Phyllie tut-tutted. ‘Don’t be nasty. You should never make assumptions about another person’s life. You have no idea what they might be going through. Hannah did mention to me that Damien had been a bit down lately, so it might be something to do with that.’
Nat would be down herself if she had to put up with Hannah any more than she currently did. Perhaps Damien had finally realised just what a pain her sister was.
Nat hurried out the front door and up Phyllie’s path. She’d planned to catch the train into Richmond so she didn’t need to worry about how much she drank.
A low wolf whistle stopped her in her tracks. She glanced up to see Leon grinning appreciatively at her.
‘Sorry, couldn’t help myself. You look fantastic. I assume you’ll be dropping in for unsolicited advice and that glass of wine I promised?’
Nat laughed. ‘Not today. I’m meeting a friend in Richmond. Just hurrying to get the train.’
Leon took his car keys from his pocket. ‘Let me drop you at the station. It’ll save you a ten-minute walk.’
‘That would be great, thank you.’ She followed him to a newish-looking Mazda 3 parked outside his house and climbed into the passenger seat. The car was clean and neat on the inside, not like her old bomb.
‘He’s a lucky guy, whoever you’re dressing up for.’ Leon gave her a sideways glance as he started the car. ‘He’ll probably fall off his chair when you walk in. He should anyway. Actually, if he doesn’t, you let me know and I’ll have a word with him.’
Nat laughed, her confidence growing with every word he said. ‘That’s very flattering, but Eliza probably won’t be looking at me that way.’
He raised an eyebrow. ‘More fool her then.’
They both laughed as Leon continued towards the station. It was only a couple of minutes’ drive and they arrived far too quickly.
‘If you need a lift home later just let me know,’ he said, writing his number on a piece of paper. ‘I have a hot date with Rainbow later on, but she’ll forgive me if I cancel.’
Nat took the paper, opened the car door and stepped out. ‘I wouldn’t want to be the woman that comes between you and Rainbow.’ She grinned. ‘Particularly not between you and those horns she wears so well. Thanks for the lift, I really appreciate it.’
Leon returned her smile and she headed towards the station entrance. As she turned to walk up to the city-bound platform, she was conscious that his car hadn’t moved. She stole a glance in his direction, her heart racing as he raised a hand and waved.
Nat’s cheeks ached as a smile played on her lips from Blackburn to Richmond. Leon was a nice guy. There was definitely a spark between them. Not one, according to Phyllie, she would be allowed to do anything about though, but it was still lovely to feel desired and have a man like Leon flirting with her.
She was looking forward to meeting Eliza. A celebration seemed in order. Things in her life were improving. Her first week at Endeavour Trust had gone well, and she already felt part of the team. She was also on a weekly pay schedule and almost couldn’t believe it when she’d checked her account balance that morning and there was actually money in it. She immediately transferred half of it on to the credit card, leaving her the rest to live on for the next week. She didn’t have huge expenses but was still running a car and contributing to the food at Phyllie’s. It left her enough to be able to go out for an afternoon without worrying.
She entered the bright foyer of The Winery, natural light pouring in through the floor-to-ceiling windows and large skylights. Her stomach suddenly fluttered. This was like a blind date. Except she did know the person on some level, and it was a woman, so definitely not a date.
She told the maître d’ that she was joining Eliza Strawn and was quickly shown through to a table at the back of the restaurant. A woman, who she assumed must be Eliza, was laughing at something the blond-haired man with her had just said. She looked up, her smile reaching her eyes as she saw Nat. She leaped to her feet and threw her arms around her.
Nat laughed. Eliza was nothing like she’d imagined. It was ridiculous really, but from the conversations they’d had, she had a picture in her head of Eliza being a biggish woman with brown hair. She thought she’d have a friendly face and be one of those mumsy types that people gravitated towards. She wasn’t expecting the petite, dark-haired woman who greeted her. Her make-up highlighted her blue eyes and high cheekbones. With Eliza wearing a tight black sheath dress, Nat felt underdressed in comparison.
‘I’m so glad you came,’ Eliza gushed. ‘I was telling Jacob all about you and Suze and how we met in the most unusual of ways.’ She elbowed Jacob. ‘And he said you were probably some internet predator misrepresenting yourself and that you either wouldn’t turn up today or you would – with some wonderful excuse for why you were a man and not a woman.’
Nat laughed and looked at Jacob. ‘You must have been on the phone with my grandmother earlier. We had a very similar conversation before I left the house.’
Jacob held out his hand and shook Nat’s. ‘A pleasure to meet you, Lia, and I’m glad for both your sakes that you appear to be who you’ve presented yourselves as.’
‘You’re exactly like I imagined,’ Eliza said as they sat down. ‘Except you’re taller than I thought and much thinner. Not that I thought you’d be fat, but I didn’t picture you looking so athletic. I’d kill for your figure.’
‘Really? I’d kill for yours!’
‘And I’d kill for another glass of wine,’ Jacob said. ‘Shall I order a bottle?’
Eliza looked to Nat. ‘Do you mind if Jacob stays for one more drink? He can get us a nice bottle, and after he’s had one glass, he can leave us to get to know each other.’
Jacob stood. ‘I’ll go to the bar and order a bottle and settle the bill at the same time. I did say today was my shout.’
Eliza waited until her brother had moved out of hearing before turning conspiratorially towards Nat. ‘I think he wants to make one hundred percent sure that you’re not here to murder me. We’ll get rid of him after that one glass.’
Nat laughed. ‘Fine by me. I’m not a killer, by the way. God, I find it hard even to kill a spider.’
‘It’s so good to meet you. I’ve so loved getting to know you and Suze through our little group. I wonder how Suze is going? She was planning on telling her husband the truth today, wasn’t she?’
‘That’s right, she was – poor thing. As much as I know she did it to support him, I’m not sure he’ll see it quite like that.’
The waiter arrived with a 2015 bottle of Penfolds St Henri Shiraz. He held it out towards Eliza. ‘Your companion asked me to bring this to the table. Would you like to taste it or are you happy if I pour?’
Eliza looked to Nat. ‘Are you happy with red or would you prefer white?’
‘Red’s good with me. With this fire going it’s perfect, in fact. I couldn’t get over how cold it is outside.’
‘Just pour please,’ Eliza instructed the waiter.
They waited as he filled three large balloon glasses to the halfway mark, left the bottle on the table and retreated to the bar.