What Goes Around [on hold]

Chapter 6 ~ Right all along

“You have got to be kidding me.” Becca muttered under her breath as she caught the first glimpse of her date. Her initial reaction was shock, of course, but then that shifted to a kind of confused anger at Darcy, but then that anger shifted to panic, wondering what she should do. The woman was floating towards her in a floaty, dreamy kind of way, and Becca thought it was too late to make a run for it. She didn’t think she could cope, however, with questions that would surely crop up such as ‘So when did you come out?” or “Is your family comfortable with it?”. If Darcy were here, Becca would slap her, (and violence was unusual for the docile Becca) – just to get some sense into her. How on Earth did Darcy come to the conclusion that Becca was gay? She had no clue how. But, with all of this thinking and wondering about the mystery that was Darcy’s mind, the blond woman had come to the table and sat down, smiling widely and brightly like some kind of movie star.

“Hi, I’m Katrina,” she introduced herself, holding out a feminine hand.

Becca shook it half-heartedly, and said in a small, bewildered voice, “I’m Becca… nice to meet you.”

The smile broadened, and the green eyes twinkled. “And it’s so nice to meet you!” said Katrina enthusiastically.

Now Becca was lost. What was she supposed to say? Was she supposed to just get straight to it, and tell Katrina that she was not a lesbian and never would be? Or just make polite conversation and slip in the matter as subtly as was possible?

The former option seemed too harsh – Becca had no conception of how far this woman had travelled to come here, and disappointing her would be mean. She did seem quite… nice… anyway so… surely she should just be polite.

“Do you like Thai food then, Katrina?” Becca asked, but it sounded forced.

“Oh!” Katrina said, clasping her hands together once. “I love it! Darcy just knows me so well!” Here, she laughed; a ringing, singing sound.

Becca nodded.

“So how does Darcy know you?” asked Katrina, one curved eyebrow raising slightly.

“Well, she used to… I used to work for her, actually. She’s the manager of a restaurant in Harrods, and I was a waitress. We became friends through conversation, I guess, and she even arranged a leaving party for me when I left for La Mer de Saphir.” Becca smiled fondly in remembrance of this party.

“Wow,” Katrina sat back in awe, shaking her head slowly. “That’s a lot of history you have then! I must not have seen you there. I work in The Pet Spa, and Darcy and I cross paths from time to time.”

Becca pursed her lips. She knew that making judgements about people this early was wrong, but the image of The Pet Spa in Harrods wouldn’t leave her mind. It was probably the most ridiculous place in the world. And she had often thought that anyone working there must be a little… mad.

But then, Katrina said, “Isn’t The Pet Spa pointless, don’t you think? I’ve had a number of interviews elsewhere, and I just can’t wait to get out of there.”

“Gosh, yes, it really is a bit over the top! I don’t have any pets of my own, but if I did – and I had more money – I still wouldn’t treat them like that! They’re animals, for goodness’ sake! Treat them like what they are.”

Katrina nodded in agreement. “Absolutely. I’ve got a degree in Biology, and I want to be a vet eventually. I know it’s a little late to start, but I’ve put in all of my University applications, so I guess I’ll just hope for the best!”

“It’s not too late! My sister graduated as a fully-qualified vet when she was thirty-four, and she loves it!”

Then, a waiter came up to them, and said in a robotic voice, “Sorry for the long wait; we’re very busy. Have you chosen yet?”

“Oh, gosh. Have you?” asked Becca.

“Yep. I’ll have the Thai green curry and – shall we get some wine?”

Becca nodded, and suggested, “Chardonnay?”

“Great!”

Becca smiled. And a little person inside her noted how lovely Katrina’s smile was, and as was the ring to her voice when she spoke. That little person suggested that… perhaps Darcy was right all along. And the big person – Becca herself – was… inclined to agree.