Chapter 42
Chapter forty-two
Niamph glanced across the desks, looking at Billy on the phone. The light pink to her cheeks and the grin were far too big of clues to ignore.
When Billy put her phone down, Niamph said, “And who’s making you all giddy?”
Billy looked up, the blush going a deeper pink as she sat back in her chair and grinned like the proverbial cat that got the cream.
“I’ve been your office bestie for going on three years, and the only time I’ve seen you go all giddy like this is when you’re talking about that ex-wife of yours.
” Niamph stood up and walked around the desks that backed onto one another to perch on the corner of Billy’s.
The pencil skirt rode up her thigh a little, but Billy paid no attention to it—they’d never been flirtatious.
“So, I might have told her,” Billy admitted quietly.
“Rosa?” Niamph clarified.
“I’ve only got one ex-wife.” Billy feigned indignation. “Yes, Rosa.”
Niamph’s eyes went wide. “And I have to surmise from this reaction,” she said, waving her hand around to indicate Billy, “she’s on board with a little romancing again?”
“We spent last week together, for Imogen’s birthday celebrations at my mother’s.”
“In Austria? In the snow? The romance!” Niamph dramatically put her hand to her chest.
Billy laughed at her theatrics. “It was romantic, actually. We got snowed in…just the two of us…gave us time to talk.”
“Oh my days, you got it on, didn’t you?”
“We found common ground and—” Her ears burned. “We got it on, yes.”
Niamph looked at her watch. “It’s lunch time. I want all the details.” She returned to her desk and grabbed her jacket and purse. “Come on, I’m buying.”
Banjo was busy.
Billy poked Niamph in the ribs and pointed at two women. “They’re leaving.”
“I saw,” she whispered back, smiling as the women passed them. “Isn’t that Allegra Mann?”
“Who?”
“The footballer—she’s always in the local rag for something or other. She’s getting married.”
“Oh, right,” Billy said, moving between the tables to nab the now vacant one. “I’ve no idea. Imogen is the football fan.”
“Well, you can score points and say you saw Allegra in town.” Niamph glanced back at the woman. “She’s hot, don’t you think?”
Billy looked over Niamph’s shoulder, out through the window at the beautiful younger woman about to climb into a car.
“I prefer her girlfriend.” She turned back to Niamph.
“And anyway, just because I’m gay doesn’t mean I fancy every woman I meet…
I don’t fancy you.” She grinned at Niamph, waiting for what she knew would be a great comeback.
Niamph laughed at her. “Thank goodness for that, I’d have to break your heart.” She smiled up as a waiter appeared and took away the used dishes. “Plus, Simon would have a thing or two to say about it.”
“Simon is a cat. They’re very fond of lesbians.”
“So?” Niamph said, once she was settled in her chair and the menus had been perused. “Spill the tea, as the kids say.”
“The kids say a lot of strange things,” Billy said, reading the menu. “Much like you.” She looked up and grinned again. “I’m having the chicken.” Billy decided, placing the menu back into the holder at the side of the table.
“Same,” Niamph said, following suit. “So, cabin, snow, Rosa?”
“Well, if I didn’t know better…” She looked up as she considered.
“Actually, I shouldn’t say that, but for want of a better descriptor, if I didn’t know better, I’d say my mother planned our being in the same cabin.
She could have easily let me sleep on the sofa or a camp bed instead of putting Rosa and me into the cabin by ourselves. ”
“Oooh, I love a meddling mother.” Niamph rubbed her hands together and sniggered. “Go on.”
“My mother isn’t known for her meddling, which is why it’s so strange. But anyway—” The waiter arrived and took their orders. When he’d gone, Billy continued, “We had this cabin to ourselves, and it was awkward, and then there was this trip to the spa, and then we got snowed in and—”
“Wait, back up, I need all the details. What started the ‘let’s shag’ conversation?”
“I told her I still loved her.”
Niamph’s eyes widened. “Billy Fisk, you play hard and dirty.”