Chapter Thirty-Two

KAT

‘Lou, I can’t talk now. I’m at work.’

‘Okay, what time do you finish? Will’s best mate split up with his girlfriend and I am trying to organise a get together.’

I tap my pen on the table, my chest tightening. ‘Really, Lou. This couldn’t wait? You couldn’t have just texted me the details?’

‘Well, of course I could have, but then how would I give you a full list of what to wear, what to say and how to act on our double date?’

‘Lou, I don’t need a list.’ Or a double date, but I resist dropping that in.

‘That’s what you think. Last time we went for cocktails you arrived with dry-shampooed hair. I mean, really, Kat? For cocktails?’ I guiltily run my hand over my hair. It’s possible I’m overly reliant on it, though how she guessed I don’t know. ‘Anyway,’ she carries on. ‘What’s up with you?’

‘Nothing, I’m just really busy. Sorry. It’s the new job. There’s a lot more to think about and I’m only just getting to grips with it. I don’t want to make any mistakes, you know.’

‘I get that. I mean, we’re all busy.’ I resist pointing out she’s currently a lady of leisure, funded by the Bank of Mum and Dad. ‘Look, Will’s best mate is also the best man. It’s customary for you to know each other before the day. You’ll be walking back down the aisle beside him, you know. It might be nice for you two to at least have met. I just—’

‘Okay, sort it, Lou. But not for tonight, I’m already out.’

‘Again! On a Monday! Who with this time?’ Lou makes it sound like my social life usually revolves around hers. She may have a point.

‘I’m off tomorrow. And it’s just a little promotion celebration with work. Nothing massive. A few drinks and some bowling.’

‘Eww, those shoes though…’

I’m with her on that one. I scribble out a mistake I’ve made in a patient file. ‘Look, I have to go. Any other day, okay. Just text me when and where.’

‘Okay.’ I detect a slight sulk in her response. ‘And you promise you’ll wash your hair?’

‘I promise. Guide’s honour.’

‘We were in the Guides together, Kat. I remember your honours…’

‘Button it. Love you, bye.’ I hang up, letting my head drop to the desk immediately afterwards. Emma sticks her head around the door. ‘You ready? Got to be there in two hours. What you wearing?’

‘Honestly, Emma, I’ve no idea,’ I mumble into my desk. She waits until I’ve forced myself to lift my head up and look at her. ‘Look, I’ve got reports to write, this paper about Susan after Friday’s meeting and, at some point, I really do need to wash my hair.

‘Dry shampoo!’ suggests Emma.

‘Look.’ I point to my bag, also on my desk. ‘I’m just finishing this, then I’m out the door.’

I make another mistake on the paperwork before giving up, putting it all in my in tray and reaching for my bag. I put some papers on the nurses’ station, pinch a chocolate from a new box that has appeared and pop through to see Susan. ‘I’m on my way out for the night, Susan. How was physio? Are you feeling okay?’