’d say they’d run a mile, all of them.’
‘What about James, though? He’s been having problems in that department.’ I filled her in on the bits she didn’t know.
‘I’d bet his wife would leave him if she even got a hint of it.’ Sally sounded definite. ‘Her soulmate having an affair? Come on . . .’
‘That’s true. Anyway, I’m not going to think about it any more.’ I felt nervous even ‘supposing’ with her, so I changed the subject to the café idea.
‘Lily, are you sure this is what you want?’
‘You know it is. You’ve heard me talk about it for years.’
‘Yes, but it was a pipe dream, that’s all.’
‘Why are you throwing cold water on it all of a sudden?’ I asked.
‘I just don’t want you getting out of your depth, that’s all. Finance was never your strong point and you’re not trained as a chef or anything. I mean your job is more a hostess thing, isn’t it?’
‘Was. I’ve more or less resigned. I’m just helping them out at the moment. Anyway what has that got to do with it? I can cook, you know that. And I love it. Look at Nigella, I don’t think she had formal training either.’ I was a bit pissed off with her. ‘And I’m learning to be good with money, it’s just that I’ve never had—’
‘You’re right, I’m sorry,’ Sally interjected. ‘Hell, I’m probably just jealous, ignore me.’
‘You could come home and run it with me?’
‘Have you been listening to a word I’ve said?’ Sally demanded. ‘I’m trying to put you off, not encourage you.’ She laughed. ‘Anyway, I’d say Orla would be a much better bet. We’re a bit too close, you and me.’
‘Well, think about it, Sally, because I definitely am doing something. It’s now or never.’
We chatted for a while longer and when I hung up I was feeling more excited and less worried.
24
RICHARD AND DAISY
‘DAISY, LOOK, I’M sorry but I can’t take time off just now. I told you I have to meet someone.’
The young woman pushed back her dark hair. ‘Please, just an hour?’ She sensed he was hesitating. ‘My car’s outside, I’ll have you back in no time, I promise.’
‘No can do.’ He moved away from her. ‘Talk to you later, OK?’
‘No, it’s not OK.’ She tried another tack. ‘Richard, I told you about this last week and you promised. Can’t you put your meeting off? The sale ends today and I don’t want to spend all that money without your approval.’
Richard shook his head. ‘No, and I’m not wasting any more time discussing it.’ He was getting irritated and she sensed it. ‘Now go.’ He guided her towards the exit. ‘Look. Order. Pay. It’s simple and besides, you’ve had loads of practice.’ He was trying to cajole her and was opening the door and reminding her that it was only a sofa when Lily walked in.
‘Hi.’ She smiled at them both.
‘Lily, hello.’ He stepped back quickly and hoped she’d pass through.
‘Don’t worry, I can wait,’ she apologized, sensing his discomfort. ‘I think I’m early anyway.’
‘Eh no, it’s fine. This is Daisy, by the way.’ Richard hoped he didn’t look as nervous as he felt. ‘My girlfriend,’ he added when neither of the women spoke for what seemed like a full minute.
‘Fiancée.’ Daisy kissed him lightly on the lips. ‘Hi, how are you?’
‘Hello.’ Lily held out her hand.
‘This is Lily,’ he said, trying to usher Daisy out. ‘The meeting I told you about?’ he added when she didn’t move.
‘Oh, sure. Nice to meet you, Lily.’ Her smile was warm. ‘Ciao, babe. Talk later and you’d better be very nice to me this evening to make up for shoving me out on my own to buy “our” sofa.’ She rubbed his arm and disappeared in a whiff of something toxic, Richard thought, sniffing her latest perfume.
‘Sounds like you’re in trouble.’ Lily laughed at his discomfort.
‘I’m always in trouble with Daisy.’ Richard ran his hands through his hair. ‘Although to be fair, it’s mostly my own fault. I’ve a head like a sieve. Please, sit down.’ He indicated a quiet table which was already set up. He was really glad she’d phoned and suggested they meet again. There was definitely something about her, he decided. ‘Can I offer you a glass of wine?’ he asked quickly as soon as he realized he was staring.
‘No, thanks. It’s a bit too early,’ Lily told him. ‘Just some sparkling water, please.’
‘Right, coming up.’ He moved away and decided he needed a drink himself. The brief meeting of the two women had made him edgy.
‘Nice menu.’ Lily looked up as he appeared again a few minutes later.
‘Thanks. We’ve a good chef, so it changes regularly.’
‘And are your clientele mostly regulars?’
‘Yeah, a lot of office workers at lunchtime. There are two big firms nearby.’ He indicated with his head. ‘It helps.’
‘And I suppose you get support from locals as well?’
‘Yep. Mass-goers and yummy mummies in the morning, mostly. Afternoons can be quiet, although we still get guys who have meetings on the way home. They stop in here for informal chats rather than go to a noisy pub.’
‘So how many would you cater for in a day?’ She couldn’t help herself. The whole business fascinated her.
‘We do about a hundred and twenty covers between twelve and three,’ he told her.
‘Do you open in the evenings?’
‘Nope. I’m too lazy, I also want a life.’ He sipped his wine. ‘You sound interested, or are you just being nice to me?’ It was an effort at teasing, but she seemed not to notice.
‘Actually, I’m trying to get into the business. Though not near here, obviously,’ Lily felt obliged to add.
‘What do you do for a living?’
‘I’m a chef, sort of.’ She was still smarting a bit from what Sally had said.
‘Really?’ He was amazed. She was so demure, he’d decided she worked in a bank or something. ‘You don’t look crazy enough.’
‘You’ve read Kitchen Confidential too?’ She laughed.
‘Sure have. So, where do you work?’
‘I’m in the corporate end. I’ve been working for a law firm up to now.’
That explained her tailored outfit. ‘You look like a lawyer.’ He was teasing again. ‘Do you cook at all, really?’ he asked, smiling at her and sniffing loudly in her general direction. She smelt of baby powder. Chefs generally smelt of yeast and grease.
‘Yes, of course,’ she laughed, ‘although not as much as I’d like. I’m not formally trained or anything,’ she felt she should add. ‘A lot of the time I’ve been on hostess duty, actually.’
That made sense. He guessed she was quite an asset. They talked more about the business and she told him that she was considering turning the salon into a café. As she chatted he watched her closely and had to remind himself that he was not supposed to have seen the place. Several times he almost put his foot in it. Fuck it, he thought, I’m a terrible liar, I can never remember what I’ve said. That’s how Daisy’s always catching me out.
‘Well, maybe I can help you?’
he offered quickly as he realized she’d finished speaking. She fascinated him and he wanted to see her again, and unknowingly she’d just given him the perfect opening. ‘Perhaps I could come down and look at the place?’
‘Would you?’ She sounded delighted. ‘That’d be great – although you know it’s in Wicklow?’ she added. ‘It’s a bit of a trek.’
‘No problem, I could do it on Saturday after we finish here. Then you could introduce me to the culinary delights of the east coast, maybe?’
‘Or I could cook something for you, if you’d prefer?’ Lily looked really pleased at his offer. My God, she’s so like Alison, Richard thought again. It unnerved him. ‘There’s a small apartment – flat – over the salon and Alison used it often to . . . meet people.’
‘Sounds splendid. I’ll bring some wine . . . and I have some literature – information packs from banks, that sort of thing. I’ll dig them out for you. They might come in handy. I also have my original business plan for this place somewhere, too. Might be useful to glance at . . .’ He knew he sounded way too eager.
‘Thank you, that’s really nice of you.’ She beamed at him.
‘Pleasure.’ He was going to have to be careful: she was way too fanciable, in a totally different way from Alison.
‘Would you like to bring your girlfriend?’ He was jolted back to reality.
No, he certainly would not, he told her, but not in those words. She didn’t seem to care, one way or the other. Her air of slight detachment was a real turn-on.
He decided to change the subject. ‘Now, what would you like to eat? I’ve gone all nervous now that I know you’re a chef.’
‘Cook,’ she corrected. ‘Surprise me.’
‘OK.’ He was definitely not going to pass that on to the kitchen, he decided. She obviously hadn’t much experience. Most people in the trade would stir-fry their own testicles rather than risk another chef grasping an opportunity to use up the leftovers from the previous day the moment someone said, ‘Surprise me.’
‘Give me one minute.’ He was back in two. ‘On the way.’ He eased himself back into the chair. ‘Although it’ll probably take a while. All of our food is cooked to order.’ It was a bit of a porky, but Richard was enjoying chatting to her and wanted a bit more time. ‘Sure I can’t offer you a drink? Small one, even?’