by Mel Sparke
“Huh?” Natasha looked confused for a moment.
“You said earlier you’d had enough of people forcing you to do things you didn’t want to do…”
“Oh, right. Uh… well…” she broke off to take another drag on her cigarette. “No, that was the booker out there. They were, er, trying to get me to do jobs I didn’t agree with. You know, hostessing at a big new car launch, that sort of thing. In the end, I got so fed up I packed my bags and, like you said, got the first flight home.”
Ollie could sense there was more to it than that. But he didn’t know what and he didn’t want to push Natasha too much. “So what happens next?” he asked gently.
“I dunno,” she shrugged. “I need to sort my head out, decide what I want to do with my life.”
“Will you come back home with me then, just for the weekend?”
Natasha frowned. “Oh, I dunno, Ol. I’m not sure I want the third degree from Mum and Dad. I could do without the added hassle at the moment.”
“Well, you don’t have to tell them anything, until you decide what you want to do. At least if you get away from here for a few days it might help you think straight.”
“I’m not sure…”
“Come on, you’re not going to be able to have the phone here unplugged for ever, are you?” OIlie pointed out. “Not unless you want to seriously hack off your flatmates. At least if you come home, it’ll give you a bit more time to think about whether you’re going to go back to them or do something else.”
He looked at her and smiled and, for the first time that day, Natasha smiled back.
“OK, I’ll come.”
CHAPTER 16
MATT DOES IT AGAIN
Anna was relieved that Kerry was the only one who’d seen her emotional dash to the loos at the Railway Tavern the night before. It meant she’d had time to compose herself, try and believe what Kerry told her about there being nothing between her boyfriend and Gabrielle, and get back out there as though nothing had happened.
And, as luck would have it, Matt had showered her with loving attention for the rest of the evening, making her feel all the more silly for the way she’d reacted.
So the fact that he’s now in the café - again - and Gabrielle is fluttering round him like a little butterfly is perfectly all right, isn’t it? thought Anna.
Well, actually, no, it isn’t!
Anna thumped the dishwasher door shut and headed back into the café. She could see Matt leaning against a wall, polystyrene cup in hand, while Gabrielle, who had just finished her shift for the day, was holding on to his arm and giggling.
He’s supposed to be in the record shop, covering for Ollie, Anna seethed. And there’s a kettle and coffee in there. Why is he coming in here to buy it? She moved a little closer, trying to overhear their conversation.
“…it’ll be a blast. Why don’t you come?”
“Oh, I don’t know, Matt…”
“Go on. We’re all taking something for a picnic. There’s a really nice pub overlooking the river… Everyone’s going - you’ll love it.”
“OK, you’ve twisted my arm…” giggled Gabrielle. “I sometimes think you could talk me into anything, Matt Ryan!”
Anna couldn’t bear to hear any more. She did an about-turn and fled back to the kitchen. She couldn’t believe it - Matt was asking Gabrielle to the picnic on Sunday. He’d told her everyone was going.
Yeah, everyone except me. How convenient…
The more she thought about it, the more Anna seethed. It wasn’t only the fact that Matt had invited Gabrielle, but also because the only person who’d actually even mentioned the picnic to her had been Kerry. Matt obviously knew all about it, but he hadn’t bothered to ask Anna if she could go. Anna fumed. She thought of the two of them getting even friendlier on their day out, while she stayed behind, working, and worrying about what they might be getting up to.
If she had stuck around a moment or two longer, she would have heard Gabrielle asking if it would be all right to bring a friend with her.
“‘Course, it is,” Matt smiled. “Bring whoever you like. We’re all meeting at the railway station at 10.45. Don’t forget some food and drink.”
“OK,” said Gabrielle. “I’ll see you there.”
Matt watched her leave the End, then wandered over to the stainless steel counter and looked over into the kitchen. “Hey, Anna, you in there?” he hollered.
“What?” Anna shouted back from around the corner, where he couldn’t see her.
“I just called in to say hello!”
“Why?”
“What do you mean, ‘why’? Because I wanted to.”
“Well, now you’ve done it, you’d better get back next door, hadn’t you?” Anna snapped.
“Aren’t you going to come out from there?” asked Matt, a little bemused.
“No. I’m busy.”
“Suit yourself!” Matt shouted, heading for the door and slamming it shut behind him.
“You look almost human again,” Ollie joked to Natasha as they walked through the door of The Swan.
“Yeah, it’s amazing what a lorry load of make-up can do for a girl,” Natasha replied drily as she followed him inside. She’d spent the whole train journey back to Winstead peering at her face in a mirror, dabbing it with various concealers, tinted moisturisers, colours and brushes. She had managed to expertly cover up the toll the last few weeks had taken on her, and hoped her efforts would stave off the endless questions she knew her parents would fire at her if they thought something was up.
Their mother met them in the hallway at the top of the stairs and came rushing over to give Natasha a hug.
“Natasha! Why didn’t you say you were coming? How are you? When did you get back? How was Milan?” The questions tumbled out as she continued to hug her daughter, clearly delighted to see her.
“Hi, Mum. I guess it was a bit of a spur of the moment thing really. I’m fine, really well, thanks.”
“Ollie says the contract finished early? I’m relieved,” Sharon Stanton carried on, heading for the kitchen to put the kettle on. “It’s much nicer to have you nearer home. You look like you’ve lost weight…”
“Uh, just a little bit…”’
“That’s not agency pressure, is it?”
“No, don’t worry, Mum,” said Natasha, looking at her brother and rolling her eyes. “It was just so hot over there, I didn’t have much appetite. I’m really looking forward to some good home cooking.”
“You’re in luck. It’s shepherd’s pie for tea. How does that grab you?”
“Mmm, my favourite.”
Natasha sat down, grateful that her mother seemed satisfied with her explanation.
“Got anything planned while you’re here?” Sharon Stanton carried on from the kitchen.
“Not really, I just thought I’d chill for a bit.”
“You could always come down to the End tomorrow.” said Ollie. “Kerry and the others will be there. I’m sure they’d like to see you…”
“Thanks, Ol,” Natasha said. “But I’m just as happy vegging out here…”
“Go on, force yourself,” her brother cajoled, “and if you’re really good, I’ll let you come on our day out at the river on Sunday. Complete with picnic, pub and maybe a bit of swimming in a lovely, freezing cold, polluted river. How does that compare to the bright lights of Milan?”
“It sounds hugely preferable,” Natasha replied, laughing. “It’s a date!”
CHAPTER 17
HEALTHY APPETITES
“Waaay-haaaay!”
A resounding cheer of approval went up from a group of young lads as they heard what sounded like several trays of cutlery crashing to the floor from the End’s kitchen. Sonja, Vikki and Cat’s heads shot up from the copy of OK! they were dissecting and they looked as one towards the kitchen doorway.
“Shall I go and check everything’s all right?” said Cat and began to slide out of the long window seat to see what damage Anna, Dot or Gabrielle might h
ave done.
Just then a pink-faced Anna appeared in the kitchen doorway, which produced another round of applause from the noisy lads by the jukebox. She gave them a little bow then came over to take the girls’ order.
“Are you OK?” asked Sonja.
Anna nodded. “I dropped the cutlery tray on to the floor,” she explained. “Nearly gave Dot a heart attack. How’re you doing with your order?”
“I’ll have the cheese omelette, please,” Sonja said, “and a Diet Coke.”
“Double cheeseburger, fries, onion rings and a couple of hash browns… and an orange juice, please.” Cat licked her lips in anticipation.
“Sounds good to me,” Vikki added. “I’ll have the same, please.”
“I can’t believe what you two just ordered,” said Sonja in amazement as Anna rushed off to take another order. “It’s not even midday and already you’re going for it. Have you ever thought of pacing yourselves?”
“When you’re hungry you’re hungry,” Cat giggled. “Live life to the full - you might get hit by a car tomorrow.”
“I suppose so…” Sonja was unconvinced.
“I mean, what a waste it would be if you spent all your life living really frugally and denying yourself nice things…” Cat broke off, her attention caught by something outside the window. Squinting for a few seconds, her face then relaxed as she recognised the couple coming towards the café.
“Hey, that’s OIlie and his sister, isn’t it?” Cat asked. “No, don’t look round, Son,” she added quickly, “they might see us all gawping. God, she looks terrible!”
“Oh! Is that her?” Vikki asked, craning her neck, a look of surprise on her face. “I thought you said she was a model?”
“She is.”
OIlie and Natasha walked into the café and, seeing Anna behind the counter, OIlie strode over and the three of them began chatting.
“Doesn’t much look like Kate Moss to me, girl,” Vikki chuckled, as much to herself as anyone else. “Have a quick look, Son, while she’s got her back to us.”
Sonja glanced round, taking in a split-second view of Natasha. It was true, in spite of the clever work with her cosmetics, Natasha certainly didn’t look as glamorous as she had the last time she was home back in May.
“I know OIlie said she was having a few problems,” Cat hissed, “but I didn’t expect her to look like that. Can you see her, Sonja?”
Cat and Vikki scrutinised Natasha from behind as Sonja squirmed in her seat opposite and prayed Natasha didn’t have excellent hearing or an in-built radar that told her when she was being watched. Cat’s comments didn’t sound entirely sympathetic - probably because she and Natasha had clashed on more than one occasion in the past.
Cat turned to Vikki and whispered, “She’s on drugs, you can bet your life on it.”
Vikki nodded sagely. “It’s so common with these models, the poor little things,” she generalised. “They reckon 90 per cent of them are on something while they’re working. The catwalk models are the worst. Apparently they hand out drugs like sweeties back stage at the top shows.”
“Vikki, where do you get your information from?” Sonja gaped. “That’s complete rubbish.”
“It is not,” Vikki insisted. “I read it in a newspaper.”
“Well, then it must be true,” snorted Sonja. “What are you like? You know most of those stories are just the press exaggerating.”
“It is true,” Vikki continued, unfazed. “There was a special report only last week. D’you know, there are girls who are dead tall and who weigh nine stone, and yet they’re told to lose weight. It’s terrible. If it’s not drugs, then I bet that’s what’s happened.”
“What rubbish! It’s gullible people like you that give the fashion industry a bad name,” Sonja tutted. “Natasha’s always been small. You have no idea what’s up with her.”
“Well, look,” Vikki snorted. “You can see every bone in her spine sticking out from here. And you could cut bread on those shoulder blades. I’ll bet my arm weighs more than her entire body.”
“I bet your little finger weighs more than her entire body,” Cat joked and yelped as Vikki pressed her well-covered frame into her friend, squashing her against the window. “Stop it! And shush! They’re coming over.”
“Hi, Natasha,” said Sonja brightly, welcoming Ollie’s sister. “Come and sit down.”
Smiling, Natasha slid into the seat next to Sonja and picked up the menu. ‘What’re you having, Ol?” she asked her brother.
“Just a coffee,” he replied. “How about you?”
“Well, I’m starving,” she said, causing Cat and Vikki to exchange ‘I told you so’ glances. Scanning the menu for a few seconds, she then looked up and asked the others what they were having.
“An omelette,” Sonja replied.
“Eurgh, no thanks. How about you guys?”
As Cat reeled off what she and Vikki planned to consume, Natasha’s face lit up. “Wow, that’s more like it,” she said. “Can I have the same, please, Ol?”
“Sure,” he said as Cat and Vikki exchanged glances once more - this time of surprise. “I’ll nip into the kitchen and get Anna to make it with the others.” Ollie slid out of his seat, ducked under the stainless steel worktop and wandered into the kitchen.
“How’s it going?” he asked Anna. One look at her frazzled expression and flushed face told him the answer: it wasn’t going too well.
“I’ve had better days,” Anna replied, wiping her damp forehead with her arm and puffing out her flushed cheeks in exasperation.
“You look worn out.”
“I am. I could do with a Caribbean holiday complete with cocktails and poolside service.”
“Poor Anna. Look, I know you’re supposed to be working tomorrow,” said Ollie generously, “but why don’t you take the day off and go on this picnic instead? It would do you good. I can cover for you here.”
Anna thought about his offer for a moment, appreciating his selflessness. But the thought of the picnic almost physically gagged in her throat.
“That’s really sweet of you, Ol,” she said, “but honestly, I’m quite happy to stay here. Anyway, I’m sure you’d rather spend some more time with Natasha, while you’ve got the opportunity, wouldn’t you?”
“Well, yeah, you’re right. It’s just that you look completely bushed. A day out in the fresh air would do you good. But if you’re sure…”
“‘Course I am,” Anna replied. “Now get out of here before I find you some onions that need chopping.”
Grinning, Ollie came over and gave Anna a big hug. “Cheers, you’re a pal,” he said.
Anna felt guilty that Ollie was so grateful to her when she didn’t consider she was making any great sacrifice. The reality was, she couldn’t bear the thought of being in the same company as Matt and Gabrielle all day.
She would rather stay behind, bitterly imagining what they were getting up to, rather than have to witness it for herself.
Sniffing slightly, Anna admitted that she would never hold Matt against his will - but watching him falling in love with Gabrielle all over again was too much to ask.
CHAPTER 18
MESSING ABOUT ON THE RIVER
“Wow, what a great day!” Vikki enthused as the gang walked along the river’s edge from the train station. Everyone agreed that they couldn’t have chosen a better day for their picnic - the sun beat down on them from a cloudless sky, while a gentle breeze kept it from being unbearably hot.
They headed along the towpath towards the boat hire place which had a picnic site next door and the Salmon and Trout pub a little further on. Cat and Vikki were in front, their shrill giggles cutting through the tranquillity of the place as they eyed up a boatful of hunky rowers heading towards them on the river.
“Ooh, look at them,” Cat cooed, batting her eyelashes automatically even though the rowers were too far away and too intent on their exercise to notice her. “They’re all muscular and dripping with sweat…”
“Uh-huh,” Vikki agreed as they swept past. “I wouldn’t mind having a shower with that lot later on, eh?”
“Mmm, count me in,” said Cat breathily. “Anyone know where the boathouse is?”
“Not me, but I can see the pub,” chortled Billy as they rounded a corner and spotted the Salmon and Trout in the distance. “Anyone for a pint?” he asked.
No one answered him; the girls dumped their bags on the grass and went cluck-clucking towards a group of ducks, who’d been basking by the side of the river bank. Eyeing them suspiciously, the birds immediately legged it to the safety of the water.
“Let’s throw them some of our sandwiches,” suggested Meg ‘.’Maybe that’ll entice them back.”
“D’you think they like cheese and piccalilli,” Ollie chuckled, “or coronation chicken?”
“Never mind that,” Cat cried. “Look, the rowers are coming back this way!”
The others turned and saw that the team of lads who, moments ago, seemed hell bent on breaking all rowing records known to man had indeed turned round on the water and were heading back their way.
A natural extrovert, Cat felt compelled to do something to make them notice her. Standing at the edge of the steep bank that led down to the water in her white hotpants and dainty pink slingbacks, she began to shout “hello” and wave frantically. The boat flashed past in an instant, its occupants completely ignoring Cat’s windmill impersonations. Then they were gone. Cat let out a huff of disapproval and turned to rejoin her friends who were sniggering nearby. Moments later, she had lost her footing and found herself tumbling down the bank in a heap. She came to a stop on her stomach about halfway down the river bank, her hands clinging on to a couple of clumps of long grass.
“Heelllp!“ she wailed pitifully.
“Are you OK?” yelled Matt.
“I—I’m not sure,” came the muffled reply. “I think I might have broken something…”
Matt and Billy exchanged worried glances then launched themselves towards their friend.
“Cat, hold on!” Sonja instructed from above. “The boys are coming. We’ll have you up from there in no time.”
