Page 56 of Love or Your Money Back

CHAPTER

‘Well, here’s to the … ah three of us.’ Ahmet raises an empty wine glass. ‘Do they say ‘three’s a crowd in Germany’, I wonder? Ha!’

Me, Freddy and Ahmet sit at the hotel-suite dining table, beside a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking Frankfurt. A room-service trolley takes the fourth seat at the table, loaded with plates of warm food under silver cloches.

‘They say ‘the fifth wheel on the wagon.’ Freddy cheerfully fills Ahmet’s wine glass with sparkling water. ‘It’s not awkward me being here, is it?’

‘Of course not –’ I begin.

‘Well, I was rather hoping Kat and I would be alone,’ Ahmet interrupts. Then, noticing my expression, he adds: ‘But of course you’re welcome, Freddy.’ Ahmet begins lifting trays on the room service trolley. ‘Ah! Kat, this is yours, I’m guessing? I see chickpeas.’

‘Actually, that’s my dish.’ Freddy pours sparkling water into my glass. ‘I’m taking a leaf out of Kat’s book and reducing my meat intake.’

I give an outraged laugh. ‘You are not!’

‘I am, actually.’ Freddy shifts in his seat. ‘I’m not a total vegan or anything, but I can cut down. Mother Earth needs me. What’s that you have there, Ahmet? Non-organically reared pork wrapped in a sausage crumb? Biggest carbon footprint on the menu.’

‘Well, I just thought … we’re in Germany.’ Ahmet looks flustered. ‘I should eat like a local.’

‘So. Ahmet.’ Freddy lifts metal lids from plates. ‘Where will you be staying while you’re in Germany?’

Ahmet gives an awkward laugh. ‘Well, I rather thought I’d be staying here. There’s plenty of room in the suite, isn’t there?’

‘Oh, sure.’ Freddy waves a metal lid in Ahmet’s direction. ‘I see what you mean. Yes, we have three rooms. I suppose you could have the spare.’

Ahmet shuffles on his seat. ‘Katerina and I would … I mean, we are engaged. I think it’s okay, in this day and age, to share a bedroom, don’t you?’

‘Have you two shared a bedroom before?’ Freddy eyes Ahmet with scary intensity.

‘Not yet,’ I say.

Freddy smiles at his plate for a fraction of a second. Then clears his throat and says, ‘I don’t think you two should share a room. I mean, what would your mother say, Ahmet? You don’t want her screaming ‘slut’ and throwing red paint at the bride on your wedding day, do you?’

‘My mother is rather traditional,’ Ahmet admits. ‘But what she doesn’t know –’

‘But what if she finds out?’ Freddy challenges.

‘Kat can’t lie. It’s one of her biggest failings.

Your mother might ask her outright about bedroom sharing, and then where would you be?

Let’s not risk you being disinherited before the wedding.

I’ll help move your things to the spare bedroom, Ahmet. In fact, I’ll do it right now.’

Freddy leaps up and heads to my bedroom. A moment later, he passes through the living area carrying Ahmet’s suitcase. ‘Just this lot, Ahmet? Or is there more?’