I unzip my sagging wheelie case and rummage through the layers of clothes I stuffed in there early this morning. But it would be nice if I could go down to dinner looking like I belong in the same room with the others. I have always known that we were operating on different levels. Eva was a catwalk model, and even before Snoop started to take off, her budget for shoes was higher than my whole salary.
They are not just out of my league, they’re out of my pay grade.
I don’t even consider competing with Eva and the other woman with the high heels – what was her name? Miranda. An hour and a half to wash and change and try to find something in my suitcase that won’t make me look like a frump compared to Eva’s new assistant and that Tiger girl from marketing. I have about ninety minutes before dinner. And somehow Topher and Eva’s scrutiny and their efforts to charm me are worse than being ignored. Now, three years after I left, everything has changed. And I was fine with that – more than fine, actually. Twelve months of ‘Oh, Liz, would you reserve a table for four at Mirabelle?’ and knowing that that four didn’t include me. A year of people going out for drinks after work, and not inviting me. Used to them forgetting about me, taking me for granted, ignoring me. Instead I am lying here with my eyes closed, replaying that awful, awkward moment downstairs over and over again. I ought to be prowling around the room, taking in the glorious panoramic view of the mountains, testing out the spa settings on the bath, marvelling at my luck in being here.
When at last I’m alone in my room, I sink onto the hand stitched quilt, lie back on the feather-stuffed pillows, and shut my eyes. If I was here alone, I would be perfectly happy, more than happy in fact. I don’t think I have ever set foot in anywhere so luxurious, at least not since leaving Snoop. This place – this incredible chalet, with its pool and its views and its sheepskin throws and velvet sofas – this place is a dream come true. Whispering about me.Īll I can think about is what they were saying, and why they were glancing over their shoulders and scheming. I don’t know what, but I saw Eva, Topher and Inigo huddled in the corner of the lobby with the chalet girl. Snoop ID: ANON101 Listening to: offline Snoopscribers: 0
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