Page 36 of Love or Your Money Back

CHAPTER

Freddy and I take stools in the Bollinger bar at a high, white-fabric-covered table. I hook my cane over my stool back and shift around, trying to get comfortable.

‘So what happened to Marcus?’ Freddy asks. ‘Did Chris scare him off?’

‘Yes.’

A waiter appears. He stares at my cane for a moment, then quickly pretends he hasn’t seen it. This puts him in the ‘polite’ category.

I smile at the waiter, but Freddy doesn’t.

‘It’s a walking stick,’ Freddy barks. ‘This lady has MS, but don’t worry. It isn’t catching. One glass of champagne, one glass of soda water, alright? Off you jolly well trot.’

The waiter hurries away.

‘There was no need to be rude to him,’ I say.

‘He was staring at your cane like you were a sideshow,’ says Freddy.

‘People do,’ I say. ‘They don’t know what box to put you in when you’re young and use old lady devices. I don’t take it personally.’

Two chilled glasses of fizzing liquid arrive at the table, along with a dish of perfect strawberries and an eye-watering bill.

‘I’m paying,’ says Freddy.

‘Don’t be silly,’ I say. ‘I just won five hundred pounds.’

‘So what? I’m a multi-millionaire.’

‘That doesn’t mean you have to pick up the tab every time. Unless you’re expecting something in return, Mr Transactional Relationship.’

‘I’m not expecting anything in return. Except to maybe cheer you up a bit.’

‘Mission accomplished.’ I take a sip of tart, sparkling champagne.

‘Thank you. For the drink, the company and for getting rid of Chris. There are a lot of women here, and I’m guessing you’d rather be chatting them up than drinking water with me.

Do you know what Ahmet called you earlier?

A real-life James Bond, hopping from bed to bed. ’

Freddy laughs. ‘I like that one.’

‘Is it true?’

‘Yeah, it’s true.’ Freddy rubs his eyes with his knuckles, then stares over my shoulder. ‘But to tell you the truth, Kat, being with lots of different women can be lonely.’

‘That sounds like exactly the sort of chat-up line you’d use on the aforementioned different women.’

‘It isn’t.’

‘So why haven’t you settled down?’

‘I don’t want to settle down. It’s too restrictive.’

‘Do you want children?’

‘No.’

‘Why not?’

Freddy shrugs.

‘Oh, no, no no.’ I shake my head. ‘You’re not getting away with that one. Why wouldn’t a good-looking and hugely arrogant man like you want children to carry on your genetic line? I’d have thought you’d want dozens of mini Freddy Starks in the world.’

‘I’m the same as you.’ Freddy eyes his water glass. ‘I never got over my first love.’

‘Really.’ I put my elbows on the table, fascinated. ‘You loved someone apart from yourself?’

‘Yes, I did.’

‘Who was she?’

‘My mother.’

‘Oh.’ I frown. ‘Well, all of us love our mothers.’

‘Yes,’ says Freddy. ‘So if they walk out on you, it can mess you up.’

‘My dad walked out on me, and I’m not messed up.’

Freddy makes a sound that could be a laugh. ‘Yes, you are.’

‘Okay, fine. Maybe I’m a little bit messed up. So, what’s your relationship like with your mother now?’

‘Non-existent.’ Freddy sips at his water. ‘Okay, fine. If you want to amateur psychologise me –’

‘Psychologise isn’t a word. And yes, that’s exactly what I want to do. Why did your mother walk out?’

‘Because my dad wasn’t earning enough for her liking. She met someone else and we never saw her again. And yes, it has given me trust issues. And relationship issues. Happy, little Miss Amateur Psychologist?’

‘That’s Ms

Amateur Psychologist. And no. Of course I’m not happy that your mother abandoned you. That’s awful.’

‘Yeah. Well, we all have our issues. Your mum died, didn’t she?’

‘Yes. Do you have brothers? Sisters?’

‘A half-brother. On my mother’s side. I never see him.’

‘Sorry.’

‘It’s okay. His name is Tigra. I don’t think we’d get along. Since we’re opening up, why don’t you tell me how you got those scars on your hand?’

I glance down at the white, bubble-shaped marks on my fingers. As I do, pain shoots down my arm and I grimace, shaking my champagne glass in the process and spilling half of it.

‘Kat?’

‘It’s fine.’ I say the words through gritted teeth, forcing my hand steady around the champagne glass.

‘I just … oh shit. Maybe I should head home before I lose the use of my legs entirely.’ I struggle to my feet, grappling with my cane.

‘Freddy, we should resume this conversation another time. I do want to know more about all this family stuff. Honestly. Maybe I can help you unpick your issues and find a partner too. Just like you’re helping me. ’

‘I’m a tricky customer. I have far higher standards than you. I want perfection.’

‘Which doesn’t exist in people.’

‘Exactly.’

‘I’ll talk to you again, okay? Right now, I need to get to the train station. Bugger. I hate walking quickly on grass with a cane.’

‘You’re not taking the train.’ Freddy watches my gently trembling leg. ‘The train station is a kilometre away and you can barely walk.’

‘Barely isn’t the same as not at all. I can manage. I manage all the time.’ I throw back the last of my champagne, then grasp my wallet from my bag with stiff, sore fingers. ‘Just let me settle up.’

‘No way!’ Freddy stands, nearly knocking the table over in the process. ‘DO NOT try to pay the bill. And let me get you a taxi –’

‘Didn’t you see the queue at the taxi rank on the way in?’

‘You need the taxi rank at the other side of the car park. There’s never a queue there.’

‘But that’s nearly as far as the train station –’

‘What ho, chaps!’ Ahmet bounds into the marquee. ‘Kat, I’ve been looking for you everywhere. Oh! Goodness, you’re shaking. Are you okay?’