by Robert Innes
Nicola’s stomach flipped. “I suppose not.”
Gary grinned. “I was thinking you could convince me about Rebecca Winter’s innocence.”
“Bit late now, isn’t it?” Nicola snorted. “If I couldn’t convince you before the verdict, I’m not going to convince you now.”
“Or we could move onto other topics,” Gary suggested. “Like ‘Where do you work?’ ‘How long have you lived round here?’” Again, he flashed Nicola a grin. “Or ‘Have you got a boyfriend?’”
Nicola’s tongue suddenly seemed to swell to double its normal size in her mouth. She laughed awkwardly. “Other topics sounds good.”
“Great,” Gary replied. “I’m working for the rest of the week, but how about next Wednesday? We could go for a drink, something to eat?”
“Yes,” Nicola replied, a little too eagerly for her own liking. “I mean, yeah, sure. I work in a restaurant, actually. It’s in Eventide Bay. The Sunset Diner?”
“Oh, I’ve been there, it’s nice. Alright, well. Here’s my number.” He took a card out of his top pocket and passed it to her. “Give me a text so I’ve got yours. And I’ll see you next Wednesday at The Sunset Dinner. About eight?”
“Perfect,” Nicola whispered keenly, fully aware that she was supporting the most ridiculously excitable expression on her face, like a child on Christmas Day.
She watched Gary walk away and as soon as he was out of earshot, she jumped up and down squealing. She could not remember the last time she had been on a date that had not been one that somebody had set her up on, and she had never been on one that had not been an absolute disaster. Her heart fluttered happily in her chest as she leapt around the cloakroom, until she finally turned around and came face to face with one of the senior barristers from the court who was watching Nicola with a bemused expression on her face.
Nicola arrived back at the restaurant and flung the door open. As she had been expecting, there were very few customers about. Dominic was leaning against the bar, looking bored and wiping a glass with a tea towel. He glanced up as Nicola strutted towards him with a smug expression on her face.
“Oh, here she is,” Dominic said wryly. “Calamity Jane. What’s all this I hear about you nearly killing our new chef this morning? First his fishcakes, then his car. It’s no wonder you never date.”
“Actually,” Nicola replied sweetly. “I’ve come to give you a definitive answer on whether I will work your shift next week, so you can go out, and meet what could be the man of your dreams. The love of your life. Someone who will make you truly happy.”
“Aww, Nicki,” Dominic said happily, putting the glass down and gripping hold of her hand. “I knew you wouldn’t let me down.”
“And my answer is no,” Nicola said cheerfully. “Because for once, I’m the one with a date. And he’s gorgeous. He even has a card. I bet your man doesn’t have a card. Well, not one you didn’t find in a phone box anyway.”
Dominic threw Nicola’s hand away with a disgusted expression on his face. “You? You have a date? What, with a man?”
“No, Dominic, with an orangutan. Of course with a man!”
Before Dominic could reply, Kath arrived through the kitchen door, carrying a pack of soft drinks to refill the fridge with. “Oh, you’re back. I won’t ask how it went. It’s all over the radio already. At least fifteen years?”
Nicola sighed and nodded. “Yep. Poor cow.”
“Poor cow?” Dominic exclaimed. “She stabbed her husband to death!” He turned to Kath with an outraged look on his face. “Have you heard her? Someone like me, her colleague, her gay best friend, he needs time off to meet a special person, she’s stone cold, puts herself first. Some mad woman murders her hubby, oh, her heart bleeds!” He turned on his heels, which looked more like a pirouette than anything else, and sauntered away to clear a table.
Kath chuckled and leant across the bar. “What’s he like? Anyway, what did he mean ‘put yourself first’?”
Nicola grinned at her. “I have a date.”
Kath’s mouth fell open. “What, with a man?”
“I swear, if one more person says that to me.”
“I’m sorry, but tell! Who is he?” Kath exclaimed, squealing with excitement.
Nicola told her all about Gary, how she had been watching him all week, thinking she was punching above her weight, how he was gorgeous, how he had approached her for the date, and how they had arranged to meet the following week at the restaurant. Nicola was just detailing the finer points of Gary’s hipster style, when Alex came out of the kitchen holding two steaming plates of Linguine. “Table four?” he said pointedly. “Where’s Dominic? These have been sitting in the window for the past five minutes.”
Kath sighed and looked across the restaurant. “Flirting with one of the customers probably. I’ll go and find him.” She picked up the plates of pasta and took them to table four before going in search of her waiter, leaving Alex and Nicola alone at the bar. For a few moments neither of them spoke. Nicola was stubborn when she wanted to be, and she had in no way forgiven Alex for the way he had reprimanded her about their near miss that morning.
“So, you got there then?” Alex said at last.
“To court?” Nicola replied airily. “Yes. I did.”
“Didn’t knock down any innocent bystanders on the way?”
“No,” replied Nicola, narrowing her eyes at him. “But that can soon change.”
Her jibe did not seem to faze Alex who leant in closer and spoke more quietly. “I didn’t realise that you were on the Rebecca Winters case. That’s been huge these last few months.”
Nicola nodded, attempting to appear care free. “Yes, I suppose it has. The other jury members seemed very keen to hear my thoughts actually.”
“Oh,” Alex said, raising his eyebrows. “And what were your thoughts?”
Nicola faltered. “Erm. Well, -”
“Because,” Alex murmured, leaning closer. “I don’t think she did it, you know.”
Nicola stared at him. “Don’t you?”
“Not really. I mean, I guess she must have done if it was a unanimous verdict, she’s been found guilty. But, I dunno. I mean if everything the media have been saying is true, which I doubt because it never is, but if it’s true that she’s said all along that it was just her and husband in the house the whole time, and she went out, came back and suddenly there he is, lying on the floor, I mean, why would she give herself such a terrible alibi? No jury on Earth would believe that. Even if they had her on CCTV in that shop she said she was in, it wouldn’t prove anything other than she was in the shop before or after the murder.”
“Exactly,” Nicola said, staring at him in wonder. He was the first person to agree with her all week. “That’s exactly what I said!”
“But, it was a unanimous verdict, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, only because I didn’t see the point in arguing, once it was obvious that nobody was going to listen to anything I had to say!”
Alex raised an eyebrow. “Oh. So, they weren’t that keen to hear your thoughts then.”
Nicola bit her lip in regret.
“And, of course, there was that hanging last night. That was a bit weird too, wasn’t it?”
“Was it?” Nicola frowned. “Why?”
“Didn’t you know? They released the name of the guy after he died. Dennis Tate. Found hanging in his living room. They said he was working in the court of the case or something?”
Nicola stared at him in surprise. “Yeah. He was the prosecution barrister.” The week in court had undoubtedly brought out the inner detective in her, and the fact that Alex shared her thoughts on the validity of Rebecca’s guilt had spurred her on. While she had briefly wondered if it could have been Tate that had been found hanged, she was still stunned to hear it confirmed. “Him dying like that was weird. I mean, he was in his sixties, he was apparently at the height of his career, respected and admired by everyone in the business. Why would he hang himself?”
“He wasn’t exactly what I’d call cheerful,” Nicola replied. “I dunno though. There just seems to be something a bit weird going on.” She thought about it for a few seconds then shrugged, reasoning that there was very little she could do about it, even if there was. “You’re not busy then? Free to knock me up a quick something?”
“Paid for, I trust?” Alex asked suspiciously.
“Of course, what do you take me for?” Nicola snapped.
“Alright. What can I get you?”
Nicola reached across the bar and grabbed a menu. After a moment’s perusing she said “I’m not that hungry really, I just need to fill a hole, that’s all. I’ll just have a lasagne. And a bowl of chips.”
“Right,” Alex said, going to walk away.
“Bit of garlic bread,” Nicola added. “Oh, and fling us a packet of ready salted from under the bar. I’ll sort it with Kath when she gets back.”
Alex stared at her as he threw her the crisps. “Any salad with your lasagne?”
“No,” Nicola replied, popping the crisps open with one hand. “I told you, I’m not that hungry.”
Alex shook his head and walked back to the kitchen as Nicola munched on her crisps thoughtfully. She would have to remember not to eat garlic bread on her date with Gary.
6
Wednesday finally arrived. Although it was her day off, Nicola had got up much earlier than usual so as to have plenty of time to shop for a new outfit. Now, two hours before she was due to meet Gary, she was standing in front of her mirror wondering what on earth she had been thinking when she had bought the outfit. It was a light blue dress which came up just above her knees, with a subtle but visible white flower pattern all over. Around her waist was a small brown belt and she had completed the ensemble with a white handbag. To anyone else, Nicola would have looked extremely pretty, but she had never been the sort to wear dresses and skirts, especially with flowers on, always opting more for jeans, usually ripped, and t-shirts. She spun round in front of her reflection a few more times, hoping to see something that would remind her about what she had liked about the outfit in the shop, but nothing jumped out at her.
She spent her short walk to the restaurant fiddling with her hair whenever she walked past a shop window, scrutinising every inch of herself. By the time she arrived at The Sunset Diner, Nicola was a nervous wreck.
Although they had agreed to meet at eight, Nicola had decided to arrive half an hour early so that she could gather herself, have a drink, and to allow time for Dominic to throw any barbed comments her way before Gary arrived. When she walked in, she was immediately thrown a wolf whistle by Kath who was standing on the door greeting customers as they arrived.
“Look at you!” she said approvingly as Nicola entered. “I’ve never seen you look this lovely!”
“I look like one of the Waltons,” Nicola grumbled.
“No, you don’t,” Kath assured her, taking her hand and pulling her towards the bar. “Dominic! Get Kath a drink. Non-alcoholic. I’m not having you getting trolled and him finding out what you’re really like before he’s even got the bill. Which I hope will come to a fairly tidy sum? After all, you’re not paying, right?”
She gave Nicola a squeeze on the shoulder and went to greet another couple at the door. Dominic glared at Nicola as he viciously sprayed lemonade into a glass and slammed it on the bar.
“Thanks,” Nicola replied sweetly.
“This should have been me, tonight.” Dominic replied, waving a hand at her. “All dolled up and excited. And you ripped it away from me.”
“Oh, stop being dramatic,” Nicola told him. She glanced across at Kath to make sure her back was turned. “And stick some vodka in that. I need some Dutch courage.”
“Still, as it turns out,” Dominic said, pouring a healthy dose of vodka in the glass. “I’ve got my eye on someone else. Someone a bit closer to home and far better than some random man on Grindr.”
“Oh yes?” Nicola took a sip of the drink and was immediately grateful for the warmness that ran through her chest. “And who might that be?”
Dominic leant in closer. “Alex.”
Nicola stared at him in disbelief. “Alex? Chef Alex? Straight Chef Alex?”
Dominic snorted. “Straight? Girl, if he’s straight, you’re a fitness and body expert.”
“He’s not gay, Dom. No way. Where do you get the idea that he is?”
Dominic put his hand up and counted his points down on his fingers. “One – He’s immaculately tidy. You should see that kitchen when he’s done with it.”
“Well, you’re not immaculately tidy.”
“Two,” Dominic continued, ignoring her. “No straight man I’ve ever met has hair quite as perfect as his. I mean, it gets a bit messier when he’s been cooking for hours, but you haven’t seen him when he starts his shift. That hair is quite obviously conditioned and straightened.”
“That’s -”
“Three, he moisturises.”
“He moisturises.”
Dominic leaned in closer. “His bag was open. I mean for a start, how many straight men do you know who constantly carry a man bag around with them?”
“Several.”
“I wasn’t looking to be nosy, obviously, but in his bag was that really expensive moisturising cream. You know the one that me and you were saying we couldn’t afford? His skin, I mean, come on. His skin is amazing.”
Nicola pinched between her eyebrows. “Just so I’m clear, because Alex is a man who has not only straight hair, but good skin and a man bag, and who also happens to tidy as he works, this has led you to the conclusion that he is gay?”
“Pretty much, yes.”
“You’re doing wonders for LGBT clichés and stereotypes, aren’t you?”
“It’s not just that,” insisted Dominic. “It’s his general demeanour. He’s sensitive, he’s clearly in touch with his emotions, and I mean, come on. He’s not exactly butch. A gay knows his own. He knew I was gay pretty quickly, let me tell you.”
“Dominic, people who haven’t met you yet know you’re gay. Blind people know you’re gay. The rat I chased out the kitchen three weeks ago knew you were gay. I’m sorry, I know you’ve probably got yourself a bit of a crush, and I hate to disappoint you, but I don’t think that Alex is that way inclined.”
“He is!”
“Okay, I will bet you a tenner. Ten pounds says that he is not gay.”
At that moment, Alex kicked open the kitchen door and walked towards them. “Dom, will you tell Kath I’m going to take my break before we start getting busy?”
“Will do,” Dominic replied, looking Alex up and down with a slight hunger in his eyes.
Alex turned to Nicola. “Alright? You going out?”
“I have a date, actually.” Nicola replied proudly.
“Really?” Alex asked, raising his eyebrows in what Nicola suspected was surprise. “Well. You look nice.”
“Thank you,” Nicola replied, her eyes narrowed.
“Just one thing? I mean, I take it you want to see this guy again?” Alex ventured. Before Nicola could stop him, Alex put his fingers through her hair and was soon pulling at different clumps at it.
“Oi!” Nicola exclaimed.
“Hang on, hang on,” Alex said as he continued adjusting her hair, which she had spent hours painstakingly trying to style with hair spray. “You can’t just leave it once I’ve started. I’m nearly done. There.”
Nicola glanced at Dominic who was staring at whatever he had done with an impressed expression. Nicola turned her head to one of the mirrors on the wall. Whatever Alex had done, it had certainly improved it. Her hair, which had already begun to wilt from the wind outside, was now styled in a shape that was a great improvement to her own achievements.
“Thanks,” she said, slightly dumbfounded.
“No worries. Two things I can do in life. Food and hair. Not at the same time, obviously,” he laughed. “Then we get complaints. Anyway, have a good time.” And with that, he disappeared back into the kitchen. Nicola turned to Dominic who now had his arms folded with a smug smile.
“Five pounds says he’s not gay,” Nicola told him.
Before Dominic could reply, the door to the restaurant opened and Gary appeared. Kath immediately ran to greet him. “Good evening, Sir,” she said. “Table for one?”
“Actually, I’m meeting someone,” Gary replied. “That lovely lady over there.” He nodded towards Nicola, who nearly fell off her stool as she spun round.
Kath was clearly surprised. “Of course. If you’d both like to follow me?”
With her back turned to Gary, she mouthed “Oh my God!” at Nicola who supressed a grin as they were led to a table for two by the window, with a candle already lit in the middle.
“Our waiter will be along in a moment to take your order,” Kath said, smiling before she caught Nicola’s eye who was frantically shaking her head. The last thing she needed was Dominic being too involved in the smooth running of the first date she had had in years. “Or it might be me,” she added. She walked away giving Nicola a discreet thumbs up as she passed.
“You look stunning tonight,” Gary told her, smiling as he opened the wine list. “I love what you’ve done with your hair.”
“Thanks,” Nicola replied, patting it delicately. “It didn’t take long.”
Once they had chosen wine, which was brought over by Kath, and sampled by Gary, their conversation turned to the jury case.
“I know you didn’t think she did it,” Gary said as they clinked glasses. “But come on. The evidence was overwhelming. It wasn’t possible for anyone else to murder him. You’d think it was a bit of a cliché, but in our experience, hell really does have nothing on a woman scorned.”
“I dare say, but…Wait, hang on. What do you mean ‘in our experience’?”
Gary frowned. “Police experience. I’m an officer, remember.”
