The camel laugh had belonged to Harry, the stockbroker Tasha had gone out with for a couple of weeks last year; cunningly, he’d managed to hide it at first. But once apparent, it had been a definite deal breaker. He’d had to go.
‘And he doesn’t wear Cornish pasty shoes.’ Tasha joined in to show she wasn’t offended by Carmel’s bluntness. ‘Look, I know we’re different, but it’ll be OK. Maybe I’ll learn to like extreme sports.’
‘What?’ Carmel boggled in shock and fell back in her chair.
‘I mean watching them. Not doing them.’ Tasha pulled a face. ‘Obviously. So, you like Joe too. That’s good.’
‘I do.’
‘As a friend? Or more?’
‘Just as a friend.’
‘Really? But you kissed him.’
‘I know. That was just for fun, though. He’s not my type.’
‘You see, I think he could be your type.’
Carmel shrugged. ‘Let’s leave things as they are for now. If I change my mind about him . . . well, all kinds of stuff could have happened by then . . .’
They’d known each other for fifteen years. Tasha raised an eyebrow. ‘You mean me and Rory could have broken up by then? Is that what you’re thinking?’
‘Possibly.’ Carmel’s grin was unrepentant.
‘Except we’re not going to break up.’ Tasha didn’t expect Carmel to believe her, but she knew it was true. ‘Really.’ She nodded at her oldest friend. ‘I promise. It’s not going to happen.’
Over at the crowded bar, still waiting to be served, Joe said, ‘So how long d’you think this thing with you and Bin Girl is going to last?’
Rory gave him a pitying look. ‘Trust me. It’s going to last.’
‘I mean, don’t get me wrong, I like her a lot. But she’s so not your type. She isn’t sporty at all.’
‘I really don’t care.’
‘Blimey, you’ve got it bad.’
‘I have.’ Rory nodded happily in agreement. ‘What do you think of her friend?’
‘Carmel? Fancies me rotten.’
‘Does that mean you’re going to sleep with her?’
‘Might do, might not. See how we go.’ Joe paused. ‘Is that OK with you?’
‘Do whatever you like.’ With a shrug, Rory said, ‘Probably best not to upset her, though, what with her black belt in karate.’
When they left the bar at midnight, Rory and Tasha led the way down the side street, heading for the main road where there would be cabs to flag down.
‘Hey.’ Joe drew Carmel to the side of the pavement, his breath visible in the icy night air. ‘Do you want to come back to my place for a drink?’
Carmel stopped walking. ‘You mean sex?’
‘Well, OK then.’ His mouth curved up at the corners. ‘If you absolutely insist.’
‘Listen to me.’ Patiently, Carmel pointed to Rory and Tasha, ahead of them. ‘See them? Love’s young dream. Now see us? Not love’s young dream. Absolutely nothing of a romantic nature is ever going to happen between us, I can promise you that.’
‘Oh.’ He looked crestfallen, then hopeful. ‘Are you playing hard to get?’
‘No.’
‘That’s disappointing, then.’
‘I can see that it would be. Don’t worry, you’ll survive. We’re just going to be friends and make life easier for those two.’
‘They’re not going to last five minutes. You do realise that, don’t you?’
‘Of course,’ said Carmel. ‘But we’re going to humour them. It’s called being kind. Like when little kids get all excited about Father Christmas. You don’t spoil things for them.’
‘OK.’ Joe nodded. ‘Yes, you’re right.’
‘I’m always right,’ said Carmel.
At the end of the road, Rory and Tasha had managed to flag down a cab and were yelling at them to hurry up if they wanted a lift.
‘Actually, I’m going in the other direction,’ said Joe. He stuck out his hand and solemnly shook hers. ‘Friendly enough for you?’
Carmel smiled. ‘Perfect. See you again.’
As she caught up with the others, Joe yelled down the road after her, ‘Carmel!’
She turned. ‘Yes?’
‘He’s OK, isn’t he?’
‘Who?’
‘Father Christmas.’
He was completely mad. Carmel smiled and called back, ‘Don’t worry. He’s fine.’
Chapter 10
In the seven years since Flo had started working as a care assistant at Nairn House retirement home, overlooking the Clifton Downs, there had been one noticeable change in the habits of the residents.