Don't Call Me Baby

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Off to the Country

I woke early on Friday because I hadn't packed the night before. Bunny slippers on, I trotted through to the kitchen for my toast and banana ritual. I looked out the window at a bright autumn day. What few trees were visible in the city had brown leaves being blown off by the brisk wind. Julian was picking me up at 9:30 so I had another hour to shower and pack.

I carefully packed my clothes into a small suitcase that I had borrowed from Emm and as a last minute thought I packed my bunny slippers too - after all I'd need something to keep my feet warm, and as long as I kept them in my bedroom no one would know that Lola wore pink bunny slippers.

At 9:30 on the dot Julian called to tell me he was waiting downstairs in his car. I kissed mum goodbye and reassured her I'd be fine. Ever since I turned Steve down she was worried about me being 'taken advantage' off by squire Julian showing me a comely haystack, no matter how much I reassured her it was a working relationship, and that it wasn't going to happen in a month of Sundays.

Julian's car was a huge black Range Rover and I threw my suitcase in the back and jumped in the front seat next to him. Thankfully I didn't have to wear office clothes so I was back to my comfy jeans and trainers with a black polo neck jumper. I was wearing my new camel coat though as I didn't have anything warmer and had pulled my hair back into a pony tail, trying unsuccessfully to tame my curls into behaving. Julian was dressed for the countryside in corduroys and a navy blue Barbour jacket. The dark colours setting off his golden hair. I noticed some neighbours staring at me and I smiled and waved. Good that will give them something to gossip about I thought smugly.

Julian had opera playing on the stereo and I recognised it, "Offenbach's Barcarole," I commented. Julian's eyebrows rose in surprise, "Just cos I live on the Hardy estate doesn't mean I'm uncultured," I said smugly. "In fact," I added, "it's from The Tales of Hoffman and also, although it is sung by two women, one of the characters singing is actually male, the other being a courtesan." Now I couldn't hide the smugness behind my smile.

"I didn't take you for an opera buff," Julian commented, "you obviously have hidden talents."

"Oh I do indeed so don't go thinking I'm as unworldly as you might believe." Point made I crossed my arms as we pulled out into the London traffic. In fact I was more of an R&B woman, but I wasn't going to tell Julian that. I knew about three operas in total so I hoped he wouldn't call my bluff and ask me any opera questions. I had first heard that piece watching the Italian movie It's a Beautiful Life and had researched the song which I found so beautifully moving. Emm and I had watched the movie together blubbing in unison. We drove in silence until we hit the motorway.

"So where are we going exactly?" I asked him.

"Wiltshire. It will take us about two and a half hours."

"Well I hope Jasper has a big house because I'm not sharing a room with you," I joked. Although why I bothered mystified me as I'd already learnt Julian didn't have a sense of humour. "Joke!" I stated the obvious resisting the temptation to thump him on the arm.

"It's a beautiful house," Julian ignored my comment. "I think you will like it."

"What's not to like about a country estate," I replied as though I was familiar with them, "Isn't it obvious I often spend my weekends at my country pile when I get fed up of the scenery on the Hardy Estate?" I really don't know why I tried my humour on him again.

I spent the rest of the journey staring out the window looking at the cows and sheep in the fields. Actually I don't think I had ever spent any time in the countryside. I was a city girl born and bred, and the thought of a weekend in the country was now beginning to excite me despite the fact that I was obviously going to be served for dinner.