Page 62 of Bad Influence
‘You know it’s bad when you hit the cooking chocolate.’ She sighed. ‘And it’s ninety-eight per cent raw cacao – it’s so bitter it barely passes for chocolate. It tastes like shit.’ She threw the chocolate down.
‘Why are you eating it then?’ I knelt down and joined her on the floor.
‘Because there’s nothing really,reallycalorific in these cupboards. I’ve considered mainlining the Manuka honey.’
‘Hmm and who is to blame for that …?’ I muttered, enjoying the opportunity for a sarcastic side-eye glance. This would make a funny reel if I’d had my phone handy:Celebrity nutritionist gets high on cooking chocolate.
‘Are you prepared to share any of it, so I can check?’ I joined her on the floor.
Coco shifted her tiny bum a few centimetres so I could slot in next to her.
‘Shall I finish the canapés?’
‘If you like, but I doubt anyone will notice. They’re all high on some mushroom stuff Jimi’s been handing around.’
I nodded.
‘Even Mandy.’
‘Thank God there’s no press here.’
‘We think. Do you take drugs?’ she asked.
‘No, it’s never been my thing. You?’
‘Not really. My ex-girlfriend used to smoke a lot of weed and I saw what it did to her. She became paranoid.’
‘Paranoid?’
‘She hadn’t come out to many of her friends or family, and much as we had some great times when we weretogether, I got fed up of feeling like a big dirty secret. And there was also the thinking I was being unfaithful, accusing me of things I hadn’t done, fearing the world was against her. It was a lot to hold.’
‘Are you still together?’
Her bottom lip began to quiver. ‘Not anymore.’
‘It’s fresh?’
‘Very. We ended on the phone yesterday.’
‘I’m so sorry, Coco. Do you want to talk about it?’ I put an arm around her shoulder.
‘It was something you said, Amber. About authenticity. It really hit home – I don’t want to have to hide my relationship anymore. I need to be with someone who can be proud of me. I need a fresh start.’ There were tears in her eyes. She sighed heavily. ‘Anyway, it’s over. I’m over it. Tell me about you – boyfriend, girlfriend, both, neither?’
‘I’m in no hurry – let it out.’ I pulled her close.
‘You know, I haven’t asked anyone that question for so long,’ she said, ‘because I was always afraid of the reciprocal question. I now see how ridiculous that is.’ We both paused. ‘I’ve got you to thank for this.’
‘Me? I don’t seem to have made you feel very happy. I’m just muddling along trying to make Mandy wear less offensive clothing.’
‘But it’s so much more than that.’ She wiped away some moisture from under her nose with the back of her hand. ‘You’re making a difference to people.’
‘Clothes can only do so much,’ I said. ‘You’ve got to believe in yourself first.’
‘Tell me about you,’ Coco said.
‘Boyfriend. Although it doesn’t feel like it at the moment,’ I replied.
‘Oh, I’m sorry. Is everything okay?’
