confidence boost, ’ Kate spoke.
‘ You’re probably the most bizarre date I’ve had since Ryvita , ’ Joel answered.
‘ What do you think I should do about dating then? To date or not to date? That is the question, ’ Kate spoke, picking up Joel’s water glass and drinking from it.
‘ If you don’t think you’re ready to date again don’t let anyone else make the decision for you, no matter how well-meaning they are, ’ Joel replied.
‘ Hermione is quite difficult to sidestep when she’s fully loaded with good intention. ’
‘ And as for Miranda, I think you need to stop worrying about what she thinks . She’s one of those people who needs to be admired all the time. She has major confidence issues; she’s not someone to be intimidated by. And as well as all that, I’m convinced she wears a wig, ’ Joel informed her.
Kate almost spat out the water she had in her mouth. She hurriedly managed to swallow and take a breath of air and then gasped out loud.
‘ What? ’
‘ I’m sure that mane of blonde hair is a wig. A good wig mind you, well made and expensive, but I’m pretty sure it’s fake, ’ Joel repeated.
‘ No, it can’t be. I mean you should see how much she flicks it around at work, it’s he r signature move, the Hair Toss. T hat’s what she does, that’s who she is, ’ Kate explained, picturing Miranda swishing and sweeping the blonde locks around.
‘ Well, as I said, not absolutely positive, but pretty sure. One of my regulars wears a wig, I would never have known if she hadn’t told me, but now I can spot one a mile off, even a good one. It’s all about the rise and fall, ’ Joel responded.
‘ No, it can’t be, I mean … ’ Kate began, still re-running Miranda’s hair flick in her mind.
‘ Ooooooooooo ! ’
The loud squeal was accompanied by Becky suddenly appearing and starting to jump up and down in front of them like an excited rabbit. Her pink hair swung about wildly and her hand clapped against her clipboard.
‘ I’ve just been told you’re through! ’ she shrieked at the top of her voice and she threw her arms around Kate excitedly, almost bowling her over.
‘ What? ’ Kate questioned a shiver running over her as she tried to detach the girl.
‘ You’re through to the next round, you came second. C ome on, quick , quick, we need you back on stage after the commercial break with Hayley and Anthony . Oh this is so exciting, didn’t you do well? ’ Becks said happily, sounding more and more like Bruce Forsyth by the second.
‘ Jesus, I don’t believe it, I don ’t want to go back on the stage. T his whole thing is completely ridiculous, ’ Kate said and she picked up an abandoned glass of wine from the bar and downed it in one go.
‘ Even the Love Dove? ’ Joel asked .
‘ Especially the Love Dove, although he was infinitely more skilled than the presenter with much better hair, well feathers, well, you know, ’ Kate remarked.
‘ Kate! Joel! Come on, we need to be quick, you’ll have to jog, ’ Becky shouted from the exit to the stage.
‘ Jog? Is she kidding? In these shoes? ’ Kate asked, picking up another abandoned drink and beginning to drink it.
‘ Come on. Let’s see it through, ’ Joel suggested and he took the glass out of her hand and replaced it on the bar.
‘ I’ve never liked limelight and I’m not warming to it, ’ Kate responded reluctantly following him towards the door.
‘ Do it for Frank, it looked like he was having a ball out in the audience and his wife is ill, ’ Joel reminded.
‘ It’s an ingrown toenail not a life-threatening disease. ’
They arrived backstage and stood next to Hayley and Anthony. They were a tangerine- tanned couple, who looked like they had spent the last ten years of their lives on a sun bed. They were dressed all in white making them look all the more orange and both of them had an abundance of curly hair. Anthony’s made him look like Graeme Souness and
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