by Maggie Brown
The flood of guilt dissolved into annoyance. “I’m thirty-five, for God sake, not an adolescent with a crush.”
“If you say so.”
“Yes, I do,” said Lindsey, rising to go. “Now let that be the end of it,” she added sternly.
At the door, she cast a backward glance. A foolish woman might’ve thought she’d won the argument, but from the sceptical look on Bernice’s face, she clearly hadn’t.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Lindsey looked appreciatively at Nicolle as she entered the hotel foyer, with the confident smooth rhythm of a dancer. Dressed in a mauve suit meticulously cut in a deceptively simple style, she looked all class. When she saw Lindsey, she paused confidently and kissed her on the cheek.
“Hi, Lindsey. Thank you so much for inviting me. It was a lovely surprise. The restaurant has a top reputation and I’ve always planned to come here one day.”
“I’m glad you could join me. I came here a few weeks ago with Daisy. The food is superb.”
“Wonderful. Good food is one of my greatest loves,” Nicolle said with a smile. “Or vices.”
“Shall we go in then?” murmured Lindsey, any lingering anxiety vanishing when Nicolle gave her right hand a quick squeeze.
Aware that she’d have to expect some recognition after the article, Lindsey tried to ignore the curious glances and nods of acknowledgment directed her way as they were shown to their table. Fortunately, after their initial interest most people had the good manners to give them privacy.
“So,” said Nicolle, her blue eyes sparkling. “You’re quite the celebrity.”
Lindsey rolled her eyes. “I hope fame is fleeting, as the saying goes. Being in the public eye doesn’t sit well with me. I’m a very private person.”
“What possessed you to give that interview then?”
Lindsey forced herself to control the tension creeping back as she rattled off the prepared white lie. “My company is doing well, but we need more exposure globally. We have some new products ready to launch. The interview was the first step. I’ve recently hired a friend as an event coordinator.”
“For what it’s worth, I think you’re an extraordinary person and very brave. Now I’m sure you want to get off that subject so shall we order? What do you suggest?”
Not knowing what to expect with the date, it went far better than she had anticipated. Nicolle was engaging—the conversation didn’t lag or fall into uncomfortable silences, so when they rose to go, Lindsey was genuinely sorry it was over.
“That was lovely,” said Nicolle as they reached the glass doors leading out of the foyer. “Would you like to come to dinner with me next week? There’s a nice little Greek restaurant I’m sure you’d enjoy.”
“Um…that would be great,” Lindsey replied with a cautious smile. “I’m not quite sure if I’m free on the weekend though.”
“Perhaps Thursday night?”
“Thursday will be fine.”
“Good. It’s a date then. I’ll ring you on Wednesday with the time. I have a showing at three so it won’t be early,” Nicolle said. “Now I’d better ring for a taxi.”
“Can I drop you somewhere? My driver’s parked outside.”
“Thank you. I’d appreciate that.” The reply was simple and gracious. The dress designer was not one to gush, which Lindsey liked.
Lindsey studied her companion as they moved through the city. She really was a charming woman: bright, successful, and seemingly completely in control of her life. She imagined that if Nicolle wanted something, she would find a way to get it. If she was aware she was being examined she gave no indication.
They drove in companionable silence with only an occasional comment and presently stopped in front of an attractive apartment building overlooking the river. Nicolle turned to look at Lindsey with a distinct gleam in her eye. “It’s nice to meet someone who is so easy to be with and on the same wavelength. I think we’re going to get on famously.”
Then Nicolle did something so unexpected it caught her completely off guard. She leaned over and kissed her. As softly, slowly, her mouth roamed over hers, Lindsey remained planted on the seat and didn’t pull away. After teasing her bottom lip with her tongue, and with infinite care, Nicolle pulled back, her warm breath caressing Lindsey’s cheeks as she withdrew.
She slid over to the door with a long cool look. “I’ll see you on Thursday. Be safe.” Then she stepped out of the vehicle in a fluid movement and Joe closed the door before Lindsey could reply.
Lindsey touched her fingers to her lips as the car nosed back into the traffic. The kiss had been soft like a benediction, and a definite declaration of Nicolle’s intentions. But though sweet, it hadn’t stirred her blood or sent tingles through her body. Maybe that would come later, for it was clear that Nicolle intended there to be a later. Anyone would be lucky to have her as a lover. She was warm, considerate and articulate—also wealthy in her own right. They were well suited.
With eyes closed Lindsey sank back into the seat, revelling in the solitude. Even though the date had been very pleasant, it had been a little draining. She felt confused. Why couldn’t she push Daisy out of her mind when Nicolle was a perfect candidate for a relationship? That very brief kiss she had given Daisy outside the cottage had affected her far more than this one. It had sent her body throbbing for more, why she couldn’t fathom. They were so different in lots of ways even though they got on well. She was a woman who liked order and detail while Daisy thrived in disorder and was inclined to trivialize minutiae.
When Joe dropped her off, she changed into her old work clothes. Gardening was her therapeutic way to relax, the physical work always soothing. She worked steadily until the light had completely faded before trudging upstairs to shower for dinner. At least she would have peace and quiet while she ate.
She and Bernice had reached an impasse since their words when the article came out. Lindsey didn’t discuss her new social life and Bernice ignored the fact that she had one. The meal was a subdued affair: Lindsey was cranky because her back ached from weeding and Bernice surly because she couldn’t ask where she went for lunch. So as soon as she swallowed the last mouthful, Lindsey disappeared into the lounge to watch TV. Tomorrow she’d mend the bridges—they had been too close over the years. Tonight, though, she just wanted to chill out.
Even though the movie was good, Lindsey couldn’t concentrate. She missed Daisy’s nightly call. They hadn’t spoken since she delivered the magazine and the two times Lindsey had rung, the call had gone to voice mail. She was beginning to think that she had been right. Daisy wanted space from her, that she thought Lindsey was getting too familiar. With a weary sigh, she switched off the television and was about to climb the stairs when her phone jangled. When Daisy’s voice came on the line, her heart skipped a beat.
“Hey, Lindsey. Umm…I know it’s rather late, but I was wondering how you got on today.”
Lindsey slipped back into the chair with a broad smile. “Hello there. I haven’t heard from you since Tuesday. What’s been happening?”
“I’ve been pretty busy with work, and Mum had the flu so I’ve been helping out with meals at night.”
“Oh. Is she all right?”
“Much better now. So…how did your date with Nicolle go? You did ask her, didn’t you?”
“I did. We had lunch at the Chelsea today and it went very well. Extremely well in fact. She was charming and we got on like a house on fire. She’s so easy to be with…I had no anxiety at all.”
There was silence at the end of the phone for a moment then Daisy said, “Really? Then you clicked?”
“We have a lot in common.”
“Are you going to see her again?”
“She’s asked me to dinner on Thursday night,” Lindsey replied. “A Greek restaurant.”
“That sounds nice. I’ve organized a night out at the Beauvoir Club on Saturday, so you’ll have a busy week. Apparently, it’s their monthly party night. Carmen said it’s always a
hoot.”
“Carmen?”
“She’s one of Australia’s top models. I’ve been out with her before,” Daisy murmured.
Lindsey glowered into the phone. It would seem Daisy had a love life after all. “What’s her last name, if I may ask?”
“Carmen Zambini. She’s a bit of a fashionista but fun.”
“I can’t wait to meet her.” As if.
“Good, because she’s dying to meet you.”
“Uh-huh,” said Lindsey with an eye roll. “What do I wear to this party?”
“Carmen says it’s not too dressy, though she always looks a million dollars. Go for something good but not too formal.”
Lindsey felt a twinge of dismay. Great. Just what she needed. A beauty queen as an escort. “She sounds interesting.” Or not.
“She’ll make sure you have a good time.”
“You will be coming too, won’t you?” Lindsey asked in alarm.
“Oh yes. Carmen insisted.”
“Good. I’m looking forward to it,” Lindsey muttered, resisting the urge to ask Daisy if she always did what Carmen wanted. She was beginning to dislike the model.
“I’ll give you a ring Friday to sort out the finer details.”
“Okay. I’ll be able to tell you how my date with Nicolle went.”
“Oh, right,” replied Daisy brusquely.
“She made it plain she’s interested.” Lindsey lowered her voice into a whisper. “She kissed me in the car.”
“I don’t expect all the intimate details. That’s between you two,” Daisy snapped.
“Sorry. I thought you did. You being the Minority Report guru an’ all. I’d better let you go then. Bye for now.” Lindsey clicked off the phone with a satisfied smile. The smugness didn’t last long. What she had done was petty. She’d mentioned Nicolle simply because she resented Carmen liking Daisy.
Unable to help herself, she hurried to her study to google Carmen Zambini model. When the image popped up her stomach lurched. The woman was gorgeous. No way could she compete with someone who looked like that.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Daisy tossed the phone onto the bedside table then burrowed under the covers.
“Goddamn it,” she snarled into the pillow. Nicolle certainly hadn’t wasted much time with Lindsey. If she were honest, the dress designer was very eligible and would suit Lindsey admirably. But she hadn’t been thinking with her head when Lindsey told her about her great luncheon date. Instead of being an encouraging matchmaker, as she had been hired to be, she’d raved on about how fucking great Carmen was.
Then when Lindsey announced Nicolle had kissed her, a pang of indignation shot right through her. She vowed to be more vigilant about her feelings in the future. Not that she hadn’t tried. She had already decided to give Lindsey more space. She knew she had to stop monopolizing her now she was ready to look for a wife. Daisy had to fade into the background—Lindsey was her client not her girlfriend. However, all it had succeeded in doing was to make her life miserable. She’d even let Lindsey’s calls go to voice mail which had really stung.
With a sigh, she snuggled deeper into the bed. Maybe ringing every second night wouldn’t hurt, she thought as she drifted off to sleep.
* * *
“Whatever is the matter with you?” Allison asked as Daisy pushed aside her half-eaten donut. “You moped around all day yesterday and you’re no better this morning.”
“Nothing’s the matter. I just feel out of sorts.”
“Go on home if you’re not well. I can handle things.”
“I’m not sick,” replied Daisy testily. “Give me a break. I can’t be cheery all the time.”
Allison looked at her in surprise. “Well, something’s got your knickers in a knot. Out with it…what’s wrong?”
“I don’t know. I’m just down in the dumps.”
“Ah,” said Allison, her attention fully caught. “You’ve been extra happy lately. At a guess, I’d say you’ve met someone and you’ve had an argument.”
“What! No!”
“Sounds like it to me. Who is she?”
Daisy stiffened. Was she that obvious? Damn. She took a swig of her coffee and said nonchalantly. “When have I had time to date or even meet someone for that matter?”
“You could have met her on the Internet.”
“I did—” Daisy stopped. Why not make up a girlfriend? Allison would hardly approve of her crushing on one of her clients. She took a deep breath and said, “Okay…you’re very perceptive. An old girlfriend got in touch and we reconnected. But that’s all I’m saying on the subject. I don’t want to jinx it.”
Allison’s eyes widened. “Now you’ve got me curious. When you’re ready, I’d love to meet her.”
“Not for a while,” Daisy answered with a firm shake of her head. She needed to get out of the office immediately, for by the look on Allison’s face there were more questions on the tip of her tongue. “Now I’ve errands to run. I’ll head home afterwards and see you tomorrow. Fresh air should buck me up.”
She quickly collected her bag and laptop, quashing the pangs of conscience as she slipped out the door. She hated lying to her friend. Outside, the air was warm with a barmy breeze blowing which did boost her spirits. As she drove out of her parking space, she was in two minds what to do.
She intended to work on the robot profile at home—her agency work had taken up all her time since she’d returned to town. It was becoming urgent to submit part of the first draft. The thought of working in her cramped study in her apartment didn’t appeal as much as Lindsey’s futuristic lounge. Ideas seemed to flow in that sci-fi setting.
She paused at the exit sign in the carpark. Could she just casually drop in? She shrugged. Why not? Without further hesitation, she swung the car north. When she reached Lindsey’s steel gate, nostalgia swept over her. She hadn’t stayed there long, but the estate inside looked warm and inviting like an old friend. Once the password was punched in, the gate swung open with a small click and she drove through with a smile.
A minute passed after she pressed the doorbell before she heard footsteps. Bernice opened the door, blinking in the bright sunlight. “Daisy, I didn’t know you were coming.”
“A last-moment decision. I hope I’m not intruding, but I thought I’d continue with my robot profile at the desk in the loungeroom. Lindsey said I could use it anytime.”
“Come on through. She went into the town lab early this morning.”
“When will she be back?”
“Sorry, dear, she didn’t say. She usually makes a day of it if she travels all the way in.”
Disappointed, Daisy followed her into the lounge. When Bernice disappeared upstairs, she settled down at the desk and opened her laptop. After typing a few sentences, she stopped to watch Stephen dusting the furniture. With the identity nearly finished, she had begun to think of the robot as him not it. Usually when she was in the room, he was turned off. She had never been shown how to reactivate him, which she suspected was deliberate on Lindsey’s part. She was very secretive about the robots.
Though he resembled a human, there was no mistaking that he wasn’t. His skin was a little too waxy and his face too symmetrical. As well, his movements were a tad jerky and stiff. She knew Lindsey was working on making them smoother. She had also mentioned that she had developed a new algorithm to enable the robot to react to a variety of falls—from a gentle nudge, to a rolling motion to break a high-speed tumble.
Curious, Daisy walked to the centre of the room and said slowly and distinctly, “Hello. I’m Daisy.”
The head swivelled around with a tiny whirring sound. “Hello Day-see. How are you?” The voice was slightly distorted, slightly plastic, and very digital, but for all that, he sounded fine.
Fascinated, she studied him closely. He was obviously programmed with a set of autonomous functions like cleaning and dusting, but how much more could he do? Lindsey had said he would obey commands. Okay, she’d give it a go. She
waved. “Do this, Stephen.”
Though not as fluid as her, he waved an arm with surprising agility. She moved a leg in the air. He did the same.
Excited now, she sidled closer. Maybe she could teach him a simple dance. “I want you to do what I do now.”
She leaned forward and back, then leaned to the right and to the left. She put both hands out front, sweeping from side to side. She raised her arms over her head, pivoted and clapped. “Now do that, Stephen.”
Unhesitatingly, he performed the sequence without a hitch. Delighted, she repeated the movements, which he copied again perfectly.
“Okay. We’re going to do it together.”
“Yes, Day-see.”
Daisy blue-toothed her phone into the sound system, then clicked on her favourite feel-good songs, beginning with “The Days.” Once she was facing the robot again, she began to dance. “Follow me,” she called out.
The robot was the perfect partner. For over ten minutes, she danced enthusiastically while Stephen followed in perfect sync. Caught up in the music, she failed to hear the footsteps approach from the hall until she heard, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Panting, she whipped her head towards the sound. Lindsey was standing in the doorway with hands on hips, her face like thunder. The next second, Stephen lurched sideways when he jerked his head around to follow Daisy’s lead. He teetered for a moment on the edge of toppling. Before she could react, he had deftly swung his body back into an upright position.
“Stand down X32,” Lindsey shouted.
The robot stopped in his tracks. Then he turned, slowly walked across to a small compartment in the corner and backed in. His eyes dimmed slightly.
Daisy hurriedly turned off the music, then waited nervously. Lindsey took her time, locking in the robot securely before she turned to face her. “Do you have any idea what that robot is worth?” she growled out.
Daisy remained silent.