Tom rushes into loud speech, interrupting James. ‘Just a precaution, is what James told us. She’s fine, just a bit bruised, and James thought a bandage would be a good idea.’
‘Exactly,’ I agree.
James nods and says nothing as he carries on with his very neat bandaging.
When he’s finished, he says, ‘I’m proud of that. I don’t do a lot of bandages now but apparently it’s like riding a bike.’
When I’ve swallowed the paracetamol and ibuprofen tablets he hands me, and thanked him profusely, he picks up his black bag to return it to his car, and Carole says, ‘Are you absolutely certain that it’s nothing serious?’
‘Yes,’ Tom and I answer as one.
‘Don’t think I’ll be drinking anything else today,’ she says. ‘I think I downed too much champagne from the shock of being at a wedding without Roger.’
‘You’re going to get through this, Carole,’ I say. ‘Okay, that sounded extremely trite, but youare. You’re an amazing woman.’
She sniffs. ‘Thank you. Do you know what Roger is?’
I want to saytosserbut am not sure that I should, just in case she’s re-warmed to him, so I just shake my head. Tom’s doing the same.
‘A complete fucker,’ she says, suddenly cheerful. ‘Come on, let’s go and have some non-drunken fun. The main reception will be starting soon.’
‘Good idea.’ I move my legs round to the side and reach for my bag to get my flip-flops out. Oh. I did not think this through. The flip-flops fit very snugly into my bag. My heels do not.
Carole sees my dilemma. ‘I’m staying overnight,’ she says. ‘Let me look after your shoes for you. I’ll take them to my room now. I’ll dash. Meet you back here?’
Tom sits himself down on Carole’s lounger and we stare at each other for a moment before both looking away.
‘It’s a really nice spot here.’ I hadn’t totally registered it before; we’ve been busy since we got here and I haven’t had a chance to just sit and take things in. The hotel itself is an ancient abbey, built of honey-coloured stone and very beautiful. It’s surrounded by stunning rose-covered-walled gardens and lawns that are so vibrant green it’s clear they’ve been breaking the hosepipe and water sprinkler ban that’s been in place across the whole of the south of England for the past fortnight despite the deluge the night we met at Waterloo.
‘Gorgeous,’ Tom agrees. ‘I really like the way all the gardens lead into each other, like a kids’ fantasy.’
I’m about to suggest that he go and explore the gardens properly – I feel very guilty that he’s stuck here with me – when Carole turns up, at a bit of a run.
‘Sorted,’ she says. ‘Ready to go inside? People seem to be congregating.’
I swing my legs left, so that my good foot hits the ground first, and then sit there, wondering how I’m going to stand up because I’m very nervous about putting any weight on my right foot.
‘Help?’ Tom’s appeared at my elbow and is holding his arm out.
‘Yes please.’
‘Honestly,’ he says as he hoists me up onto my left foot. ‘Every time I see you you have a foot issue.’
‘Oh, what other foot issues have you had?’ Carole asks, looking between us like a cartoon detective.
‘I trod on Nadia’s foot the first time we met, at Waterloo,’ Tom says.
‘And then we met up a couple of weeks ago for a drink and I got a blister,’ I add, ignoring Carole’s raised eyebrows.
‘Not just any old blister,’ Tom clarifies, ‘but blisters plural, mega ones.’
‘And on that occasion I didn’t have any flip-flops.’
‘Thank goodness you have them now.’ Tom adjusts his grip on my arm. ‘I wonder whether I should just carry you over there to avoid you putting any weight on it.’
‘Very kind but no thank you,’ I say firmly. I don’t want to make Carole think I’m properly injured and also I’m alarmed by the lovely little fantasy of being held close in Tom’s arms that just passed through my mind. ‘I’m an excellent hopper.’
‘Okay. Would you like some hopping help? Even though I’m sure you can indeed hop excellently by yourself?’
