Last Chance Saloon - Marian Keyes [199]
But when she told them about the situation with Joe, they were aghast. ‘She can’t do that to Joe,’ they wailed, looking at each other for confirmation. ‘What’s wrong with the girl?’
‘I’m terribly worried about her,’ Tara admitted. ‘I didn’t want to leave her. It’s like she’s concussed.’
‘You don’t think she’s told Joe to get lost because she’s bumped into Beaker again,’ Fintan suggested.
‘No!’ Sandro was appalled. ‘How could she care for a person who broke her little bambina heart?’
‘Maybe she wants to get even with him. What do you think, Tara?’ Fintan said. ‘Maybe she’s planning to go to bed with him and at the last minute withhold the goodies and tell him he has a minuscule mickey?’
‘I really don’t know,’ Tara despaired. ‘I’m telling you it’s impossible to know what’s going on with her.’
‘God, wouldn’t we all love to do that to some oul’ louser who dumped us?’ Fintan said dreamily. ‘Anyway, Sandro, don’t worry. She’ll be fine. Beaker has a girlfriend, which puts him out of the frame.’
Somehow Tara doubted that Amy was much of an impediment to Lorcan’s sexual adventuring.
‘And Joe will sort her out.’ Since Joe had arranged for Fintan to meet Dale Winton, Fintan had great faith in Joe to fix everything.
Tara’s worry lifted. ‘You’re right. She probably got a bit of a shock but she’ll be grand in a while.’
‘And how was your date, Tara?’
‘Eeeee-ooooow, he was awful. Short, balding and plump.’
‘But was he nice?’
‘He was OK, but I’m saving myself. The next man I get off with has to be completely great, I’m not settling for any old eejit. I’d rather do without.’
‘Holy God!’ Fintan exclaimed. ‘You’ve changed. What happened to Last Chance Saloon Tara?’
‘Yeah!’ Sandro interrogated, knowingly. ‘Where is gone Tara “I hate not to have a man” Butler?’
‘Tara “I’d rather go out with a tosspot who tells me I’m fat than have no one at all” Butler?’ Fintan chipped in.
‘Wasn’t I pathetic?’ She winced. ‘Last Chance Saloon, indeed! Don’t I have my whole life ahead of me?’
‘Not unlike my good self.’ Fintan overflowed with joie de vivre.
‘I haven’t a clue what changed,’ Tara admitted. ‘All I know is I’d no confidence when I was living with Thomas. I thought I’d never survive without him, but now I find that he was the reason I had no confidence. And it’s lovely not to be terrified the entire time.’
‘Terrified of what?’
‘Being on my own. I thought it was the worst thing that could possibly happen, but now that the worst has happened, it’s not so bad. It’s nice, in fact.’
‘Nice?’ Fintan gave her an eyebrow. ‘I’ve heard it all now.’
‘Nice sometimes,’ she admitted. ‘I’m not saying I don’t get lonely. I’d love a gorgeous bloke. But I was as lonely as anything living with Thomas. At least now I’m on my own I have some chance of meeting someone. And it really could happen. Look at Katherine. She met a great man and she’s even older than me.’
‘By six weeks. But I like your attitude. It’s all one big adventure. And what about Ravi?’
‘Oh, Fintan, please. Ravi’s my friend.’
‘Aha. I think he would like to be more than your friend.’ Sandro winked meaningfully.
‘Is that a Mars bar in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?’ Fintan said suggestively.
‘I’d prefer the Mars bar, thanks.’
‘But he’s mad about you, isn’t he?’
Tara blushed and squirmed. ‘Maybe. He’s never said anything, but, yeah, maybe… Although I think he preferred me when I was fat. Mind you, he could be in luck. I’m heading back in the direction of a size twelve again. That’s the problem with having no problems. Contentment is a bummer.’
‘You’re just evening out,’ Fintan consoled. ‘You were desperate-looking before, kind of sunken. Yes, yes, I know, I’m not exactly a candidate for the Hefty Hideaway myself. But right now you look fabulous. All toned and thin. In fact,’ Fintan questioned Sandro, ‘don’t you think Tara and Ravi would make the perfect couple?’
‘He has got a great body,’ Sandro agreed.
‘Oh, don’t! I like him so much. But I’m not ready.’ She couldn