Page 5 of Never Too Late
‘That’s part of the job description for a mother from what I understand with my own.’
‘I suppose that’s true, yes.’
‘You are here celebrating your birthday with your daughter, then? Have you had a good day?’
‘Wonderful. Thank you. Sasha’s really spoiled me. She bought me this.’ I touched the cobalt-blue silk wrap I’d now draped across my chest and shoulders.
‘It’s very beautiful, and the colour suits you well.’
‘Thank you,’ I replied, knowing that he was right. Hugh had never had any colour sense and wasn’t particularly interested in clothing. Or at least he wasn’t until he’d got together with his new girlfriend. It hadn’t bothered me particularly but I realised how much I’d missed the appreciation of clothing and style over the years. ‘After breakfast, where I had a candle in my fruit salad, which I admit was a first,’ I said, laughing, ‘we spent several hours in the spa, getting a whole host of treatments. I feel thoroughly pampered.’
‘As I’m sure you deserve.’
From some men, this might have sounded cheesy, or trite, or just plain creepy, but not here. And it wasn’t just the champagne.
‘So, how has your day been? Are you here on business alone?’
‘I travelled alone, yes.’
‘That’s very cryptic,’ I replied, smiling. My eyes drifted to his left hand. No wedding ring. But Hugh never wore one either so that didn’t necessarily mean anything.
His laugh was easy, warm and rich. ‘You’re right. It did. In my head, it didn’t sound that way. I meant that I travelled to this hotel alone but I’ve many colleagues here.’
‘Oh! Am I stopping you joining them? Please don’t?—’
Ashok held up his hands. ‘No, no. Not at all. This is a most pleasant evening.’
‘It is, isn’t it?’ I agreed, then decided I’d definitely had enough to drink and that it was probably best if I got a glass of water next.
We sat in silence for a moment, looking out over the beautiful landscaping of the hotel gardens, candles flickering in ornate, silver storm lanterns on the tables of the terrace. Classical music played softly in the background and the low hum of conversation, cut through every so often with laughter, made for a peaceful, relaxing ambience. The silence between us wasn’t awkward. Usually, I felt the need to fill the gap with words that, once I was home, I’d lie in bed and turn over in my head, regretting what I’d felt was idiotic babble. Something I’d demonstrated perfectly earlier, upon meeting Ashok. But now, sitting on an elegant, but comfortable, cream-coloured sofa in this idyllic place, I didn’t feel that way. Clearly, Ashok didn’t feel the need to fill the silence either. The last knot unfurled.
Sash strode into view and sat down heavily beside me, crossing her legs.
‘Cocktails are on their way.’
Oh, crikey.
‘And guess what? I found out something interesting about our new friend here while I was ordering.’
‘About me?’ Ashok asked, the easy smile in place.
‘Oh?’
A small knot began wriggling its way back into place. On the other hand, Sasha was smiling so I grabbed on to the hope that that was a good sign.
‘Yes.’ She turned to me. ‘Did you know that our friend here owns this place?’
I pushed myself up straighter, glancing across at Ashok.
‘That’s right,’ Sash continued. ‘This, and several others, apparently.’
‘Is that true?’ I asked.
‘Guilty as charged.’
‘Why didn’t you say so? We might have said how awful the food was or… I don’t know! I mean, it wasn’t. Obviously! The food. Or any of it.’ The calm silence evaporated as I twittered nervously on. ‘But we might have done! How awkward that would have been!’
‘Not at all. I’d have been glad to hear it. The only way a business can improve is through honest, considered feedback.’
