Page 7 of You Lied First
‘We’re going to drive around a bit tomorrow, see old haunts, see what’s new, show Sara the lay of the land,’ Guy says.
Celine turns to me. ‘Nice. And what about you? Is it your first time here? Is there anything in particular you want to see?’
‘I’m just happy to be here,’ I say. ‘I’ll do whatever you all advise. You’re the experts. It’ll be nice to look around tomorrow. Get my bearings.’
‘Well, I mean, if you need a tour guide, I’m free tomorrow. Why don’t I come along?’
‘Really?’ I ask. I’d love her to join us – she seems fun.
‘Yes, why don’t you?’ Guy says. ‘The more the merrier. The car seats seven, so …yalla! Let’s go!’
‘Yalla,’ echoes Margot, but I notice that big smile is gone.
6
MARGOT
Margot thinks it’s bad enough trying to get Flynn up for school back home, but the combination of the four-hour time difference and sleepy teenage brains means the adults – all dressed, ready and waiting in the hallway – have shouted up the stairs multiple times before Liv and Flynn finally make their way down. Margot’s itching to get going, mainly to avoid Celine, but also because she wants to make it to the fish market before it closes around lunchtime. Immediately, she sees a problem. Liv is wearing tiny denim shorts that are wholly inappropriate for the souk.
‘Is that what you’re wearing, Livvie?’ Sara asks gently.
Liv shrugs. ‘Yeah.’
For a moment Margot thinks Sara might say something, but then she turns towards the door. ‘Right – shall we?’
‘Umm.’ Margot takes a breath. She doesn’t want to make a scene, but she can’t let the girl go to the souk dressed like that. ‘Liv, you look lovely, don’t get me wrong,’ she says, ‘but that outfit isn’t really appropriate for today. I think you ought to pop on something longer. Below the knee at least.’ She smiles to soften her words. ‘It’s not you. It’s just how it is. We’re going to some traditional areas. You won’t be told off, butyou might get some strange looks and stares, and that can feel uncomfortable.’ She shrugs. ‘It’s your choice, of course, but I wouldn’t like it.’
‘Margot knows what she’s talking about,’ Sara says.
Liv looks from Margot to Flynn, to her mum and back.
‘Yeah, maybe she’s right,’ Flynn says. ‘Sorry, babe.’
‘Okay, Mrs Forrest. I’ll change.’ Liv turns back up the stairs.
‘Just throw on a pair of trousers, not a whole new outfit!’ Margot calls after her.
The doorbell rings and her hopes are dashed when Guy opens the door to find Celine on the steps.
‘Morning!’ Celine says with a huge smile. ‘Are we all ready?’
‘Morning! We’re almost ready,’ Sara says. ‘Liv’s just putting on something longer.’
Celine’s in wide-leg linen trousers, a T-shirt that’s somehow modest while also showing off her figure, and strappy flat sandals that reveal elegant, tanned and polished toes. She laughs.
‘Middle East 101. So, have you guys eaten? I was thinking we could begin at Nana’s. It’s not far and it’s such a nice spot to have breakfast. Fuel us up for the day.’
‘Why don’t we just get going?’ Margot says. ‘We’ve lots to see.’ She rattles the car keys in her hand.
‘I’m hungry,’ Flynn says, and Margot stifles a sigh. She knew he’d be hungry. He’s always ravenous when he gets up. That’s why she’s been calling him for breakfast for the past hour.
‘I could do with another coffee, to be honest.’ Sara hides a yawn behind her hand. ‘It’s five-thirty in the morning for us right now.’
‘Perfect!’ says Celine. ‘Don’t worry. They’re quite fast there.’
And so, when Liv reappears in more suitable clothing, they climb into the four-wheel drive. Margot takes the wheel and after a few minutes, with Celine navigating, they reach a pretty café with a flower-bedecked patio facing a strip of park and a vast expanse of bright blue sea. Margot can’t deny that it’s beautiful but she doesn’t want to chew the cud here; she wants to get on with the day: a quick walk around the grounds of the Opera House taking in the play of shadows on arches before the sun gets too high in the sky; a drive to Muttrah to walk along the corniche; an early lunch, and then a chance to buy her fish before the market closes, and home to relax mid-afternoon. Muscat’s not huge; if they don’t hang around, they should have time to fit in everything but, at Nana’s, croissants are ordered along with iced lattes and hot Americanos, and Margot has to stop herself from fidgeting while everyone laughs and chats. She can just picture them arriving at the fish market after it’s closed.
‘What a great start to the day,’ Guy says leaning back in his seat. ‘This is what a holiday’s all about. Just taking your time and going with the flow, eh, Mar? It’s so good to be back.’
