Chapter 32
32
‘Hi, Joel Brown and Kate Baxter, we’re here for the competition: Knowing Me Knowing You ,’ Joel spoke to the hotel receptionist.
It was the day of the final and Kate and Joel had arrived in London ahead of that night’s show.
‘Of course sir, let me just find your details.’
‘I’m starving,’ Kate remarked, looking about the foyer of the hotel in search of something food related.
‘Me too. Let’s get checked in and find somewhere to eat,’ Joel agreed.
‘OK, you are in Executive Suite Four which is on the third floor with a lovely view of the London Eye. Here is your key card. The lifts are just over there. Would you like some help with your luggage?’ the receptionist asked.
‘No thanks, we’re fine,’ Joel answered, about to leave the desk.
‘A three-course lunch will be served in the dining room at one for all the contestants and it is requested that you participate in short mat bowls afterwards,’ she continued.
‘Short mat bowls,’ Kate stated, looking at the hotel employee quizzically.
‘Yes, madam.’
‘You’re good at bowling,’ Joel remarked to Kate .
‘That’s skittles, not short mat bowls. Could we have someone to help with our bags? You shouldn’t be lifting anything,’ Kate said, taking the bags away from Joel.
‘Apart from the one hundred thousand pound cheque.’
‘If anyone’s getting the first lift of that then it’s me,’ Kate answered, leading the way towards the lifts.
‘Wait! Wait!’ Lynn screeched as she and Darren arrived in the hotel reception area.
Kate stopped and smiled at her friend as she hurried towards her.
‘Where’s the bar? We’ve been on that bloody coach for over two hours and I’ve had to listen to all Dorothy from accounts hospital stories,’ Lynn exclaimed with a sigh.
‘I think it’s that way but we’ve only just got here ourselves and we have to have lunch with the other contestants at one, followed by a game of short mat bowls,’ Kate informed her.
‘Darren and I will be in the bar. He has a new hand, look,’ Lynn spoke, pointing over at where her husband was talking to the receptionist.
‘I’ll go and see him. It’s time we had a proper chat and it will give you two a chance to find the bar,’ Joel said.
‘It’s weird them knowing each other, isn’t it? Darren told me what happened, had to drag it out of him as usual but he told me,’ Lynn said as Joel joined Darren at the reception desk.
‘Joel has terrible post-traumatic stress; he blames himself for everything,’ Kate informed her.
‘Darren had nightmares to begin with but he seems to be dealing with it now. He sees a counsellor. Well, that’s what he tells me – could be at the pub for all I know. ’
‘Perhaps if they start talking to each other, it might help them both,’ Kate remarked, watching as Darren and Joel joked with each other and between them picked up the luggage.
‘Oh here she comes, wearing some sort of bizarre jumpsuit. Oh and she has two suitcases! For one night!’ Lynn remarked as Miranda entered the hotel, Andrew Kent following her like a lapdog.
‘Gold sandals and Gucci sunglasses,’ Kate said as the two women watched Miranda make her entrance.
‘And a thong.’
‘Enough information,’ Kate told her.
‘So have you got a great room?’
‘We have a view of the London Eye, apparently.’
‘Cool! Good God, who is that? Skin-tight jeans or what? And a smaller top than any of the Lady Dragon’s. Oh! Oh! I recognise her, that’s—’ Lynn remarked as a tall, blonde-haired woman entered the foyer.
‘Marina,’ Kate remarked as she watched the woman walk up to the reception desk and enthusiastically greet Joel.
‘She’s going to kiss him. Bet she goes for the mouth,’ Lynn commented as Kate watched the scene, unable to keep her eyes away.
Both the women watched as Marina threw her arms around Joel and kissed his lips.
Kate felt her chest tighten and she tried to swallow the feeling away. She had no right to feel jealous. She had spent the past couple of months sending out mixed messages and wishing she was back with her cheating ex-husband. She couldn’t stop looking, though and didn’t like the way Joel’s arm had circled Marina’s tiny waist.
‘Hussy! She can’t stop touching him. Maybe we should go and join them, make her realise who they belong to. She touches Darren and I’ll swing for her,’ Lynn remarked, eyeing Marina with suspicion .
Kate continued to survey the scene as Marina and Joel spoke to one another. There was no denying they made an extremely good-looking couple. Marina touched Joel’s arm and he smiled and let out a laugh. Darren then began showing off his new hand and started trying to tickle Marina with the plastic fingers and she giggled loudly, flicking back her blonde hair. Now who did that remind her of?
‘Right, that’s it, she’s going down,’ Lynn announced and she began to stride over to the reception desk.
‘No! Don’t Lynn, please. Just ignore her. She’s not interested in Darren; she’s interested in Joel – just leave her,’ Kate insisted, grabbing Lynn by the arm and dragging her back towards her.
‘Are you going to just let her stand there and crawl all over your man?’ Lynn asked, staring at Kate with wide eyes.
‘I’m no competition for her. Look at her, she’s perfect. I’m a wreck, I have split ends, stretch marks and Bethan. Anyway, Joel deserves so much better than me,’ Kate stated, still looking over at him.
‘Kate…’ Lynn began in serious tones.
‘Hello ladies, it’s a perfect day for the final, isn’t it?’ Miranda’s voice announced as she arrived at Kate’s side, still wearing her sunglasses.
‘I think the sun beds are that way,’ Lynn remarked before she could stop herself.
‘It’s a relief to be off that wretched coach, I can tell you. One cup of coffee and one toilet stop. Still, back to luxury here. Andrew and I are in an executive suite with a view of the London Eye, apparently,’ Miranda continued.
‘So are Kate and Joel,’ Lynn commented.
‘That’s nice. I see Joel has a new friend over there,’ Miranda remarked, indicating Marina.
‘That’s his sister,’ Lynn said quickly .
‘Oh really, come to support you both, that’s perfect,’ Miranda responded.
‘We’d better find the bar, hadn’t we, Lynn? Haven’t had a drink since Fleet,’ Kate spoke, taking Lynn’s arm.
‘Well, I’m sure I will see you both around the pool later, supposed to really hot up this afternoon,’ Miranda said, smiling and flicking her hair back.
‘Maybe, after short mat bowls,’ Kate responded with a sigh.
‘Come on, let’s get you that drink,’ Lynn said, leading the way across the foyer.
‘Two large rum and Cokes, please,’ Lynn ordered as she and Kate sat down on a bar stool.
‘Why is she here now? I mean, I know he said she was coming to the show tonight but it’s not even lunchtime. What is she doing here? Is she going to be here all day?’ Kate questioned.
‘So you are bothered about Marina.’
‘Of course I’m bothered by her. She’s all over Joel, all over him, kissing him and touching him, and who can blame her? I’ve been such an idiot; I’ve pushed him away and now it’s too late.’
‘Duh! How can it be too late? She’s been around two minutes; you’ve been doing this show with him for two months. You’re in the final with him tonight. You’re sharing an executive suite.’
‘He doesn’t care about me any more, not like he used to. And that’s my fault because I’ve spent too much time hankering after Matthew.’
‘The minger,’ Lynn added.
‘Yeah, the minger,’ Kate agreed.
‘I see, bad news Joel mate, they’re on the rum already,’ Darren spoke as he and Joel arrived at the bar .
‘We haven’t paid yet, what do you want?’ Lynn offered.
‘Two lagers will be the order of the day I think, don’t you, Joel?’ Darren said with a grin.
‘Sounds good,’ Joel replied.
Kate picked up her drink and drank a huge gulp.
‘Where’s Marina?’ she questioned, trying to keep the bitterness out of her voice.
‘Oh you saw her, why didn’t you come over? I would have introduced you.’
‘We were talking to the Lady Dragon. So where is she? Getting ready for short mat bowls?’ Kate asked, jealousy leaking out.
‘She’s gone shopping. She just came in to check what time it started tonight.’
‘She’s a looker that Marina, isn’t she?’ Darren commented.
‘Oh she is, is she?’ Lynn remarked, glaring at her husband.
‘Well, obviously nothing in comparison to you love, but you know, not bad,’ Darren said quickly.
‘She takes an hour to put her make-up on in the morning and even longer to take it off at night,’ Joel informed him.
‘Oh aye aye! Knows her early-morning routines, eh?’
‘I’ll have another one of these, please,’ Kate spoke, passing her glass over the bar to the barman.
‘Yeah, and me,’ Lynn added, passing her glass too.
‘Have I done something to upset you?’ Joel asked, sensing Kate’s mood.
‘You? No, of course not, I’m just dreading the contestant lunch, that’s all. Can’t we skip it and go for a swim? ’
‘As much as I would love to, I think we ought to check out the other contestants, see what we’re up against. We can always sneak out before the bowls starts.’
‘Is that a promise?’
‘Sure.’
‘So, you and Darren have talked?’ Kate asked as she saw Darren disappear towards the gents.
‘Not properly, not about that day, but he’s the same old Darren and we’re good.’
‘I’m glad.’
‘Yeah, me too. It’s a step in the right direction.’
‘HELLO! If I could have your attention! Could all the Knowing Me Knowing You contestants meet in the dining room at one, that’s in twenty-five minutes time. There will be a three-course meal followed by a photo shoot and a game of short mat bowls. Is Kate Baxter here?’ Becky, the TV company assistant shouted loudly.
Kate froze as her name was called out and everyone started scanning the room, waiting to see what was about to happen.
‘She’s here!’ Lynn shouted, pointing at Kate.
‘Oh Kate, good. This arrived for you, very beautiful,’ Becky spoke and she handed Kate a yellow and white bouquet of gerberas.
‘Oh, thank you,’ Kate spoke, her face flushing with embarrassment as all eyes were trained on her.
‘Wow! That’s gorgeous,’ Lynn said, admiring the flowers.
‘It was Hermione’s idea, not mine; she said everyone would have one,’ Kate responded, still flushed.
‘It’s your wedding day; you should have whatever you want,’ Lynn told her.
Kate smiled and looked up at Joel. If only.