“The Great British
Ironing Circle... It's on the BBC... I don't know, six o'clock? I
watch it on my tablet on the commute home. I have to sit in the
spoiler carriage on the train so I don't ruin the ending for anyone
who hasn't seen it...
...but that's what I've
been saying. Everybody has an ironing tutor. It's the in thing.”
A repetitive beeping sound
heralds the departure of the elevator. The bulky, dented silver doors slide shut slowly, as if mired in discarded chewing gum, gradually
screening off the small ticket hall of Gloucester Road underground
station.
“Look, I've got to go
mummy.”
Jessica ends the call.
Some of the other passengers in the lift look down at their feet
attempting to stifle their laughter.
~
The alfresco dining area
outside Sheridan's.
Daisy takes a sip of
Shiraz and then keeps the wine glass up by her mouth. with the rim
resting on her curled-over bottom lip and the blackcurrant-coloured
contents lapping at the curved interior.
The three-way conversation
is like parallel railway tracks that occasionally criss-cross.
Clarrissa - “Mmmm,
I'm getting really good at that rectangular pleat you get in the back
of men's shirts.”
Jessica - “I mean
I like Carlos, but I'm effectively paying him £30 an hour for me to
iron his clothes. I'm starting to see the same pairs of pants.”
Daisy - “Is it
really necessary iron pants?”
Clarissa - “You
know what, darling: Have you shagged him yet? Grind a few
buttock-shaped dents into those bed sheets of yours. Give yourself
something challenging to iron.”
Jessica - “No, I
forget to tell you, I'm back with Anthony and we're both trying to be
good this time.”
Daisy - “No gak
binges?”
Jessica - “We both still do coke. We do it as a couple on Sundays after we've
visited one set of parents. So it's like our reward...”
Jessica - “...You
know, I do like it when Carlos stands behind me with his head over my
shoulder and guides my hands.”
Smirks all round. And
Daisy finally puts down her wineglass and checks something in her
handbag.
Clarrissa – “I
think you might found my happy place for later, you know when John
is flopping about on top of me...”
