‘I did a course many years ago. Paris is not the place to turn up and find oneself unable to communicate. It shows a total lack of education and the locals are quick to judge if you can’t converse at a basic level.’
Pippa was seriously impressed. Brianna could certainly hold her own. Again, she felt Missy’s elbow digging into her ribs as she giggled into her sleeve and mocked their boss.
They stepped out of the taxi and looked up. The hotel wasn’t quite what Pippa had in mind. She’d been expecting a classy boutique style boudoir with a gorgeously decorative frontage, complete with antique revolving doors. Where was the divine-looking doorman dressed in a navy costume with red and gold accents, bowing politely as he welcomed them with a sexy French accent? Instead they were greeted by a grey building with a shabby paint-chipped door that weighed a ton. Pippa prised it open and struggled under its weight as she tried to hold it ajar so the others could get their bags inside.
The reception area was no great shakes either. The desk was dull and ancient-looking with an uppity woman standing there in an ill-fitting trouser suit and no sign of a smile.
Brianna gave their names and took the keys to their rooms.
‘You’re on the second floor,’ Brianna said handing them their keys. ‘I’m on the first, so how about we meet back here in half an hour?’
The girls agreed and both looked momentarily horrified when Brianna picked up her case and began to haul it up the stairs.
‘Where’s the elevator?’ Missy asked. ‘They don’t expect us to hoof our bags up several flights of stairs?’ she scoffed.
‘You can leave them there, if you’d prefer,’ Brianna called over her shoulder.
The two girls followed as Missy cursed and complained.
‘If my father knew we were staying in a dump like this, he’d be livid.’
Pippa didn’t comment, but she hoped the rooms were going to be more impressive. She anticipated crisp white linen and a dressing table with a pretty spoon-backed chair covered in luscious damask fabric that matched the curtains and four-poster bed.
She found her door, shoved the key into the slot, took a deep breath and pushed open the door. Alas, it was more like a nasty motel, with dingy carpet tiles and a sad, saggy single bed.
Throwing her bag on the ugly wooden chair, she hung her suit cover in the wardrobe, which smelled decidedly like cat pee.
Brianna was insisting they go to a bistro around the corner. She’d been telling them all about it during the flight.
Missy had thankfully agreed and said it sounded like a perfect plan.
Pippa was secretly quite glad that Missy wasn’t going to have the upper hand this evening. If they were left to Missy’s devices, Lord only knew where they’d end up.
The bathroom was the size of a broom cupboard so Pippa didn’t bother having a shower. Instead she fixed her make-up, pulled a brush through her hair, brushed her teeth and made her way back down to reception.
Brianna was out front, looking around with a smile on her face.
‘All OK?’ she asked as Missy brought up the rear.
‘This place is a kip,’ Missy spat. ‘I suggest we find somewhere better. Does my father know you booked us into this dive?’
‘Yes, he’s the one who showed me where the place was all those years ago. It’s not five star, but it’s very central. We can walk everywhere and it’s near the exhibition hall. Once you immerse yourself in Parisian life, you’ll get it,’ Brianna said as she waltzed down the street, looking thrilled.
Missy looked at Pippa, curled her lip, shrugged her shoulders and followed.
The restaurant was typically Parisian, with small square tables shoved together in such tight proximity they had to be pulled out to allow people to scootch in and sit on the opposite side.
‘It’s lucky we speak a different language,’ Pippa hissed. ‘I’m not into the idea of all the tables practically touching. You wouldn’t want to be having a private conversation, would you?’
‘Ah this is what I love,’ Brianna said, continuing with her theatrical stance. ‘Wait until you taste the steaks. They cut like butter.’
On Brianna’s rather insistent recommendation, they all ordered a simple meal of steak, rustic potatoes and green salads along with a bottle of red wine.
Moments later, three plates were banged down in front of them.
‘Jeez,’ said Missy. ‘Why don’t they just throw the plates from the kitchen and be done with it? This is bordering on violence.’
‘This is totally raw,’ Pippa hissed as she cut into her meat. ‘The outside is vaguely charred and the rest looks like it might still have a pulse.’
‘They don’t believe in over-cooking meat here,’ Brianna explained knowingly. ‘Taste it. I promise you’ll love it. Washed down with the red wine, which is at the perfect temperature, you’ll be blown away.’
The two girls cut around the outside of their steaks and couldn’t bring themselves to eat the really rare bits. Brianna carefully chewed hers, looking as if she were on the verge of orgasm.
‘Excusez moi,’ she said, heading for the bathroom some time later.
Missy leaned across the table to Pippa and whispered. ‘She’s lost the plot. She thinks she’s a local. Look at her floating about with her arms outstretched!’
‘She’s used to coming here, that’s all,’ Pippa defended.
‘Play along for another fifteen minutes and we’re out of here,’ Missy said. ‘Here, I’ll fill up her glass and hopefully it’ll knock her out. It’s like drinking ink, whatever the hell it is.’
‘Yeah, I thought it was just me,’ Pippa said. ‘I like most red wines, but that stuff is rough.’
By the time they got Brianna back to the hotel, via a couple of cobbled side streets, where she pointed out coffee shops and other things the girls had zero interest in, Pippa could tell Missy was getting antsy.
‘So, nighty-night then, Brianna. Thanks so much for the guided tour and the gorgeous meal,’ Missy said. ‘I’ll be certain to tell Daddy what a super hostess you are. Sorry about my cribbing earlier on. You’re dead right. I needed to see Paris like the locals do. I’m bushed. Don’t know about you gals, but I’m off to my scratcher. See you both in the morning for breakfast. Shall we say eleven o’clock?’
Brianna snorted with laughter. ‘Missy, you are a hoot! Let’s agree on seven-thirty, yes? They do a very basic breakfast here at the hotel. But entre nous it’s not exactly delicious. So I suggest we stop by a superb patisserie I know of. They do melt in the mouth pastries that are worth every last calorie! Then we can trot on across town to the exhibition hall. That way we should be there in plenty of time for the nine o’clock opening.’
‘Seven-thirty!’ Missy whined. ‘Ah seriously, Brianna. Let’s not get carried away. Nobody expects us to be up that early, for God’s sake.’
‘Well it’s only a quarter past ten now,’ Brianna said in surprise. ‘So it’s not as if we’ll be lacking in sleep,’ she yawned. ‘And I think I’ll be out like a light after that divine wine.’
‘Uh yes, it was gorgeous,’ Pippa said, rushing toward the stairs. ‘See you in the morning, ladies.’
They all trooped toward their rooms. As soon as Brianna was gone, Missy grabbed Pippa’s sleeve and pulled her up to the second floor.
‘Let’s go to my room for a few minutes until the coast is clear,’ Missy said, fishing her room key out of her handbag.
As soon as Pippa saw Missy’s room, she burst out laughing.
‘Dear Lord, your room is worse than mine. I thought the dark maroon colour in mine was bad, but this is just gross. Who would have thought of doing up an entire space in mustard?’
‘Isn’t it like a migraine?’ Missy said, pulling her wash bag from the bathroom. ‘Still, things will be so much better in a minute. Quick sneaky line before we head out for a few scoops?’
‘What?’ Pippa nearly choked. ‘Please tell me you didn’t bring drugs on the plane, Missy!’
‘Only a tiny amount,’ she said, looking at Pippa mockingly. ‘Relax! Bloody hell, you’re acting as if I’m a gangster. Chill out, Pippa. It’s a pinch, I’m hardly Nidge from Love/Hate.’
‘Chill out? Missy, if you got caught with that, you’d be gonzoed. Coke is illegal, in case you’ve forgotten. Can you imagine how much trouble you’d be in if you were caught?’
‘I don’t look like a drugs mule, Pippa. There’s enough here to keep a mouse going. The customs people aren’t interested in people like me. They’d get more excited about someone smuggling unpasteurised milk than this.’
As she laid out two lines on the dressing table and helped herself to one, Missy seemed totally at ease with what she’d done.
Pippa actually thought she was going to be sick. She walked to the window and opened it gently.
‘Careful!’ Missy said. ‘You’ll blow this all over the floor and I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t fancy snorting anything off those rancid carpet tiles.’
‘I’m actually good for tonight,’ Pippa said. ‘I’m not really that into powder. It’s only an occasional thing for me and I’m still a bit hung over after the weekend. You go ahead.’
‘What do you mean?’ Missy asked standing up and walking over to Pippa. ‘You’re making me sound like some sort of lowlife here. I don’t appreciate your tone, Pippa. Besides, little-Miss-holier-than-thou, you’re the one screwing the dealer, not me.’
Her heart was thumping in her chest as Pippa saw the flaring anger in the other girl’s eyes.
‘Danny’s not . . .’
‘Not a dealer? Ah get off your high-horse, Pippa. He’s a nice enough guy, I’ll give you that. But he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He can talk the talk and he looks great. But don’t be fooled by him, darling.’
There was silence for a moment as Pippa struggled to contain her boiling anger. As if on cue, her mobile rang. She couldn’t snatch it off the bed quickly enough to conceal the name that was flashing up.
‘Ha! Speak of the devil and he’ll appear!’ Missy said. ‘I’ll go into the bathroom and touch up my make-up while you speak to your dealer boyfriend.’
Pippa wanted to hit Missy. Instead she answered the call through gritted teeth.
‘Hey, what’s up?’ Danny asked sounding really concerned.
‘Yeah, Missy is just popping to the en suite to do her make-up while we have a little chat.’
‘OK, you’re surrounded,’ Danny said. ‘Is she driving you insane?’
‘You could say that,’ Pippa said trying to keep her voice even. ‘We were out for dinner with our boss. She’s gone to bed and Missy and I are going out for a couple of sneaky drinks.’
‘Nice,’ Danny said sarcastically. ‘As long as she doesn’t go off hunting for powder, you’ll be fine. It’s too dodgy to partake in any of that abroad, you do know that, right?’
‘No need to go out looking, she brought some in her bag,’ Pippa hissed.
‘Pardon?’
‘You heard,’ Pippa whispered as Missy flushed the loo. ‘I’ve about thirty seconds before she’s back in the room. She brought the shit with her and now wants me to go out clubbing. This is a disaster, Danny.’
‘Shit!’ he said. ‘Pippa, I’d no idea she’d be that stupid. Can’t you say you’re sick or something? You have to be careful doing any of that stuff over there. The police there lock you up, throw away the key and then ask questions.’
‘Don’t you think I know that?’ She wanted to cry. This was insane.
‘Play along with her. Keep her sweet and after tonight, don’t get caught on your own with her. Lie, say Brianna was annoyed at being left out.’
‘She doesn’t know . . .’
‘You’ll think of something. But keep her sweet until this trip is over and after that, you’ll need to distance yourself from her slowly. She’s bad news, Pip. Everyone in Dublin dreads her.’
Missy appeared from the bathroom looking ready for action.
‘Right, let’s go. Say kissy-kissy to lover boy and let’s go.’
‘God, she’s a bitch,’ Danny said down the phone. Pippa grimaced, knowing she really wanted to cry.
‘I’d better get going,’ Pippa said.
‘Mind yourself. No dodgy situations, OK? I . . . I love you Pippa.’
‘OK . . .’ She closed her eyes wanting to tell him she loved him too. But she was too scared of talking in front of Missy. She’d only go off on one, teasing her for being in love with a scumbag. And besides, it was private. Between her and Danny.
‘I’ll call you tomorrow,’ she managed and hung up.
‘So hurry up!’ Missy demanded. ‘It’s late enough already. We don’t have all night. Especially if the dragon wants us ready for work at bloody half seven.’
Pippa looked over at the white powder.
‘Why are you looking at it as if I’m trying to poison you? You should be grateful I risked life and limb to bring it. I’m sharing with you and that’s the thanks I get?’ Missy’s nostrils were flaring and her face had turned a dangerous shade of violet.
‘Listen, I don’t want you thinking I’m totally sponging off you all the time,’ Pippa said in an attempt to recover the mood.
‘We’re mates.’ Missy closed her eyes and clenched her fists. ‘I don’t want to fight with you, Pippa, OK? It’s cool. Besides, you can buy the gear for my party, so it’s no biggie.’ Missy handed her the rolled-up note and stood with one hand on her hip.
Pippa took it and closed her eyes as she inhaled through her nose. Pippa wished she could click her heels three times and go home.
She still felt uneasy as they walked into a heaving, noisy bar a few minutes later.
‘Now this is more like it,’ Missy said as she started to sway her hips to the beat. ‘Look, six o’clock,’ she said out of the corner of her mouth. ‘Delicious French men and they’re staring in our direction.’
‘Bonsoir,’ one of them said, advancing instantly. As he babbled in French, Missy giggled and flicked her hair.
To her astonishment, Pippa could actually understand him. Delighted with her memory skills, she soon forgot her inhibitions and woes. Channelling her school-girl French rather expertly, she oozed confidence as she began to speak like a true linguist.
‘You’re seriously good at this,’ Missy said, looking wildly impressed. ‘Those guys are totally melting. Your accent is mega.’
‘I never thought I was that brilliant in school, to be honest I was always a bit embarrassed about doing the accent. But I suppose it’s so much easier to speak a language when you’re in the country, right?’
‘Or when you’ve had a line of Charlie to boost your confidence!’
Either way, the girls were an instant hit. They found themselves welcomed with flailing arms, ooh-la-la’s and mon dieu's.
A carafe of wine appeared from nowhere and the conversation flowed. No matter what the guys said, Missy was smitten.
‘Their accents are dreamy. I could get used to this lot,’ she said. ‘Look at their hair and skin and their clothes. They’re so sophisticated and . . . manly . . .’ she finished.
‘And so animated and passionate,’ Pippa said, knocking back her wine. ‘I’m loving the wine here, too. It doesn’t seem to make me drunk, unlike the awful monkey wee they serve in the bars at home.’
‘Yeah, I know. But I guess it’s because these people totally invented wine, didn’t they? Also,’ she elbowed Pippa. ‘Don’t forget you’ve got a little bit of help from your friend Charlie. It always makes drinking easier. Just part of the magic, I guess.’ Missy flashed a bright smile.
Pippa felt a sudden jolt as guilt revisited her once more. She also felt suddenly nervous and suspicious. Under normal circumstances, she’d be hammered by now. Instead she was feeling sharp as a razor, not to mention on top of the world. Knowing it was all down to the effect of the drug, she became totally panic-stricken.
‘I think we need to go, Missy.’
‘Your teeth are all black,
’ she grinned back. ‘I guess you’re right, we need to get a couple of hours’ sleep or Brianna will tell Daddy on us,’ she said blowing a childish raspberry.
‘What time is it?’ Pippa asked.
‘It’s half-past five,’ Missy sighed. ‘We really will get into serious trouble with the teacher.’
‘Whaat?’ Pippa said lurching sideways. ‘How can it be that time already?’
‘Time flies and all that, sweetie,’ Missy said, grabbing her bag. The men all protested and acted as if they were being stabbed in the heart with a wooden stake at the thought of losing the girls’ company.
‘They’re wildly enthusiastic, bless them,’ Missy grinned. ‘But we gotta go, Pippa girl.’
They waved and had their cheeks kissed until they were dizzy. Linking arms, the two staggered up the road.
‘I’m glad you seem to know where you’re going,’ Pippa said, squinting into the dark. ‘I’m totally lost. I’d happily lie on the road and have a quick snooze. In fact, that seems like a seriously marvellous plan,’ she said attempting to sit down.
‘Come on, you floozy!’ Missy giggled. ‘You crack me up, you crazy mad thing! You need to get into bed and sleep off some of that alcohol.’
‘I was fine a minute ago, but I’m so so so tired now, Missy.’
Pippa wanted to howl as Missy pulled her up and dragged her back to the hotel.
As they made their way up the stairs, Pippa swayed dangerously backwards.
‘Jeez, are you trying to flatten me and kill yourself in the process?’ Missy said. ‘I think you should crash with me. Otherwise you’ll never wake up and we’ll be up shit creek without a paddle.’
Pippa nodded. Her head felt too heavy for her body and her legs were cramped and achy. She was ridiculously chilled and had an urge to curl into a foetal position.
‘I’m broken,’ she whinged. ‘I can’t walk anywhere else.’
‘You’ll be tucked up in a jiffy,’ Missy said, ‘here’s the room. You need to make it to the bed and you’ll be home and dry.’
A few seconds later, Pippa was vaguely aware of her friend pulling her shoes off and unzipping her dress. On autopilot she grabbed at the blankets and sheet and rolled into a little cocoon.
The Heart of Winter Page 15
