“What about Anders?” Chloe suggests. “Isn’t he single? And you’d even have a cute ship name. Andora. See?”
“Out of the question,” I say. Only a teenager would pick a mate on the strength of their ship name. But then again, who am I to talk? The factors in my choice of baby father were equally flimsy.
“What’s out of the question?” I hadn’t even heard Ginny arrive at the table. Immediately, I feel bad. I knew she was back at work today but I haven’t made time to check on her. I’ve been too preoccupied. But seeing her now, her eyes red, a clear indication she’s been crying, I feel guilty.
“Cora dating Anders.” Chloe blunders in where Nur and I hesitate to go.
“Totally out of the question,” Ginny agrees. “Never date your boss. Piotr’s been an absolute arse all morning. Skewering every idea I come up with, whereas Scarlett can do no wrong.”
I exchange a look with Nur. I thought Scarlett had her eyes on Anders but perhaps she’s hunting a wider field.
Nur’s hand drops on Ginny’s arm, and she squeezes. “If you need to hide, you can always come to us.” Finance, for obvious reasons, has a separate office. “Tell them there’s a query about your expenses.”
“Don’t let the bastard grind you down,” Chloe adds. “We’ve got you.”
I take Ginny’s hand. “It will get better.”
“Don’t,” Ginny says. “Stop. All of you. Or I’m going to cry and I’ve done enough of that this morning. Now, why are we talking about Anders and Cora?”
“Cora is thinking about dating.”
Ginny’s face is a picture. “What’s brought this about?”
I can hardly admit to having X-rated fantasies about Anders. I use the old chestnuts instead. “I just thought that maybe it’s time. Effie is at school. I’m not getting any younger.”
It seems to satisfy them.
“Steve,” Ginny says.
“That’s who I said.” Nur nods vigorously. “But she hates their hairstyle.”
“Hate is a strong word. It just does nothing for me.”
Surprisingly, Ginny doesn’t agree with me. “I’m not sure,” she says. “I’ve never thought of Steve that way, but imagine running your hands through those locks.”
“He’s fine as he is,” Nur says. “Beauty is on the inside.” She points to her own head. “Would you judge me on my hair?”
As one, we protest that we wouldn’t.
“Exactly,” she points out. “The hijab ensures you judge me on my character rather than my appearance. Which has been thoroughly justified this lunchtime.”
She gathers together her lunch remnants and seals them in her Tupperware. Then she stands and says, “See you all later.”
I feel like I’ve just been told off by the headmistress. Judging by the expressions on Ginny's and Chloe’s faces, they do too.
“Eek,” says Ginny. “Do you think we upset her?”
“I wasn’t in any way implying anything about her, her hair, or her religion,” I defend myself.
“I think we’ve disappointed her,” Chloe says. And I feel worse.
Which is precisely when Steve arrives. Chloe, face red, mouth for once tight-lipped, packs up quickly and departs.
Steve sniffs their armpit. “Did I forget my deodorant this morning?”
“It’s not you,” Ginny says with a smile. “It’s just something stupid Cora said.”
Steve raises their eyebrows but tactfully doesn’t enquire further. “Thank goodness.” They unseal their supermarket sushiand pull apart the bamboo sticks. “I kind of need finance to approve a few things urgently.” They say it with a smile, and it lights up their face. They are good-looking.
