The Guilt Trip(79)
“Ah,” says the DJ. “Here she is.”
Will accompanies her to the middle of the dance floor, keeping her close to him. Rachel knows him well enough to see that he’s concerned about what’s just gone on, but Ali’s attempting to make light of it by forcing a smile.
“So, here we have it,” says the DJ, in broken English, blissfully unaware of the edginess that’s crept into the proceedings. “A surprise for you, Ali.”
The big TV behind him comes to life and David Friedman is on the screen, sitting in a monochrome-designed room, wearing his trademark jeans and white T-shirt.
“Ali,” he says into the camera, as everyone gasps and turns to look at her. It seems that Rachel isn’t the only one who thought the David Friedman story was just another far-fetched fantasy that Ali had concocted as truth. She can’t help but wish that it was.
David flashes a megawatt smile. “I just wanted to send you a message to say that I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there. I know you’ll have a fantastic time and I wish you and Will many congratulations as you embark on this new and exciting chapter of your lives. Will, you’re a lucky devil and you better treat her right, otherwise you’ll have me to answer to.”
Will smiles and pulls Ali in even closer.
“You think you’re coming back to work next week,” David goes on. “But as much as I need you here, I’m going to have to muddle through without you, because you’re going to Barbados!”
Ali cups her hands to her mouth in shock. “What?” she says, looking at Will with tears in her eyes.
Will nods. “We’re staying at his place for a week,” he says, as everyone cheers and claps.
“Oh my God,” says Ali, disbelievingly.
Rachel’s stomach turns over as reality hits home. The knowledge that Ali had told the truth about knowing David, even playing down how closely she clearly works with him, goes against every natural instinct in her body. This isn’t supposed to happen. This isn’t who Ali is. She’s a liar and a fantasist—who tells untruths as easily as reciting the alphabet.
Despite the oppressive heat in the restaurant, Rachel’s blood feels icy cold, her fingers and toes numb. She wiggles them just to check that they’re still functioning, so disconnected does she feel to her body. Her brain wants to fast-track forward, desperate to join up the dots, but she refuses to allow it because she doesn’t want to see the picture it will draw.
“Wow, how cool is that?” coos Chrissy beside her.
Rachel smiles tightly as she looks around for Jack. She’s not surprised to see him at the bar, in an animated discussion with Paige. As she walks toward them, her legs not feeling like her own, she wonders if their conversation will change between now and when she’s standing there beside them. By rights it shouldn’t, but Paige abruptly stops talking when she approaches.
“Jack, can I talk to you for a second?” Rachel asks.
“Yes,” he says, without moving.
Rachel looks from him to Paige. She doesn’t suppose there’s anything she can’t say in front of her, especially now that she’s so deeply immersed in whatever the hell is going on.
“I know where Ali was for those lost two years,” she says, desperately trying to keep her voice from wavering. “The period she assigned to a fictitious company on her résumé.”
Paige tuts. “She just can’t help herself, can she?”
Jack raises his eyebrows, silently asking her to elaborate.
“She was caring for her mother,” says Rachel. “After her accident.”
Jack looks like it doesn’t make any difference to him, but to Rachel, it’s a whole world’s worth.
“Do you think it matters?” he asks, bluntly.
“Yes and no,” says Rachel, failing to understand why Jack’s being so belligerent, with her of all people.
“She lied in order to get a job, and that, in my book, is enough.”
“But you can understand why she felt the need to do it,” says Rachel.
“All she had to do was be honest,” says Jack.
“But you would never have employed her if she had been,” says Rachel. “You’ve admitted to me that you’ve avoided taking on women of a certain age, or those you suspect will be looking to have a baby in a couple of years. If you knew, for just a second, that Ali had a responsibility to care for her mum, you wouldn’t have given her the time of day.”
“Why are you even trying to stick up for her, when she’s done what she’s done?” asks Paige.
“I’m not sticking up for her,” says Rachel. “I’m just trying to understand what’s happening here.”
“I’ll tell you what’s happening,” says Jack. “That bitch over there has been harassing me for nigh on three years, and when she gets called out on it, she claims that I’m having an affair with my wife’s best friend.”
“Is that how long it’s been going on?” asks Rachel, looking from Jack to Paige.
“What?” says Jack irritably.
“The supposed affair between you.” She leaves it hanging there, not knowing what she wants either of them to do with the insinuation.
“We are not having an affair,” barks Jack, looking at Paige.