Page 22 of Knowing You
‘Good, thanks. Well, you know, apart from Gary not re-signing. You?’
‘Excited that one of the kids is actually letting me visit their university digs. We go tomorrow. In fact, tonight I’m making a batch of Amira’s favourite sweet pistachio barfi. I’ll get Irfan to bring you some next week. It must be an effort to bake for one.’
Farah makes the most amazing desserts. A couple of times I’ve been invited to family bashes and my senses of taste and smell have been overindulged.
‘I’m glad you are feeling better,’ says Farah cautiously.
‘I am. Since Lenny left, it’s been an opportunity to start afresh. I’ve started a fitness regime. I don’t have much time to think about him these days.’
Farah raises her eyebrows.
‘I know. Me, running. This must be a parallel universe. Care to join in?’ I ask and suppress a smile.
She doesn’t need to reply. Her face says it all and she pretends to punch me.
‘I’m glad you’re looking after yourself, but I hope that includes good home cooking because—’
Irfan appears at her side. ‘Farah. For goodness sake. If she wanted to eat chocolate for breakfast, lunch and dinner that would be her business, not ours…’
Farah looks sheepish. ‘Sorry. With the looming weekend, maternal mode is firmly switched on. It’s only because I care.’
‘Honestly. I’m fine. In fact I’ve got a new flatmate.’ That should reassure her.
‘Really? Since when?’
‘A few weeks.’
‘You’ve kept that under your hat.’ Farah’s shoulders relax. Her eyes shine. ‘Is that because there is more to it than you’re letting on?’
Irfan groans.
‘No. It’s a she. Bella works in a spa. She’s been helping me clean up my lifestyle and has taught me some really healthy recipes. We go shopping together and watch movies…’ I consult my watch. ‘In fact, sorry, I’ve got to get going. I’m meeting her now.’
I grab my coat and bag, turn off the computer. Farah gives me a hug that lasts longer than the usual few seconds. I hurry out of the building and take the underground to Oxford Street. On the train, a man accidentally steps on my foot. We start chatting. Even share a joke. He waves goodbye from the platform after he’s got off.
When I tell Bella, she winks. ‘You’re going to be an absolute knock-out at the Thoth party – like a real Egyptian goddess. Look in that shop window. Go on.’ She nudges my elbow with hers.
The woman staring back doesn’t look familiar, even though I see her in the mirror every day. I can’t get used to the subtle changes. The smaller bottom. The glossier hair. She feels like an imposter, as if the outside isn’t real and I’m not showing my true self, likeThe Emperor’s New Clothesin reverse.
We head into the nearest boutique. Bella inspires me to try on outfits that I’ve always allocated in my head for other people. Like the clingy jeans. The short tailored jacket. The brightly coloured blouse. Bella has given me the confidence to realise there’s a whole lot more I can do to attain my potential, aside from improving what was going on in my head. It never occurred to me that a person’s wrapping was as important as their content. I should have known that from my job in publishing. A great cover can make a good book a bestseller. I pose in the changing room and swivel from side to side as chart music plays. I stand on tip-toe to imagine what the outfits will look like with high heels. Bella catches my eye, gives an impish grin and laughs.
‘Look at you. We’ll make a catwalk queen of you yet.’
She helps me laugh at myself. We hug.
Next stop is Boots the chemist. I browse the shelves. Bella and I try on a couple of lipsticks, both of us having wiped the tester with a tissue first. The make-up assistant chooses the right foundation for my skin. She insists on applying it and selects an appropriate blusher, eye shadow and lip gloss to match. Then she sends me over to another counter where I have my eyebrows threaded.
I can’t believe the difference a few products can make to the shape of my face. I look so… executive. Bella is in her element, surveying the beauty products. She hands me a couple of face packs to add to my basket and says she’ll give me a pedicure when we get back. As we walk out of the shop, a man wolf whistles atme.
‘How did that make you feel?’ asks Bella and links her arm through mine. I look down at our wrists. She’d suggested we bought matching friendship bracelets from an accessory store. They didn’t cost much but couldn’t be worth more to me.
‘Of course, it’s highly inappropriate, I mean…’
Bella catches my eye.
‘Is it wrong that I liked it?’ I say in a half-whisper.
She rolls her eyes. ‘No. Context is everything. He was simply expressing his appreciation.’
