Sam picked up her wine glass, considering him. ‘Well, that’s a lovely sentiment, but I still think most men are looking for the someone who’ll iron their shirts and put dinner on the table.’
‘Don’t lump us all together,’ Hal said shortly. ‘And don’t you think what you’re saying is a bit outdated? Women have their own careers, they’re independent, they don’t get married to look after a man. It’s certainly not what I’m looking for.’
Sam frowned. ‘I thought you weren’t looking right now?’
He looked a little abashed. ‘I’m just saying, theoretically.’
‘Okay, theoretically, what would you look for in a wife?’
Hal sat back in his chair, thinking. ‘Someone I could be myself with, more than anyone else.’ He paused. ‘Most of the time we’re operating undercover, don’t you think? We put on so many faces to the world, it would be a relief to have someone you could be completely at ease with. To have that kind of connection, someone who loved you regardless.’
Sam sipped her wine slowly. She couldn’t argue with that. Her whole marriage was about putting on a face to the world. Jeff included.
‘What were you looking for in a husband?’ Hal asked.
She stared into her glass. ‘Someone who’d stay,’ she said quietly. She looked up at him and he was gazing at her, almost tenderly.
‘That doesn’t seem too much to ask for,’ he said.
She smiled lamely. ‘Apparently it was.’
The waiter came to clear their plates and offer them the dessert menu.
‘We’d better have something,’ Hal suggested. ‘Max will get mad if we go back too soon.’ He paused for a moment. ‘And that would make her Mad Max. We wouldn’t want that.’
Sam looked at him blankly.
‘I just made a joke. Didn’t you get it?’
‘Yes, but it wasn’t a very good one. I wouldn’t draw attention to it.’
Sam ordered a dessert she knew she wouldn’t be able to eat, but she gladly accepted a refill of her glass. When the waiter left them, Hal leaned forward across the table.
‘So what are you going to do with the rest of your life, Samantha Jean?’
‘That’s a big question.’
‘You asked me once if I had dreams about what I wanted to be when I grew up. What about you?’
Sam sighed. ‘You read it right there,’ she said, indicating the yearbook. ‘I wanted to be a wife and a mother.’
‘Okay, you can check that box,’ he persisted. ‘What’s next?’
‘Well, you never stop being a mother.’
‘Nor apparently a wife,’ he remarked. ‘Is that why you went to work for Wife for Hire? You had no one to be a wife to any more, so you decided to do it for a living?’
Sam shrugged. ‘Maybe.’
‘Don’t you get sick of running around after other people?’
‘That’s not exactly what I do.’
‘Oh? What do you do then?’
She hesitated. ‘Well, even if I do run around after people, so what? What’s wrong with that? I like it, most of the time. And I’m good at it.’
‘I’ll bet you’re good at a lot of things,’ said Hal. ‘And you’ll never know if you stay being a wife forever.’
Sam had never thought about it like that before.
‘Maybe it’s time to move on,’ he suggested.
‘You know,’ she said, picking up her glass, ‘I’m beginning to hate that expression.’ She took a mouthful of wine. ‘Everyone keeps telling me I should “move on”, I even keep telling myself! But how do you do that after sixteen years and three children? It’s not that easy, you know, Hal, you don’t have to have any kind of relationship with your ex-wife if you don’t want to. But I’ll be attached to Jeff forever because of the kids. How the hell am I supposed to move on?’
Sam realised that her voice was raised, hardly noticeable in the noisy restaurant, but obvious to Hal. He seemed a little taken aback.
‘Sorry,’ she said, embarrassed.
‘Don’t worry about it.’
The waiter appeared behind Hal with his coffee and an enormous serve of tiramisu.
‘You’re going to have to help me eat this,’ said Sam.
Hal frowned as the waiter set it down in front of her. ‘I’m not much of a dessert man. I’m already sweet enough.’
Sam grinned. ‘Oh sure, that’s why you’re pouring all that sugar into your cup.’ She picked up a spoon and scooped up a little tiramisu. ‘So, what about you? I don’t see you moving on.’
‘What do you mean? I’ve moved ten thousand miles.’
‘But you’re living exactly the same life here as you were in the US. What’s the difference?’
‘The climate –’
‘What’s stopping you from sailing around the world now, for instance?’ Sam continued, ignoring him.
Hal laughed. ‘About twenty years.’
She frowned. ‘Honestly Hal, the way you talk you’d think you were a hundred and three years old. You’re just making excuses. Haven’t you ever heard the expression “seize the day”? Spread your wings, reach for the stars, take the road less travelled –’
‘Oh my God, it’s the attack of the killer cliché queen.’
‘I’m just saying,’ Sam went on undaunted, ‘that you could do anything you want, Hal. What’s stopping you?’
He sat back in his chair, staring at her intently. ‘You’re absolutely right. I don’t know what’s stopping me.’
Sam wasn’t sure, but she felt as though she’d unintentionally thrown down some kind of gauntlet to Hal. When they left the restaurant and made their way back to the car, he frequently took her arm, or guided her along with his palm on the small of her back. Sam was afraid he was going to try to hold her hand, so she made it impossible by folding her arms or clutching her bag. She wasn’t really afraid, she just didn’t want him to hold her hand. It was too . . . It would make it really seem like a date. And it wasn’t a date. They had just gone out to dinner. Together. Alone. But it wasn’t a date. It was . . .
‘Sam?’
‘What?’ she jumped.
‘Are you okay? You seem a bit nervous.’
‘I’m not nervous, why do you think I’m nervous?’
‘It’s just the way you’re holding your purse,’ Hal said. ‘Are you worried someone’s going to try to snatch it?’
Sam realised she was clutching her handbag to her chest, with her arms crisscrossed over it. She relaxed, slipping the strap over her shoulder.
‘The car’s this way, remember,’ he said, placing his palm mid-back now, his fingers just curling at her waist. Sam skittered ahead quickly, and felt his hand drop away.
They were quiet during the short drive home. The tension was so thick in the car, you could not only cut it with a knife, you could take a nice big chunk of it, spread it on bread and make a hearty meal of it.
Sam was wondering what would happen when they pulled up in front of the house. She should ask him in for coffee, that was the best bet. But Max had told her once that asking someone in for coffee was code for ‘Would you like to have sex?’ and even if you were only talking caffeine, the guy would think you were inviting him in for sex.
But surely Hal wouldn’t think that, what with Max inside and a house full of children? And besides, he was her client, this wasn’t a date, so the secret coffee code didn’t apply.
Hal pulled the car in close to the kerb, cut the engine and turned towards Sam, all far more swiftly than she was prepared for. God, she just realised she hadn’t even thought of the ‘stay in the car and neck’ scenario. Weren’t they a bit old for that?
‘Do you want to come in for a cup of coffee?’ she blurted.
‘But you don’t drink coffee this late,’ said Hal.
Sam looked at him for a moment, confused. Was he using the code? Was this a test?
‘No, no, you’re absolutely right. I don’t drink coffee at night at all,’ she said emphatically. ‘Well, I us
ed to, but not any more, under the circumstances, I really couldn’t drink coffee now. With you. I drink chamomile tea, which is an entirely different thing.’
Now Hal looked confused.
‘If you came inside, you could drink coffee and I could drink chamomile tea. Maybe Max would have a cup of coffee, but,’ she hastened to add, ‘she would just be drinking coffee, you know. I don’t think she’d want to have a cup of coffee with you, so to speak. Much as she likes you.’
‘Sam?’
‘Mm?’
‘Are you alright?’
‘Sure, I’m fine.’ I just seem like a nutcase.
‘Okay. Well, thanks for the invitation, but some other time. I should go. Sailing tomorrow.’
‘Oh,’ Sam nodded.
Suddenly, he leaned towards her and Sam flinched. ‘Don’t kiss me!’ she blurted.
Hal stopped. ‘What makes you think I was going to kiss you?’
She looked at him, trying to work out his expression. She couldn’t tell if he was teasing her. He seemed completely guileless. He reached behind her seat and handed her the yearbook.
‘I didn’t want you to forget this.’
Oh fuck! She was such an idiot. If only she could just wiggle her nose and disappear like that other Samantha.
‘My mistake,’ she croaked, not making eye contact. ‘Sorry.’
‘But,’ he said as she went to open the car door. ‘Hypothetically speaking . . . what if I was to kiss you?’
Sam jerked around to look at him. Now she could see the glint in his eye. The bugger.
‘Mm,’ she mused, regaining her composure. ‘Hypothetically?’
‘That’s right. Hypothetically, if I was to kiss you, would you kiss me back?’
‘I work for you.’
‘You’re not answering the question,’ he persisted.
‘What was it again?’
He went to open his mouth, but Sam thought better of it. ‘No, on second thoughts, don’t repeat it.’
‘So what’s your answer?’
‘It’s the same. I work for you, it’s not appropriate to fraternise with a client.’
‘Fraternise?’ he grinned broadly now. ‘That sounds like fun. I wouldn’t mind trying a little fraternising.’
‘I’m getting out of the car now,’ said Sam, opening the door.
‘Hey Sam?’
She glanced back at him.
‘Thanks, I had a good time.’
Sam felt herself blush. He was staring intently at her, not teasing, just smiling affectionately, tenderly even. It would be so nice to kiss him, if only it wouldn’t . . . complicate everything.
‘Thanks, me too,’ she mumbled, jumping from the car. He didn’t drive away until she had opened the front door and closed it again behind her.
‘How did it go?’
‘Max! You nearly scared the shit out of me!’ Sam exclaimed. ‘What were you doing standing there in the dark?’
‘I was watching out for you. You’ve been sitting there a while, though not long enough.’
‘God, you’re nosy.’
‘How was your date?’
‘It wasn’t a date,’ said Sam wearily, starting down the hall.
‘You’re beginning to sound like a broken record.’
‘Well, you keep asking the same questions.’
‘It’s been a year, you know, Sam. You have to move on,’ Max called after her.
She groaned. ‘The only place I’m moving on to is bed. Are you staying the night?’ she asked over her shoulder.
‘No, I’ve got a date.’
Sam stopped, checking her watch. She turned around to look at Max. ‘At this time of night?’
‘God, you sound like an old fart sometimes,’ said Max. She picked up her bag off the sofa and sauntered to the front door. ‘Yes, I have a date, at midnight, shock horror! And I might even end up having sex!’ she exclaimed, throwing her arms out dramatically.
Sam turned around again and continued down the hall.
‘People do that, you know. They have sex!’ Max called after her. ‘Sometimes they even enjoy it.’
‘Lock up on your way out, will you?’ Sam returned as she walked into her bedroom.
‘If this goes on much longer,’ Max persisted, ‘I’m going to have to buy you one of those special toys for Christmas, you know, the battery-operated kind.’
‘Goodnight Maxine.’
Monday
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Saturday night
Hey Sam,
I enjoyed not taking you to the reunion the other night. Care to do it again? I’m guessing the kids are with their father next weekend. Are you free?
Hal
Sam sat staring at the computer screen. This was taking things a step further, no question. She sat, nervously biting the edge of her thumb. She wasn’t ready. It was as simple as that. Hal of all people should understand.
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Saturday night
Dear Hal
Sorry, the kids will be with me. They start at their new school next Monday, so we’re having a quiet weekend.
Sam
No, that sounded too curt. She deleted ‘Sam’ and added
Maybe some other time.
Sam
But he might take that as an opening to ask again. What about
Thanks for asking.
Sam
Now it sounded too eager.
Thanks for the other night.
Sam
Suggestive?
Thanks anyway.
Sam
Good. Polite, but definitely non-leading. She clicked Send, then immediately deleted both his original message and her reply.
Wednesday
The house was very quiet. Josh and Jess were away, Ellie was next door. Sam could hear her own breathing. She started to think about her options. A glass of wine would go down well right now. Perhaps a little music? No, the silence was a novelty, best to indulge in it. What about a bath? She sighed contentedly. That was it. She leaned her head back against the sofa where she was sitting and put her feet up on the coffee table. She closed her eyes. She could feel the chill of the glass in her hand, the warmth of the water lapping around her body, the peace, the quiet.
Then the phone started to ring.
Bugger! For a moment she thought about letting the machine pick it up. But what if it was one of the kids? She sighed, dragging herself up and walking into the kitchen.
‘Okay, okay,’ she said to no one as she picked up the receiver.
‘Sam! You won’t believe what’s happened!’
Woman’s voice, excited, shrill . . . Fiona? God, she hated it when people didn’t say who they were on the phone. She had to keep them talking until they gave it away somehow.
‘Try me.’
‘You really won’t believe it. I should make you guess.’
Then Sam got her clue. She heard the drawback on a cigarette. ‘Or you could just tell me, Liz.’
‘Rose has left Colin.’
‘She has not.’
‘Oh yes she has.’
Sam didn’t know what to say.
‘Sam?’
‘I don’t know what to say.’
‘I know, isn’t it unbelievable? I mean, she just walked out apparently.’
‘Where is she?’
‘She’s staying at the Ritz Carlton at Double Bay.’
‘She is not!’
Liz laughed. ‘She is! The world’s turned on its ear. Anyway, she called and asked me to pass the message along, and we’re all invited for drinks.’
‘For drinks? What, she’s celebrating?’
‘Well, wouldn’t you if you left Colin?’ Liz remarked snidely. ‘Look, I think she might be a little shell-shocked. We’d better get over there. Can you ring Max?’
‘Sure,’ said Sam. ‘I’ll see you there.’
Sam rang Max, who seemed to be only mildly surprised. She said she’d be waiting outside her block in ten minutes.
‘What are you going to do with Ellie?’ she asked.
‘Sorry?’
‘Ellie. You know, your daughter. Short, dark hair –’
‘Oh God, um, she’s next door. I’ll have to bring her with me, I suppose. Do you think it’ll be alright?’
‘Should be an education for her,’ Max quipped. ‘See you in ten.’
Sam hurried next door and rang the bell. Maria answered it, smiling. She was a small but buxom woman and she always had a smile on her face.
‘Hello Samanta!’ she greeted. She couldn’t quite manage the ‘th’. ‘You come to have dinner wit us? You can’t sit in tere alone, all by yourselves!’
‘Oh, thank you, Maria. But I have to go out. I’ve come to get Ellie.’
Maria’s face dropped. ‘But where are you going? Does Ellie have to go too?’
‘Well . . .’
‘Leave her here. She’s no trouble.’
‘Oh I couldn’t –’
‘Please Samanta! I love having a little girl around. Can you imagine?’
Sam smiled at her. ‘I might be a little late.’
‘Pssht,’ Maria dismissed. She turned towards the sitting room. Ellie and Carlos were engrossed in the PlayStation. ‘Ellie, your mama’s going out. You gonna stay here wit us for dinner, querida?’
Ellie looked over and nodded happily.
‘What do you say to Mrs Suarez, Ellie?’ Sam prompted her.
‘Thank you, Maria!’
‘Don’t I get a kiss goodbye?’
Ellie jumped up and skipped over to her mother. ‘We just unlocked level four on Crash Bandicoot!’
‘Well, I’m so happy for you!’ Sam bent down and gave her a hug. ‘Now, you be polite, and eat all your dinner, and help clean up afterwards.’
‘Eh!’ Maria grunted. ‘She’s a baby! Too many rules!’
‘Thank you, Maria. I’ll owe you for this.’
‘Pssht,’ Maria waved her off.
Wife for Hire Page 30
