Yes Chef, No Chef - By Susan Willis Page 0,30

there’s anything else you need we’ll buy it for you.”

Gently Lisa guided her back towards the door and she looked around the hall through her tears knowing she’d never set foot in this apartment again. Slowly and deliberately she placed her keys in the glass bowl on the hall table and Lisa slammed the door shut behind them. They climbed into the car and Lisa sped off while Katie’s mobile rang and, snivelling, she wiped the tears from her face with the back of her sleeve. She heard Frances’s voice on the line telling her she could collect the keys in the morning and leave a cheque which she would give to Susan to bank. Thanking Frances she put her head back wearily and closed her eyes.

“There now, we’re all sorted,” Lisa said kindly and turned towards Putney. “By this time tomorrow you’ll be settled in your own place for a while and can start to come to terms with what’s happened.”

Katie patted Lisa’s knee in thanks because she couldn’t find any words to answer her with.

Back at Sarah’s flat Sarah pleaded. “But you can still stay here tonight. Oh, please don’t rush off just because Mark is coming. Anyway, I wanted you guy’s to meet him…”

Lisa took Sarah’s arm and propelled her into the kitchen and Katie could hear them whispering. She sank back into the settee feeling emotionally drained but then looked up suddenly when they returned.

Lisa said, “I was just telling Sarah that it’s better for you to stay at mine tonight because if you’re feeling better later I’m going to drag you off to a party I’ve been invited to . And then tomorrow when we get up all your stuff will be at mine ready to set straight off to Claire’s flat and move you in.”

Katie nodded in agreement, got up and hugged Sarah. “You’ve been fantastic, Sarah. I couldn’t have got through this week without both of you and I owe you big time.”

Lisa stroked Sarah’s arm. “We’ll come and collect you tomorrow at lunch time if Mark has left, and you can come to help us move Katie in.”

Sarah’s eyes were watery and Katie knew she was on the verge of tears so calling their cheerios and see you tomorrows, they left and climbed into their separate cars and headed over to Pimlico to Lisa’s flat.

Chapter Seven

Lisa had impeccable taste and when she was younger had lived in Paris for a while, which had helped her re-create the Parisian style when transforming the small flat in Pimlico. Katie looked around the beautiful living room marvelling at the décor where everything was cream, from the muslin hanging at the ceiling-to-floor windows, to the occasional chairs, cushions, rugs, candles, and sofa. The long, ornate sofa stood on what appeared to be very delicate spindle feet and she eyed it warily knowing it was where she would be sleeping tonight.

Lisa read Katie’s mind. “It’s not as delicate as it looks,” she said. “It’s quite robust and comfortable. I’ve slept on it before, but there again, if I score tonight with this guy I’ve got my eye on and don’t make it home, you can always dive into my bed.”

In the five years Katie had known Lisa she’d never had a serious relationship and had only ever been interested in younger men - it was rare for them to last longer than two to three weeks. Sarah reckoned any type of emotional attachment was abhorrent to Lisa and was to be avoided at all costs, which Katie had had to agree with, or at least that’s how it appeared to everyone. Maybe it was because she had as much money and power as men and that’s why she seemed to have sex like a man without feelings.

Katie grinned at her. “And how old is this gorgeous guy, may I ask?”

“Not too sure,” Lisa quipped pursing her lips, “but definitely old enough for it to be legal.”

“You’re priceless,” Katie said laughing and plonked herself down into an easy chair.

Lisa threw back her mane of long hair and flounced-off into the kitchen to look for drinks and begged Katie to make herself at home. Katie decided to leave her cases and bags in the car ready for the next morning but went outside to bring overnight essentials and her white jeans to wear to the party. The street was quiet and empty with an almost reverential feel to it and Katie gasped with awe looking at the large entrances