Read Online Never Mind The Botox: Rachel by Penny Avis - Free Book Online Page B

we sit down?’ said Rachel, hurrying away from the disaster zone.
    They sat down and as soon as the waiter arrived Rachel ordered a glass of wine.
    ‘I see you’re on for a large one, then,’ said Rowan. ‘I haven’t even looked at the food menu yet.’
    ‘I need a drink and quick,’ said Rachel. ‘I’m in shock.’
    ‘Well, you did have a bit of a bump by the looks of your head,’ said Rowan.
    ‘No, it’s not that. You won’t believe what I’ve just seen!’ said Rachel.
    ‘What?’
    ‘I’ve just seen one of the partners at work, whose project I’m currently working on and who’s married, meet a woman in the bar. And from the way they greeted each other, it clearly wasn’t a business meeting. What’s worse, I also know the woman. She works at the business I’m currently looking at. What a mess!’ said Rachel.
    ‘Sorry, you lost me. Say that again?’
    ‘I think my boss is having an affair with his client,’ said Rachel pointedly.
    ‘Right, got it. That sounds like great gossip to me,’ said Rowan. ‘Shall I go and have a look for you? See what’s happening? I can pretend to go to the toilets. They won’t know me from Adam.’
    ‘Yes, alright. Maybe they were just waiting for some others to join them,’ said Rachel, not really thinking that was very likely. ‘You can’t miss them − the women is blonde and wearing leather trousers.’
    Rachel watched Rowan head out of the restaurant. In a few minutes he was back.
    ‘Yup, he’s having an affair. They were holding hands and drinking champagne and will be heading upstairs soon, I bet.’
    ‘Oh please don’t.’ Rachel couldn’t bear the thought of it. ‘What a disaster.’
    ‘Why do you care?’ Rowan asked. ‘Surely it’s his problem?’
    ‘Unfortunately he’s made it my problem. We aren’t allowed to have relationships with clients and my current project involves both of them.’
    ‘Do you need to report him or something then?’
    ‘God, I don’t know. Probably. It would be easier if I just forgot I saw them.’
    ‘Can you do that?’
    ‘Maybe. I guess holding hands isn’t absolute proof that they’re an item. They might just be good friends.’
    Rowan looked at her.
    ‘Alright, I know, clutching at straws. Anyway, look, I’m sorry. It’s not your problem. I’ll talk to one of my workmates about it. I haven’t even asked you how you are?’
    ‘All the better for seeing my mad sister,’ said Rowan. He lifted his glass. ‘Let’s drink to more trips to country houses and less work dramas, shall we?’
    ‘Definitely the latter,’ said Rachel. ‘Cheers. How’s Laura?’
    ‘Oh, she’s on quite good form at the moment. We haven’t argued for, ooh, at least a week. That’s not bad by current standards. I’m trying to do all the right things, you know: listening intently to the latest “whose baby can do what” stories, being enthusiastic about looking at schools even though Naomi can hardly hold a spoon yet, let alone a pencil. We even went out for dinner last week, although Laura did ring the babysitter three times in two hours.’
    ‘That doesn’t sound like her,’ said Rachel.
    ‘I know, but it just seems ages since I had a really good night out, you know,’ said Rowan.
    ‘Remember all those great nights we had at home last summer and your birthday last year? She was the life and soul of the party. It’s just a phase. I’m sure it’ll pass as Naomi gets older. You need to adapt too, by the way; make sure you’re pulling your weight.’
    ‘Yes, miss, I’ll do my best,’ said Rowan.
    ‘You do that,’ said Rachel, laughing. ‘Maybe you should come with me to our work summer party instead of Harry. It should be a great night and at least I can rely on you to behave yourself.’
    ‘Do you want me to?’ Rowan asked. ‘I will if you want.’
    ‘No, that’s okay − just wishful thinking,’ sighed Rachel. ‘I’d better take Harry. He’d only end up sulking if I didn’t, even though he