Wags To Riches (26 page)

“It does smell rather nice,” she admits grudgingly.  “Maybe just a bit won’t hurt”.  She lifts the pie out and takes a bite.  “Mmm.  Not bad” she says, “You do realise I’ll have to do two extra sessions at the gym for this” she says.

“Ah well” I say grinning and taking a sip of my tea.

“Oh if you two are eating them, then stuff it, I am” Sharon says and starts tucking in.

We sit munching away, watching the referee book a player on the Lillingham team.

“Oh dear” I say.

“Hmm – minds not on the match” Sharon says “And I know why!”

“Why?” I ask, agog with interest.

“Well - the rumour is,” she says lowering her voice and whispering confidentially in my ear, “He had a threesome in a hotel just the other week with Sarah Smythe and this girl off of
Big Brother
”.

“No!  Really?” I say astounded.

“Oh yeah” Sharon asserts.

“I heard that as well,” Gina says as Sharon’s mobile rings.

  “Oh, just a minute” she says and rummages in her bag.  “Hello?” she shouts over the noise of the crowd.  “No, not the bloody lilac!  I changed my mind.  I want the duck egg blue!”  She hangs up and looks at mine and Gina’s questioning faces.  “Oh it’s my interior designer.  He couldn’t remember if I want duck egg or lilac in one of the guest bedrooms upstairs”.

“Oh right” I say as the half-time whistle blows.  Adam waves to me as he goes off and I wave back.

“Right, let’s go and get some champagne” Sharon says and we go up to the corporate suite.  As we walk in, one of the waiters looks up and smiles in recognition at Sharon.  “Hello!  Usual is it?” he asks.

“Yes please Gaz” Sharon says, perching on one of the stools grouped round a tall glass table with chrome legs.  Gina slides gracefully on to one of the others and I clamber onto a third.  Gaz walks off and returns a few moments later carrying three glasses upside down in his one hand and an ice bucket containing champagne in the other.

“Have you met Gail, Gaz?” Sharon asks, gesturing towards me.

“No” Gaz replies, smiling at me.  He is very nice looking with brown spiky hair and dark eyes.  He is wearing black trousers and a tight black T-shirt that shows off his muscular torso.

“Well – Gaz, this is Gail Auden, Adam Finchley’s girlfriend.  Gail this is Gaz, head waiter here”.

“Hi Gail – please to meet you” he says, shaking my hand.

“Likewise” I reply.

“Enjoy your champagne!” he says, turning and walking away.

“He’s really nice – nothing is too much trouble,” Gina says as we watch him go.

“Oh yes.  Takes care of your every need,” Sharon murmurs and both Gina and I turn to stare at her.

“What
are
you talking about Sharon?” Gina asks, her eyebrow raised.

“Nothing” Sharon replies, her eyes wide, “I was just saying he’s a good waiter that’s all” and then starts laughing.

“What?” Gina asks.

“Nothing” Sharon replies, still laughing.

“Hmmmm” Gina says, unconvinced as Sharon reaches for the bottle of champagne and pours out a glass for each of us.

“To Grandmere winning today” Sharon says and we all take a sip.

“What are you having done in the house Sharon?” I ask.

“Oh I’ve decided to redecorate all the guest bedrooms” Sharon replies airily.  “Each one has got a different theme.  One’s going to be a kind of Zen sanctuary, another one perhaps a Goth one – it’s quite time consuming trying to sort out all the themes and colours.  Then there’s all the furniture and accessories to choose.”

“Don’t you ever get bored?” I ask suddenly.  “You know – not working?”

Sharon and Gina both turn and stare at me.  “What makes you say that?” Gina asks.

“I just wondered,” I mumble.

“Well I can honestly say, no darling, I don’t get bored at all,” Sharon replies.  “By the time I’ve organized the interior decorating, had my hair done, spray tan, waxing, gone to the gym, done the shopping, planned the next holiday and seen my lovely friends, there’s hard
ly any time left at all” she continues and laughs.

“But don’t you ever feel guilty?” I persist.  “You know – not working and spending his money instead…” I trail off as they continue to stare at me incredulously.

“Why would I feel guilty?” Sharon says, shrugging her shoulders.  “I don’t feel guilty at all.  Loads of women don’t work – I’m no different to a successful businessman’s wife and well – I can’t help how much the club decide to pay Tony can I?” she adds almost defiantly.

“And I’m quite happy looking after my lovely house and just being married” Gina adds.  “I don’t need to work so why should I?”

“I wasn’t having a go” I say quickly, “I think it’s just a big change for me you know – this not working thing” I say.  The guilt isn’t – I always feel guilty - whether it’s about not working or about eating too much chocolate.

“Well enjoy it!  We do!” Sharon replies laughing and Gina smiles.

“You can always come out with us you know, if you do feel a bit bored or whatever,” Gina says.  “If ever you want to come with us to the gym for example, just give us a ring and we can come and pick you up”.

“Oh yes absolutely.  We’ll introduce you to Jake, our personal trainer.  You’ll love him Gail – gorgeous and pecs to die for!” Sharon says earnestly, taking a large gulp of champagne and Gina laughs.

“Just ignore her Gail.  Jake is really nice and he will help you work out a programme that’s right for you,” Gina says.

“Sounds good.  To be honest I don’t really know what pecs are” I say and Sharon and Gina laugh.  Well I don’t.

“Oh Gail what are you like!  Honestly!” Sharon says, pouring out more champagne.

“Seriously though Gail, we don’t do that much exercise really,” Gina says, “we tend to spend more time in the coffee bar nattering and Sharon eyes up men”.

“I do not!” Sharon says laughing.

“Oh no – not at all!” Gina says shaking her head.  “I can’t wait to finally go on honeymoon!” she says
after a moment.  “Seems like ages since Tim and I got married”.

“I’m sure you’ll have a lovely time in Dubai” Sharon says warmly.  “Tony and I loved it when we went there.  Here’s to Gina and Tim!” she says, raising her glass, “Hope they have a lovely time!  Lets get another bottle!”

Several glasses of champagne later, we go back to our seats.  There’s still no score.

“I’m feeling a bit arseholed actually,” Gina says laughing as she stumbles slightly on her perilously high heeled shoes.

“Yes - I’m feeling a bit merry myself,” I say as several blokes stood in front of me start yelling at the Grandmere players.

“Oh come on!”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“He’s feinting!  Can’t you see that?”

“Doesn’t look like that guys fainting,” I say to Sharon and Gina about the Lillingham player in question.  “He looks perfectly fine to me”.

“No, footballing term darling,” Sharon says.  “I hope Grandmere score soon though – look at Terry’s chewing!” she continues, pointing at the coach as her and Gina dissolve into giggles.

“What?  What?  What are you talking about?” I say laughing because they are laughing, despite not having a clue what they are on about.

“Oh Gail it’s a standing joke, whenever Grandmere aren’t doing too well, Terry’s gum chewing gets more and more exaggerated!” Sharon says, wiping her eyes.

“You should have seen him when we were two-nil down against Compden City last year!” Gina says earnestly.  “Me and Sharon thought he was going to dislocate his bloody jaw!”  She starts laughing again and that sets Sharon off.  I look over at Terry who I met at Gina’s wedding and sure enough, he is chewing like mad.  With his beard and everything, it looks like he’s eating a badger or something.

Just then, I hear what one of the guys stood in front of us is saying.  “That stupid wanker Adam Finchley!  Why doesn’t he tackle that midfielder?”

“Did you hear that?” I say to Sharon and before she can reply, I tap the offending guy on the back and he turns round looking surprised.

“Excuse me, I’d rather you didn’t call Adam names like that if you don’t mind” I say, with my best smile on.  Just as the guy opens his mouth to retort, a roar goes up from the crowd and Sharon grabs my arm and gestures frantically to the pitch – her sunglasses in her hand.

“Gail!” she squeaks and I look at the pitch.  Adam is running up towards the goal with the ball in front of him.  Some of the Grandmere players are running behind him as he runs ahead of the other Lillingham players.  All of the Grandmere fans are on their feet as he gets nearer and nearer the goal and I’m standing on tiptoe with my heart in my mouth.  Gina has got her hands pressed together like she is praying and Sharon’s grip on my arm is positively painful.  Oh God I can’t bear to watch!

“Come on Adam!” I shout at the top of my voice.  Suddenly Adam boots the ball with all his might towards the goal and – SCORES!

The whole crowd just erupts.

“YES!” I scream, jumping up and down.  I hug Sharon and Gina and even the bloke I was about to have an argument with, but he doesn’t seem to mind.  I watch Adam run round the pitch screaming at all the fans and laugh as all the other Grandmere players hug him.  I wave my scarf in the air at him and nearly end up taking Sharon’s eye out with it and then the referee blows his whistle!  Hurray!  We’ve won!

Can’t
wait
to see Adam!

I wake up that night with a thumping headache and a parched, dry mouth.  I’m so thirsty – I think I’m going to die.  I’ve got to go and get some water even though it means getting out of my lovely comfy bed.  I carefully get out of bed so as not to disturb Adam, fumble around on the floor for my slippers and quietly make my way downstairs.  Wonder what time it is?  As I walk into the dark and silent kitchen, I glance at the clock on the microwave.  It’s half-past three.  I’ve only been asleep for an hour and a bit.  I take a pint glass out of the cupboard, open the fridge and wince at the stark light inside the fridge.  Ow.  That hurts my eyes.  I take out the water filter jug, fill the glass and proceed to drink most of it.  Ah - that’s better I think as I take a sharp intake of breat
h at the coldness of the water.  The hammering in my head seems to be easing somewhat and my tongue feels less like a piece of carpet.  Just then the kitchen door opens and Adam walks into the kitchen rubbing his eyes.

“Wondered where you’d gone” he says yawning.  “Would you pour me one of those?”  I refill the glass and pass it to him.  “Thanks.  Couldn’t you sleep?” he asks.

“No - I was really thirsty” I reply.  “Too much champagne I think!  How much did I have to drink last night?” I ask.  We had an impromptu party and invited Tony, Sharon, Tim, Gina, Mick and Sally round for a drink after the match to celebrate.  Everyone left their cars at home so they could have a drink and we all proceeded to get well and truly
hammered
.

“Dunno - I think you had about four or five glasses?” Adam says.

“I did have some with Sharon and Gina in the corporate bit during the match as well” I admit.

Adam rolls his eyes and laughs.  “Those two!  What are they like?” he says.  “I’ll have to have a word with their other halves!”

“Oh will you now?” I say smiling sleepily.

“Yes I will” Adam says firmly, trying to sound serious but a smile is playing round his lips.  “And I’ll say hey!  Get some control of your women will you and tell ‘em to stop leading my Gail astray!”

“There wasn’t any leading Adam - I was quite happy drinking the champagne!” I reply laughing as I turn and look at the champagne fridge.  “So was everyone else last night judging by that!” I say, pointing at the gaps on the shelves.  “Most of your lager got drunk as well,” I add, opening the fridge again and peering inside.

Adam shrugs.  “Oh well - I’ll get some more in the week” he says.  I then suddenly remember what was mentioned at the impromptu celebratory drinks party.  Adam had said that Terry was having a barbeque the following afternoon and that all the team would be attending. 

“Oh no!  We’ve got to go to that bloody barbeque at your manager’s house today haven’t we?” I say with a sigh.  “It seemed a marvellous idea last night when you were telling me about it.  Now it’s the very last thing I feel like doing!  I feel dreadful” I say, pulling a face.

“I know Gail, but we don’t have to stay long” Adam says, “I promise.  You’ll feel a lot better in a bit when you’ve had some more sleep.  Come on, let’s go back to bed and if you don’t feel like going later, then we won’t go.”  He reaches for my hand and leads me out of the kitchen and back upstairs. 

“I’m never drinking so much champagne again,” I say ruefully as we get back into bed.

“Oh give over Gail – if today – sorry yesterday - wasn’t worth celebrating then I don’t know what is” Adam says as he switches off his bedside light.

“Well, that’s true.  And the champagne was gorgeous.  I just wish I’d not had quite so much that’s all” I say as I snuggle down into bed.  “And now I need the toilet” I say with a sigh and get out of bed again.