Free A Time for Friends by Patricia Scanlan Page A

Hilary. I was merely going to say he’s gay
and
pushy. Lots of them
are.
’ Colette scowled, taken aback by her friend’s
rebuke.
    ‘They’re not another
species,
Colette.’
    ‘I know
that
! I’m not homophobic, Hilary. There are lots of gay people in our circle. It’s just you don’t know him more than a day and he’s making himself
completely at home and I was surprised, that’s all,’ Colette said sulkily. ‘I was hoping to have you to myself. I’ve
loads
to tell you.’
    ‘What are you doing home anyway? I presume Jasmine’s not with you?’ Hilary changed the subject.
    ‘No, it’s too short a visit. Des had to come over on business so I said I’d come and see the parents and you, but you don’t seem too happy to see me!’
    ‘I
am
, I’m delighted. I wasn’t expecting you, that’s all, and I’m a bit the worse for wear; we’ve been drinking since we got home,’ Hilary said
in a more conciliatory tone.
    ‘I wish
I
was plastered,’ Colette said glumly.
    ‘Why, what’s wrong?’ Hilary gave an inward sigh and prepared herself for a litany of gripes. She knew her friend of old. When Colette was worried about something, it was
inevitable that she would dump on Hilary.
    ‘Des seems to think he’s in with a good chance for a big promotion, which means we’ll be relocating to New York!’ Colette made a face.
    ‘Fantastic! But what’s wrong with that? You
adore
New York!’ Hilary exclaimed.
    ‘Yes, for shopping and holiday breaks. Going to live there is a different kettle of fish. It’s like starting out all over again to get anywhere on the social scene. And they’re
very cliquish on the East Coast. And then there’s Jazzy. She’ll have to get used to a new house, new school and a new nanny.’
    ‘Oh yeah! That’s true.’ Hilary could identify with that. Jasmine was a precocious five-year-old who reminded her of the younger Colette. Always looking for the attention that
her parents didn’t have time to give her. Privileged, pampered, with everything she could want, her childhood was almost a replica of Colette’s own, and Hilary was surprised that her
friend had behaved just as her own parents had. Surely she would have been determined to raise her own daughter differently from the way she had been raised herself, reared by nannies or palmed off
to be minded by Sally and others. Motherhood had not diminished the me, me, me trait Colette had always exhibited. Nannies had played a major role in Jasmine’s life from her birth.
‘It’s not the worst age to make a big change. Jazzy’s young and adaptable.’ Hilary sipped her wine.
    ‘She’s very demanding sometimes though.’ Colette shook her head.
    Only because you don’t spend enough time with her
. Hilary bit back the criticism, having seen Jasmine throw some magnificent tantrums in the past. ‘When will you know if Des
has got the job?’
    ‘Sooner rather than later. Des seems to think he’s got it, but I’m not going to say anything to Mum and Dad or anyone else until it’s in the bag,’ she added
hastily. ‘So say nothing, not even to Niall.’
    ‘Mum’s the word!’ Hilary assured her as Jonathan stepped out through the patio doors with two sparkling glasses of chilled golden champagne.
    ‘Ladies! Enjoy your champers.’ He placed the two glasses in front of them with a flourish. ‘Your steak is in the pan, and the salad is in preparation.’ He bowed towards
Colette.
    ‘You’ve very accomplished, aren’t you?’ she drawled.
    ‘
Very
!’ he smirked and winked at Hilary before going back inside.
    Colette’s eyes narrowed but she said nothing. She had taken an instant dislike to Jonathan and he was doing nothing to reverse that. His faux chumminess merely served to increase her
antipathy.
    ‘How’s Niall, where is he?’ she asked casually. She was disappointed he wasn’t here. She would have enjoyed boasting to him about Des’s last bonus.
    ‘He’s in Moscow.’
    ‘Why didn’t you