I dial Dee’s number on the phone Suki lent me. I need to make things right with her, and talking will distract me from fretting about Ted.
“Hey, it’s Laura,” I say.
“Oh, hi.” Her voice is cool.
“So, um, I was just calling because I wanted to ask your opinion on the partisan nature of the way Supreme Court judges are appointed in the US. Do you think the system should be reviewed, especially when a nomination comes up during an election year?”
“You did not call to ask me that.” I can hear Dee smiling over the phone.
“I did! I read an article about it and it’s fascinating, especially when you compare it to our own judicial system in the UK. I thought we could thrash out a solution between us, you know, two intelligent women, not talking about men.”
“I would love to talk to you about that, and I know that’s your version of an apology.”
“Oh, Dee, don’t be angry. I’m sorry for what I said about Neil—of course I don’t think you settled. I love Neil—the way he talks about you with such pride, how he bought you a laminator for Christmas and you thought it was the best present ever. You are perfect for each other; I’m the relationship screwup here.”
Dee sighs. “I’m sorry if I overreacted. Look, I love Neil, but sometimes it’s hard not to be jealous of all the excitement you get to have being single. I haven’t had half the drama in my lifetime that you’ve had on this one weekend away.”
“Dee, I’d swap all this drama for a good man who loves me any day of the week.”
“So, how’s it all going to end? This episode of Laura Land,” Dee’s voice has softened. “I hope there is a happily ever after in there somewhere?”
“Well, Suki is here in Jersey. Would you believe it? She flew out this morning. I think plot-wise I could use a tornado, a house to land on her, and then some red slippers to get me home.”
“Or a minor alien invasion? Ooh, a body swap comedy where you become Suki? Now that I’d watch.”
“I think I’d rather have the alien invasion—anyway I should go, wish me luck, love you.”
“Love you too.”
After saying good-bye to Dee, I see I have a message from Vanya, warning me Suki is on her way to Jersey. I reply:
She already found me—I’m going to meet her now. Fear I’ve found myself in a bit of a Katniss/Gale/Peeta situation . . .
She’ll know what that means, Vanya loves The Hunger Games books.
Vanya: Which one is Suki? Peeta?
This makes me laugh.
Laura: No, Suki’s not a part of it. Well, maybe she’s Snow.
Vanya: I’m Team Gale all the way. On a date right now, but will call to hear all when he leaves. The fish miss you, as do I. X
* * *
*
At Jasper’s place, I find the rest of the team already there. Dionne and Saul have set up a lighting rig in the Malala kitchen. Suki is chatting away to Jasper as if they are old friends. I overhear them having a conversation about the advantages of polymer resin work surfaces. Jasper is wearing a fitted black T-shirt with ContessaKitchens.com written across the front in pink writing. As I walk over to them, Suki picks up the picture of Henry Cavill on the stag do, which is next to her on the side.
“See, Laura, not so hard to find, is it?”
“I’m not sure I can let you have that, though, Suki. I would need to ask the chaps if it’s OK,” Jasper says, shifting his weight.
“Oh, Jasper, don’t be such an old prude,” Suki says, pouting at him and then prodding his chest with a finger.
Jasper actually blushes and then says quietly to me, “She’s hard to say no to, isn’t she?”
I don’t have time to respond, as Dionne pulls me into a chair and starts tugging at my hair.
“Makeover time!” cries Saul. “This is like the part of the movie where Dionne turns you from Plain Jane into Hot Hilary, and you finally get the guy.” He winks.
“I don’t think anyone would describe Laura as a Plain Jane,” Dionne says, and I see her roll her eyes at Saul in the reflection of the portable makeup mirror she’s set up. “I’ve been looking forward to seeing what you look like with a full face of decent slap, though.”
“Don’t go too Kardashian, will you?” I ask, feeling myself frown.
“Sacrilege,” Dionne hisses at me, but then she pulls out a makeup palette the size of a Ping-Pong table.
Jasper comes over and hands me a coffee, then goes for a kiss on the lips but misses slightly, and it’s a half cheek, half lip smack. Saul cocks his head and hugs himself, as though swooning at how cute we are.