Page 4

Story: A Country Quandary

Ronnie shrugged her shoulders. “Well,I'mnot going to send it back.” She lifted one of the glasses the bartender had poured and mouthed the words ‘thank you’ to the men whilst nodding towards her sister and adding an eye roll.

“Bloody hell, you are so embarrassing,” Kitty squeaked.

“No. I'm taking every opportunity of fun I can get this weekend.” She looked at Kitty. “And you need to take an interest in something other than work. You’re missing out.”

“Now you really do sound like Mum,” said Kitty, playing with the edge of a napkin that lay on the polished bar top.

“I hate to break it to you, but your life makes mine look dull, and I have two kids and a mortgage.”

Kitty glanced at the men who’d sent over the champagne. She couldn’t deny they were cute, but two of them at once? It would be from famine to feast. Was she really ready for that? She’d skipped her yoga classes for months, so she probably wouldn’t be flexible enough for anything more than an evening spent in the missionary position.

The men stood to leave, and with a few quiet words, one of them gave something to the bartender. Kitty turned her back towards them, attempting to look nonchalant.

A few seconds after they’d gone, the bartender brought a folded napkin and placed it in front of her. She picked it up to read the words written inside, her heart skipping a beat.

If you change your mind, I'm staying in room 224

Damn.Ronnie leaned over Kitty’s shoulder to read the message. Her eyes grew wide and sparked in mischief.

“You have to go see him! I’ll hold the fort. I’ll order room service for dinner. I’ll do anything, but please go!” Her face took on a serious expression. “Kitty, it’s for the greater good. The sooner you get laid, the sooner you can start living like the rest of the world, and we can all stop worrying about you.”

Who was worried about her? She was wonderful. Just totally fine!

“It’s not my style, Ronnie. Nobody needs to worry about me, but if I want to make senior associate by thirty-five, I don’t need any distractions.”

Ronnie sighed. “I wouldn’t callhima distraction. I’d call him a blessing. Oh well. What will we do with the rest of our night if I can't persuade you?”

Kitty stood up, finished her glass of champagne, and picked up the bottle by its neck, turning to leave.

“Sorry to disappoint you, but we’ll get all the drunkenness and debauchery done tomorrow. Tonight, I just want to fall asleep in front of Netflix and dribble on my pillow.”

3

KITTY

Kitty emerged from the bathroom,her head throbbing but her body alive with excitement. Ronnie had erupted into the room last night. She’d been shopping and draped her new purchases on every available surface.

Silk curtains and crystal chandeliers battled with dresses and jackets of taffeta and organza, not to mention a motherload of new shoes. Surrounded by the chaos, her sister’s sleep-crumpled face still looked glamourous amongst the luxurious pillows. For once, the mess wasn’t enough to distract Kitty from her train of thought.

“Hey, Sis! Wake up.” Kitty kicked the dainty foot sticking out of the covers. Ronnie scowled, rubbed her eyes, and pulled herself onto her elbows.

“Ow! What’s the matter?”

“Nothing’s the matter. I just had a call from Aunt Julia.” Ronnie sat full upright at the word “Julia.”

“Why was Julia calling at….” She checked the digital clock next to the bed. “Seven on a Saturday morning?”

Kitty flopped down on the sateen chaise opposite the bed, avoiding sitting on a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes.

“Did you know she had a hip replacement?”

“Erm, no,” Ronnie said. “I haven’t spoken to her in years.”

“Well, she and I keep in touch.”

“You were always much closer to her,” said Ronnie.

“She’s had a dodgy hip for a while and apparently got a cancellation for an operation. She called to ask if I can help her with her animals until she’s more mobile.”