Page 43 of Big Sexy Love
‘You have a lot of pen pals,’ I remark, taking themfromher.
‘I met them on my travels,’ she says. ‘My friends come from all over the world! I’m very lucky! Maybe you will meet a special friend in New York City!’ she says with achuckle.
‘I’ve met you!’ I smile at her. ‘Thanks for the tea and the chat. I reallyneededit.’
‘It was my pleasure,’ she says, pulling me in for a spontaneous hug that, to my surprise, makes my heart swell. ‘You come see me againanytime?’
‘I will,’ I say, hugging her back, her soft round body comforting and oddly protective. ‘Idefinitelywill.’
OceanofPDF.com
ChapterSixteen
Email [email protected]:
DearOlive,
Hopeyou’rewell.
Iam writing regardingthe phone call you made to your brother and I in the early hours of this morning. It was unfair of you to get in touch at daft o’clock, merely because you wanted to talk to your brother on your timeline andnotours.
Alex already worries enough about you. Of course he always will – you are his baby sister after all. But I think he – we – expected that as the years went on there would be less of the baby and that you would be able to take care ofyourself.
Don’t get me wrong, I know that you were upset about something, but it isn’t Alex’s or my place to fix things for you. We told you we thought it was a bad idea for you to fly to a new country on a whim, when your experience of new situations is, well, less than stellar. But you went, and while we are soooo proud of you for doing something new, we are not at your beck and call when things fall out of your control and you becomeupset.
I know you are back soon, but I wanted to say this now before my upset dissipates and I decide that the best course of action would be to say nothing at all for the sake oftension.
With truth,careandlove,
Donna
By Monday morning,I’ve managed to convince myself that no one will know that the Watch Me Piddle sketch was based on me. And even if people in the UK see it on the internet today, beyond the Joans, Birdie and Alex and Donna, I don’t really know many other people who would recognise me. There’s nothing I can do about it now and even though I am generally embarrassed and mad as hell at that stupid Seth Hartman, being consumed with my own humiliation will only take my mind off the task at hand. Which is to get to Wall Street and give Birdie’s letter toChuck.
As I leave the apartment building, it immediately starts drizzling. I open the little umbrella I brought with me, congratulating myself on being so resourceful. See? It was worth bringing two types of umbrella for my trip – one compact one that will fit in my bumbag and a bigger one for when I’m carrying my over the shoulderhandbag!
Despite the drizzle, Manhattan is in full flow. I say hello and goodbye to Lloyd the doorman and make my way down Riverside Drive. My plan this morning is for a quick breakfast at a deli Birdie has recommended, post Mrs Ramirez’s postcards and, from there, head right back to Chimes Investment in Wall Street and get this letter to ChuckAllen.
It only takes me a few minutes to reach the deli, which is called Zabar’s, and before I’ve opened the big glass doors, I’m salivating at the delicious bakery smell wafting out. I take down my brolly, shake it off and wanderinside.
Wow, it’s enormous in here! Not only is it a place for breakfast, but a grocery store too! It’s already busy with people filling up trolleys full of artisanal cheeses and fresh bread andmeats.
I head over to a small seating area, delighted to find that one of the few tables is miraculously free. Perfect! Maybe today is going to be asuccess!
As I take a seat, I notice a young woman nearby staring at me. For a moment, I wonder if my hair is tangled, or if I have toothpaste on my boob – both things that happen to me more regularly than is necessary. And then see exactly where she’s looking. Right at my pinkbumbag!
Does… does she recognise me? No. Only people who know me would know that the Olivia character onSunday Night Livewas based on me, surely? Apart from the curly hair and bumbag, the actress didn’t look at all like me… She must just be admiring the lovely bright shadeofpink.
I turn my chair away from the staring woman and pick up my menu. As I do, a waitress in a crisp white shirt and a black checked skirt approaches. ‘Good morning! May I take yourorder?’
‘Ooh, I haven’t had time to look at the menu properly yet! Can I have another fewminutes?’
As I speak, I notice even more people in the cafe start to lookatme.
The waitress narrows her eyes slightly. ‘Do I… know you?’sheasks.
I shake my head. ‘No, I don’tthinkso.’
‘Are you sure you haven’t been herebefore?’
