Warhol's Prophecy

18

‘WHAT THE HELL are you doing here?’ Rob stood motionless, staring at her.

‘That’s a nice greeting after I’ve come all this way,’ she said. ‘Aren’t you even going to ask me in?’

He exhaled and stepped aside, allowing her inside the room.

She was carrying a small overnight bag, which she dropped on the end of the bed beside his suit.

Rob slammed the door closed, and stood looking at her.

Navy blue trouser suit. Black ankle boots.

She ran a hand through her blonde hair.

‘What are you playing at, Sandy?’ he said. ‘Why are you here?’

‘It looks like you were expecting me,’ she said, smiling, nodding towards the towel around his hips.

He took a step towards her.

‘I’m serious,’ he snapped. ‘This isn’t a fucking game.’

‘What’s the problem, Rob?’

‘Number one, I’ve got a meeting with clients in less than an hour. Number two – you. You’re the problem.’

‘I had to come.’

‘Why, for Christ’s sake? It’s all over between us, you know that.’

‘We never talked about it – about us.’

‘There is no us. There never was, and there can’t be. I thought you understood that.’

‘Why not? That was one of the things we never discussed. It just finished between us, no explanations.’

‘My wife found out. What more fucking explanation do you need?’

‘I just wanted to talk to you. Perhaps you’re right, it’s over – but we’ve never had the chance to talk about our feelings.’

‘Jesus, I don’t believe you, Sandy. What do you think’s going to happen if Hailey finds out you’re here?’

‘She won’t.’

‘Just like she wasn’t ever going to find out we were having an affair in the first place?’

‘She wouldn’t have found out if you’d been more careful. If she hadn’t found that receipt from our trip to Leeds.’

‘So now you’re blaming me? You knew there was no future in it anyway.’

‘So you say.’

‘Yes, that’s what I say, because it’s true. Aren’t you listening to me? If she finds out you’re here she’ll throw me out, and I dread to think what she’ll do to you.’

‘I don’t want her to find out either. The last thing I want is some crazy, jealous wife on my doorstep. Look, Rob, I came here because I wanted to see you, to talk to you. I know it’ll probably be the last time we’ll be together. Just let me say goodbye, that’s all.’

‘I’ve got to go,’ he said, looking at his watch. ‘I’ve got to meet clients.’

‘So what do I do? Are you going to throw me out? I can’t get home now. The last return train went half an hour ago.’

He stood with his hands on his hips, his breath coming in short gasps.

‘How long will your meeting be?’ she wanted to know.

‘Fuck knows,’ he rasped. ‘I could be down there until the early hours of the bloody morning.’

‘I’ll wait up here for you.’

‘Sandy—’

‘Please, Rob, I only want to talk.’

He spun away from her.

‘Fuck it. Wait here, then. Watch the TV, order some room service, do what you want. We’ll talk when I get back.’

He began to dress.

‘You might as well have a bath,’ he told her. ‘There’s one waiting in there.’ He hooked a thumb in the direction of the bathroom.

She smiled as she saw him disappear into the bathroom. He emerged a moment later, hair combed, smelling of aftershave.

‘Don’t answer that phone if it rings,’ he said, jabbing a finger towards the bedside cabinet. ‘I’ll see you later.’

And he was gone.

Sandy Bennett’s smile widened and she began to unpack her overnight bag.