‘I own the place so .?.?. whatever.’
That nonchalance again. It struck Cassie that Ramona must either have one hell of an income or come from a background where money wasn’t an issue. A fizz of excitement started in her tummy – this might actually, unbelievably, be possible after all.
‘Five hundred?’ Ramona threw out airily, as though she were starting an auction at Sotheby’s.
‘A week?’
Ramona looked at her and snorted with laughter. ‘Jeez. I’m not that much of a witch. A month, obvs!’
What?? Five hundred a month was nothing. She could easily afford that. Cassie found herself involuntarily leaping up from her chair and hugging Ramona.
‘Oh my God, yes. Yes, thank you. That’d be .?.?. amazing.’
‘So, we’ve a deal. First of every month, and don’t bring anyone back unless I’ve vetted them first.’ Another throaty laugh.
‘Deal.’
‘I’ll be away until the weekend, so make yourself at home. I don’t actually cook but someone told me there’s pots somewhere – oh, and help yourself to the OJ and vodka .?.?. See you then.’
Cassie looked at Louise and only then did it dawn on them both that Ramona was on her way out. This was a girl who clearly didn’t sit around watching life happen second-hand.
Five minutes later they were walking down the path towards the car park. Cassie was feeling buffeted by conflicting feelings.
‘I never dreamed I could get something like that, Louise. I can’t thank you enough for introducing me.’
‘Well, one thing I can promise you is that you won’t be bored.’
‘I’ve just realised I never asked her anything about herself. I didn’t feel like I could, what does she do? She only looks about thirty, if that, how does she own that place? I mean .?.?. what is she?’
‘I don’t know, exactly. My sister Trish is in events management and knows her as a burlesque dancer. Apparently, she’s pretty celebrated in those circles. But she’s some sort of TikTok influencer as well.’
‘None of that sounds like it’d buy you a sniff of that apartment. As my ma would say, maybe she comes from a long line of bling-bling.’
‘Maybe she does. I wouldn’t be surprised. Don’t super-rich people kind of feel like they can make their own rules?’
‘I wouldn’t know,’ said Cassie.
‘Neither would I.’
They both laughed, a companionable, relieved laugh. Six-foot-two in her platform sandals and hot pants or not, Ramona had taken her in. At least she was back on track towards her own independence, whatever that might look like.
* * *
Finn had his arm around her as she leaned against his shoulder, both of them munching their way through a big box of popcorn as they watched the movie in the small, intimate cinema. As the titles began to roll, everyone else got up with a flap of their seat and shuffled out from between their rows while they sat on, watching the credits. The closing music drifted, haunting and meditative, through the empty cinema, as the endless list of names scrolled by.
‘I adored it,’ she said. ‘There’s something about music in movies. I once heard it described as creating a back door to the emotions. Good choice.’
He smiled and kissed the top of her head as they meandered out of the cinema and down the hill towards the warm yellow light spilling through the windows of the thatched pub.
‘I like the way you put words on things that I feel, but I’ve never named,’ remarked Finn, apparently addressing a stop sign. She understood his awkwardness and tightened her arm around his.
After she found them a comfortable seat at a table in a corner, Finn returned with a pint of Heineken for himself and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc for her.
‘I love the way you can order for me without asking, and it’s always the right thing.’
He gave her a sideways glance, but she could tell he was pleased.
‘You’re welcome. So, tell me all about this new flatmate.’ He settled back comfortably.
