Chapter 39
Dear P-1,
You’ve been awfully quiet lately. I’m hoping that it’s just because there’s fewer things about me to annoy you, and not because you’re feeling poorly or anything. Meant to say before, that if ever you’re feeling unwell or in poor spirits let me know and I’ll pop over with some of my world-famous lamb stew. Don’t want to boast but I’ve been told in the past that my recipe is capable of literally saving lives. (Slight admission, it comes from a can and I just add fresh cream, but it’s offered from the heart and that makes all the difference.)
Sorry I haven’t had the chance to bake much recently – work has been crazy plus some new demands on my social life, but I promise I’ll get back to it soon. I think I’m going to add some macadamia nuts to the chocolate next time to liven things up. You OK with macadamia nuts? Some people don’t like them but I love them.
Baking is the best distraction and unfailingly helps keep my mind off my problems. Well, they’re not really problems, more dilemmas, I suppose. (Yes, I know – a dilemma is a kind of problem too before you point it out.)
OK, I’m rambling now. Just checking in again to make sure you’re doing OK. And to say that if ever you do need anything, (or want to see a friendly face?) I’m right next door.
Sincerely,
P-2
PS: I hope you do like macadamias. I know in California people certainly have strong opinions about them and take them very seriously indeed.
P-2,
Well, obviously I have strong opinions about macadamias, though I wouldn’t go so far as to take them as seriously as Californians do, or that they do themselves. Truly the most pretentious of all the nuts, I always imagine them walking around with a cane and wearing a monocle. Peanuts, on the other hand, are the greatest nuts in the world. When your back is to the wall, you can bet the peanut is going to be there to help you out.
Thanks for checking in on me, by the way. That was very thoughtful of you. I had a bad run of health recently but am feeling much better these days.
P-1
PS: Lamb stew from a can sounds … weird. Let’s just stick with the good stuff.
P-1,
Well, well, well I found your take on macadamia nuts to be interesting. Mostly because it’s Mr Peanut who wears a monocle and has a cane. Not only that, but peanuts are not nuts at all as it happens. They are actually legumes.
P-2,
Ha! I can’t believe you fell for it. Of course I know it’s Mr Peanut that’s the fancy-pants legume. Just trying to keep you on your toes. Can’t wait to try your latest macadamia-flavoured formula whenever you find the time to make it amid your important high-flying social stuff, and naturally, I will report back as to whether or not you’ve hit the mark.
And with a view to your dilemma-problems, try me. Happy to add some perspective if I can. Plus, now I’m nosy.
*
‘I don’t know about you but every so often I get the feeling the world has gone completely nuts,’ Zoe muttered without preamble upon answering Hannah’s call.
Thinking of her and Ed’s most recent correspondence, Hannah had to smile. ‘I know that feeling.’
‘So, spill. Is the reason for this call something to do with McKenzie?’
‘What makes you think that?’ she asked, a little taken aback at her friend’s perception.
‘Because you’ve never talked about a client as much as you talk about that guy. I’m actually starting to feel a little jealous.’
‘That’s because I was having such a hard time getting a handle on him,’ she argued. ‘He was a kind of an enigma at first.’
‘Huh. Still getting the sense that this guy isn’t just another client though, is he?’
Hannah opened her mouth to protest but then closed it, frowning. ‘Honestly, I’m not entirely sure how to feel. He kind of still is an enigma. Tries so hard to keep up this tough guy act. But when I’m with him and he lets his guard down, he’s so different.’
Zoe let out a little laugh. ‘Welcome to the world of men. Most would rather cut their right arm off than admit they have feelings or any sort of vulnerability. I don’t know if it’s an evolutionary thing, or if they’re just plain stupid – or maybe a combination of both.’
Yet again harking back to one of Ed’s ‘classic truths’, Hannah shook her head. ‘I know Ward certainly isn’t stupid. But he has put me in somewhat of a bind now … ’ She went on to recount how he had suggested she accompany him to the upcoming event at the Plaza.
Back in her office, she honestly hadn’t been sure how to answer, and then he got embarrassed and uncomfortable and so to prevent things getting awkward, she’d agreed, despite every cell in her body worrying about history repeating.
‘Stop. Don’t even mention that worm’s name in my presence,’ Zoe rebuked when she told her this.
She laughed. ‘You’re not here though.’
‘Doesn’t matter. Look, my experience with men is a little bit deeper than yours and I could always spot the ones who aren’t worth it a mile away. Kendrick was never a keeper. Problem is, from what you’ve been telling me, the jury’s still out on McKenzie. I think you need to figure out which side of the guy is the real deal – the one you’ve moulded him into, or the embarrassing loser the world used to know. Regardless, a night at the Plaza sounds like fun, so ignore me. And what makes you think it would be awkward?’
Hannah exhaled. ‘Well, I didn’t say anything at the time, but a while back, when I was still trying to get him to trust me, we had this … moment.’
‘What kind of moment ?’
‘It was around that time I got those texts from Rob, so I was out of sorts and I kind of took it out on Ward one day, and got angry with him. And even though he’s a world renowned hothead, he backed down—’
‘Well of course he did,’ her friend interjected. ‘I too made that mistake at first, underestimating you as a mere gust of wind, when in reality once something gets you going you’re one helluva tornado.’
Hannah laughed, not sure she’d quite agree with that description, especially when she made a point of rarely flipping her lid.
‘And then … well, things felt a bit … heated and I know it’s crazy but at one point, I honestly thought he was going to kiss me.’
‘And why would it be crazy if he did? Especially if things were, as you say heated. ’
‘What? He’s a client, Zoe. You should know better than anyone that I can’t go there.’
Her friend groaned. ‘You know, I wish I had your kind of professional dilemma just once. Heat is goo d ! Most of my clients are old enough to have taken Cleopatra to the Egyptian prom. And you’re complaining that Ward McKenzie wants to take you to the Plaza.’
‘I’m not complaining. I’m just not sure if it’s the best idea that’s all. I mean I’ll go – in a professional capacity obviously,’ she stressed for Zoe’s benefit. ‘But there’s no way I’m going to endanger my job or our client relationship because of my personal feelings.’
‘Aha, I knew it! Didn’t you just hear what you said? So that means you do have the hots for McKenzie. Here’s what I think, Cinderella: go to the ball and watch with pride as your client enjoys his moment in the sun being welcomed back to the Panthers. McKenzie’s happy, the New York office is thrilled with a job well done etc. Then, you can drop the account and – safe in the knowledge that there’s no longer a conflict of interest – you’re free and easy to jump the wildcat’s bones and live happily ever after. The End.’