by Barry, Jill
‘I hope I won’t be hanging around watching TV too much. I’m thinking, if I get a gig in the city, I’ll be on the doorstep. Save on travel costs. So, what do you think, Hal?’
‘I think I should keep out of it. Just don’t blame me if it all goes pear-shaped.’
‘I shan’t let it,’ said Zak. ‘She’s a 24 carat babe.’
Hal caught his breath. ‘Don’t even think about it,’ he snarled.
Zak gave a long, low whistle. ‘Does this mean sabres at dawn? You must have it bad, mate.’
‘It’s not like that.’ Hal was lying, flustered by his own outburst and remembering he’d just said he didn’t intend influencing Zak’s choice of flatmate. ‘I meant Zillah’s not interested in another relationship. She’s too recently bereaved and she’s still building up her business. The last thing she needs is you plying her with flowers and chocolates.’ Guiltily he remembered the rather enormous peace offering he’d sent. But that had been different. ‘Best keep it business-like if you take up her offer.’
‘Hmm,’ said Zak. ‘I’ll certainly go and check it out later. You never know – the two of us might go for a celebratory drink afterwards.’
Hal felt stifled by this conversation. Never mind the sabres, for two pins he’d punch Zak’s lights out. Where had that thought come from? He was losing it. Zak was posturing. Zillah, as she had reminded him the night before, was well able to deal with the likes of Mr Silver. But how he wished she didn’t act as though he was Mr Ice Man and she needed to out-freeze him. Behind that cool, composed façade was a warm, passionate woman. Of that he was certain. He powered up his laptop. Hopefully Zak would have finished working on the website by lunchtime and Hal’s desk would be his own again. What Mr Silver found to do with himself afterwards was entirely his own affair.
*
The tour of Zillah’s apartment ended in the kitchen, where it had begun.
‘It’s a great place,’ said Zak. ‘Sorry to mess you about and ask to see it in your lunch break, Zillah. I’d definitely like to take up your offer of a trial period.’
‘We’ll make it three months, if that suits you. You might be able to move back in with Hal – with your friend – after that. His cottage will be habitable by then, I imagine.’
‘Nah,’ said Zak. ‘Hal and I are chalk and cheese. Anyway, I’ll be heading for the West End three months from now. Meanwhile, this pad is perfect for me.’ He reached for his chequebook. ‘The rent seems very reasonable.’
‘Good. I’m afraid you’ll have to park on the road once our landlady returns but I’ll remind you the day before she’s due back. She always rings me.’ She glanced at her watch. ‘Important to keep things amicable, don’t you agree?’
‘Absolutely. Now, I can see you want to get on so, I’ll just write you a cheque and drop you back at work. I’ll go to Hal’s place to pick up my gear then drive to my mate’s at Clapham. See my agent tomorrow and hang out with some of the guys I know are still in the show. It’ll be good to catch up.’
Zillah knew he’d been among the London cast of Phantom of the Opera. She handed him a pen. ‘So the Hal Christmas website’s up and running?’
‘Though I say it myself, it’s not bad at all. You can check it out this afternoon if you have time. I think you’ll be happy with your link.’
‘I’ll do that.’
He passed the cheque to her. ‘That’s to be going on with. You can let me know my share of the extra rent for dual tenancy and I’ll pay you then. I’ll be back Sunday evening, unless there’s an audition Monday, in which case I’ll text you.’
‘No need,’ said Zillah. ‘I understand how your plans might change unexpectedly.’ She held out a small bunch of keys. ‘You can come and go as you wish now. I don’t need to remind you to come in quietly if you arrive in the small hours.’
‘I’ll try not to annoy you or the divine felines,’ said Zak, who was already a big hit with Ruby.
‘Please don’t give them anything to eat, Zak, even if they hold you hostage.’
He held out his hand. ‘You’re a hard woman. But let’s shake on it. Here’s to a happy flat share.’
*
Back at the office, she told Abi about her new flatmate. ‘I’m not sure he’s the steadiest person in the world to share with.’
Abi bit into a plump peach, spilling juice down her T-shirt.
At once Zillah ripped off a sheet of kitchen roll. ‘Mop it up quickly. Cold water usually does the trick.’
‘Sounds like Zak has one foot in London and one here,’ Abi grumbled. ‘Wouldn’t a young professional woman be less hassle for you? Unless there’s something you’re not telling me?’
‘Don’t you lot ever give up?’ Zillah groaned. ‘Hal Christmas was heading for his office just as Zak dropped me off. He looked decidedly, erm, frosty. Honestly, anyone would think I was sixteen years of age - or a scarlet woman. You two are worse than my mum.’
Abi giggled. ‘I told you both those guys fancied you. This is going to be very exciting.’
‘Abi, you’re talking rubbish. This is purely a business transaction and, who I share my flat with is nobody’s business but mine.’
‘Hey, we care about you, that’s all. The fact is, Hal’s quality, whereas Zak’s a serial heart breaker and you can do without that kind of hassle.’
Zillah put her hands on her hips. ‘For the last time, Abi, I do not fancy Zak Silver. Nor he me.’ She paused, closing her eyes so she didn’t notice Abi’s face signalling a warning. ‘As for Hal Christmas, I wouldn’t fancy him if he came gift-wrapped with bells on.’
‘Excuse me.’ A grim-faced Hal loomed in the doorway. ‘I did call out but you obviously didn’t hear.’
If her expression was anything to go by, Hal suspected Zillah wished the ground would open up and swallow her. He guessed his own face must look as though he’d rather be anywhere else but here.
‘I’m so sorry,’ Zillah gasped. ‘What can I do for you?’
‘I have a lady here who’s just booked a children’s entertainer. I mentioned your firm and she’s wondering if you can provide a gourmet supper for six, the night of her son’s party.’
‘Thank you. Thank you so much. I’ll take her into my office.’ Zillah ripped off her apron. ‘I didn’t mean what I said just now. I didn’t mean you were unfanciable. I just -’ she paused, cheeks reddening.
Hal’s gaze took in her trim figure. His eyes met hers. For an instant, electricity so shocking, so powerful in its intensity, crackled between the two. Abi, the spectator, stood open-mouthed. Probably, he thought, she was wondering whether to reach for the fire extinguisher.
To give her due praise, Zillah greeted her potential client and ushered the woman into her office, closing the door behind them.
Abi raised her eyebrows. ‘What’s going on, Hal? Talk about sparks flying.’
‘I wouldn’t know,’ he said gloomily. ‘Zillah seems to have reached a very swift decision about Zak. I don’t need to tell you he’s bad news where relationships are concerned.’
Abi nodded. ‘I tease her about him but Zillah’s well aware what he’s like. I think perhaps he amuses her. She lets him get away with flirting but she knows both of them know it’s not going anywhere.’
Hal shook his head. Slowly. ‘Is that right? Whereas, I seem only to infuriate her.’
‘I think she’s worried about finances,’ said Abi. ‘She mutters a lot when she’s studying her spreadsheets. I wish you two -’
Hal held up his hand. ‘No. Please, Abi! Don’t go there. Your boss would eat you alive and follow up with me for afters.’
Abi’s chuckle was infectious. Hal laughed too. But inside, he hurt. It was worrying on three counts. Firstly, he hated to think of Zillah struggling without someone to help share the burden. Secondly, he detested the thought of her sharing cosy kitchen suppers with Zak, platonic though their relationship might be. Thirdly, Hal had an awful suspicion he was falling more and more in love with a woman who clearly didn
’t even like him. Let alone fancy him. Even if he came gift-wrapped.
Chapter Nine
Hot daytime melted into sultry evening. In bed, Zillah counted vast numbers of fluffy sheep. When she did drop off, she woke suddenly, feeling hot and sticky. In desperation, she slipped out of bed at one a.m. and went through to the kitchen in her nightie, a beautiful wisp of honeysuckle silk given her by her late husband. She’d have to remember to put on a sensible robe once Zak was in residence. But she was determined not to object if he wandered between his room and the bathroom clad only in a pair of boxers. She wasn’t that paranoid, nor even strait-laced, even if she preferred him to regard her as such.
Zillah dunked a peppermint teabag in a mug of hot water, trying to figure out her feelings. Very aware of her personal security, she always kept the connecting door through to the utility room locked even though the garden gate was secured too. But tonight she needed to be outside for a while.
She moved cautiously, in case she disturbed any of the cats. Outside, a huge moon reminded her of a beautiful, fragile dinner plate. Zillah sat down on a wooden bench beneath a jasmine bush and breathed in the night scents. She placed her mug of tea on the grass beside her feet just in time. Ruby, returned from some jaunt or other, catapulted on to her lap, whirring like a wind-up toy.
‘Hello, scamp,’ said Zillah softly. ‘I won’t ask what you’ve been up to.’
She sat, stroking the kitten, wondering why things had to be so difficult. She didn’t mind working hard. That was a must when running a business on a shoestring. But why, when she’d been so very much in love with Daniel - had been devastated when he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour - why did she now feel so unwound by Hal Christmas?
‘I don’t want anyone else in my life, Ruby,’ Zillah whispered. ‘At least, I don’t think I do. It’s too soon, surely? Yet, sometimes when I look at Hal and he’s looking at me, it’s like I want to rush into his arms. It worries me, Ruby. I think that’s probably why I came out with that nasty remark about not fancying him. Trying to convince myself. I also think the reason why I find Zak such easy company is because I’m not attracted to him like I am to Hal. Anyway, Zak’s totally barking. And he’ll probably be as charming to the Honourable Clarissa as he is to Abi and me, not to mention the waitress at the Golden Fleece or somebody like Lady Gaga. He just can’t help himself. You know that, don’t you?’
The kitten yawned and leapt from Zillah’s knee, making for the cat flap and her comfortable bed. Zillah picked up her mug and sipped, gazing at the moon. ‘So what does all that tell me?’ The question was addressed to no one in particular.
*
Next morning at seven, having slept all of four hours, Zillah forced herself to focus. She was already at work, spooning creamy curried chicken into puff pastry cases. A bowl of her special spicy prawn filling waited in the fridge. The only trouble was she kept seeing Hal’s face. It was a perfectly pleasant one as faces go but it didn’t help her concentration, especially as this task demanded a steady hand. That awful faux pas yesterday when he’d been trying to introduce new business – how would she ever talk her way out of that one? Hopefully he wouldn’t be around today.
Abi arrived well before her agreed starting time of half past seven. She yawned as she came through the door. ‘Ooh, sorry, Zillah. Morning!’
‘Are you all right, Abi?’ Zillah paused, the spoon she was holding, suspended in mid-air.
‘Hey, watch you don’t drop any. I’m good, thanks. Woke at five and just couldn’t go back to sleep. Left Joe still in the land of nod. Shall I start on the bridge rolls?’
‘Please, Abi. 150 – Smoked salmon, egg mayonnaise and roast beef with horseradish.’
‘Good job my maths are good.’ Abi called over her shoulder, on her way to get changed. ‘Heard anything more since you emailed your new menu suggestions?’
‘About the West wedding? Not yet. As a matter of fact, I’d temporarily forgotten it.’
Abi made no response. When she emerged, on her way to split and spread bridge rolls, she stopped, as if wanting to say something.
‘What?’
‘You. It’s so unlike you not to have everything simmering at the top of your cranial list of priorities.’
Zillah burst out laughing. ‘Good grief, Abi, you make me sound like some sort of robot. I hope I don’t come over as too much of a workaholic.’
‘I didn’t mean that.’
Zillah’s mobile, which she’d left on the draining board, began buzzing like a frenzied wasp.
She peeled off clinging latex gloves to answer it. ‘Mrs Robinson. Good morning.’
‘Annie West here. Good morning to you.’
‘Heavens, you’re an early bird. How are you?’
‘Love this time of year, Zillah. Can’t get enough of it.’
This, Zillah felt, sounded promising. Unless of course Annie was softening her up prior to giving bad news.
‘You did say you were catering for a wedding today, so I didn’t want to risk one of the guests nabbing our date. Fortunately my daughter got back to me quickly – she and Ravi love your menus. We’re all in agreement. We want you to cater the wedding. If that’s still okay?’
‘Okay? That’s wonderful. Wow – thank you very much for this.’ Zillah paused. ‘By the way, Mrs West, I wouldn’t have accepted another booking for that Saturday without checking with you first. Not even if Prince Harry had asked me to cater for his marriage to, erm, to the Celestial Princess of Ranjapor.’
Annie laughed. ‘Now that would be an exciting opportunity. You deserve the business, Zillah. Between you and me, I did interview another caterer. Their quotation was way above yours but that’s not the real reason I chose you.’
‘Uhuh. In your place, I’d have done exactly the same. Food’s such a wonderful way to celebrate a happy occasion. It says such a lot. How much you care about Lucinda, how much you value your family and friends being there to celebrate with you. And not forgetting your wish to welcome Ravi into your family. This isn’t just a wedding party. It’s a celebration of two cultures uniting. You can rest assured the food will reflect love and joy.’
She wondered why she felt a little choked-up. But she wasn’t the only one. Down the line, she heard Annie West sniff and clear her throat.
‘Thank you, Zillah. I know we’ve made the right choice. Look, I won’t keep you now. Next week, maybe you’d put your quotation in writing?’
‘Of course. Have a lovely weekend. I’d like another meeting soon if that’s all right. I’ll need to know the size of the marquee, where the comfort stations will be positioned – table sizes, etc.’
Zillah ended the call and performed a little dance of joy, ending it abruptly as she saw Hal Christmas passing her window, on his way into work. Thump, thump, went her flibbertigibbet of a heart. Their eyes met as he glanced in. She brushed away a tear, impatient with herself for showing her emotions and annoyed with him for happening along just at that moment. Wasn’t it a bit early for number crunching? Or maybe he was waiting to brief a team of acrobats and clowns on their way to a garden fete.
Hal stopped in his tracks and nodded. Zillah nodded back. Neither of them smiled until Abi appeared beside Zillah and waved, making his face light up. He waved back.
‘You see? He’s like a moth to a flame.’
‘Nonsense. Anyway, you’ve certainly made a hit with Mr Ice Man.’ Zillah reached for another pair of disposable gloves. That curt nod he gave her had spoken volumes.
‘I really don’t get it,’ said Abi. ‘You and him, I mean. He’s so easy to talk to.’
‘It must be chemistry, I suppose, or the lack of it. We don’t seem to be on the same wavelength. Oh, no problem being civil to one another over a cup of coffee. But I’ve probably made the situation even worse now he’s heard me telling you how I don’t fancy him. Or Zak. Or anyone.’
‘Hmm. You certainly seem to find Zak easier company. I can’t think why.’
‘Never mind
him. I have some good news.’
Abi’s fingers flew. ‘Business or pleasure?’
‘Business, but it’s pleasurable too. We’re catering the West wedding in September. That was the bride’s mother on the phone.’
‘How fantastic. Now, that is a triumph. What a biggie! Well done you.’
‘As I keep telling you. This is all about teamwork. Without you and people like Jake and the others, I wouldn’t be able to take on such a big event.’
‘Do they want a wedding singer, I wonder.’ Abi’s fingers kept flying.
‘Are you doing Zak’s publicity as well now?’
‘I just think he’s got such a great voice. I’d want him singing at my wedding.’
‘Well, if you get married in the next few months, I’m sure he’d be delighted to oblige.’
The corners of Abi’s mouth drooped. ‘Joe wants to. Get married, I mean. I’m not so sure.’
‘Not sure about Joe? Are you kidding me?’ Zillah hadn’t quite resumed her former rhythmic drip-feeding of fillings into pastry cases.
‘I meant I don’t have a great yen for marriage. Yet. Nothing against it. I just feel, well, if something isn’t broke, don’t fix it.’
Zillah nodded. ‘Everyone’s different. You might change your mind later.’
‘As long as Joe doesn’t!’ Abi’s expression showed how much she cared for her partner. ‘He’s lovely. We’re so lucky. To have found each other, I mean. And I think you’re right about the commitment thing. We’re trying to save for the future but it’s not easy.’
‘No,’ said Zillah quietly. ‘Life isn’t easy, Abi. Now, I must crack on. You’re putting me to shame.’
Hal was checking out his new website. Zak, with his eye for detail and colour, certainly put him to shame where design was concerned. Anyway, Hal was feeling a little guilty about the whole Zak and Zillah business. Hell’s teeth but that sounded like a double act. Move over Wallace and Gromit – here come Zak and Zillah. If Mrs Robinson was on shaky financial ground at the moment, its harassed proprietor deserved all the help she could get. Hopefully, much of Zak’s verbal leering was just macho chest beating.