‘I tell you what. I’ll order myself a drink and some food while you go try your luck and then, if you have no success, I’ll take a turn at embarrassing myself in front of your American women too. That should keep everyone happy.’
‘Oh, now that’s fighting talk.’ He grinned, too white teeth flashing in an orange-hued tan. ‘You’re on.’
‘This is fine, right, Noelle?’ Kaylee said as she wiggled her tiny bottom around getting comfortable on the bar stool.
‘Yeah, I guess it’s okay.’ I finished adjusting the buckle on my sandal – they were driving me crazy today – and hopped up on the seat opposite her.
‘Iguess? Lady, you got some high standards if you think this bar is only “okay”.’ She shook her head and unhooked her purse, sliding it next to the tea light in the tiny lantern in the centre of the table.
‘It’s gorgeous. But it’s disappointing when you can’t get a seat outside because it’s full of…’ I circled my finger like a magic wand, searching for the word.
‘Yuppies?’
‘Yuppies?’ I laughed. ‘Have you been watching those old British sitcoms again?’
‘They’re research.’
‘There are a multitude of things we both call research, which weknoware not research.’
‘You make a fair point. I’m going to grab us two of their most outrageous cocktails and then you are gonna spill it.’
‘Sound like a waste of good alcohol.’
‘You know I don’t mean the cocktail – I’m talking about your edit letter. You’re gonna get it all off your chest. I’m here to be your negative talk trash receptacle, okay?’
‘Doesn’t sound like a good night out for you.’
‘I’ll be getting very drunk in a swanky bar; don’t you worry about me.’ She crossed over to the bar and I turned my attention to the window. I didn’t really mind all the “yuppies” – I had nothing against them in particular, it just set me on edge feeling underdressed and having to count the nickels and dimes on my night out when everyone else in the bar was splashing their cash to impress each other.
The sunset was a last bright flare of orange and pink, rising up to a purple sky behind the buildings. I let my shoulders drop, listening to the murmur of conversation in the background, the low music, barely audible beneath the voices. I was willing to bet Kaylee was right. This was just what I needed. To shake off the terrible, brain-clawing panic and get some distance. This place was a million miles from my poky, overheated apartment and Kaylee was great for this kind of crisis. She reminded me of my friend Beth, who ran a hotel with her mom in England. Optimistic without being annoying. Inclined to look for a solution but not in a way that made you feel like an idiot. The perfect antidote to my occasional bursts of cynicism.
‘Two of their Grasshoppers with a twist to start.’ Kaylee set a tall rounded glass in front of me. The liquid was spearmint green and there was a candy cane sticking out the top of it.
‘Do I want to know what’s in this?’
‘Probably not. Drink up then and tell me what’s going on. I’ve got this horrible feeling there’s a nightmare jock at the bar who’s gonna come over soon.’
‘Oh Lord, no. What makes you think that?’
‘He wanted to pay for our drinks.’
‘You didn’t let him?’ I paused before taking a sip of the creamy cocktail.
‘Of course not! It was tempting though, ’cause if we have more than two, one of us is going to have to sell a kidney.’ She pulled out the little candy cane to suck on the end of it. ‘Right. Tell me, tell me.’
‘Well,’ I took a deep breath, ‘it’s all rubbish. Everything needs work. I basically need to start again from scratch, I’ve got less than a month to do it and I don’t know where to start.’
‘You’re catastrophising.’
‘Oh, without a doubt. It’s one of my natural talents.’
‘What’s the main issue? There has to be something that’s skewing the whole plot or sending the characters in the wrong direction. What doesn’t feel right to you?’
I nodded, spinning my glass slowly. ‘It’s the love story. It stinks, Kay. I don’t know how to do it. And…’
‘And what?’
‘Patti thinks I made the guy in the last book too appealing. Poor, dependable Kit just seems boring now.’
