Page 8 of Sorry, Not Sorry
When Ross muttered something unintelligible, Delilah persisted. ‘Ross, would you be willing to offer Sammie some compliments and share how you feel about her a bit more? I’m sure Sammie, for her part, would be willing to spend time cuddling up with you on the sofa. Maybe when you’re watching telly – Sammie, you said earlier you’d love to watch TV with Ross more often, right?’
‘You won’t catch me wasting my time on the reality rubbish she watches,’ he scoffed.
‘That’s not fair!’ Sammie protested. ‘Football bores the life out of me, but I still watch it with you. And didn’t I sit through that boxing match last night watching those blokes knock chunks off each other? I was practically falling into your lap to get you to notice me, and you wouldn’t even hold my hand.’
‘Christ, it’s not like watching a heavyweight title fight is what gets me in the mood for a cuddle, is it? Anyway, I was up for it later until you started with your usual “I’ve got a headache”,’ he mocked in a whiny tone and then shook his head, as if bored of the conversation.
Sammie’s lip wobbled. ‘I did have a headache after watching that fight – not that you cared!’ she added tearfully.
Delilah could feel a headache of her own brewing, and she massaged her right temple surreptitiously. Her eyes felt dry and gritty from the lack of sleep and a pulsating pain was starting to radiate across her head. Three cups of strong coffee hadn’t made up for a night of disturbed dreams about… She willed her thoughts away from dangerous ground and pressed on.
‘Okay, let’s keep going. Sammie, what was your next highest score?’
For a moment Sammie looked set to continue the argument, but then she flipped the page of her notebook and sucked the end of her pen while she scanned her notes. ‘I got 35 per cent for acts of service.’
‘Good. Now, Ross, what does “acts of service” mean to you?’ Delilah asked.
Ross rubbed his jaw furiously and uncrossed his legs, shifting his bulk in the chair and looking as comfortable as a caged tiger. ‘I don’t know. Like giving her a hand with things around the house… stuff like that?’
‘Well, yes, that’s part of it. It’s being aware how important it is for Sammie to see you doing things that are helpful to her. Maybe cooking dinner occasionally, which I’m sure she’d appreciate after a hard day’s work, or offering to run some errands. Or, you know, doing the shopping?’
Ross glanced at Sammie’s sceptical expression and his eyes darted round the room as if searching for escape. Ross wasn’t the only one in need of rescue, Delilah thought morosely. The throbbing behind her eyes was growing more intense and her head felt like it was caught in a vice. But while it was tempting to apologise and end the session early, she owed it to Sammie to help her turn her troubled relationship around.
‘Ross, is this an area you think you can improve on to help Sammie feel loved?’ Delilah asked, trying not to sound as weary as she felt.
‘I do the washing up, don’t I?’ he muttered.
‘We’ve got a bloody dishwasher!’ Sammie shot back. Her tears had vanished, and her green eyes flashed with annoyance below her deep auburn fringe. ‘Honestly, Ross, if you spent a fraction of the time you put in at the gym picking up after yourself at home and doing your share of the housework, I might actually want to have sex with you!’
Ross scowled, his face darkening with anger, and Delilah sighed. She really didn’t need this today.
5
Delilah leaned back against the cushioned headrest of her office chair and closed her eyes. The painkillers she had taken the moment Sammie and Ross’s session was over had kicked in and she felt the tension between her temples begin to ease. At the sound of a gentle knock, she opened one eye and glanced warily at the closed door. The last thing she needed was Polly showing up and accusing her of napping on the job.
‘Who is it?’ she called cautiously.
‘It’s me,’ came a muffled reply. ‘It’s pretty quiet in there. Just checking you’re still alive.’
‘Come in.’ Delilah sat up and smoothed back her braids. Her head was heavy, and her brain still felt like someone had swapped it for cotton wool, but Armenique was safe.
Armenique came in and sat down facing Delilah’s desk, leaning forward to peer closely at her. ‘What’s wrong? Did I wake you up or something?’
‘No, resting my eyes. I have a pounding headache and just took some paracetamol a few minutes ago.’
‘You do look pretty knackered,’ Armenique observed.
‘Cheers,’ Delilah mumbled sarcastically. She yawned widely and covered her mouth. ‘Sorry. I didn’t get much sleep last night.’
‘Woohoo! Someone’s finally having some fun!’ Armenique broke into an infectious belly laugh, throwing her head back with such gusto she nearly lost her blue headwrap.
Delilah pulled a face and then smiled reluctantly. ‘Haha, very funny. I’ve told you I’m not dating.’
‘Ah yes, Miss I’m-taking-a-sabbatical-from-men.’ Armenique grinned and wiped under her eyes. ‘So, if it’s not bedroom action keeping you up, what’s the problem?’
‘Who knows. Too much thinking, I suppose,’ Delilah said, swivelling her chair to avoid Armenique’s questioning gaze. ‘Never mind about me, what I don’t get is why every single one of my clients wants to cause drama. I’m trying to keep on Polly’s good side, but it’s so flipping stressful trying to control some of these people! Take my couple that just left. She’s trying to hold their relationship together while all he cares about is getting his leg over! I swear it’s like pulling teeth getting Ross to show her a bit of consideration.’
‘Sounds like an arrogant tosser,’ Armenique said sagely. ‘But don’t quote me. I’ll deny ever using such judgemental language.’
