Free Knowing Me Knowing You by Mandy Baggot Page B

put the kettle on to boil.
    ‘ He was OK, nice enough I guess , he did his job. Not sure the Lady Dragon believed we were a couple but then I told you that would happen the minute I saw his picture, he was too good looking. I should have gone for someone less handsome, but it was late notice I guess and I couldn’t have taken the one that looked like Dale Winton, ’ Kate replied with a heavy sigh.
    ‘ But you won! W ell , you were second, you got one hundred pounds and a weekend in a romance lodge. ’
    ‘ Hmm, ’ Kate answered.
    ‘ Well don’t sound too excited! I wouldn’t mind having a weekend in a romance lodge with him I can tell you, ’ Hermione responded.
    ‘ Don’t be stupid, we aren’t going to go! Joel’s an escort I paid to date me last night, he isn’t my boyfriend, ’ Kate reminded, drumming her fingers on the table and trying to quell the sick feeling in her stomach.
    ‘ But you have to go; you’re through to the next round. ’
    ‘ Mione ! I didn’t want to enter the path etic contest in the first place. I only played along last night because the Lady Dragon and Frank Peterson were there. It was a one off, and there will be no repeat performance, ’ Kate stated definitely.
    ‘ But, a weekend away would do you good, ’ Hermione spoke.
    ‘ Maybe , but I wouldn’t choose to spend it standing on a stage holding hands with a stranger watching a huge fake dove lay golden eggs, ’ Kate answered.
    ‘ That bit was quite naff, ’ Hermione admitted.
    ‘ It was all very naff. ’
    ‘ So what are you going to do with your golden voucher? Give it to the mad Australians who like to pretend they’re sheep when they have sex? ’
    ‘ Did they say that? How scary. No I’m going to phone the production company, I’m going to tell them Joel and I have split up and it’s up to them what they do with it. P erhaps they’ll give it to the third placed couple, ’ Kate spoke.
    ‘ Oh no, not Mark and Sandra, I didn’t like them at all. H e kept winking at the camera and she had a moustache, ’ Hermione remarked.
    ‘ God Mione , did you sit through it all? ’
    ‘ Yes, with half a dozen cups of nettle tea and some carrot and parsnip crisps. Would you like some? ’
    ‘ No thanks they sound awful. I’d better take Bethan off your hands and get home , I’ve got stuff to look at I’ve been putting off. ’
    ‘ Well Philip’s taken all the children down the park so they can burn off some energy. Cyrus is here tod ay and he’s been driving me mad. H e isn’t just whispering now, he’s stamping his feet as he does it which all but drowns out what he’s trying to say completely , ’ Hermione informed.
    ‘ Hang on I thought Philip was away . I wanted to borrow him remember and you said no and made an excuse. ’
    ‘ Change of plan, he’s going relic hunting in a few weeks now . O ne of his team had an unexpected birth, two months early, baby boy, small but doing well. Anyway, it isn’t as if the ancient treasures are going anywhere. ’
    ‘ So was Bethan good? Didn’t wake? Not up too early? Did she eat all her breakfast? ’
    ‘ She was an absolute angel, as always. ’ Hermione reassured.
    ‘ Oh I’m so glad. Thanks so much for having her Mione , can I settle up with you next week - it’s just it’s not pay day until the twenty fifth , ’ Kate spoke a little embarrassed.
    ‘ Don’t be silly, I don’t want paying. Last night wasn’t child-minding, last night was babysitting for a friend and I won’t hear any more about it, ’ Hermione insisted.
    ‘ Thank you, ’ Kate replied.
    ‘ How are things financially if you don’t mind me asking? ’
    ‘ Fine, I won a hundred pounds remember, ’ Kate answered, hiding her eyes.
    ‘ I’ll read your tea leaves, ’ Hermione threatened.
    ‘ Things are tight but I’m managing. Must stop booking escorts though, it isn’t cheap, ’ Kate replied.
    ‘ Well, I have to say, I’m disappointed. I read the runes and I read the cards and