The Modeliser Read Online Free Page A

their open plan kitchen. “Shall I make you a coffee?” Now
Talia was worried, it was almost unheard of for Nina to offer to do anything to
help anyone.
    “Sure,” she murmured, even as Nina was already flicking the
kettle on and casting around for a mug, looking like a stranger adrift in her
own kitchen. Talia watched her with distracted confusion, it wasn’t that she
didn’t care about Nina’s dramas, but she really didn’t want to miss her next
train. Nina handed her a cup of comically white coffee and Talia sipped it
warily, aware that her roommate watched her with what could only be described
as a beatific smile on her face.
    “So I have some news,” Nina smiled and suddenly Talia knew.
She’d had enough of these conversations, after all. Like bottles falling off
the wall, so too all the women of a certain age of her acquaintance were being
picked of.
    “Javier and I, we’re getting married.” The last words came
out of Nina’s mouth in a squeal of drama and excitement and even though a wash
of dismay filled her, Talia took her cue.
    “Congratulations! Honey, congratulations.” She rushed around
the kitchen table to press a hug on Nina. “Wow, that’s amazing.”
    “Isn’t it,” Nina murmured wrapped in a cocoon of happiness.
Now Nina held her hand with a nod of understanding in her eyes and Talia knew
what was coming, what always followed. Dammit, she’d actually believed all of
Nina’s - “I’m supposed to be single, I can’t do monogamy” - rubbish.          
    “The thing is Tal, you know how much I love living with you
it’s just that Javier and I, we’ve decided to move to Cuba.” For a moment Talia
felt a surge of hope, perhaps she might stay in the flat and wouldn’t once
again, for the fourth time in as many years, be required to pack her bags. “So
I’ve decided to sell the flat.” The bubble of hope deflated quickly and Talia
nodded what she hoped was a supportive nod. “I know you’ll find somewhere
that’s just perfect for you.” Now Nina looked down, her long lashes resting on
her cheekbones. “You’re not cross with me are you?”
    She’s playing me, Talia thought with a flash of irritation.
She’d seen Nina use that same look many times with men.   “Don’t be silly. I’m just so happy for
you.” At this her roommate breathed a sigh of relief.
    “Great.” Then she looked seriously again at Talia. Now she
wore her sincere expression, the one she used when talking about designer
shoes. “Honey, I know you don’t like to talk about these things, but you’ll
find your own prince… How’s Steven?” Talia’s smile had started to feel strained
and at this mention of Steven whom she’d disastrously dated for 5 long months
after meeting him on kismetheartz.com, Talia felt the start of a headache. She
hated when her newly engaged friends started to hand out relationship advice,
like newly converted Christians determined to bring everyone else into the
fold.
    “Thanks hon,” Talia murmured with false sincerity and her
eyes darted again to her watch. “Listen I’ve got to run to catch the train. But
cocktails later to celebrate?”
    “Yay,” Nina smiled. “Isn’t it your big appraisal today?”
Talia started in surprise, Nina really was making an effort, she was rarely
interested in anything that wasn’t about her.
    “Yes, gotta run.” As she moved quickly towards the front
door, her hardly worn Mary Jane shoes clicking on the wood floors, Talia fought
to get her mind back on work and away from Nina’s bombshell.
    “Good luck,” she heard Nina call out as she slammed the front
door shut.
     
    By
the time she sat down in the carriage having just, by the skin of her teeth,
caught the train, Talia had already started to get her perspective back. Good
for Nina. Who knew that the high priestess of sex, booze and food could fall in
love? Get married no less. She squashed down the uncharitable thought that
she’d had tubes of toothpaste for