Page 24 of Alice Carver Manifests Her Perfect Life
‘Aziz… ’ I began.
‘Seriously, Alice,’ he said. ‘You’re buying.’
‘I know! Absolutely. But can you lend me a tenner? And don’t tell Astrid?’
We’d just made it out the front of the hotel and a few metres down the street towards our old house when I sensed danger.I looked over and there were Astrid and Matthew, walking towards us on the opposite side of the street.
‘Shit,’ I said under my breath, as they also registered us. ‘Just act normal, Aziz.’
‘Er, yes. Why wouldn’t I?’ said Aziz, giving me a confused look.
‘Hey, Aziz,’ called Matthew, crossing over to us. ‘Sorry for stealing your wife all morning.’
‘Hey – fine by me,’ said Aziz. ‘Gave me a chance to help Alice—’
I elbowed him before he could continue.
‘Ow,’ said Aziz, looking at me indignantly.
‘Gave us a chance to go for our own walk,’ I said. ‘Where’s everyone else?’
‘They went home to make a start on lunch and feed the cat. Anyway, why do you need help walking?’ asked Astrid, frowning. She turned to Aziz. ‘And if you wanted a walk then why didn’t you come with us? Like I asked you to?’ She didn’t look happy with him.
‘Oh it was a really short walk,’ I said quickly.
‘Where to?’
‘Here.’
‘That’s not a walk!’ said Astrid. ‘It’s five minutes from home.’
‘Granny used to call it a walk.’
‘Yeah, she only had one leg and thirty per cent lung capacity. What have youactuallybeen doing?’
‘Nothing!’ I said.
‘She’s probably been in my hotel,’ said Matthew. ‘Is that what it is, Alice? Can’t keep away?’
How could one person be this annoying?
‘Of course I haven’t been in your hotel. It’s not my kind of thing if I’m honest.’
‘That’s news,’ said Aziz, giving me a sharp elbow back. I was pretty sure therapists weren’t allowed to shove people, but now wasn’t the time to discuss that with Aziz.
‘I thought you said you’d been desperate to go to the Lamb for ages,’ said Astrid. ‘You said everyone at work was talking about it.’
‘Really?’ Matthew looked revoltingly pleased with himself.
‘No.’
‘Yes,’ continued Astrid. ‘You even sent me a screenshot of the text from that work colleague of yours – you know the one who’s mean about everyone and always has his ankles showing – telling you to get some photos?’
‘Drunk Stephen was just letting me know about the art – that was all. We often share art tips.’
‘Are you interested in art?’ said Aziz, appearing baffled.
‘Absolutely.’
