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“Eventually, Richard told me what had upset him. He’d gone out to a business meeting in one of the restaurants, you know, in that upmarket hotel that had opened just before Covid. Imagine his surprise when he saw Bill, his boss, who’s only been divorced for six months, in there with some female draped on his arm. In a public place! Poor Richard was scandalised, especially as they looked pretty cosy, according to Richard. In fact, he said the woman could hardly keep her eyes, and hands, off Bill. He’s a nice enough sort but I think she must be desperate! After all, he’s well over sixty and not a good looker.”
Barbara’s concentration had been so far singularly focused on Helen’s story but now acquired laser-sharp precision at Helen’s next comment.
“The woman in question must be a sleazy seductress type. Richard was appalled at how bright pink her nails were, rather like yours …”
Even though her face had turned a subtle shade of scarlet, Barbara uttered, “Really?” in a tone colder than Antarctica.
Helen, with cheeks aflame, quickly realised what she’d said and hastily blurted, “Oh, well, no, not really your shade at all. They were far more bright. Vulgar, even.”
Each lady independently but simultaneously now took refuge in several sips of tea.
Barbara cast a sideways glance. Did Helen’s smile contain a hint of malice or was she innocent? Barbara decided that she would tell Helen later, much later, her momentous news – that she was now married to Bill.
