Last Chance Saloon - Marian Keyes [155]
As she closed her eyes, she felt her body blossom like a flower. It’s too soon, she told herself, trying to want to stop. It’s too soon and I’ll stop in a minute.
But it was Joe who severed them. Trying to get his heart-rate back to normal, he smiled ruefully. ‘I’ll have you know I never sleep with someone on the first date.’
‘Neither do I,’ she said, haughtily.
‘Lucky we’re going on our second one later today, then, isn’t it?’ Joe grinned.
‘Don’t presume for one moment –’
‘I’m not,’ he said quickly, contritely. ‘Believe it or not, I was joking.’
‘Oh. So you do sleep with people on the first date?’
‘No, I… Oh, I see, another joke.’ And they smiled at each other.
‘So about this second date?’ she asked, smoothly.
‘Well, I said I’d feed you.’
‘And?’
‘I thought we’d go out. Up for that?’
‘Out where?’
‘Er… the Ivy,’ he said, embarrassed by his lavishness.
But she just said, ‘Fine. But would it be OK if I see you there?’
The thought of him waiting while she got ready was an intimacy that she just wasn’t ready for yet.
He looked disappointed, but said, ‘The table’s booked for eight. See you, then.’
He kissed her cheek, and as soon as the door had closed behind him, she did a most unKatherine-like dance in the hallway. She knew how hard it was to get a table at the Ivy.
Then she ran into her bedroom and pulled yet another bag from under the bed and unfolded a black, tight-sleeved, tailored dress. You wouldn’t exactly call it short, but it was short for her. After all, he was taking her to the Ivy, fair was fair.
In trembling anticipation she put her nail through the first pair of 7-denier black stockings. Luckily she was the kind of woman who always had several new pairs in her drawer. Then, in a fit of indecisiveness, she spent several seconds dithering between high-heeled black satin ankle boots and a pair of black patent sandals and finally decided on the boots because the sandals made her feel too vulnerable. Then the most excellent Jil Sander coat that she’d got in the January sales and she was ready.
She couldn’t resist ringing Tara. She knew she’d be mad keen to know how everything was going. But when the phone was answered Katherine thought she must have dialled the wrong number. She didn’t recognize the hoarse, incoherent voice that gasped, ‘Hello.’
‘Tara?’ she asked hesitantly.
‘Oh, Katherine.’ The voice collapsed.
Then Katherine realized that it was Tara, and that she was crying so hard she could hardly speak. ‘What’s wrong? Is it Fintan?’
‘No, it’s nothing, really.’
‘It can’t be nothing.’
‘It’s just Thomas. He’s such a prick.’
‘What’s he done?’ Katherine was horrified. She wouldn’t put it past Thomas to do something like have an affair.
‘He’s just a complete prick.’
‘Yes, but…’ Katherine didn’t know what to say. Of course Thomas was a prick. Nothing new there. Something else must have happened. ‘He’s not having an affair, is he?’
‘Why? Do you think there’s another woman in the world as stupid as me? Oh, I’ve just remembered,’ Tara interrupted, tearfully. ‘You’re on the date. Please tell me this is a happy phone call. Is it going well?’
‘Never mind that. Tell me what’s happened.’
‘Tomorrow. Please, Katherine, I honestly want to know if it’s going well.’
‘He’s kissed me twice and he’s taking me to the Ivy for dinner.’
‘The Ivy! I’m so glad, he obviously means business.’ Tara made a big effort to sound cheerful. ‘When you’re having the double chocolate mousse spare a thought for me.’
‘You don’t want me to come over to you?’ Katherine crossed her fingers, her arms, her legs and tried to do her toes, then clenched her eyes in fervent prayer.
Even Tara managed a little laugh. ‘As if.’
‘But will you be OK?’
‘Certainly I will. I’m sorry if I’ve messed with your buzz. Have a wonderful, wonderful time tonight and insist on your conjugals.’
‘If you’re sure…’
‘I swear on my granny’s life, I’m sure.’
When the taxi