Still Thinking of You Read Free Page B

Ted’s was streaked with grey and Kate’s was clearly streaked at an expensive hairdresser’s – with auburn), and they both had brown eyes and rosy cheeks. They looked wholesome.
    Tash beamed and was prepared to be impressed and to be impressive. She took a deep breath and tried to stay calm. It wasn’t easy. She’d known Rich for three and a half months now and hadn’t felt calm since they met. She’d felt exhilarated, alive, indestructible, purposeful, sexy – just bloody fantastic. It wasn’t easy to stay calm.
    ‘Ted, Kate, this is Tash. Ted is a trader, Kate is a full-time mother and, well… Tash is my fiancée,’ said Rich, shyly.
    Everyone laughed; the introductions were silly, as they all knew that much about one another, at least. Kate handed Rich a couple of bottles of wine and Tash a large box of Belgian chocolates.
    ‘Wow, that’s so generous of you.’
    ‘Well, you’ve probably been in the kitchen all day, right?’ said Kate.
    ‘No, to be honest I haven’t. I can only make so-so goulash and curries. Rich has done all the cooking.’
    ‘Oh,’ said Kate, and then she shrugged at Rich. ‘Bad luck.’
    ‘I’m not handing over the chocs, though. Possession’s nine-tenths of the law,’ Tash grinned.
    ‘Actually, it’s not,’ said Ted. ‘I studied law at university, and that’s a common misconception.’
    ‘Oh.’ Tash paused. ‘Well, OK, I’ll share them.’ She laughed quite heartily at her own joke, but she was the only one who did so, as Rich had scuttled off to pour some gin and tonics. Kate and Ted stood, smiling politely; Tash realized she was supposed to offer them a seat.
    ‘God, sit down. Don’t stand on ceremony for me. You must have visited Rich’s flat more often than I have. It goes without saying to make yourselves at home. Kick back; take off your shoes,’ offered Tash. She was, as usual, barefooted. Ted and Kate sat down on the settee. Neither of them took off their shoes, but they did hold hands, which Tash thought was sweet.
    ‘Unusually hot weather we’re having this year, aren’t we?’ said Ted.
    ‘Terrible for the gardens,’ added Kate. ‘They’re parched. Do you garden much, Tash?’
    ‘No,’ Tash confessed. ‘I live in a second-floor flat, so I don’t have a garden.’
    ‘No garden!’ Kate and Ted chorused. They looked shocked. Tash reran the conversation mentally. Had she just offered to show her new Brazilian wax? Clearly she had made a terrible faux pas.
    ‘I have a cheese plant,’ she offered.
    ‘I can’t believe we are here on time, can you, Ted?’ asked Kate.
    ‘It is unusual,’ confirmed Ted.
    ‘We’ve finally found a reliable baby-sitter. She actually turns up when she says she will.’
    ‘Oh, that’s good,’ smiled Tash. Kate knew that Tash wouldn’t have a clue just how good it was, so she pushed her point home.
    ‘It’s taken seven years.’
    ‘Bloody hell. So, give me details. Names of your kids, ages? Rich was useless when I asked him,’ said Tash.
    ‘Really? You surprise me. He is, after all, Elliot’s godfather,’ commented Kate.
    Tash blushed. She knew she’d put her foot in it. ‘Well, you know what men are like,’ she mumbled.
    ‘Our children are called Fleur, Elliot and Aurora. I really don’t like the term “kids”, except if we are talking about baby goats. They are seven, five and two.’ Kate smiled at the thought of her offspring.
    ‘Wow! I hadn’t expected your kids, er, children, to be so old. That means you were having babies when I was just twenty.’ The words were out before Tash noticed that they could be taken to be rude. Bugger. ‘I mean, I knew you were Rich’s age. If I’d thought about it, you are easily old enough to have a seven-year-old.’ Bugger. ‘I just meant you don’t look it,’ she hurried on, in an attempt to cover the gaffe, but gave up under Kate’s cool, calm stare.
    ‘You should look forward to your thirties, Natasha. They are great years,’ said Kate