Chapter 6
Ouch! I squinted as I pulled back the heavy brocade sea-blue blackout curtains in my room.
Did someone turn up the sun? Was it having a solar flare?
Sliding my feet into the hotel slippers and my arms into the soft robe, I opened the door to my room in the junior suite that Sasha had scored on a last-minute deal.
As a side note, if you’re one of those people who goes into posh hotels and can leave the robe hanging with its belt tidily knotted and the slippers untouched and pristine in their paper wrapping, then I don’t think we can be friends.
Sasha was sitting on the sofa out on the balcony, legs tucked up underneath her, head in a book.
‘Morning.’
She looked up. ‘Morning! Did you have a nice evening?’
‘Yes, thanks. Although don’t think either of us missed your not-so-subtle trick of leaving us together.’
‘I don’t know what you mean.’ Her tone was innocence itself but the grin she sported told the truth. ‘Are you seeing him again?’
‘Hmm. Not in the way you had planned, no, but as friends, yes. How was your evening?’
‘Great, actually.’ She shuffled up so I could sit next to her and leant over to kiss me on the cheek. ‘It wasn’t really a plan to leave you two alone but you did seem to be getting along.’
‘He’s a nice man but I’m not ready for anything else and, even if he was interested, which I’m not convinced of, he understands that. Did you make some friends?’
‘Yes. They were here checking out the place for a wedding venue and we got chatting when I was at the bar. They both come from Goa so wanted to get married here but would you believe they live in London, a couple of streets away from the flat.’
‘Really? That’s amazing.’
‘I know! Small world, eh? Anyway, we’re going to meet up when we’re all back.’
‘Sounds great. And what else?’
Sasha looked up. ‘What do you mean?’
‘You’ve got that look on your face. There’s obviously something else. You always squidge your nose up and rub it when there’s something you want to say but don’t want to.’
‘Do I?’ she asked, sounding genuinely surprised.
‘Yep. So spit it out.’
‘Apparently, there’s a really cool club that’s just opened about half an hour away. They asked if I wanted to go tonight.’
‘OK.’
She tipped up an eyebrow. ‘Now you’re the one looking like you want to say something else.’
I took her hand. ‘I just want you to be safe, darling. I know you’re a grown woman and capable of your own decisions, but you have just met these people. Are you sure?’
Sasha picked up her phone and checked the time. ‘I thought that’s what you’d say, so we’re meeting them for breakfast in twenty minutes.’
My laughter was a little raspy thanks to a combination of a late night and alcohol, and me having become unfamiliar with more than a glass these days, but it felt good to laugh with my girl.
So what if this life wasn’t the one that I thought I’d be leading?
Sometimes, mistakes can become your greatest blessing.
‘And what did they say when you said you had to ask your mum?’
‘They’re Indian so totally got it!’
I stood up from the sofa, adjusting the robe. ‘I’d better have a shower and get a shifty on then. Anything particular you think I should wear?’
Sash frowned. ‘No, why?’ She stared at me for a moment. ‘Oh my God. You do the scrunchy nose thing too!’
‘Do I?’
‘Yes! How have I not noticed that before? That’s so funny.’ She stood, placing her book to the side. ‘What is it, Mum?’
‘I… I don’t want to embarrass you.’
‘Embarrass me?’
‘Yes. I… I know I’ve got a bit in a rut with clothes and I’m probably not the most stylish fifty-year-old out there. I don’t want—’
‘Mum. Stop. You have never, and will never, embarrass me. I love you and your dress sense is fine. Don’t worry.’
I wrapped my arms around my daughter. ‘It used to be so much more than fine.’
‘I know,’ she said, pulling back a little. ‘Until you had me.’
‘Oh, my darling!’ I took her face in my hands. ‘It wasn’t you. It was me. I could have still rocked a look if I’d chosen to.’ I did a little wiggle but her expression remained serious.
‘If you’re not happy with your wardrobe, you know you can change it, right?’
‘Oh, Sash. I wouldn’t know where to start these days, my love.’
‘I do. And we will. It’ll be fun!’
I had no doubt that it would be. Although whether I had the confidence to change my look after so many years was another thing completely.
‘Now,’ Sasha continued, ‘in the meantime, we’ve got to be downstairs in twelve minutes so why don’t you jump in the shower and I’ll pick something out for you.’
‘One less decision. That sounds like a very good plan.’
‘Excellent.’ Sasha hooked her arm through mine and we headed back to my room.
My daughter’s new friends were intelligent, fun, and a delight to have breakfast with.
Vikram was a consultant neurologist at King’s College, London, his fiancée, Mira, was a lecturer at London School of Economics and the third, Alaria, the sister of the bride-to-be, was a high-end events planner.
They told me about the new club they wanted to check out as Alaria was considering it as a possibility for future events.
‘You should come!’ she said suddenly.
I gulped my tea a little more forcefully than planned and my eyes watered as the hot liquid made its way down my throat.
‘Are you OK?’ Vikram began to rise from his seat.
I waved him back down. ‘Perfectly fine, thank you. Although I’m afraid I will have to turn down your offer of the club. My clubbing days are far behind me.’
‘Nonsense,’ Alaria declared. ‘You must come!’
I turned to Sasha, who was nodding enthusiastically. From the corner of my eye, I saw Ashok approaching. He raised a hand in greeting as he did so.
‘Good morning, I hope you are all enjoying your breakfasts.’
‘It’s wonderful, as always,’ I replied, the others adding their own agreement and compliments.
‘Excellent. I’m glad to hear it.’
‘Could I ask if you know anything about Sevens?’ Alaria asked, clearly fully informed as to who this man was.
‘The new club?’
‘Yes. Have you heard any feedback from any of your guests?’
‘Not personally, but I can ask my events manager and get her to update you on anything she knows, if that’s of use.’
‘That would be great, thank you so much.’
‘You’re very welcome.’ He gave a little nod. ‘So what are your plans today?’
‘We’re heading to the beach,’ Vikram said. ‘Sash, do you want to come?’
‘Mum and I are going to have a chill-out day by the pool then head back to the spa today, but I’ll see you tonight for the club. Are you going to come, Mum?’
‘No, I don’t think so. It’s very kind of you all to invite me but I fear I would feel very out of place.’
‘Not at all.’ Alaria waved her hand and the silver bangles on her wrist tinkled together.
I shook my head at Ashok, smiling at their enthusiasm.
He bent down and, behind a hand, stage whispered to me, ‘Could I offer you an alternative option of dinner this evening so that you can bow out politely?’
The others exchanged amused glances but I looked at Sash.
‘Do you mind?’
‘Of course not, Mum. I’d rather you had company if you don’t want to come with us.’
‘Oh, goodness, that makes me sound terribly sad!’
‘Nooo!’ She threw her arms around me. ‘I don’t mean like that. But this is our holiday. Together.’
‘And we will be together all day,’ I said, reaching for her hand. ‘You’ll be ready for a break by this evening, you’ll be so sick of me.’
‘Never,’ she said, squeezing my hand.
‘Aww, that’s so sweet,’ Mira said, taking Vikram’s hand. ‘I hope our kids are that close with us.’
He took her hand and kissed the back of it. ‘How could they not be? We’re amazing! They’ll be lucky to have us.’
‘And obviously I will be their favourite auntie.’
‘Obviously,’ her sister confirmed before Alaria turned back to us. ‘So that’s settled. Let’s meet here for dinner at seven and then we’ll get a taxi to the club.’ It was easy to see she was a natural at her job.
‘I’ll arrange a car for you to take there and back.’
All four began to protest but Ashok held up a hand.
‘It is not a debate. This way, both Katherine and I know that you are getting there and back safely. During the middle part, you have to take care of each other, OK?’
‘OK,’ they repeated.
He’d clearly had plenty of adulting practice as an uncle to his many nieces and nephews.
‘Meet you at seven in the atrium?’ he asked, turning to me.
‘Perfect.’ I tried not to think of the slight awkwardness of having dinner with Ashok while Sash and her friends were sitting in the same restaurant but at least I wasn’t going to feel like a fifth and rather worn-out wheel on their night out.