‘Listen, Jessica, I’m taking the Under 11s for footie practice now…’
‘Oh, I thought you just liked flashing your knees and wearing a whistle round your neck.’ I smiled.
‘…but afterwards, would you do me a favour?’
‘A favour?’
‘Jess, come on, or I’m sending you off even before you’re on…’Carole’s strident voice drifted over.
‘D’you have to get back? To your little girl?’
‘No, Lola’s out with Dean. She’ll probably end up sleeping over at Mum’s place…’
‘At Kamran’s?’
‘Sorry, no. Mum’soldplace. The cottage next to mine. Dean’s there now.’
‘Is he?’ George stared. ‘You’re no longer with him then?’
I shook my head. ‘Long story…’
‘Jess. Come on!’ More shouting from the pitch.
‘So, listen, would you come to see a house with me?’ George asked.
‘A house?’
‘Look, we both need to get out there…’ He waved at a gaggle of kids who were waiting for him over on the adjacent football pitch. ‘The thing is, I need advice on the kitchen.’
‘What?’ I frowned. ‘I don’t know what you mean.’
‘I’ll explain after the practice. See you in The Dog and Duck? Mine’s a Coke.’
He ran off towards the group of kids who were now shouting en masse for him from the other side of the car park, their voices competing with those shouting for me from the hockey pitch.
I ran too.
* * *
‘Are you meeting someone? Budge up.’ Serena elbowed me out of the mirror where I was applying a second coat of mascara. ‘Two coats? Signifies a date.’
‘Signifies eyelashes that need two coats.’ I laughed.
‘D’you know if George Sattar is going across to the pub?’ Serena looked hopeful. ‘If he is, it’s two coats for me as well.’ She reached for her bag.
I smiled at that but said nothing further. Serena leaned back, eyeing me critically from behind. ‘You’ve lost weight!’
‘I have actually. Over a stone.’
‘What’s the secret?’
‘My life!’ I laughed again.
‘You’ve been on Tinder, haven’t you?’ Serena elbowed me in the ribs. ‘Getting yourself prepped and ready for what’s in store?’
‘No, I haven’t.’ I shook my head. ‘Not had time…’
Serena tutted in exasperation. ‘You should always make time for a social life. And, when you do, make sure you have a pack on you,’ she advised as we walked across to the pub.
