that James Franco way), he’s got to be twenty years old. A damn baby.
“Again, you don’t need to remind me,” I tell Liz, and then give the waiter an apologetic look. “You’ll have to ignore my friend,” I tell him.
His smile widens. “I would have never guessed that you’re forty.” He pauses. “Are you sure you’re fine with sparkling water?”
“She’s fine, now stop flirting with a customer and get on with it,” Helen says, flapping her hands at him to go, her bracelets clinking.
The waiter doesn’t seem to take any offense. I think he deals with a lot of women here, hence the permanent cocky expression on his face.
Nothing turns me off more than outright arrogance. Stewart had enough of that in spades.
“Thalia,” Kazzy whines, pouting over her purple gin concoction, “you need to let loose and have fun tonight. For a million different reasons.”
“No,” Helen says firmly. “The last thing Thalia needs is to wake up feeling like a complete arse when she’s forty and one day.”
“I guess you’re no fun then,” Kazzy says.
I shrug. “Helen has a point. I told myself that when I turned forty I would turn over a new leaf since the old leaf didn’t work so well. I’m going to try and be respectable.” Liz snorts into her drink. “Besides, I have some champagne back at the flat. I was saving it, but…”
“Saving it for what? What could be better than your birthday?” Kazzy asks.
I don’t say anything and rub my lips together, wondering if I need to reapply another coat of lipstick. I chose bright magenta, which isn’t like my usual brown and nudes. Another “turning forty” thing and all that, though I still feel twenty-nine in my head.
“She doesn’t want to jinx it,” Helen finally explains.
“Jinx what?” says Liz.
“I have an interview tomorrow,” I tell them, keeping my voice low and looking around. Even though the restaurant is fairly loud on this Friday night, I don’t want the wrong people to hear.
“For a job?” Kazzy asks.
I give her a tepid look. “Yes, for a job. I’ve been out of work for four months, Kazzy. I need a job. And I’ve been applying to teams this whole time. Apparently, being only one of two female sports therapists in the entire European league isn’t the greatest selling point, no matter my credentials.”
“So who is the interview for?” Liz asks. “What team? Arsenal? Chelsea? Manchester City?”
“Well, technically it’s the third interview. I’ve already done two over the phone, one with the general manager, one with the manager. Tomorrow the manager, you know, the coach, is coming out to meet with me. Honestly, I’m shocked I got this far.”
“Stop selling yourself short,” Helen chides me.
“What team?” Liz repeats.
Even thinking of the name makes my mouth twist into a smile. “Real Madrid.”
Liz blinks at me while Kazzy exclaims, “You’re moving to Madrid!?”
“Shhh. And no, well, maybe. Who knows. If I get the job, then yes.”
“Real Madrid? Are you serious? This is a huge deal!” Liz says. Then her eyes narrow. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
“Because I don’t want to jinx it,” I explain truthfully. “Because it is a huge deal.”
“Huge,” Helen repeats. “Another reason to take it easy tonight. You don’t want to show up for your interview all hung over, especially since he’s come all this bloody way to see you.”
“Gee, no pressure,” I tell her dryly.
She shrugs. “Someone has to watch out for you.”
Sometimes I get annoyed at the way Helen bosses me around, but most of the time I’m grateful. I’ve been a complete hot mess these last six months and she’s been there every step of the way to hold my hand and keep me in line. I have to say, the only reason I’m a bit hesitant about working for Real Madrid — if it happens — is not having her so close. I didn’t realize how alone I would feel, how much I relied on my friends, until my marriage collapsed.
“This is just so bloody exciting,” Kazzy says, clapping her hands together. “I’m going to have to visit you every weekend, you know that. Oh, I hope your flat has an extra bedroom but you know I can make do on the floor.” Kazzy is the youngest of our crew at thirty-two. She’s happily married and the mother to toddler twins, and yet she still manages to live life her way. It helps that her husband works from home and is a total doll.