As I’m studying them, the sun comes out from behind a cloud. And I don’t know if it’s the bright light or what, but they suddenly seem like a load of Russian dolls to me, lined up round the table. All hiding their inner layers. All protecting their secrets, whether it’s behind glossy smiles or sunglasses or under straw hats. Or simply with lies.
“Lovely brunch,” Bean is saying politely to Krista. “It’s been a lovely party. So…um…relaxed.”
“Well, thank you, Bean,” says Krista, dimpling at her charmingly. “I just wanted to give the house a good send-off. You know how fond I’ve always been of the dear old place.”
“Right,” says Bean, after a long pause, and takes a big glug from her water glass.
“You know, I’m not bothered about money,” Lacey is saying confidingly to Humph. “I just can’t seem to get interested in it. I have no idea what things cost. It’s the last thing that matters!” She throws up her hands, and her bracelets glitter in the sunshine.
“That’s a very refreshing attitude,” says Humph, smiling at her.
“Well, I don’t know about that,” says Lacey modestly. “It’s just Lacey’s way.” Sucking provocatively on a stripy paper straw, she turns to study Joe. “Dr. Joe’s keeping very quiet. Did anyone else meet the lovely Kate this morning?”
Kate…？ Oh God, she means me!
“Kate?” Bean glances up, immediately alert. “Who’s that? Who’s Kate?”
“A friend,” says Joe impassively.
“Oh, a bit more than a friend, I should say!” exclaims Lacey. “She came all the way over here to talk about a patient. At the weekend! And you should have seen the way she was goggling at him. Couldn’t take her eyes off you, Dr. Joe, excuse my French.”
I stare at Lacey indignantly. That’s rubbish! I was entirely professional in my demeanor. Entirely professional.
“You should have invited her to brunch!” says Krista to Joe. “Any friend of yours is welcome here, you know that, Dr. Joe.”
“I did suggest that she might come to the brunch,” says Joe, after a pause. “But she didn’t want to impose.”
Bean looks all pink and ruffled. “So are you and this Kate…”
“Colleagues.” Joe sips his water.
“Not just colleagues, if you ask me,” says Lacey.
“Really?” says Bean, crestfallen. Her disappointment for me is so touching, I half-want to giggle and half-want to set her straight. Do I dare text her and tell her “Kate” is me?
No. Not now. She’ll only give me away.
“Oh, you should have seen them, Bean,” says Lacey. “I had to turn my eyes away!”
“Isn’t that quite unprofessional, Joe, flirting with a colleague?” says Bean, clearly twitchy. “Quite unethical?”
“It was simply a meeting about a patient,” says Joe blandly.
“Come on, Dr. Joe.” Lacey laughs, throwing Joe a flirty look. “Admit there was a sizzle between you and this Kate.”
Joe considers her for a few moments, as though deciding how to answer. Then he nods. “I would agree she’s attractive.”
“Knew it!” crows Lacey.
“Indeed, beautiful,” adds Joe. “In fact, now I think about it, I’d say she’s the most beautiful woman I know.” He meets Lacey’s eyes impassively. “Bar none.”
Instantly, my face flames. I know he only wants to wind up Lacey. But still.
“Wow!” says Humph, with a laugh. “I’d like to meet her!”
“The most beautiful woman you know!” exclaims Lacey, bridling.
“We’ve simply got to meet her now,” chimes in Krista. “Lace, you didn’t say she was a stunner!”
“I obviously didn’t pay careful enough attention to her.” Lacey tosses back her luxuriant blow-dried hair, and although her glossy smile is still carefully pasted on, I can tell she’s offended. “Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder, isn’t it?” She trills with laughter. “Because I would have said your Kate was a bit of a nondescript mouse. But each to his own!” She flashes a savage smile at Joe. “I don’t really notice looks, actually. Couldn’t be less interested! It’s Lacey’s way. For me, it’s the inside of someone that counts. You know?” She turns to Humph, as though for validation. “The heart. The soul. The person.”