Jill had been single for almost a year. She was used to going places on her own. What she wasn’t necessarily used to was going somewhere that might very well be packed with women who liked women. Jill happened to like women, too. As well as men. Because she’d been with Rasmus for so long, most people who only knew her superficially usually assumed she was straight. She used to make a point of correcting them, but still, in many ways there was no such thing as being openly bisexual. And she hadn’t done any correcting in a while.
A bottle of nice Champagne in hand, she rang the bell of what looked like a very posh house in Potts Point. She knew all about Jessica Porter’s pedigree. Behind that door, she expected to see nothing but opulence—and lesbians.
Liz ushered her in. The first guest Jill recognized was Kristin. It was good to see a familiar face. Wait. Was that Caitlin James sitting between Kristin and Sheryl?
“Hey.” Jill hadn’t seen Hera walk up to her. She must have come from behind. “Don’t worry, Jill,” Hera’s voice was light, her tone naughty. “Everyone here knows you’re my shrink. This shouldn’t be awkward at all.” She slanted toward Jill, who had to take a split second to parse what was happening. Then they exchanged a quick kiss on the cheek. “Shall I introduce you?”
Just then, Josephine Greenwood walked out of the kitchen, carrying a tray of cheese. Jill felt that both Liz and Hera’d had ample opportunity to warn her that tonight would be celebrity-studded. Although perhaps, to them, Caitlin and Jo were just friends.
Hera introduced Jill to Caitlin and Jo. Jill already knew Jessica, Sheryl and Kristin. Then the bell rang and two more women arrived. Jill recognized the ginger-haired woman who ran Glow. Her partner was introduced to Jill as Martha, who was also a colleague of Sheryl’s at the university. Then Jill found herself surrounded by no less than five lesbian couples. Her mind was so busy trying to catch up, she hadn’t even noticed the art on the walls.
It took about half an hour for Jill to convince herself that this wasn’t all part of a set-up. That a twelfth guest wouldn’t soon arrive—a single woman like Jill. But no one else turned up. Which wasn’t that much of a surprise because Jill hadn’t spoken to any of these people about her sexuality. Or maybe lesbians made a similar but opposite assumption to heterosexuals. Maybe they presumed women were gay until proven otherwise. Jill shook the thought off as silly and tried to tune back into the conversation.
Still, it was difficult not to wonder why she was here tonight. Because of that, it was equally difficult not to feel a little out of place. And she was also a touch disappointed there weren’t any other single women present. But at least her mind was kept too busy to linger on Amelia.
She glanced at Hera, whose hand rested in Kat’s lap. Jill had witnessed Hera’s transformation from a grieving woman who clung to solitude as though it was a life raft, to this brand-new person who sparkled with vitality and enjoyed the company of others. Meeting Kat certainly had played a part in that. But Jill was proud of her own contribution—of the work she had done with Hera. There hadn’t been a quick fix—there never was. But look at her now. Hera was thriving.
“Have you taken Jill for a tour?” Jessica asked Liz.
“I’ve been a touch busy waiting on you, darling.” Liz shot Jessica a smile. “Jess has officially been in remission from breast cancer for two years.” She held up her Champagne flute. “So I told her I’d take care of everything tonight.”
“Nothing new there,” Caitlin said. “I’m sure you’ve noticed by now, Liz, but Jessica’s quite used to everything being taken care of for her.”
“You’re one to talk,” Josephine said.
“Darling, I’m a very busy woman.” She cast Josephine a loving glance.
“Caitlin only has a few more screen-worthy years left in her,” Sheryl said to Josephine. “It’s best to let her be busy and spoiled just a little while longer, before she has to shuffle off into anonymity.”
“Here’s to Jess.” Caitlin ignored everyone’s jibes and lifted her glass. “The best boss I’ve ever had. You’re sorely missed at the network.”
They all toasted to Jessica’s health, then Liz rose and invited Jill to follow her. She escorted her into the hallway and stopped in front of a painting Jill easily recognized as by Alyssa Myles, whose work she had seen on display at the gallery.
“It’s so wonderful,” Jill said. “That Jessica’s better now.”
“She’s not totally out of the woods, but yeah, it’s great news. Whenever she goes for a checkup, it’s so nerve-racking. We have a party afterward every time. Either to celebrate, which has been the case so far—” She rapped her knuckles against a sideboard that was home to about a dozen picture frames. “Knock on wood. Or, if the worst-case scenario ever came to pass, then to commiserate with our friends.”
Friends. Liz hit the nail right on the head. Jill was merely an acquaintance to these women. She didn’t even know Jessica had battled cancer.
“Can I ask you something?” Jill turned her body fully to Liz.
“Of course.” Liz took a sip from her glass.
“Clearly, you’re all quite close. I’m very grateful for the invitation, but ever since I arrived, I’ve been trying to figure out why I’m here.”
“Oh, I hope you’re not feeling like a fifth—or should I say eleventh wheel. That was never my intention. It was a spur-of-the-moment thing when I ran into you the other day, but only because Jess and I are very interested in getting to know you better and, well…” She narrowed her eyes. “Kat and I also have a bet to settle when it comes to you.”
“You do?” Jill was confused.
“Every few weeks, you come hang out with a bunch of lesbians at the gallery. Then, you suddenly started turning up at the Pink Bean, which isn’t a lesbian venue as such, but it is very gay. It made my gaydar ping. Jess says I’m reading too much into it. We’ve asked Hera, but she doesn’t know anything about your personal life.”
“Seriously?” Jill didn’t know whether to be flattered to have caught Liz’s attention or offended by her juvenile interest in her love life. “That’s why I’m here?”
“No—I mean, that’s not the main reason, of course.” The thing with Liz was that she could say anything in a way that would make you accept and, if necessary, forgive her on the spot. The woman oozed charisma—she was born to seduce. “Jess and I like you, Jill. You’ve supported us from the start. That means a great deal to us. Honestly.” She painted on that huge smile of hers. “But yes, I won’t lie—it’s not my style. I’m curious about you. Which doesn’t mean you have to tell us anything about yourself, of course.” She tilted her head. “I pride myself on how well I can read a person in a certain situation. I can probably figure it out for myself after tonight.”
If Liz hadn’t just toasted to her partner’s health, Jill could have easily mistaken this conversation for flirting.
“At least you weren’t taking pity on me,” Jill said.
“How so?” Liz sounded genuine enough.
“When I saw it was all couples plus me, for a minute, I thought you were setting me up on some sort of convoluted blind date.”
“Oh.” Liz’s eyebrows shot up. “I hadn’t really thought about that, to be honest, which doesn’t mean I can’t make something happen for you.” She waggled her eyebrows suggestively. “I have a lot of… connections.”
“Please don’t corrupt my therapist.” For a woman with such a stocky build, Hera had sure mastered the art of sneaking up on people. “Not that I would think less of you, Jill.” Hera shot her a crooked smile.
“You shouldn’t think anything of me at all,” Jill blurted out. “I mean, my personal life shouldn’t be of concern to any of my clients. Therapy’s all about you.” Jill could only conclude it was she who was nervous being around Hera in this particular situation. It was all well and good at a busy gallery with dozens of people milling around and chattering away. Tonight’s gathering was much more intimate, and it threw Jill a bit.
“Of course, your clients will wonder about you. That’s only natural.” Hera sounded a touch offended.
“It is, to a certain extent.”
“Maybe I should leave you ladies to it,” Liz said. “Sounds to me like you have some urgent therapist-client stuff to duke out. We’ll resume the tour later.” Liz regarded her intently for a moment—as though she was taking the measure of Jill. The night had most certainly taken a turn for the uncomfortable. Liz disappeared into the living room.
“Typical Liz,” Hera said. “Start something, then walk away.”
“Is it?” Jill catalogued it as a trait she should pay attention to in the future.
“Can we sit for a minute?” Hera pointed at two overstuffed armchairs lining the wall.
Jill wasn’t prepared for an impromptu therapy session, although she’d been working with Hera for so long, she didn’t need any preparation.
“I think the time has come for me to stop seeing you as my therapist. It just occurred to me, as we were all sitting together, that I would rather have you as my friend than my therapist. If that is at all possible. If it’s not a conflict of interest.”
Jill wasn’t expecting that. She took a drink so she could gather her thoughts. “I’m not in the habit of befriending former clients. It makes the relationship very lopsided. I know an awful lot about you, Hera. Every detail of which will remain confidential forever. But it doesn’t really make for an even starting point for any kind of relationship.” An image of Amelia slipped into Jill’s mind.
“But I like that you know these things about me. Even though you’ve always clearly stated that you and I aren’t friends, there have been times that I considered you my only friend in the world. Most certainly my only confidante. You have done so much for me, Jill. I may not know a whole lot about you, but I know instinctively that you are a good person with a big heart. That’s all I need to know, really.”
“Wow.” Jill couldn’t help but break into a wide smile. “Thanks, Hera.”
“I was such a mess when I first came to see you.”
Jill nodded, which made her feel like she was in session again.
“You weren’t the first psychiatrist I tried, but after our first session, I sort of knew you’d be the last. And I was right.” Hera grinned at her. Kat had managed to posh her up a touch, but she still clearly favored T-shirts over blouses, albeit less worn ones. “And let me tell you something in confidence.” She pointed her thumb at the living room door. “I might call that lot in there my friends these days, but they can still intimidate the hell out of me.”
“You seem pretty comfortable with them.”
“I am, but…” She cast a glance about the opposite wall. “I still don’t know the first thing about art and I’d honestly much rather watch the footy than The Caitlin James Show.” Hera chuckled. “I’ve had Jo’s album on repeat though. On a job, it’s really great for singing along to.”
“It’s wonderful to see you so happy, Hera.”
“It’s wonderful to feel this way. To be here. To have all this friendship and love in my life after Sam died. Remember when I came to you with all my doubts about Kat? Turns out taking that job at my nephew’s coffee shop was the best thing that ever happened to me.”
Warmth bloomed in Jill’s chest. “How’s Rocco?”
“Camp as ever.” She spread her fingers over her biceps. “Muscles this big.” She grinned. “But he’s doing absolutely fine.” She pursed her lips. “How about you come down to the Bondi Pink Bean one of these days? I’ll treat you to a fancy coffee. I even know how to make them these days.”
“I’d love to.”
“Phew.” Hera pretended to wipe sweat from her brow. “Knowing me so well, I was worried you’d be completely put off by the thought of being friends with me.”
“I’m here tonight, aren’t I?”
“Sure, but I’m under no illusion you’re here for me, Doc.” Hera slanted her torso closer to Jill. “Don’t tell me Liz and Jess are celebrating Jess’s remission anniversary by, um, opening up?”
“What do you mean?” Jill wasn’t quite following.
“Be warned, Doc. You hang out with this bunch for long enough and you will not believe some of the things you’ll find out.”
“Tell me.” If Hera was no longer going to be her client, Jill might as well find out some of the origins of the stories the other women had alluded to over the course of the evening.
Hera chuckled heartily. “It’s not my place, but you’re bound to find out soon enough.” That was Hera all right—never one to dish another person’s secrets. “How about we go back in before anyone gets any ideas in their head?” She winked. “About me needing an emergency therapy session tonight.”
Jill followed Hera back into the living room. She’d been right after all. Despite the lack of other singles, tonight might be just the thing to keep her mind off Amelia.