Page 6 of Pillow Talk
Before Sen could react, she walked away.
‘Thanks for the ride, Sen.’
She waved and went into the shop.
When he got to his office, Sen was still baffled by Shona’s awkward goodbye and by that scorching kiss. He was so deep in thought that he was slightly startled to hear Sam’s voice.
‘So, Shona?’
Sen ignored his friend and went to his desk.
‘And how do you know I gave Shona a ride to work?’
Sam gestured to the door.
‘Joanie.’
Sen sat down.
‘News travels fast from Rally. When will Joanie stop gossiping?’
His secretary shouted back, ‘Never. I quite enjoy it.’
Sam laughed and pushed the door half-shut while Sen switched on his laptop.
‘If I’d known you were out and about in Rally, I would’ve suggested a breakfast meeting,’ Sam said as he sat down in the dark leather armchair across from Sen.
‘I went to see Avi earlier,’ Sen replied.
Sam’s face fell. ‘How’s he doing?’
‘He’s alright. He’s busy settling his dad’s estate. Avi can be a handful, we know that. But I thought, as a friend, I should pop by to check how he’s doing,’ Sen replied.
Avi had gone to boarding school with Sen and Sam. He was opinionated and a real snob. And when they were back home during their childhood summers, he’d bullied Sen. Sam, by association, had got caught up in the situation and, unlike Sen, would never give Avi the time of day. Sam and Sen had hit it off on the first day at boarding school and their friendship was easy. Sam was almost Sen’s height and, with his floppy brown hair, clean-shaven face and dimples, people naturally assumed he was friendly and easy-going. That wasn’t the case. Sam was stern, more so to his patients because he was serious about healthcare.
He questioned everything. When they were at school, their teachers had called them ‘The critical thinkers’ – although it was also the name of the debating team they belonged to. But the teachers were right. Sam and Sen were critical thinkers. Sam analysed everything with intensity. Well, not exactly everything. Sen doubted that he’d compiled his usual pros and cons list when he’d met Anni; he’d been completely spellbound. By their second date he was already making enquiries about opening a medical practice in Rally. Sen was happy for his friend, but he was even happier for Anni, because she deserved the unconditional love and stability Sam offered her.
‘What are you doing here anyway? Don’t you have patients to see?’ Sen asked.
‘The locum comes in on Fridays. I came to see you because I need advice.’
When he heard the serious tone in Sam’s voice, Sen discreetly closed the door to his office so they had some privacy, then sat down to listen, giving Sam his full attention.
‘You know Anni is not a risk taker. She plays it safe. She’s afraid to venture out of her own backyard. But she hasn’t travelled like us. I want her to experience new places. I know she’s always wanted to go to Paris and I want to take her there for her birthday next month, but she’s so afraid that her life here will fall apart if she leaves for a few days,’ Sam explained.
Without thinking, Sen replied, ‘I’ll ask Shona for her input tonight.’
Sam’s eyes widened.
‘Tonight? Why are you seeing Shona tonight?’
Sen wasn’t known as a sharp, cut-throat lawyer for nothing. ‘I have to pick up Granddad’s suits,’ he lied.
Sam’s demeanour softened again.
‘Okay. Because I don’t want you messing around with Shona. She’s all Anni has left in terms of family. The four of us gel together. Sure, when both of you find partners, we’ll welcome them into our circle. But I know you – you don’t date and you’ll break Shona’s heart,’ Sam warned.
Sen should have been offended but he knew Sam was right. He didn’t do relationships. But he couldn’t ignore the surge of jealousy when Sam mentioned the possibility of Shona finding a suitable partner.
