‘Will it though?’ Ros was getting concerned. ‘I’m not great in photos at the best of times. Even Dad said my passport photo looked like a police mug shot.’
Cameron nodded. ‘I’ve got an idea.’ He passed Gazza’s lead to Ros and she wondered what he was doing. He manoeuvred her a little so the purple backdrop of the wisteria was in shot. ‘Ready?’
‘No, because I have no idea—’ She didn’t get to finish her sentence because Cameron lifted Gazza into her arms and the overexcited pup began trying to lick both their faces. Despite the unwelcome doggy kisses it did make Ros laugh and Cameron snapped away.
‘You had better have got a good one,’ she said, wiping her chin, but she wasn’t cross. She felt a bit giggly, which wasn’t like her.
‘Yeah I think I did,’ he said, scanning the reams of shots of her laughing.
Chapter Eighteen
Wednesday was Darla’s night off from the cocktail bar. It was a great opportunity to have a catch-up with Ros. She was itching to hear her side of the barbecue story.
Ros had already chilled the wine and they sat on the sofa and shared their updates. Ros went first and gave a detailed account of the event as only Ros could. Darla was surprised that Ros didn’t use the flip chart. ‘In conclusion I asked that in future he run things like that by me before taking action, and he brought me those flowers.’
Darla glanced at the beautiful bunch of blooms in a vase on the table. ‘Wow, they must have cost him a bit.’
Ros seemed to look at them afresh. ‘I suppose they must. They are lovely.’
‘I get where you’re coming from completely, but I’m more traditional and a little less militant than you so I actually think it was a nice thing that he did. Women like that would never listen even if you challenged them; they’d put that down to you overreacting but when someone else calls them out they might take notice.’
Ros gave her a knowing look. ‘They’ve left the break room every time I’ve gone in there this week. One of them even walked out with her half-eaten sandwich in her hand.’
‘You should speak to Human Resources.’
‘And say what? The mean girls are being mean again? We’re not in primary school. No, I’m going over their project with a fine-tooth comb and I’m hoping to find a number of areas for improvement.’
‘Be careful. Don’t give them any reason to get you into trouble.’ Darla sipped her wine. Ros was smart but she wasn’t that streetwise and whilst she did everything by the book, many people didn’t. Darla feared Ros could be outwitted by underhand tactics.
‘They won’t because I’m implementing a new policy. Cameron thinks things will improve if I make an effort to be more approachable and find common ground with others. I’m picking one person a day and I’m engaging them in superficial conversation whilst attempting to look friendly. I’m avoiding the mean girls but that still leaves plenty of people.’
‘Blimey, that is a big change. Well done you. You might even make some friends,’ said Darla.
‘It’s fine. I don’t want to be friends with these people. Talking of friends, have you lured Elliott yet?’
‘I’m not trying to lure him. I just think we got off on the wrong foot . . . a number of times. I want to show him that I’m capable.’
‘How’s that going?’ asked Ros with a hint of a smile.
‘Don’t you start. I’ve borrowed a few more books from the library on rearing livestock and keeping chickens. But oh my days they are the dullest books ever written.’ Darla flopped her head back on the sofa for emphasis. ‘I actually fell asleep reading one of them. I thought it would be helpful on two fronts. One, it would increase my knowledge so I’d look less of an amateur in front of Elliott, and two, it would stop me missing a television.’
‘Did it work?’
‘No! I need a television. I really do. I’ve spoken to every charity shop in the city and none of them take in electrical items. I think I might have to buy one.’
‘Don’t do that. You can take the one out of my spare bedroom.’
‘I couldn’t. Could I?’
‘My ex put it in there for reasons unknown but it never gets used. Apart from when you stay.’
‘You are a lifesaver. I cannot tell you how much I have missed it. At least now I know I could never be on Love Island. And before you say anything, yes, that would be the only thing stopping me from getting on that show.’
‘I’ll take it off the wall at some point and you can have it.’
‘Could we do that now? I know that sounds desperate but I am.’
Ros good-naturedly found a screwdriver and they headed to the bedroom. It was easy to get it off the wall but Ros couldn’t find the stand it would have come with, although Darla didn’t care. ‘I’ll find some way to prop it up,’ she said, placing it reverently by the door so she didn’t go without it.’
‘You’ll need to get a television licence,’ said Ros.
‘I’ll sort it out first thing tomorrow. I promise. It’ll be worth every penny. Thanks again. I really appreciate it.’
‘You’re welcome. Those holes in the walls will give me an incentive to get it redecorated,’ said Ros.
They topped up their drinks. ‘I didn’t see much of Elliott from the other side of that giant sofa last week, but I did see how you interacted with him. Are you moving on from The Wanker?’
‘I’m not after Elliott if that’s what you mean. He thinks I’m incompetent for a start. But I do think I’ve moved on from The Wanker in that I feel I could date someone if I wanted to. I probably won’t ever trust anyone enough to be in a relationship with them but that’s a different issue. I get men flirting with me in the bar all the time so I have the opportunity, but . . . I don’t know.’
‘Too much effort?’ asked Ros.
‘It’s more that I don’t want to take the risk.’
‘I can relate to that,’ said Ros.
‘Not in a risk-management way. But I couldn’t bear to get into a situation where it affects my parents again.’
‘But I thought they didn’t know about everything The Wanker did?’
