a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it apologetic smile. ‘Of course you can. They haven’t taken our order yet. Come and sit.’
‘Is that okay, Tee?’ She turns to me and looks for a moment like a lost little girl.
I feel like a total cow for having such mean thoughts about her. ‘Of course it’s okay. That would be lovely.’ I try to push my disappointment away. ‘We haven’t caught up for ages.’
Fiona sits in the empty chair and I resign myself to the fact that my problems will have to remain unspoken for a while longer.
‘How are things with you, Tee?’ Fiona asks.
‘I’m okay.’
‘She was just about to tell me something,’ Kelly says, oblivious to my discomfort, which isn’t like her at all. She’s normally pretty sensitive to other people. She turns back to me. ‘Maybe we could both help with whatever it is?’
‘No, it’s fine. It’s nothing.’
‘I’ve interrupted something.’ Fiona’s face reddens again, and she stumbles to her feet. ‘I’ll leave you two to chat.’
‘Fi!’ Kelly cries. She and I exchange another fleeting look. ‘Fi, sit down.’
I put a hand on her arm. ‘Stay, Fiona. You haven’t interrupted anything. You’re my friend too. I just didn’t want to bore you with school stuff.’ I decide that there’s no way I’m telling Fiona about the photos. Maybe I’ll tell her about the incident with Rosie instead. That way, she won’t feel like I’m keeping something from her. I’m also still not entirely convinced that it isn’t Fiona behind the photos. For all I know, her uncharacteristic nervousness might be due to a guilty conscience.
‘I…’ Fiona stands for a moment, not making a move to either leave or sit back down.
‘Fiona, don’t be silly, sit down.’ I give her the warmest smile I can muster.
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes!’ Kelly and I chorus.
She sits back down, and we all relax a little. Leo hasn’t even noticed the drama; he’s wrapped up in his video game.
‘Thanks, guys,’ Fiona says, waving a waitress over. ‘I’ve had a crap day and could do with a bit of girl talk.’
‘What’s happened?’ I’m keen to deflect the conversation away from myself.
‘You know Molly, my assistant? She’s just handed in her notice. She’s pregnant and she’s moving away.’
‘Sorry to hear that,’ I say, thinking that’s nothing compared to a possible blackmailer sending incriminating photos that have the potential to blow apart your marriage. But I have to stop thinking such uncharitable thoughts. Fiona doesn’t know what’s going on with me, so it’s not her fault. Unless she does know what’s going on with me and this is all an act.
‘That’s a shame,’ Kelly says, ‘but I thought you said she wasn’t that great at her job?’
‘Yeah, I know. I guess she’s probably done me a favour in the long run, but it’s going to be such a pain trying to find someone to replace her. Ashridge isn’t exactly awash with interior-design assistants. Plus Paul Barton is hassling me about wanting to take over half the studio.’
‘Creepy Barton?’ I give a shudder.
‘Yes. I’ve told him I’ll think about it. But anyway, I didn’t mean to make this all about me. What’s happening with you guys? Tell me some good news. Something cheerful, or funny.’
Kelly and I both look blank. There’s certainly nothing cheerful going on in my life at the moment. I wrack my brains to think of something. ‘We’ve got the regatta tomorrow; that should be fun.’
Fiona nods. ‘You’re right. Nathan and Ed are both racing, which will be great to watch.’
I glare at Fiona and shake my head. She instantly bites her lip. We both turn to look at Kelly. She must be feeling weird about the regatta – Michael always used to race too. Kelly didn’t feel up to attending last year as it was too soon after he died, so it’s a big deal that she’s even going this year.
‘Oh, Kelly, I’m so sorry.’ Fiona puts a hand on her arm. ‘That was really insensitive of me.’
‘No, no, don’t be silly. Yes, Michael used to race, but it’ll still be fun to watch Nathan and Ed. I’m looking forward to it. In fact, we should treat it like a mini holiday. A break from all the stresses of everyday life. Why don’t we all meet up and have a group picnic like the old days? All three families together.’ Her voice is upbeat, but there’s a forcedness about it. As though she’s trying to convince herself that everything’s fine.