Up Close and Personal (13 page)

‘Oh, I love that show,’ Nicole said. ‘Especially the new presenter … the one with the sideburns and the puppy-dog eyes. What’s his name?’

Yasmin took another drink of wine. ‘Jason Noble.’

‘He’s gorgeous,’ Nicole said.

Yasmin snorted. ‘He also happens to be a pervert.’

‘No!’ Nicole cried.

‘’Fraid so. Apparently, young Jason gets his kicks peeking under ladies’ toilet cubicles at his local health club. I’m itching to put it in my gossip column, but the editor’s worried Noble will sue.’

Nicole and Juliet looked at her in horror.

‘I know, it’s totally sick,’ Yasmin continued. ‘But when you’re a famous TV personality with a million-pound farmhouse, a model girlfriend and a Porsche 911, I guess there’s nothing much that can still thrill you – except perhaps grabbing a flash of knickers as you kneel on all
fours, desperately craning your neck to peer under a khazi door.’

‘How do you know about this?’ Juliet asked.

‘My contact at the TV company told me.’ Yasmin drained her wine glass and sighed in pleasure. ‘Ahh, that’s taken the edge off.’

Nicole picked up the bottle of Pinot Grigio. ‘Another one?’

‘Yes, please.’ Yasmin slid her wine glass across the table. ‘I was hoping he’d spill lots more juicy gossip today at lunch, but the bastard stood me up. I sat there for nearly an hour getting hungrier and hungrier, and then, when I called him to see where he’d got to, he told me he’d just been sacked. Apparently, his boss found out about our little meetings and wasn’t very happy.’

‘Poor guy,’ Juliet murmured.

‘Yeah, and poor me too,’ Yasmin rejoindered. ‘He was one of my best sources.’ She picked up her second glass of wine and held it close to her chest, as if she were afraid it might be snatched away. ‘And that was just the beginning. When I got back to the office, I discovered the subs had cut my piece on “fab to flab” celebs in half to make way for a late-breaking story on a football transfer deal. Naturally, Rob was delighted to have got one up on me.’

‘Ah, your nemesis, the sports editor.’ Nicole glanced down at Tilly, who was lying in her buggy sucking on a set of plastic keys. ‘There’s no ceasefire in sight, then?’

Yasmin sighed. ‘I’ve tried to get along with him, believe me, but for some reason we just keep rubbing each other up the wrong way.’

‘That’s a shame,’ Juliet said. ‘It must make things difficult for you at work.’

‘Oh, I dunno … In a weird way I enjoy it.’

‘Masochist,’ Nicole muttered, rising to her feet. She waggled the near-empty wine bottle. ‘I’ll get another one of these, shall I?’

‘Ooh, yes,’ Yasmin said. ‘And some crisps too, if you’ve got them. I’m starving.’

When Nicole returned a few minutes later, she was carrying dishes of tortilla chips and olives, as well as another bottle of chilled Pinot Grigio. ‘These should keep us going till dinner,’ she said as she offered the dishes round.

‘What’s Dante up to tonight?’ Yasmin asked, helping herself to a handful of snacks.

‘Watching TV, I should think,’ Juliet replied.

Nicole tutted. ‘Why didn’t you bring him along? There’s plenty of food.’

‘I couldn’t,’ Juliet replied. ‘It’s Nathan’s night off and someone has to keep an eye on the guests.’ She smiled wryly. ‘I don’t know why I’m using the plural. We’ve only got old Mrs Hibbert with us at the moment and she’s usually in bed by nine.’

‘Why do you bother paying a full-time general manager?’ Yasmin asked. ‘If the hotel’s that quiet, surely you and Dante could manage by yourselves.’

‘Actually, I spoke to Nathan about reducing his hours the other day. I couldn’t believe it when he offered to take a pay cut instead. He said he wouldn’t know what to do with himself if he wasn’t working.’

Nicole uncorked the second bottle of wine and set it in the middle of the table. ‘That was nice of him.’

‘It was, wasn’t it? I’m very lucky to have him.’

‘And what about Dante? Has he managed to find a job?’ asked Yasmin.

‘Not yet. He’s contacted loads of pubs and wine bars, but nobody seems to be hiring at the moment.’

‘He’d probably be better off waiting till summer when all the tourists are in town.’

‘That’s what I told him.’ Juliet turned to Nicole. ‘It was nice of Connor to invite Dante to the golf club yesterday, by the way. He really enjoyed himself.’

‘So did Connor,’ Nicole said. ‘Actually, I’d like to get to know Dante better myself. Perhaps Yasmin and I could take him out for lunch one day.’

‘He’d like that,’ Juliet said. ‘He’s keeping himself busy by decorating one of the guest rooms, but I’m sure he’s tearing his hair out with boredom.’

‘He’s not having second thoughts about that customer liaison job, then?’ asked Yasmin.

Juliet shook her head. ‘And, who knows, maybe it’s better that we don’t work together. We’d probably drive each other mad if we were together twenty-four seven.’

‘What makes you say that?’

‘Oh, I don’t know … We just seem to be getting on each other’s nerves lately,’ Juliet said, dropping a fat green olive into her mouth. ‘It’s nothing major – just silly bickering.’ A shadow briefly crossed her face. ‘It’s strange. When we were in Aspen, we couldn’t get enough of each other, but here …’ She paused and stared at her wine glass. ‘It’s different, that’s all.’

Yasmin touched her friend’s shoulder. ‘You know, there’s no shame in admitting you made a mistake, Juliet. I’m not saying you
have
or anything – but if you, you know … further
down the road … decide Dante’s not the one for you after all, no one will think any less of you.’

‘I hope to God it doesn’t come to that.’ Juliet’s eyes flickered from side to side, as if her brain were trying to disassociate from the notion.

‘Of course it won’t,’ said Nicole. ‘In fact I don’t think we should even be discussing it; it’s bad karma.’ She picked up the wine and topped up Juliet’s glass. ‘How are the afternoon teas going?’

‘Slowly,’ Juliet replied. ‘I’ve only had a couple of takers so far, which is hardly surprising when the hotel’s practically empty.’

‘Why don’t you offer them to non-hotel guests too?’ Yasmin suggested. ‘I’m sure plenty of locals would like the chance to see inside the house.’

Juliet smiled. ‘That’s a good idea.’

‘And if it takes off I could help you bake the cakes,’ Nicole said. ‘God knows, I’d be glad of the distraction.’ Smiling guiltily, she reached down and took one of Tilly’s chubby hands. ‘Not that I don’t love being a mum. It’s just that sometimes it does get a bit repetitive.’ She glanced up at Juliet. ‘Have you seen Bear lately?’

Juliet nodded. ‘He came in for breakfast this morning as usual. Mrs Hibbert has taken quite a shine to him. She even invited him to share her table.’

‘Who the hell’s Bear?’ Yasmin said through a mouthful of tortilla chips.

‘His caravan’s parked up at Ashwicke,’ Juliet explained. ‘The campsite down the road was fully booked so I took pity on him. Nicole met him the other day when she came round to drop off some recipe books.’

‘He’s
a journalist,’ Nicole added. ‘He writes about the environment.’

‘Oh yeah? Who does he work for?’

‘Lots of different people; he’s freelance. He’s working on a piece for
The Times
about the redevelopment of the old fruit farm.’

Yasmin’s eyes widened. ‘Blimey, I knew it was a contentious issue but I’m surprised the nationals have picked up on it.’

‘It’s all because of the badgers,’ Nicole told her.

‘
Badgers?
’ Yasmin repeated.

‘There’s a huge sett on the site, and the law says no building work can take place within a twenty-metre radius – but rumour has it the developer’s trying to find a way to get round it.’

Yasmin frowned. ‘Since when were you such an expert?’

Nicole lifted a grizzly Tilly out of the buggy. ‘I’m not really. Bear was telling me all about it when he interviewed me yesterday.’

‘He
interviewed
you?’ Juliet said.

Nicole nodded. ‘It was more of a chat really. Bear just wanted to get some idea of the strength of local feeling.’

‘And where did this chat take place?’ Yasmin asked.

‘In my kitchen.’

Yasmin pursed her lips in mock outrage. ‘I expect Connor had something to say about that, eh … a strange man visiting his wife in the middle of the day?’

‘Actually, I didn’t tell him.’ Nicole licked her lips. ‘Not that I’ve got anything to hide. I just thought it would be easier … You know how jealous Connor gets.’

‘So what’s he like, this Bear?’ Yasmin asked. ‘Is he good looking?’

‘Oh yes,’ Juliet said. ‘He used to play semi-professional rugby when he was younger; he’s built like a tank. He’s really interesting too. I could sit and listen to him all day.’

‘I know what you mean,’ Nicole murmured.

Yasmin’s eyes widened. ‘Is he single?’

‘I’m not sure; he’s never mentioned a girlfriend.’

‘Nicole?’ Yasmin prompted.

‘Um, I don’t honestly know. I haven’t asked him.’

‘Well next time you see him, be sure to find out.’ She gave Nicole a sly, sideways look. ‘I take it you will be seeing him again?’

Nicole, who was suddenly feeling rather self-conscious, began fiddling with the Peter Pan collar of Tilly’s gingham dress. ‘I’m not sure. He’s invited me to go on a badger watch on Thursday, but Connor and I have got tickets for the theatre.’

Yasmin started giggling. ‘A
badger watch
? That’s an unusual seduction technique.’

‘He’s not
trying
to seduce me,’ Nicole replied, feeling her face grown warm. ‘He just wanted to get some pictures for his article and he fancied some company. I’m the only person he knows in Loxwood.’

‘Are you sure that’s all it is?’ Yasmin persisted.

‘Quite sure,’ Nicole said firmly. She thrust Tilly into Yasmin’s arms. ‘I’d better check on my fish pie. Keep an eye on her, will you – and if she starts getting grumpy again, just push her up and down in the buggy.’

‘Will Connor be joining us for dinner?’ Juliet asked.

Nicole shrugged carelessly. ‘Your guess is as good as mine. He did say he’d be home in time to put Tilly to bed, but I’m not holding my breath.’

*

Unbeknown to Nicole, Connor had already forgotten his promise to her. He wasn’t working late at the surgery. Instead, he was approaching the reception desk of an upmarket – and therefore exceedingly discreet – hotel on the outskirts of Loxwood.

Zoe’s summons had come out of the blue. He hadn’t been expecting to see her until Thursday, but earlier that day she’d called to say her husband was out of town unexpectedly. As usual, she’d masterminded the arrangements – a room was booked in his name; he should wait for her there.

He’d been holed up for nearly fifteen minutes when there was a knock at the door. ‘Room service,’ a familiar voice called out. In an instant, Connor was on his feet, almost tripping over an antique armoire in his haste to get the door. His breath caught in his throat when he saw what she was wearing: a figure-hugging black dress, cropped to mid-thigh, with white lace cuffs and collar, and, over it, a white frilled apron. Her hair was piled into a bun, trimmed with a lace headpiece. Seamed stockings and black patent-leather stilettos completed the outfit.

With a small superior smile, Zoe sashayed into the room and began flicking her feather duster over the desk, hip thrust out provocatively. ‘I’m terribly sorry about this, sir,’ she said, ‘only we didn’t have time to clean the room before you arrived.’ She turned her attentions to the bedside table, bending low so he could see her stocking tops and the black silk of her underwear. It was predictable, end-of-the-pier stuff, but Connor found the performance unspeakably arousing.

Zoe glanced over her shoulder. ‘Would you like me to turn the bed down, sir?’ she murmured silkily.

Connor’s erection made its own feelings known by twitching in his pants. ‘Yes, please,’ the doctor said.

She threw her duster on the floor and bent over the king-size bed, drawing back the coverlet slowly, sensuously, seductively. Then she turned to face him. ‘Is there anything else I can do for you, sir?’

‘Oh, I’m sure I can think of something,’ the GP said hoarsely as his hand went to his zipper.

10

The day was fading when they reached their destination. Although it was mild for the time of year, a freshening breeze snatched at Nicole’s skirt and the pale blue scarf at her throat. Her companion looked around furtively, before removing a pair of wire cutters from the folds of his army surplus coat. ‘Keep a lookout, will you?’ he said, as he squatted down at the base of the flimsy metal fence that was designed to keep out intruders. Nicole knew what they were doing was probably illegal but, as she scanned the dusty lane for any sign of life, she couldn’t help feeling a frisson of excitement.

This wasn’t how Nicole was supposed to be spending her Thursday night. She and Connor had tickets to see a lavish touring production of
42nd Street
that had received rave reviews. Nicole had been looking forward to it for ages, but two days earlier Connor had announced that the date clashed with a life-saving demonstration he was giving at the local scout group.

Nicole was furious. ‘But we bought those tickets months ago,’ she snapped. ‘How could you have gone and double-booked yourself?’

‘It’s Carol’s fault,’ Connor replied, placing the blame squarely on his receptionist’s shoulders. ‘She got the dates muddled up. She definitely told me the demo was on the seventeenth. It was only when I called the scoutmaster to
check the arrangements that I discovered it was actually the fifteenth.’ He gave her a quick appeasing smile. ‘I’m really sorry, Nic. I’d get out of it if I could, but thirty young lads are expecting to learn CPR on Thursday night. I can hardly let them down now, can I?’

‘I suppose not,’ she conceded reluctantly.

‘Why don’t you take one of your friends instead?’

‘Mmm …’ she said. ‘I suppose I’ll have to.’

Finding someone to accompany her to the theatre at such short notice proved more difficult than Nicole anticipated, and in the end she’d given the tickets to her cleaning lady. ‘Have a night out on me,’ she’d said as she pressed an envelope into her delighted employee’s hand. ‘You’ll have a great time; they’re the best seats in the house.’ Afterwards, Nicole was just about to call her mother to inform her that her babysitting services would no longer be required, when all at once a daring idea popped into her head. A moment later, she was rummaging through the jumble of items in her handbag until she finally unearthed Bear’s business card.