Party planning
“You know what, Lee?” Roz said. “Now that we’re friends, I think I should meet the infamous Claire Burns.” I had waited for her last client to leave, feeling somewhat sorry to have forever relinquished the right to lust after her while she shoved her glasses up her nose and I showered her in tales of shameless drama. We were in the pub a few streets from her practice, sipping white wine instead of gin − “I’m off that stuff forever,” she had said. “It makes me act a quarter of my age.” Her one-week holiday visiting a cousin in Sevilla had obviously done her a world of good. “Come to think of it, I’d like to meet Lou as well. Can’t you throw some kind of party?”
“I understand your curiosity, but I’m not sure Lou wants to meet you.”
“It could be cathartic for everyone involved.”
“You’re joking, right?”
“Not really. I would like to see the interaction between them, especially when you’re in the room. Don’t you have a reason to celebrate something?”
“No, but organising a party would definitely show my good-will towards Lou’s decision to work at Sanders & Burns. I’d have to invite Theresa and Alex as well, of course.”
“Sounds perfect.”
“The only question is, where do you fit into this picture?”
“I’m your sad old friend on the verge of divorce. I’m the pity invite.”
“I think that, as far as Lou’s concerned, I’ve bestowed enough pity on you.”
“Come on, that was just a silly night we’ve both forgotten about. Anyway, it’ll give me a chance to assure her that I’m not even that way inclined.”
“This all just sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.”
“Best make it quick then. Saturday?”
“What’s gotten into you?”
“I desperately need to be entertained, Lee. My only other option is to get a pet.”
“That’s an excellent idea.”
“I like the idea of a party better.”
“That’s the problem with befriending your ex-therapist. I’ve freely given you all the tools to manipulate me with.”
“And you paid me for it.”
“Really? You want to host a party for me and Claire?” Lou asked. We were standing outside Eleanor’s house, waiting for Lou’s cigarette to burn up. “You would do that?”
“Someone has to.” I was going to get rewarded for this, I could see it in her eyes. I hadn’t mentioned Roz yet − my strategy was to hide that detail as long as possible.
“Can we invite Vic? She arrives on Saturday afternoon.”
“Of course. The more, the merrier.” It would give me a chance to see what Vic was all about from a safe distance.
“I’m so glad you made peace with Claire. What did she put in that pasta?”
“A mixture of Valium and Xanax, I presume.”
“We’re signing with Sanders & Burns tomorrow evening. The timing couldn’t be more perfect.”
“I know, and the best part is that you don’t have to do anything. Just collect your friend and bring her here. I’ll take care of everything.”
“Have I told you that I’m really beginning to like you?”
“Beginning? How offensive. You’d better take that back.”
“I’m not really one to swallow my words.”
“Yeah, I know. I remember how you made it very clear that you weren’t interested in a relationship.”
“And look at me now.”
“You’re way past the beginning, Lou Gallagher. You have been for weeks.”
“Oh, alright then.” She grinned and pushed me against the door, the copper handle bruising my back. “I have some romantic feelings for you. Let’s see where it goes.”
“Up those stairs and into my room, that’s the only place this beginning of a romance is going.”
To be continued…
YOU ARE READING
Trying to Throw my Arms Around the World
Lãng mạnAs Lee Harlem Robinson struggles to come to grips with the insanely fast-paced city of Hong Kong, where she was sent by her employers, she starts to wonder where it all went wrong. The reader is taken on a journey back in time from Lee's early years...
