Friends With Benefits

by Lisa Swift

  Lexie shrank back against the comforting pressure of Theo’s arm, crossing her own arms as if to put up a barrier between herself and the rest of the room. Being here, in the company of these people again, made her feel the way she had as an awkward, insecure thirteen-year-old who was never allowed to feel comfortable in her own skin. She felt like a Jan again, now. The Lexie who had grown up into a glamorous, confident woman who worked in a casino, raised a son, kept a home, started her own business, was gone, and there was a frightened little girl sitting in her place.

  Theo, seeming to sense how she was feeling, rubbed a comforting hand over her back.

  ‘Told you,’ he whispered in her ear.

  ‘Told me what?’

  ‘Allegra approaching, six o’clock. No, don’t turn around. Pretend you haven’t noticed. I told you she’d come to you.’

  ‘Jan!’ Allegra said when she reached them. She did the pretentious air-kiss thing that Lexie hated, then greeted Theo the same way – well, not quite the same way. She actually made skin-on-skin contact with him, spending just a bit longer than necessary with her face right up against his.

  ‘I’m so glad you could both make it,’ she said, simpering.

  ‘Thanks for inviting us,’ Lexie mumbled.

  ‘It was me who wanted to come really. I couldn’t resist meeting a few of my gorgeous girlfriend’s old school chums,’ Theo said with a winning smile. ‘So Allegra, where does Jan come from? Is there an embarrassing nickname story I ought to know?’

  His face was a picture of curious innocence as he waited for her answer. Lexie noticed Allegra’s cheeks flush slightly.

  ‘Oh, it’s an old joke from school,’ she said. ‘I can’t remember where it came from now.’

  ‘I can,’ Lexie said brightly. ‘From Grease – you remember, Allegra? In the film, Jan was the girl who got teased for her weight. Of course I was quite self-conscious about being a big girl back in those days.’

  ‘Oh. Yes. I suppose that, er… that might’ve been it,’ Allegra said, her blush deepening as she glanced at Theo.

  Theo frowned as if puzzled. ‘That sounds rather an upsetting nickname for a friend.’

  ‘Well, it was all meant in fun, I’m sure,’ Allegra said vaguely. ‘I’d forgotten that was where it came from. Old habits die hard, you know.’

  ‘I’d think about retiring that one,’ Theo said. ‘I don’t think Lexie likes it much, do you, sweetheart?’

  ‘I’m not a big fan, no,’ Lexie said, her smile all gone.

  ‘Then you ought to have said so before,’ Allegra said, looking petulant now. ‘Excuse me. I must go mingle.’

  ‘Score one to you,’ Theo whispered when she’d gone. ‘Now she feels ashamed of herself, as she bloody well ought to.’

  Lexie smiled. ‘That did feel good. Thanks, Teddy.’

  ‘Oh my God!’ a female voice said from behind them. ‘Theo? Theo Blake?’

  Theo winced. ‘Shit. I know that voice.’

  ‘Who is it?’ Lexie asked.

  Before he could answer, an attractive woman wearing a little pink dress that just barely covered her little pink backside had sashayed into view.

  ‘Well, Theo, I hadn’t expected to see you here,’ she said with a smile evidently designed to captivate, resting long pink fingernails on his arm. She cast an approving glance over his dinner suit. ‘Don’t you just look divine all dressed up? It’s Becky Collins, darling. You remember me, don’t you?’

  ‘Of course,’ Theo said, returning a smile that didn’t extend to his eyes. ‘How could I forget?’

  ‘You know, I still haven’t forgiven you for ignoring my calls,’ she said in an annoying infant voice. ‘Still, it was a hell of a lot of fun while it lasted, wasn’t it?’

  ‘If you say so.’

  Lexie had spun her barstool around to watch the scene, and Becky turned to her as if only just noticing she was there. ‘Oh. Hello. I don’t think we’ve met.’

  ‘I think we have,’ Lexie said coolly. ‘It’s Becky Lambert as was, isn’t it? We were in the same class at school.’

  ‘No! You’re not… it can’t be.’ Becky skimmed Lexie’s figure with surprise. ‘Jan?’

  ‘Her name’s Lexie,’ Theo observed, sipping his Diet Coke calmly.

  Becky frowned, looking from her to him. ‘Surely you two aren’t here together?’

  ‘We certainly are.’ Theo put an arm around Lexie’s shoulders. ‘Lexie and I are deeply in love. Aren’t we, darling?’

  He was overdoing it a bit now. Lexie nudged him in the ribs, but his bright smile didn’t fade.

  Becky looked put out by this information, but she forced a laugh. ‘Who, you? I thought you didn’t do relationships.’

  ‘So did I, but it turns out I just hadn’t met the right girl,’ he said with a fond glance at Lexie. ‘I was as surprised as you are, believe me. Well, come on, Lex, let’s wander over to the buffet table. I’m starved.’

  Becky plucked Lexie’s elbow as she hopped off her stool to follow him.

  ‘You’d better watch yourself, Ja— Lexie,’ she said in a low voice. ‘That’s not a man to fall for.’

  Lexie frowned. ‘Yes. Well, thanks for the unsolicited advice, Becky. I think that at my age, I’m capable of taking care of myself.’

  ‘No need to be that way, hun. I’m trying to help you out here,’ Becky said. ‘He’ll break your heart if you get too close. Trust me, I know whereof I speak. Number one with Theo Blake is Theo Blake, always.’

  ‘Thanks for your concern. I’ll bear it in mind.’

  Lexie caught up with Theo and put her arm through his.

  ‘I can’t believe you shagged Becky bloody Lambert,’ she muttered.

  ‘Well I didn’t know she put your bag in a bin, did I? If I had, I promise I’d never have touched her.’

  ‘What happened between you two then?’

  He shrugged. ‘Her divorce had just come through when we met in a bar. We had a bit of fun for a few weeks, then she started getting clingy so I called time on it. She wasn’t very keen on that. Kept leaving me pushy messages demanding I change my mind. I don’t think it was that she was particularly attached really; more that she’s one of those people who expects to do the dumping rather than be on the receiving end of it.’

  Lexie nudged him, smiling. ‘She just warned me you were going to break my heart, you unspeakable cad.’

  ‘How little she knows, eh?’

  ‘You were laying it on a bit thick with that “greatest love story of our age” bollocks, Theo.’

  ‘She bought it, didn’t she?’

  ‘Hmm. Suppose.’ She scanned the buffet, which consisted entirely of fancy-looking canapés she couldn’t identify. ‘What is all this stuff?’

  Theo picked up a pink pastry thing and blinked at it. ‘Dunno, beetroot? Or… maybe raspberry?’

  ‘Oh, for a sausage roll and a cheese cube on a stick.’

  The woman beside them looked up at Lexie with an expression of friendly interest. ‘I recognise that voice. It’s Lexie Whittle, isn’t it?’

  ‘Er, yes.’

  Lexie remembered her: Jemmy Liu, whose friendship Allegra had courted after her dad was discovered to have made a bomb in property. She’d been one of the quieter members of Allegra’s gang, ignoring Lexie but rarely tormenting her – apart from the time she’d told Allegra about the tampon she’d seen drop from Lexie’s pocket and Allegra had spread it all over school. Lexie was surprised Jemmy should remember who she was, let alone her real name.

  ‘How are you these days?’ Jemmy asked. ‘Allegra told me your marriage didn’t work out. I was sorry to hear that.’

  A comment like that from Allegra would usually have some sort of snide undertone that left Lexie struggling with the old feeling of worthlessness, but Jemmy actually sounded like she meant it.

  ‘Yes, that’s right. I married too young really, and… well, there were other factors.’ She glanced at Theo. ‘But you know, onwards and upwards. This is Theo, my… my
boyfriend, actually.’

  ‘Nice to meet you,’ Jemmy said, shaking his hand.

  Allegra, seeing the three of them talking, came over and fixed Lexie with a resentful look she barely tried to hide. It was evident she was still smarting from her earlier humiliation over the nickname.

  ‘So what did you do after we all left school, Lexie?’ Jemmy asked. ‘Did you go to university?’

  ‘Um, no.’

  ‘I don’t suppose that was really considered to be an option in your family, was it?’ Allegra said, smiling her crocodile smile at Lexie. ‘What was it you went to work as after A-levels, darling? Nightclub hostess?’

  Ugh. Classic Allegra. Trust her to make it sound like she’d been some sort of cross between a stripper and an escort.

  ‘Croupier,’ Lexie muttered.

  ‘Ooh, how exciting!’ Jemmy said. ‘I bet you’ve got some stories to tell about that.’

  ‘One or two, yes. I once met Simon Cowell.’

  ‘Oh my God, you never did!’

  Lexie nudged Theo. ‘See? Someone’s impressed.’

  ‘So is that what you’re still doing now?’ Jemmy asked.

  ‘Oh, no,’ Allegra said. ‘Well, I suppose there’d be an upper age limit on a job like that. Jan— I mean, Lexie’s a waitress now, aren’t you, chick?’

  ‘Actually she’s an entrepreneur,’ Theo said, drawing Lexie to his side. ‘Lexie and I run a restaurant together in Leyholme, the Blue Parrot.’

  ‘I know that place,’ Jemmy said, looking interested. ‘With the 1940s food, right? I took my grandma there for her birthday and she thought it was wonderful. Best spotted dick she’d ever tasted. You should’ve heard my brother snigger when she said that.’

  Lexie laughed. ‘I’ll be sure to pass that on to our cook.’

  ‘Rather a strange idea for a restaurant,’ Allegra muttered, obviously feeling the conversation wasn’t going the way she’d planned.

  ‘Oh no, Leggy, it’s like this brilliant little time portal or something,’ Jemmy said, beaming at Lexie. ‘Lexie, I must pick your brains, and Theo too. My brother’s about to open a restaurant out in the Dales, his first dabble in the hospitality business. Dad put up the money so of course Leon’s desperate to prove himself. I’d love some advice I can pass on if you have any.’

  ‘Really?’ Lexie said, blinking.

  ‘Yes, of course. I think it’s a real skill to make a success of something like that when you haven’t got the city trade on your doorstep. Do you find it hard to promote the place?’

  ‘It can be, but we’re slowly building a reputation. And we’re always on the lookout for new ways to get the word out. Theo and me have just helped set up a village 1940s festival, which we hope will raise our profile. The Parrot’s going to be the main sponsor.’

  ‘Oh, what a clever idea!’ Jemmy looked genuinely impressed. ‘That’s just the sort of thing Leon ought to be thinking about. Look, what do you say I buy you both a drink and we have chat about it all? I mean, if you don’t mind sharing a few insights.’

  Lexie glanced at Theo in surprise. ‘Well, yes, I’m sure we’d be happy to. Um, I’ll find us a table, shall I?’

  She and Theo had only planned to stay for a short time, but it was nearly half past eleven when they finally prepared to leave. Jemmy had proven to be very good company, as had her pleasant, funny fiancé, Mike. The four of them had a lot in common, and Lexie was surprised to discover she’d actually enjoyed the latter part of the evening. She knew she probably shouldn’t gloat that Allegra looked pretty sick about her newfound popularity too, but she couldn’t help having a bit of a smirk.

  ‘Sorry, Jemmy, but we ought to get going,’ she said, standing up. ‘I told my stepson I’d be home before midnight. I’m assuming the lack of phone calls means he hasn’t burned the house down, but I’d better get back and check.’

  ‘Well, it’s been lovely to catch up.’ Jemmy stood too and put a hand on Lexie’s arm. ‘And I just wanted to say… I’m sorry. That time at school, when I… well, I wanted you to know I hadn’t forgotten and to this day I feel badly about it. I’d hate to think of my young nieces treating someone the way I – we – treated you. I know it’s a little late in the day for an apology, but I’d despise myself if I didn’t offer one.’

  Lexie was touched.

  ‘Oh, well, it was a long time ago,’ she said. ‘I’m sure we’re all different people now.’

  ‘I hope so – better people. Let’s stay in touch, eh? Come find me on Facebook. I’d love to do this again sometime.’

  ‘Yes, I’d like that. Thanks, Jemmy.’

  * * *

  ‘I won’t come in,’ Theo said when he pulled up outside Lexie’s place. ‘It’s been a pretty emotional day for us both. I don’t think either of us are in the mood for the usual fun and games, are we?’

  ‘No,’ Lexie agreed. ‘But… would you stay over? I don’t really want to sleep alone tonight. Nothing energetic, just a cuddle.’

  He reached out to run a hand over her hair. ‘If you’d like me to.’

  ‘Thanks for making me go tonight, Theo. There was a sort of closure to it, when Jemmy apologised like that. Restored my faith in people a bit.’

  ‘I’m glad. I knew it would be good for you.’

  ‘You were a top-notch fake boyfriend. Allegra looked sick as a dog that she couldn’t manage to make me look small with you bigging me up all over the place.’ She glanced at the light on behind the living room curtains. ‘Looks like Con’s still up.’

  ‘He’s fallen asleep on the sofa,’ Theo said, smiling. ‘Bet you a tenner.’

  Theo was right. They found Connor with his head back, snoring nasally while an episode of Red Dwarf played on the TV.

  ‘Wakey wakey, sunshine,’ Theo said, shaking him. ‘You’re sleeping through “Gunmen of the Apocalypse”. That’s the best one.’

  ‘Oh. Hey, Boomers,’ Connor mumbled as he blinked himself awake.

  Lexie laughed. ‘I’m thirty-one, Connor. Do you actually know what a Boomer is?’

  ‘Er, yeah. It’s an old person. Like you guys.’

  ‘It’s an old person who was born in the baby boom after the war, when all our great-grandpas came back horny from overseas.’

  ‘Right. So, like you guys.’

  Theo shook his head soberly. ‘Young people today, eh, Lex? No respect.’

  Lexie nodded. ‘Bring back National Service, I say.’

  ‘Was your party good then, wrinklies?’ Connor asked, yawning.

  ‘Well, parts of it were,’ Lexie said. ‘Reluctant as I am to admit it, your uncle was right: it did do me good.’

  ‘You’d better get to bed, kiddo,’ Theo said, ruffling the lad’s hair. ‘It’s pretty late.’

  ‘Yeah, I was just going.’

  Connor stood up, rubbing his eyes. Lexie put a hand on his arm.

  ‘What’s up?’ he asked, glancing down at it.

  ‘Nothing.’ She patted his elbow. ‘Just wanted to tell you I’m proud of you, that’s all.’

  ‘How come? I didn’t do anything.’

  ‘Because you’re kind, and you always try to consider how your words and actions will make other people feel. Not everyone your age does that. Not everyone my age does that.’

  ‘Er, all right,’ Connor said, blinking. ‘You’re being sort of weird, Lexie.’

  ‘Sorry, I’ve had a bit of a weird day. Here, love, give your old, wrinkly stepmum a hug before you go up.’

  ‘Ugh. Fine.’ Connor submitted grudgingly to the embrace before taking himself up to his room.

  * * *

  ‘He’s a good lad, my lad, isn’t he?’ Lexie said when she and Theo were cuddled up in bed.

  ‘He is,’ Theo said, smiling. ‘You’re right to be proud of him, Lex.’

  ‘You know, he’s been ever so mature about this whole thing – I mean, me and you.’ She yawned and snuggled against him. ‘I never expected him to take it so well. It’s actually got me thinking.’

 
‘About what?’

  ‘Dating. I always said I wouldn’t while Con was at home, but I think I was underestimating how grown up he is now. And I had a chat with Tonya that made me think… well, as long as I keep home and love lives separate until the point something gets serious, I don’t see why I shouldn’t get out there. I wouldn’t let it go like it did for you and that guy Matt.’

  Theo frowned. ‘Really, you think that’s a good idea?’

  ‘Yeah, my mind keeps coming back to it lately. This, me and you, it’s just been so… nice. Not only the sex, but having someone sleeping next to me who cares about me, you know? I know it’s only a friend sort of caring and not a romantic sort of caring, but it did make me realise how much I miss being with someone. Properly, I mean.’

  She rolled over to face him when he didn’t answer. ‘That’s OK, right? There’d be no need to stop what we’ve got going on. Obviously if I got serious with someone then we’d have to, but it could be a long time before that happens.’

  ‘Yeah.’ He summoned a smile. ‘Of course it’s OK. It’s what we agreed, isn’t it? I’d like to see you happy with someone.’

  She looked up at him. ‘We will still be the same mates after this is over, won’t we?’

  ‘Course we will.’ He kissed her forehead. ‘Always.’

  She ran one finger over the bridge of his nose.

  ‘You had a lot to deal with today,’ she said softly. ‘Are you OK, Theo?’

  ‘I’m all right.’

  ‘Shuffle down so I can stroke your hair.’

  He smiled. ‘OK.’

  ‘You know I’ll always be here for you if you want to talk about anything… your dad or whatever,’ she whispered, combing her fingers through his hair. ‘Or if you ever need me to do anything for your mum, I can pop over when I’m not working. Whatever you need, just ask.’

  ‘Thanks, Lex. I appreciate that.’

  He watched her as she drifted to sleep in his arms, her hand still entwined in his hair, and wondered why a sick feeling had settled in the pit of his stomach.