The Changing Room by Christine Sykes

Author:Christine Sykes
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Impact Press

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The following week, Anna entered the restaurant and paused to take in the sweeping view from the Harbour Bridge to the Opera House through the full-length windows. The waiter led her to the table where Ted was waiting.

‘How delightful to see you.’ Ted stood and gallantly held the chair.

Anna placed her briefcase, which was filled with paperwork for the Suitability strategy meeting, on the floor. She’d tied the fuchsia scarf she needed to return around the handle. She placed the garment bag, which held the mended jacket, on the back of the chair and sat down.

‘I’ve taken the liberty of ordering the degustation menu,’ said Ted. ‘We can try a little of everything they have. I hope you don’t mind.’

Anna was relieved. It would save time and release her from any embarrassment over the cost of the meal. Just as William had done the few times they had dined together.

‘As long as we can be finished by two o’clock. I have to go to an important meeting.’

‘Important meeting? I thought you were retired?’

‘This is for Suitability, the charity I told you about,’ said Anna. ‘The coordinator is out of action, and I had to set up the meeting and organise all the paperwork.’

‘Very impressive,’ said Ted. ‘I’m sure it will be a well run and productive meeting.’

Anna felt a rush of importance. ‘It has to be. You see, we might have to close down if we can’t find new premises.’

‘That would be terrible,’ said Ted as he waved at the waiter. ‘Will you have a drink? I ordered wine to complement the food we are eating. It’s part of the whole experience.’

‘Perhaps. Just a little.’ Anna swirled the pinot noir in her glass and took a taste. It was light yet complex, with a hint of berries.

‘Now tell me more about the problem you are trying to solve.’

Anna picked at the food as she told Ted about the premises issue. The morsels of food burst in her mouth with different tastes and flavours – some coriander, a hint of lime. It was cool in the restaurant and she shivered a little.

‘But you are cold,’ said Ted. ‘They have the air conditioning set at such a low temperature. Here, I’ll help you put your jacket on.’

Before she could protest, Ted had whisked the jacket out of the garment bag and put it around her shoulders.

‘My, what a beautiful jacket,’ he said. ‘It goes with your outfit. From the look on your face I can see you are surprised I pay so much attention to clothes?’

Anna nodded.

‘Well, my father was a tailor and I worked in the tailoring business, so I know a good cut when I see it. Also, when my wife was ill for all those years, I bought her clothes and dressed her.’

Anna didn’t know what to say. She was being bombarded by sensations from all directions: the different tastes of the food and the wine – salty, sweet, creamy – the sounds of other diners eating and chatting. Competing thoughts rushed around in her mind.

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