Chapter 3
3
Kate was still flustered the following morning when she dropped Bethan off at Hermione’s. She had spent a fretful night wondering what she was going to wear and whether she could possibly attend on her own. She could say her date had gone down with swine flu or something equally contagious. Yes, her date could have been an important, influential member of the Mexican government who she had met at the embassy when she had been doing research for a client matter, Mr Gonzales’ divorce, his new will and ownership of the taco business. That way, the Lady Dragon would be impressed at his status and she wouldn’t have to go through the whole humiliating experience of employing an escort.
‘Hello sweetie, Cyrus and Sky are just setting up a den in the living room. So you want to go and play? There we go,’ Hermione spoke as she let the two females into her house and relieved Bethan of her coat.
‘Give Mummy a big kiss, Bethy and I’ll see you later. Have fun with Aunty Hermione,’ Kate said, cuddling her daughter and kissing her lightly on the lips.
‘Cyrus, Sky, play nicely with Bethan, please. No curtain pulling or climbing on the chairs,’ Hermione ordered the older children.
‘Yes, Mum,’ Sky replied with a laugh.
Cyrus also let out a whisper of agreement .
‘Have you time for tea? I sense there’s something you want to get off your chest. Am I right?’ Hermione asked Kate as she led the way towards the kitchen.
‘I did as I was told, stupidly. I took your advice. I looked at the website, I inputted my criteria and I was matched with Stephen. He was good-looking but nothing too striking, perfect for my purposes. Then I get a phone call from someone called Joel telling me that Stephen’s unavailable and that he’s my closest match,’ Kate blurted out, pacing up and down Hermione’s kitchen.
‘So you got someone. Well, that’s good; I don’t see the problem,’ Hermione answered, watching Kate walking back and forth.
‘ This! This is the problem!’ Kate exploded and she banged down Joel’s profile and photograph on the table.
Hermione picked up the papers and began to smile, much to Kate’s annoyance.
‘Well, well, well,’ Hermione remarked, shaking her head and putting her hand to her mouth to stifle her laughter.
‘It isn’t bloody funny! Look at him, for God’s sake, just look at him! I cannot take him with me to a work function; I would be a laughing stock,’ Kate said, tears welling up in her eyes.
‘I think the Lady Dragon will have a hard job keeping her tongue in her mouth. He’s absolutely gorgeous,’ Hermione said, still staring at the photo.
‘Exactly! He’s gorgeous; he’s one of the most gorgeous men I’ve ever set eyes on,’ Kate remarked, snatching the paperwork back from her friend.
‘Then I don’t see the issue. And it would be one in the eye for Miranda; there’s no way she’ll be bringing a date that tops this Joel. Hmm, even that name is sexy, isn’t it?’ Hermione remarked, trying to get another look at the escort from over Kate’s shoulder.
‘The problem is, no one’s going to believe that he’s going out with me! Look at him, Mione and look at me! He’s – perfection personified and I’m – a mess,’ Kate answered.
‘That isn’t true; you’re just a busy mum who’s neglected herself a bit, that’s all. I thought we had this conversation yesterday; all you need is a little bit of “you” time and you’ll soon have your sparkle back,’ Hermione assured her.
‘I could have a whole year of “me” time, Trevor Sorbie and Gok Wan at work twenty-four hours a day and I still wouldn’t have enough sparkle to pull off pretending I was his girlfriend,’ Kate replied.
‘Nonsense!’ Hermione responded with a snort of annoyance.
‘It isn’t going to work; I shouldn’t have done such a mad, stupid thing in the first place. I mean please , a male escort! What was I thinking?’ Kate asked.
‘You’re not going to cancel, are you?’
‘Yes! Of course! That’s exactly what I’m going to do. What other option do I have?’ Kate said with a sigh.
‘How about going to the function with a drop-dead gorgeous guy and enjoying yourself for once?’
‘Oh Mione, you don’t understand! I knew you wouldn’t. Miranda’s main enjoyment in life stems from seeing me struggle. She would take one look at this Joel and instantly know that he was a hired help,’ Kate attempted to explain.
‘I don’t believe that; that’s all in your mind. You think, for some daft reason, that this chap is too good for you. You haven’t met him yet; he might stink and have a limp. Although looking at this sexy picture, I very much doubt it,’ Hermione replied.
‘I should have just had the courage to tell her I don’t have a partner at the moment and I was going on my own,’ Kate said, pausing in her pacing.
‘So is that what you’re going to do now? ’
‘No, it’s too late now; I told her I was bringing someone. I’ve decided either to invent a swine-flu-ridden Carlos or go sick myself,’ Kate said.
Hermione let out a squeal of laughter and put her hands to her mouth again.
‘What?’ Kate asked.
‘Well that will be playing right into her hands,’ Hermione told her.
‘Well, what d’you suggest? I go, with this Joel, and have the entire firm knowing I use male escorts by first thing on Monday morning?’
‘Male escort or not, believe me, you are going to have every woman at the dinner table wishing they had him sitting next to them.’
‘Argh! This is mad! How did my life get like this?’ Kate questioned, picking up Joel’s profile from the table.
‘You, sweetie need to lighten up. It’s just a night out; take it for what it is and to hell with what Miranda thinks,’ Hermione spoke.
Kate let out a heavy sigh. It was easy for Hermione to say; she was good at everything. She had a perfect life with a husband who adored her and three children who thought she was the best mother in the world, which of course she was. She had no idea what it was like to be abandoned and feel unwanted and useless.
‘Enough of this talk of cancelling. Tomorrow, bring Bethan’s overnight bag when you drop her off in the morning and I don’t want to see you again until Saturday.’
‘I’ll probably need all that time to try and make myself look like I could have a boyfriend like this,’ Kate said, staring at the picture of Joel.
‘If the banquet’s crap, you can always come round here; I wouldn’t mind five minutes with him,’ Hermione answered with a grin.