Page 15 of Skipping Stones
“I feel tired and grimy, but excited all at the same time!”
“Well, first things first then. Let’s get you back to Notting Hill. A hot shower and a nap will cure almost anything.
Linney had only been able to secure a few days off work and fortunately, Kirsten was happy to fill her days with sightseeing on her own. She gawked at the royal palaces, took in the parks and museums, and visited both St. Paul’s and Westminster cathedrals. She splurged on a matinee ticket to Les Misérables and rode the London Eye. On the weekend, Linney showed her the Portobello Road Market, sharing the secrets she’d learned to furnish her flat with vintage finds so close at hand.
Kirsten’s introduction to MJ took place at a favourite fish and chips shop. The petite Quebecer hugged her and then looked her up and down. “Wow, you have a great figure under there. But why do you hide it?” The stylish woman was genuinely confused.
Kirsten turned beet red and tugged at her oversized T-shirt. “I don’t—I mean, I’ve always—well, you know, guys–” She shrugged. “I just don’t like the attention,” she admitted.
“I can help you with that,” MJ said gently. “If you would like me to.”
The three women sat at their table and quickly ordered battered cod and thick-cut chips.
MJ’s a magician,” Linney added when the waitress disappeared. “You know how I look on air? And how I look better off air too than I used to?” She grinned, knowing that Kirsten had noticed the change in her wardrobe since she’d been in London. “That’s because MJ’s taught me how to dress properly.” Then she laughed. “Gran wasn’t a lot of help, and even though Anna and her sisters tried, I just don’t look like them.”
Kirsten smiled weakly, and Linney understood. Kirsten’s mother dressed like a stereotypical librarian, and what worked on willowy Anna wouldn’t suit Kirsten any better than it would suit Linney. She looked between the Londoners with a combination of fear and horror in her eyes. “You’re kind to offer,” she stammered. “But I don’t think so.” She lowered her eyes to her lap, willing the nervous flush in her cheeks to dissipate.
MJ looked quizzically at Linney, who shook her head almost imperceptibly. Kirsten wasn’t ready yet.
Their meal arrived and MJ acquiesced. “Okay, no problem. But if you change your mind, just ask.” She reached for the malt vinegar.
Kirsten shook her head emphatically and popped a hot chip in her mouth as if to put an end to the conversation. Linney worked hard to put the awkwardness behind them, and somehow, by the end of the meal, MJ had convinced Kirsten to at least get her hair cut.
Linney spent the next day toiling in the newsroom and when the women met up outside a Covent Garden pub for a before-dinner drink, she couldn’t believe her eyes. Kirsten had always been beautiful, but under MJ’s expert guidance, she’d been transformed.
Linney whistled. “You look amazing!” Her friend’s curly hair had been styled in a way that suited her round face and looked shinier and bouncier than usual. She was wearing makeup that accentuated her hazel eyes and made her look sophisticated. And while her clothes still hid her figure, Linney thought MJ was responsible for the colours that made Kirsten glow. Maybe there had been some shopping after all.
“You like it?” Kirsten’s voice was unsure, but the way she touched her hair showed Linney she was pleased.
“You look great! But how do you feel?”
“I love it,” Kirsten whispered, her eyes sparkling with delight. “I feel pretty.
“Now, let’s show London the new Kirsten.”
The three women found seats at the bar and were soon enjoying the attention of three handsome men. They sipped cocktails, flirting harmlessly. Taking their leave after an appropriate amount of time, the women headed to dinner, arm in arm.
“I’m embarrassed to admit how much I enjoyed that,” Linney said, helping herself to some calamari from the centre of the table.
MJ looked at her sharply. “I keep telling you, you can do better.”
“MJ,” Linney warned.
“What do you mean?” Kirsten asked. She hadn’t met Mac yet, despite being in London for close to a week.
“Let’s just say Mac is not always the kindest,” said MJ. “And he?—”
“Enough, MJ.” Linney snapped.
“Okay, okay.” MJ knew when to change the subject, and turned the conversation deftly to elicit stories of Silver Lake.
The next night, Mac joined Linney and Kirsten for dinner. To try and avoid criticism, Linney wore his favourite silky shirt with sleeves that fluttered in the breeze and black capri pants with heeled sandals that made her legs seem to go on for miles.
“Mac! Over here.” Linney waved when she saw him and he joined the women, kissing her almost proprietarily, which didn’t sit well with Kirsten. She immediately knew what MJ had meant.
She didn’t warm up to Mac over their main course. Despite his sexy Scottish brogue, he was dismissive and condescending. He drank a lot, and she bristled when he spoke to her. After his initial greeting, he treated her like he thought her intelligence was diminished by her small-town address and less than fashionable clothes.
“You never left,” he stated suddenly as they finished their main course, his words starting to slur. “Why?”