Jade bites her lip, and I arch an eyebrow. ‘Was that a backhanded compliment?’
‘No,’ she says, studiously avoiding my eyes while peering at the paper in her typewriter. ‘Just a fact. Now can you get off my desk? I have to write this article.’
‘I will if you agree to meet me after work and go to a movie.’
Her mouth hangs ajar. ‘You’re asking me to the movies?’
I shrug. ‘Sure, that’s what people do in the ’80s. Movies and popcorn. Old-fashioned fun.’
‘Shhh, someone might hear.’
I pop my gum and glance around, but no one is looking, and Ash has disappeared into the editor’s office.
‘I don’t particularly want to be seen in public looking like this.’ Jade sighs and tugs on her mop.
‘It’ll be dark in the theatre. But we’ll have to sit at the back because of your...’ I raise my hand some distance above my head to indicate her hair height, and Jade’s nostrils flare in annoyance. I blow a bubble at her and pop it insolently with my finger. I can’t help it. She brings out my annoying side, but oh, it’s so much fun riling her up.
‘Fine,’ she grumbles. ‘But I should let Rach know as she’ll be cooking something.’
‘Cool. Just ring her.’
‘How? I don’t have a mobile.’
‘You can ring her at work. From your landline.’ I point to the beige push-button phone sitting on the side of her desk.
Jade eyes it suspiciously. ‘Does it work?’
I kick my foot some more, enjoying the heavy weight on the end of it. These skates are giving my calves a great workout. ‘Yep, should do.’
She picks up the receiver and places it gingerly to her ear. ‘God, this is archaic.’
‘Her work number is...’ I rattle it off.
‘Hang on, say that again.’
I repeat it slowly while Jade punches in the numbers. ‘It’s ringing!’ she says excitedly, and I smile to myself. Of course it is. British Telecom isn’t shabby.
Jade perks up. ‘Hi, Rach. It’s Jade.’
She listens, then says, ‘Um, just letting you know I won’t be home for dinner. I’m going to a movie after work.’
There’s excited chatter from the other end of the line, and Jade looks at me. Her lips twitch.
‘Yes, with a guy.’
More excited chatter ensues.
‘No, he’s not a journo. He’s the courier.’
Jade’s cheeks pinken.
‘No, not really. Well, I guess he is. In a certain light.’
I tilt my head and flutter my eyelashes, and Jade huffs a laugh. I flex my buttocks on the desk, and she looks horrified.
‘Quit it!’ she hisses. ‘No, not you,’ she says into the receiver. ‘There’s an annoying fly.’ She pokes at my arse with the sharp end of a pencil.
‘Ow!’ I mouth.