“Okay ... no, it was fantastic talking you ... yes, I will ...” She giggled, obviously flirting. I wondered who she was talking to.
I watched her as she spoke, casually tucking a stray hair behind her ear as she did so. Today she was wearing a dress in the same shade of blue as I was. It was very similar to the one I was wearing, but hers looked a hell of a lot more stylish on her than mine did on me. I ran my fingers through my hair and attempted to smooth the frizzies that popped up.
“You have an awesome afternoon won’t you ... okay, bye!” Allison finished the call, and put the phone back into place on the desk, her smile huge, showing her perfectly straight teeth. She turned to me.
“Lizzie, did you forget your appointment?” She laughed lightly.
“Umm, no I just got held up. Sorry.”
“That’s okay. I was just talking to Riley and told him that even though I couldn’t fit you in for another appointment, I would take you out to lunch. We may not be able to get too personal, but at least we can get to know each other. On a friendly basis.”
I felt the saliva in my mouth dry up. “You ... you were speaking to Riley?”
“Yes, I was worried when you didn’t turn up. I thought he would know where you were. You don’t mind that I called him do you?”
“No. Why would I mind?” I smiled. Of course I bloody mind!
“That’s good. Some women might feel threatened by an ex-girlfriend, but I assure you that you have nothing to worry about. I can tell how much he loves you just by looking at him.”
I felt myself relax slightly. Of course Riley loved me, and I had absolutely no reason to doubt that.
“Now, there’s a little family-run cafe just down the road from here that makes the yummiest food. I thought we could go there for lunch. My treat,” she continued.
Before I had the chance to respond, she picked up her handbag, walked to the door, and turned the sign to closed. She then opened it and waited for me to walk out first.
“We’ll take my car. It’s parked just over there.”
I looked at where she pointed, and saw the sleek silver Mercedes parked in the shade under a tree. The car reminded me of the one my ex–boyfriend, Scott drove. It’s funny, but Allison made me feel the exact same way Scott had – stupid and insignificant—even though I couldn’t pin point why. She was being nice enough to me. Maybe it was just my own insecurities and jealousy making me feel that way. I decided I should give her the benefit of the doubt and followed her to the car, her heels clicking on the cement as we went.
As she beeped the doors open, I got in the passenger side. “New car?” I asked, trying to be friendly.
“I’ve had it two months. It’s nice isn’t it?” she asked, without any pretention.
“It’s gorgeous.” I shuffled on the seat trying to get my skirt under me as the leather felt quite warm against my legs. Broomph.
Allison giggled.
I felt the heat flush my face. “Oh um ... that was my leg on the seat,” I explained.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to explain. It’s just us girls, no one has to know.”
“But I didn’t ... you know?” How did you say that to someone who you were insecure around? Do you say ‘fart’ or do you say ‘pass wind’?
“Honestly, it’s okay Lizzie,” said Allison, winding her window down. I groaned and sank into my seat.
The café she selected was only a five-minute drive away but as it started to rain, I was grateful we were driving and not walking. As she pulled into a car park, I tried to judge how far away the door to the café was and thought if I ran, I’d be able to make it without getting my hair too wet. I waited for Allison to get out first and then made a run for it. She gracefully opened her umbrella and followed me across the road, dodging puddles as she went.
We went inside and I followed her to a table at the back of the room. The café was quite sweet really, decorated in French provincial style quite popular at the moment. The smells drifting out from the kitchen made my stomach rumble. I remembered I had actually missed breakfast this morning as my stomach had been churned up at the thought of my meeting with Allison.
Sitting down, we picked up our menus and I took the moment to study her close up. It bothered me that I recognized her from somewhere but couldn’t remember where.
“You know, Allison I’m sure I know you from somewhere,” I said.
“Really? I wouldn’t know where.” She looked at me and smiled innocently.
I had a sneaking suspicion she did know where but didn’t want to say. “It’ll come to me. It always does. Probably late at night when I’m trying to sleep, it’ll just randomly pop into my head.”
Allison smiled and busied herself in the menu. I looked at the menu in my hand and the chicken burger instantly appealed to me.
“What do you feel like, Lizzie?”
“Oh the burger sounds delicious,” I replied, reading as I went. But then so did schnitzel. And the turkey wrap. I made a note to bring Riley here for lunch one day. He’d love the steak sandwich.
“Alright well, I’ll go and order then,” said Allison before I had a chance to change my mind.
“Oh, you don’t have to pay for my lunch. Thanks anyway, but I can get it.”
“No, really I insist. It’s my treat.” She stood and moved to the counter, her tiny pony tail bouncing as she walked.
“Oh Allison, can you just check the chef doesn’t cook with peanut oil please. I’m allergic to it.”
“Really? What sort of reaction do you have?”
“Oh, it’s not pretty. My lips swell, my tongue swells and I get all blotchy and red.”
“Well, that doesn’t sound pleasant. Definitely no Peanut oil then.”
As she moved back up the queue, my memory stirred.
“I know!” I yelled.
“Pardon,” she said, turning back to face me.
“I know where I know you from.” I sat back in my chair and smiled. “You were at the auction when I bought my house. I remember because I was so impressed that you could get your hair into such a short ponytail.”
“I think you must have me confused for someone else,” she said, her smile tight.
“No, I’m positive that it was you.”
“Really, Lizzie, I think you’re mistaken. I wasn’t at the auction. Why would I be?”
“But ...” I petered out. I didn’t know why she would be, or why she would lie about it. I shrugged.
Allison smiled and turned back to the queue, her posture rigid. Confused, I looked around the café and thought back to the day of the auction—the day I had bought my house.
I suppose I could be wrong about Allison. I mean that day was quite stressful and I was focusing on the auctioneer. There had only been one other registered bidder – an older gentleman who wanted it as a development site, but I remember the woman who I thought was Allison. She’d spent the whole time standing under the tree in the front yard, her agitation showing. The real estate agent selling the house had told me there was another interested party, but they hadn’t got their finances together quickly enough. You couldn’t bid at auction unless you had the money or finance approved up front.
“Lizzie,” said Allison, calling to me from her place in the queue. I jumped as her voice pulled me back to the present. “I think I forgot to put money in the parking meter. Do you think you could check it for me while I order lunch?”
I looked across the road to the car and sighed. It was now pouring with rain. Could I just sit here and not go? Surely we could get away without paying for parking just once?
“Please?” she called. “I have another client in less than an hour and if I don’t order our food now we won’t get it in time.”
“Sure.” Well, there goes the straight hair.
I got up and moved to the door and stepped into the rain. By the time I had waited for the traffic, crossed the road, saw she had actually put the money in the meter, and had gotten back again, I was soaked. And
freezing.
“Oh, you silly thing,” said Allison sitting back in the seat opposite me, placing a glass of water on the table in front of me. “You’re soaking wet.”
She was observant if nothing else. “You should have taken my umbrella.”
Yes, I should have. Why didn’t I think of that?
“Didn’t think of that, did I?” I smiled to cover my embarrassment caused by my own stupidity.
“Why? Why didn’t you think of that, Lizzie?” Allison placed her elbows on the table, put her hands under her chin, and looked at me seriously. I felt discomfited.
“Ummm ... because I’m an idiot?”
“Oh Lizzie, you’re funny. I was just joking,” she laughed, waving her hand in front of her. “But then ... no. Just joking again.”
She laughed like she was hilarious. I didn’t find her funny at all.
“Now drink up and tell me what’s happening with that old house of yours. Is it nearly finished?”
I spent the next five minutes sipping water, shivering against the cold of the air conditioning and telling Allison all about my renovations, grateful to be speaking about something I actually knew.
“I intend to sell it once it’s finished,” I said, finishing my monologue.
“Riley tells me you’ve done an excellent job choosing the décor and fittings.”
He did, did he? “Riley’s really kind. He’s the one doing all the hard work and bringing the old house back to life.”
“Riley is really kind,” Allison said quietly. “He’s probably the kindest, sweetest man I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.”
My heart stuttered as she spoke, but I was saved from responding as our food arrived at the table. I looked at my burger, which was almost the size of the plate and was accompanied by a pile of delicious golden chips, and my stomach growled. I looked at Allison’s Caesar salad and felt embarrassed ... again.
“I hope you’re hungry.” She smiled, looking at my plate. “I admire any woman who can eat like that. There’s a week’s worth of calories there.” She laughed, but I felt the atmosphere shift and knew she was having a dig at me.
“I’m lucky like that I guess,” I said, holding my head high. “I do of course watch my weight at times, but mostly I can eat whatever I want.” That was a total lie. If I ate whatever I wanted, I would be about the size of my house.
“Well enjoy it. It looks delicious,” she added.
I looked at my burger and debated which was the best way to eat it. I couldn’t pick it up and take a bite as it would never fit in my mouth. I lifted the top off and opted to use a knife and fork. Sure it felt a bit weird eating a burger with a knife and fork, but if nothing else I looked a whole lot more lady like, and Molly’s dress may make it home without beetroot dropped down the front of it.
“Riley loved it here,” said Allison, pushing her salad onto her fork and taking a delicate bite.
The chicken stuck in my throat.
“We used to come here all the time. The steak sandwich was his favorite.” She smiled at the memory.
I picked up my water glass and took a gulp, trying to push the food down my throat.
“Are you okay? You’re not choking are you?” she asked, her concern evident on her face.
It probably wouldn’t look good if one of her clients choked to death during a lunch date. I managed to get the chicken down, my eyes watering as I did so. “No,” I choked. “I’m fine thanks. Just went down the wrong way.”
“Well that’s good. I’d hate to have to tell Riley that I’d killed you with your lunch.”
Liar. You’d love it. “Yeah, he’d be a bit upset I imagine.” I laughed unconvincingly.
“Riley would be upset, Lizzie. He’s a very sensitive man. It’s actually one of the things I loved the most about him.” My heart stopped with her words.
“Are you still in love with him?’ I asked, the words jumping out my mouth before I could stop them. I held my breath and waited for her reply.
She took her time to consider her response. “It doesn’t really matter does it? He loves you. That’s what’s important.”
She placed her hand over mine in a friendly gesture. I felt the undertone. I wanted to question her more about it, but I honestly couldn’t find the words. She was a threat and if she had the chance she would be back in Riley’s life in every conceivable way.
My burger suddenly lost its appeal. I put my knife and fork down and nibbled on a few of the chips as we finished our lunch, my end of the conversation deliberately avoiding Riley. If only Allison had felt the same.
Instead I had to endure listening to her crunch on her salad, reminiscing about Riley. I looked at the door and wondered if I could actually be rude enough to leave, and how long it would take me to walk home.
Chapter Nine
It happened even before we’d finished lunch. I could feel my lips tingling and my tongue felt funny. I picked up my water and finished what was left in the glass. Oh no. The last time I felt like this, I found out I had an allergy to peanut oil.
Allison looked at me, her expression quizzical. “Are you alright?” she asked.
“Umm ... not really,” I replied. “I’m feeling a bit hot.”
“Your face is covered in red blotches.”
“You did ask them about the peanut oil, didn’t you?”
“Of course I did. Do you think you are you having an allergic reaction?”
I hoped not, but within minutes my lips had swollen to the point where they hurt, and my tongue was so swollen I could no longer speak properly. Tears stung my eyes as I struggled to control my breathing and not panic.
“Oh,” I heard Allison say. She grabbed at a passing waiter. “Excuse me, but this woman is having an allergic reaction. Can someone call for an ambulance, please?”
She said it all very calmly. Well, I guess that was because she wasn’t the one swelling like a puffer fish.
The waiter gave me a horrified look and rushed towards a woman behind the counter, his arms waving towards me as he spoke. I saw her grab at the phone.
Within seconds, chaos erupted around me. I had waiters running about, the chef had appeared, and Allison was yelling at the top of her voice about how irresponsible they were serving a dish cooked in peanut oil when she had specifically told them I was allergic to it.
The waitress that had taken our order was in tears, shaking her head and saying she never heard her say that.
“Of course I said it!” yelled Allison. “This poor woman could die. I’m a doctor. Do you really think I would be that irresponsible?”
“If you’re a doctor then help her!” said the chef.
Allison glared at him. “I’m not that kind of doctor,” she said calmly.
The last time I’d had a reaction to peanut oil, all I’d had was swollen lips and tongue. When I breathed through my nose, I had no difficulty whatsoever. This time I could feel my throat closing. It all happened so fast, I didn’t even have time to panic. Seconds later, I felt weak and room faded as confusion filled my mind. I heard a woman scream as I slipped off my chair and fell to the floor, the world momentarily going black.
When I opened my eyes, I was looking into the face of a paramedic. He was speaking to me in a calm voice, all the while jabbing me with a needle. I couldn’t make out what he was saying, but I didn’t care. An oxygen mask was put over my face as I was lifted onto a gurney and wheeled out to the waiting ambulance.
* * *
I hated hospitals. In fact, the very thought of having to go there made me break out in a sweat. Paramedic Jim asked me how I was feeling. Apparently anxiety wasn’t helped by adrenalin, he told me.
Allison had followed me to the ER, and was waiting for Riley as a team of medical staff assessed my condition. It seems that Paramedic Jim may have saved my life by administering adrenalin just in time. They did also recommend that from now on I carry an auto-injector so that if this ever happened again, adrenalin could be given immediately and I’d surv
ive without all the drama.
Sounded simple enough, but the doctor wasn’t the one who had been struggling to breathe. The way I figured it, even with the adrenalin auto-injector, I’d still be freaked out enough to panic.
Thankfully, Riley arrived quickly. Just seeing his gorgeous face made the whole experience a lot more bearable, but feeling his strong arms hold me, the stress of the day took hold and the tears flowed.
“Thank God you’re okay,” he said, holding me tightly against his chest.
“I ... was ... s...so ... scared,” I sobbed.
“That makes two of us,” said Allison, standing at the foot of my bed, her grey eyes huge.
“Thank you so much for your help, Allison. I’m scared to think what would have happened to Lizzie if you hadn’t been there.”
Really? I know things were a bit hazy and blurry at the time, but I didn’t remember Allison doing very much to help, to be honest.
“Well, all’s well that ends well. Isn’t that what they say?” she replied.
“Yeah, thank God.” Riley kissed the top of my head and released his hold on me.
I didn’t want him too. Being held that tightly made me feel safe and secure, and I wanted to stay there
Just then my curtain was pulled back and a nurse entered our cubicle.
“Excuse me,” said Riley, addressing her. “What happens now? Does Lizzie have to stay in for a while or can she go home?”
“She needs to stay for a few more hours just so we can keep an eye on her vital signs. If she responds the way we think she will, she’ll be able to go home later this afternoon.”
“Thanks.” I heard the sigh of relief leave Riley, as he smiled.
I saw her swoon but she quickly regained her composure and checked a few machines I was hooked up to, wrote a few things down and left, leaving the curtain open as she went. I looked up to see Paramedic Jim smiling at me.
“You’re looking much better,” he said, moving closer to my bed.
“Thanks to you, apparently.” I smiled. I didn’t really know what to say to this man. The words thank you didn’t feel adequate, but they were all I had.
Give Murder A Hand: Lizzie. Book 2 (The Westport Mysteries) Page 9