Moving Up On Manolos by Nina Whyle

Author:Nina Whyle
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Nina Whyle
Published: 2021-04-07T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

It’s Sunday lunchtime and a tiny percussion orchestra is furiously practising inside my head. Alex is draped over the kitchen table with his head in his hands and a glass of Alka Seltzer sizzling loudly on the table. He lifts his head just a fraction as I enter the kitchen, peering at me through his fingers. A newly acquired golf buggy is parked rather precariously on the terrace, staring at us through the French doors. The nervous feeling in my belly subsides when I see he is alone.

‘You look awful,’ I say.

‘Likewise,’ Alex sniffs.

‘That’s the last time I’m going to drink.’ But we both know that’s not true.

‘Where do you keep the Alka Seltzer?’ I ask with a fragile voice.

Alex pulls a small jar from his pocket and throws it to me. I miss and it crashes to the floor, the noise deafening to our delicate ears. We both wince. Very carefully, I bend to pick it up and stagger over to the sink. Even the tap sounds noisy, the drops resonating in my eardrums more strident than thrash-metal.

‘Great night though,’ Alex chuckles, but the laughter moves his head and he recoils.

‘Nice wheels.’ I giggle, but this hurts, too.

It was a great night but certain parts of the evening I could have done without: Kimberly, Philip, Whiskey boob man. What was his name again ... Bert ... Hugg ... Mears?

‘Morning!’ bellows a voice from the doorway.

I jump out of my skin and the fizzy remedy splashes over me. I turn around and Michael saunters into the room followed by a dutiful Digger. When the dog sees me, he runs over and jumps up, splashing the rest of the liquid everywhere.

‘Digger, down.’

‘It’s OK.’ I reach down and pat Digger’s head. ‘I’m just feeling a little fragile this morning,’ I tell Digger. Michael, on the other hand, looks annoyingly fresh-faced. I sit myself down next to Alex.

‘How come you got off so lightly?’ Alex grumbles.

‘The art is to know one’s pace,’ Michael chirps smugly.

‘Oh very funny, laugh at a dying man,’ Alex grumbles, putting his head in his hands again.

Michael chuckles and pours himself a coffee.

‘I guess congratulations is in order.’ Though his tone is anything but congratulatory.

Alex looks up.

‘What are you talking about?’

‘The engagement?’ Michael prompts.

‘Whose?’

‘Yours.’

‘What?’ we both say in unison.

Michael pulls today’s newspaper off the counter and we both wince as he drops it on the table, followed by another wince when I see the picture of Alex and me hugging and the caption above:

Canty to Wed English Scanty. Surprise romance shocks Hollywood

I remember that it was taken when we were playing movie charades. I start to read over Alex’s shoulder. Alex reads out loud.

‘“It’s official. Most desirable bachelor Alex Canty has finally been reeled into matrimony.”’

‘What the hell is she playing at?’ Alex hisses, brushing his hangover aside.

‘“After playing the field, the domineering stage actress Jane Allen gives our golden boy an ultimatum. One source says it’s because of pregnancy after a one-night stand and she is threatening

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