Chapter 46
Chapter Forty-Six
“ I see you’ve cracked open the good stuff,” said Nisha, as she walked into the Vine.
“You came to see me?” said Chrissie, surprised to see the short figure dressed in football kit approaching.
“After hearing about such a dramatic event? I could hardly not! Besides, I’d just finished footy practice, so I can order some chips to replenish my athletic physique.” Nisha patted her rounded stomach as she spoke.
Chrissie smiled. “Come here.” She stood to embrace Nisha.
“I’m all muddy,” warned Nisha.
“I don’t care!” The couple hugged and Nisha kissed Chrissie on the cheek.
“Well done,” said Nisha. “Mind if I join you? You must be Rae, I’ve heard how fabulous a friend you are to Chrissie.” She held out her hand and Rae shook it.
“And it’s wonderful to meet you, having heard about you for the last few weeks,” said Rae.
“All good things, I’m sure,” said Nisha with a wink.
“Well,” replied Rae, “I’m not going to lie, there was a bit of angst, but lately it’s definitely been good.”
“I’ll take that,” said Nisha, waggling her eyebrows and throwing an arm around Chrissie’s shoulders. “Right, I’m ordering chips. Anyone else want anything?”
“Oooh,” said Chrissie, “sweet potato fries for me. It seems only fair.”
“You know how to live.” Nisha smiled at her before heading to the bar.
“She seems lovely,” said Rae.
“I know,” agreed Chrissie, grinning a stupid grin.
“Oh my God, hearts have practically popped up in your eyes. You totally love her!” exclaimed Rae, eagerly pouring out more Prosecco.
“Shhhhhhhh,” said Chrissie, causing Nisha to turn around and look at them. “Don’t say that!”
“I don’t need to,” said Rae, “your face says it all.”
Chrissie laughed. Perhaps it did. And perhaps she needed to worry less about it.
An hour later they had eaten their fill of chips of both varieties, and were onto their second bottle of Prosecco. “I am going to regret this at the early morning yoga class,” said Rae, slurring the words.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you drunk,” observed Chrissie, feeling the effects herself.
“No,” said Rae, “I don’t tend to drink much. Not sure what happened today.”
“I’ll tell you what happened,” said Nisha, “Chrissie faced down the evil cult leader and told him where to stick it. And I, for one, am here for it.” She raised her glass. “To Chrissie being badass.”
Rae raised their glass and repeated the words.
“I feel like I’m missing a party,” came a voice from a few metres away.
“Clodagh,” said Rae, beaming their own smile of love – or possibly lust.
“Babe, you’re totally pissed, I love it. You’ve never drunk texted me before, so I had to see this for myself,” said Clodagh, taking in the others at the table before carefully sitting down. She paused, then politely put out her hand to Chrissie. “I don’t think we got a proper chance to meet last time. I’m Clodagh. Rae’s paramour.”
Chrissie breathed out in relief. “Nice to meet you. I’m Chrissie.” Clodagh nodded, smiled and was then introduced to Nisha by Rae.
“Now, I think it needs saying,” said Clodagh, “but we’re going to need more Prosecco if I’m to add any value to this little gathering. I’ll be right back,” she added, strolling over to the bar.
“You ok?” Rae asked. Chrissie was impressed they’d remembered the awkwardness from earlier, given how drunk they appeared to be.
“Yes, of course,” said Chrissie. “Are you ok? It would seem you’ve been drunk texting your ‘paramour’!” They laughed, clinked their glasses, and waited for Clodagh to return.
Later that evening, Nisha and Chrissie walked back to Chrissie’s place arm in arm. “That was fun,” said Nisha.
“It really was,” agreed Chrissie. “It was like being on a sort of double date.”
“How very rom com,” said Nisha, deadpan.
“Do you mind that people know we’re together?” asked Chrissie, emboldened by the bubbly.
“Do I mind?” said Nisha, pausing by a traffic light. “I bloody love it. I wish I could tell everyone that I am with Chrissie Anderson,” she added, her voice rising in volume with every word.
Chrissie giggled. “Shhh.”
“Well, what about you? Do you mind people know we’re together?” asked Nisha, who had begun to walk forward again.
“It depends,” said Chrissie.
“On what?”
“Well, it depends on whether this is just sex for you, whether it’s a fling and soon you’ll leave and find someone else – someone better. Or whether it’s a meaningful thing, a relationship. Whether you might want to be my girlfriend, one day, not now, obviously,” said Chrissie, aware that she was beginning to ramble.
“Whoa,” said Nisha, stopping once again on the pathway. “Hang on there. Do you really think this is just sex? Is that what it is for you?”
“No, of course not. It’s just, well, I don’t know what the next step looks like for you. We never got past this point last time,” said Chrissie.
Nisha looked thoughtful for a moment. “Yes, I guess that makes sense. Ok,” she said, “let’s get into the warm of your place and I will explain to you exactly what this is, at least from my perspective.”