The Spa Day by Nicola Yeager Read Free Book Online Page B

basically. We didn’t used to do
very much. A couple of decorations, exchange presents, watch a few DVDs. The TV
can’t compete with DVDs now, can it? Rhoda didn’t like the false jollity, I
don’t think. Buying more of what you usually bought just because the shops want
you to. She hated the TV ads for Boots and Superdrug particularly. John Lewis
and Argos ads made her homicidal.’
    ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to keep bringing it up. I’m not
being nosy or anything.’
    ‘I know.’
    He rubs oil into both of my thighs and massages each of them
with his fingers before setting the bamboos on them. It feels like he’s
separating the muscles from the bone underneath. I think of ordering chicken
off the bone in an Indian restaurant. I stifle a scream.
    ‘I think the only regret I have about her is that we didn’t
spend more time together. We were both busy with our own things a lot of the
time. Me with my massage courses…’
    ‘Yeah.’ I’m now thinking about ordering an Indian takeaway.
    ‘It’s what happens. You can’t go back and change it.’
    He shrugs. I start thinking about Clive and me. What if
something happened to me or him? Could we have spent more time together? Well,
obviously. He spends most of his time thousands of miles away. As James works
on my feet (getting a tiny bit ticklish now!) I think of Caroline again and get
uneasy.
    If James could find it within himself to be unfaithful to me
when we were both in the same country, what could be happening when he’s living
on the other side of the globe? A chill passes through me. What happens when he
and his mates go out on the town? What are the girls like who work in his
company over there? What are any of the expat females over there like? It
doesn’t bear thinking about. I must shut it out. Thinking like that is
destructive and silly.
    But I can’t stop it. It’s like I’m a cut-price version of
Kate Middleton, waiting for Prince William to sew his wild oats, while she
lived like a nun, existing in suspended animation until the day came when he
was ready to commit. Waity Katie, they used to call
her. That would make me Waity Holly, which doesn’t
quite have the same ring to it. Doesn’t rhyme, for one thing.
    ‘Are you OK?’ James has finished and he’s clearing things up.
    ‘Yeah. Yes. Just thinking about something.’
    ‘Last session tomorrow. Hopefully we’ll finish off those
small knots in your shoulders and you’ll be able to play the violin again. Just
lie down and recover for a few minutes, then get changed. Don’t do any swimming
for a few hours. Actually, I’d suggest you have a sauna, if you feel in the
mood. See you soon. Remember to drink plenty of water.’
    ‘OK. Yeah. ‘Bye.’
    The door closes and I’m on my own again. I hope I haven’t
upset him. I wonder if I should have a naan with that
Indian takeaway.

 
    Four

 
    After I’ve had a shower and got dressed, I take a cautious
peek into the reception area and there’s no sign of Rebecca. This is good, as
I’m really not in the mood to be on the receiving end of her lifestyle choices
at the moment. I take James’ advice and head to the spa area, get changed into
my swimsuit and pop into the sauna.
    While I’m having my face burned off (though not as badly as
in the steam room!), I listen to the chat of two women who look like they’ve
already been in here for an hour or so. They seem to be friends and they’re
discussing what they’ll be getting when their respective divorces come through.
The little blonde one with the slight squint will be getting the house but not
the car, which she didn’t realise was a company car (dumb bitch!). The very
overweight one with spiky hair and badly-applied lipstick will be cleaning her
husband out entirely. House, car, money, everything. Neither of them mentioned
children, I notice.
    Is this what it was all about in the first place, I wonder?
Right from the very beginning? Wasn’t there a time when they went