‘That includes all your meals and the workshop,’ the girl explained. ‘I know you missed this morning, but I’m afraid I can’t give you a discount.’
‘Oh no, I’m just visiting,’ Kate explained, relieved that there had been a mistake. ‘I’m not doing the workshop.’
‘I’m sorry,’ Moon-Face said kindly, ‘but we don’t allow visitors during a workshop. We feel it’s not fair to the participants.’
‘Oh! I won’t bother them, I promise. You won’t even know I’m here. And I won’t listen in and try to pick up free tips or anything.’
Moon-Face seemed a little put out but managed to maintain the holier-than-thou smile – just.
‘Problems?’ Brian asked, coming back.
‘She says I can’t stay unless I do the workshop,’ Kate whispered.
‘That’s right,’ Brian said. ‘No spectators, right, Sheila?’
‘Right, Brian!’ she said matily.
Kate wanted to hit them both.
‘So, that will be three hundred euro,’ Sheila said smugly.
She didn’t seem so otherworldly when she zapped Kate’s credit card.
‘I know it’s expensive, but I’m worth it,’ Brian said, giving Kate’s shoulder a squeeze. ‘I’ll see you later, okay?’
She nodded.
‘He is worth it,’ Sheila said admiringly. ‘Have you been with Brian before?’
‘Um… yes,’ Kate replied.
‘Marvellous, isn’t he?’
‘Brilliant.’ Kate was sorry now that she hadn’t broken up with him behind the tree. It would certainly have been cheaper.
‘You have a group session with Brian at four. Dinner is usually at six, but we’re fasting tonight in preparation.’
Kate had to bite her lip to refrain from asking acidly if tonight’s non-existent dinner was one of the meals included in the three-hundred euro.
‘We’re going to do a sweat lodge tonight!’ Sheila squealed.
Kate wanted to cry.
* * *
In the free time that was normally taken up by dinner, Brian pulled her aside. ‘I’m sorry we can’t share a room,’ he said.
‘Oh, that’s fine!’ Kate was relieved she wouldn’t have to spend the night fending him off and trying to find excuses for why she didn’t want sex.
‘Listen, could you not let anyone know we’re together?’ Brian asked, looking a bit shifty.
‘Okay,’ Kate said dubiously.
‘It’s just that I feel it wouldn’t be fair to the group. It’s myresponsibility to be 100 per cent available to them, and if they knew we were in a relationship, they might feel that wasn’t the case.’
‘Fine, no problem,’ Kate said. What a load of bollocks, she thought. Still, at least maybe it explained why he had dragged her behind a tree earlier to talk.
‘Great! I’m glad you decided to stay and give it a go,’ he said, patronisingly. ‘I’m sure you’ll get something out of it.’
