chapter forty-nine, Wednesday:20thnovember2013, friends
I sit waiting for Liza, the magazine open on the table, a photo of Daniel at a party with Jess on his arm, actually that’s not quite accurate, she is hanging off his arm, leaning into him laughing. But that's not the point is it?
Caption: Denim Guru Daniel Pearse and his beautiful companion Jessica Stein of the Buntonn Group, High Street Fashion Retailer last night at the ‘The Yard’.
The Yard? I could go there I tell myself, wondering straight away why I would want to. Bloody dance and garage music, bloody cocktails, bloody hell.
LC: “Sorry late, just round the corner” snap out of the funk Tharie.
TC: “OK babes, shall I order the usual?” Thankful for a job.
LC: “Thanks” see you in a tick.
“I think I’m in love with him Tharie.” Liza tells me over a glass of apple juice and Vogue magazine. “He is gorgeous and fun, and his body...” she looks at me over the top of her Raybans and jerks her brows.
“I don’t want the details.” I tell her, “the men in that family eh?” I suck my juice up the straw attempting to find the storage unit up there in my brain, where I keep all the old snapshots and Daniel memorabilia.
“I haven't trained at all this week, Mousse will get fat.” She laughs, “He'll love the rest.”
“Bloody hell, it must be bad, what about the Regional's?” She shakes her head, she wants to talk about me.
“Are you going to the party?” She tries for casual and fails, “That's what we really want to talk about isn't it?” She's good.
“Not sure I can be in the same room with him yet Liza, it’s too soon,” I admit. Knowing I’m being weak, and I hate myself for it.
“He may not even go, Kurt says he’s not heard from Danny in days” really? I try not to appear interested.
“I know where he’s been” I say sliding the magazine over the table.
Liza shakes her head, trying to look cross for my benefit, she’s a good friend.
“You’re usually so certain about things Tharie, not used to you being like this.” She takes another sip. “Blimey this is good juice.” it bloody is too.
“Marks and Spencer,” I tell her, “with a touch of elderflower.” I nod in true appreciation to the craft of juice blending.
“You’ve got a dress?” It wasn’t a question of have I? It was more, as you have, why don’t you wear it?
I smile, remembering trying it on, “Vivienne Westwood” I tell her, “you’ll love it.” I am so proud of my choice, it’s perfect. I’ll look like a pale Gothic fairy-tale.
“Kurt has a new tux, he looks so handsome in it, we might not get to the party at all!” Liza is amused by her choice too. Her dress will naturally be strapless, she rocks a boob-tube.
“Don’t rub it in.” I pout, but really I am happy for her, honestly I am, well some, a bit happy, actually I’m not happy at all, I secretly wish the event doesn't happen, oh go to hell brain!
The news of Daniel being out with Jess Stein makes the party pages of the Drapers Record too. The photos of them are damning. But I am healing, and trying not to break something.
EC: “Don’t forget to brush your hair” that's better, all's well in the world.
TC: “Thanks Mum, love you too” I really do.