The Perfect Girlfriend(30)

I zone out.

The reason I know Nate loves me is because he told me so.

When I told him I loved him, he replied, ‘Yeah, me too.’ He’d have just kept quiet otherwise.

Admittedly, he was reluctant – initially – about me moving in so soon after we’d got together. But I pointed out that, although it was a bit of a whirlwind romance, perhaps it was meant to be.

The place I was renting was being sold. That was true, even though the landlord said I could have potentially stayed on for another three months. But there really didn’t seem to be any point in me finding someplace else to live. It was a tiny white lie for our mutual benefit.

I had briefly considered joining the airline then, but I wanted to be the perfect girlfriend. To be there for Nate, when he returned home from trips.

Just the two of us.

The words that lodge in my mind upon setting eyes on the palace are green and gold. I gaze at the dazzling buildings, layered roofs and manicured gardens.

It is hot. According to the guide, it is nearly rainy season, and I’m wearing long sleeves to respect the dress code of the sacred site.

‘So romantic, don’t you think?’ I say to the others.

They nod, but don’t reply as they are all, unfortunately, the type of people who are genuinely interested in buildings. They listen to our guide as we are herded around. Sweat snakes my spine. The thing is, to my mind, you can enjoy things quickly. You don’t have to walk around at a snail’s pace just to imprint places on your memory. That’s what cameras are for.

On and on, we walk and listen. At the Emerald Buddha Temple, we ooh and aah over a jade Buddha whose gold outfit is apparently changed at the beginning of each new season by the King.

Finally, we are whisked off to a busy local restaurant for lunch. Thank God it has air conditioning. I can’t take an afternoon of this. All I want is for Katie to mention Nate, then I will make an excuse and return to the sanctuary of the hotel. I plonk myself on a seat next to her. And copy her order: a Diet Coke and a Pad Thai.

‘So, what did you think of the palace?’ I say.

‘It’s so . . . incredible,’ says Nancy.

‘Amazing,’ says Katie, taking a sip of her Coke.

Ajay just nods; he is still browsing through a guidebook.

‘Like I said earlier, I think there’s something really romantic about the place,’ I say.

Katie doesn’t bite. I’m going to have to be less subtle.

Our food arrives, steam rising. I wish I’d ordered something cold, I can’t face it. I pick up my chopsticks and grab a small prawn. I nibble. The aroma of lemongrass turns my stomach. It was the dominant smell permeating the kitchen on the terrible night Nate broke up with me.

‘So . . .’ I say, turning to Katie. ‘Nancy says you live in the same village. Whereabouts is that?’

‘Just outside Peterborough,’ she says, naming a place I’ve never heard of.

‘Oh, so quite a drive, then?’ I tilt my head to one side and look interested.

‘Yeah. But I quite enjoy it. I listen to music or audiobooks. It helps me wind down after a long night.’

I haven’t seen any evidence of her staying over at Nate’s. And as far as I know, he hasn’t been up to her place. Nate doesn’t like to go far on his days off. Perhaps Nancy got it wrong or was exaggerating. Katie hasn’t said ‘Nate this’ or ‘Nate that’ even once. It could have been a short-lived affair, already blown over.

I pick at some noodles.

Katie yawns, quickly covering her mouth.

‘The afternoon sounds really exciting,’ says Ajay. ‘The guidebook says we’re in for a real treat—’

‘Well, it would, wouldn’t it?’ I can’t help saying.

All three look at me.

My mouth is burning as a chilli takes effect, biting my throat and warming my face. ‘I’m sorry. I think I’m templed out. I’m going to get a cab back to the hotel. Are you all meeting up for drinks and dinner tonight?’

‘Stay,’ says Nancy. ‘You’ll regret it, if you don’t.’

‘Actually, I agree with Juliette,’ says Katie. ‘I’ll need a doze this afternoon if I’m going to last the evening.’

I warm to her.

We leave Nancy and Ajay behind, and the guide organizes us a taxi. We offer her a large tip, as she appears upset at our desire to leave the tour early.

The drive back is quicker and our driver is chatty, wanting to talk about English football. Katie seems knowledgeable, so I let her get on with it. Maybe she’ll be a bit more revealing after a few drinks tonight, even though I suspect Nate has tired of her quite quickly.

It is noon back home but sundowners time in Bangkok, when I, along with several others from the crew – including Kevin from first class and Katie – gather at a rooftop bar. Nancy is too tired to join us. Lights illuminate the nearby skyscrapers.

I sip a local beer from a tall glass. It cools my throat as the heat and humidity gently suffocate me.

‘Shall we head for a club?’ suggests someone.

I wait to see what Katie’s reaction is.

‘Sounds good,’ she says.

‘Great,’ I join in.

Katie turns to me. ‘Don’t you want to change first?’

I glance down at my black jeans. ‘Why?’