Page 71 of Original Sin

Her back stiffened. ‘I do not.’

‘Remember the first time we met at that party on Prospect Avenue? You told me the next day you went back to the house and took them a bag of bananas to replace the ones I’d taken for your hangover cure.’

‘It was somebody else’s food!’

‘We were students!’

They both laughed at the memory.

‘Well, I was just checking in,’ said Matt after a pause. ‘Making sure your ankle was okay. I’d better go.’

‘Me too,’ said Brooke quickly. ‘I have a night to myself … The week actually. David’s away so I thought I’d make the most of it by indulging in the Sex and the City box set.’

‘Where’s he gone?’

‘Syria.’

‘Holiday?’

She laughed. ‘No. He’s signed up to do a series of six special reports for World Watch on CTV. He’s trying to sort out an interview with the President as we speak.’

‘He’s a busy guy.’

‘David or the President?’

‘Both, I dare say.’

‘Well, thanks again for this morning. Those painkillers have had me walking on air.’

There was another pause. ‘Listen, what are you doing this weekend?’ she said suddenly.

‘Not much. I’m not at the hospital.’

Well, let’s do something. You always had the best ideas for days out as I remember.’

‘There’s a challenge, Asgill. You can hardly walk. And I’m not being seen out dead with you if you have to wear those awful cycling goggles.’

She laughed. ‘I’ll leave it in your hands,’ she said. ‘And I promise, no more glasses.’

CHAPTER TWENTY–TWO

‘This place is amazing,’ said Jemma with a shriek of pleasure, bouncing up and down on the small double bed in the spare room of Tess’s apartment. ‘Can we go down to the Magnolia bakery and get cupcakes? No. Century 21! I’m desperate for some new clothes. No, that restaurant in Central Park that overlooks the lake.’

‘The Boathouse?’ chipped in Tess.

‘That’s the one. God I just love New York, don’t you?’

Tess smiled at the genuine glee on her friend’s face as she looked around the West Village apartment. She had to admit it was impressive. The slim galley kitchen with the sleek, white fittings and granite surfaces. The bijou Philippe Starck bathroom, the living room painted in delicate creams with white shutters at the window that overlooked shady Perry Street.

‘I can’t believe you did this for me,’ said Jemma, running to the window and looking out.

‘Hey, I did it for me,’ grinned Tess. ‘I need you.’

‘And how much is the rent on this place again?’

‘It’s rent free.’

Jemma just laughed.