Free Bachelor Boys by Kate Saunders

entire project.
    On Tuesday, I left three more messages, of escalating sharpness.
    â€œLook, will one of you lazy bastards just ring me?”
    On Wednesday, I decided I had to call Phoebe.

    â€œI had such a marvelous time on Friday,” she said happily. “Honor’s a fascinating girl, don’t you think? And Matthew’s such a nice man when you draw him out. I can see exactly why you love him.”
    â€œI need to speak to one of your sons,” I said.
    â€œWhich one?”
    â€œEither. I’ve left about a million messages.”
    Phoebe chuckled. “Aren’t they dreadful? I’ll put a note through the door. What shall I say it’s about?”
    â€œOh, nothing—I mean, I can’t really explain.” I couldn’t bring myself to tell Phoebe that I was about to break my promise and admit them into their mother’s plan. “Beg them to ring me. Give them my work number if you have to.”
    On Wednesday, I met Annabel for supper. We went to our usual cheerful Italian place in Camden Town, to eat serious portions of spaghetti carbonara and drink a bottle of red wine. We never brought our boyfriends here. We wanted to wear comfortable clothes and no lipstick.
    Annabel looked beautiful in her tight black jersey and prim gray skirt, and the waiters were all over her (waiters and policemen always love Annabel). She was in no mood to appreciate it, however. Her latest crush—a senior colleague at the bank—had done what they all seemed to do, and waltzed off with some bimbo from a catering firm.
    â€œIt’s only one date,” I said, trying to be encouraging. “He’ll get tired of her as soon as he realizes how thick she is.”
    Annabel shook her glossy blonde head disconsolately. “She’s not thick. She has a degree in Russian. I know what will happen. I’ve seen it a hundred times. He’ll fall in love with her, and they’ll have a lovely posh wedding and three children. It’s not fair. Why did I waste my time taking exams? I should have done directors’ lunches.”
    â€œCome on, woman. Pull yourself together. You’re successful and brilliant. You’re the head of arbitrage, for heaven’s sake.”
    She was mildly reproachful. “You don’t have the slightest idea what I do.”
    I pretended I hadn’t heard, in case she started explaining. “There are loads of men out there who actively like a successful woman,” I said, knowing this wasn’t true.
    â€œI really thought Miles was one of them. I wish I’d known not to be
clever in front of him. Perhaps I’ll be more helpless next time I’m alone with him.”
    â€œSpare a kipper, guv!”
    Annabel relaxed into a laugh. “You can afford to be politically correct, because you’ve got Matthew. Where is he tonight, by the way?”
    â€œDinner with clients—the poor man has been working far too hard lately. I think there’s some sort of important job, which has implications for his partnership. It means I’m seeing a lot less of him.”
    Annabel said, “Poor you.”
    â€œDon’t be too sorry for me. You know how his ruthless ambition turns me on.” Under the table, my mobile phone bleeped in my handbag. “Sorry,” I said. We usually switched our phones off when we met, but I was still chasing those boys.
    It was Phoebe. “I’ve got Fritz,” she said. “I’m actually holding his arm so he can’t get away. Talk to Cassie, darling.”
    Fritz took the phone. “Okay, Grimble, here I am.”
    â€œAt last—do you know how many messages I’ve left?”
    â€œYes, and I’m sorry. But I’ve been going through a spot of emotional turbulence.”
    I longed to know if this had anything to do with Madeleine, but could hardly bring her up when Phoebe and Annabel were listening at either end. “I really don’t want