‘Hi, Stella,’ Ed said from behind Florrie. ‘Have fun and I’ll see you when you get back.’
‘Thanks, Ed. We should have Florrie back around elevenish.’
‘So, are you allowed to tell me what we’re up to tonight?’ Florrie asked after they’d said their goodbyes to Ed.
‘Not until we get there.’ Stella threw a smile over her shoulder as they made their way down the path and out onto the street. ‘All I can say is that we’re picking up Jazz en route, and it won’t take long to get there.’
‘That’s so not helpful, Stells, but as long as it’s got nothing to do with pigs and the herding of said creatures, then I’m happy.’ Florrie chuckled as she climbed into Stella’s stylish four-wheel drive.
‘Yeah, you and me both. So, how’s things with Dawn?’ Stella asked as they headed down the road.
‘Oof! Blimey. How to answer that one!’
Stella stole a quick look in Florrie’s direction. ‘That doesn’t sound too good. Please tell me the obnoxious woman’s not up to her old tricks and causing trouble.’
‘I wish I could, but that would be a lie. If where we’re heading this evening is the sort of place we can chat, then I’ll tell you there – a lot’s been happening and I wouldn’t want you to have to hear it all over again – but if not, I’ll save it for Friday at the Jolly.’ She watched as Stella took the turn for the lane that led to Jasmine’s house.
‘You’ll definitely have the opportunity tonight. And we don’t want you keeping it all in till Friday.’
After scooping up Jasmine, they headed into town where Stella took a turn on to Endeavour Road. A moment later, she announced, ‘Here we are.’ She flicked the indicator and effortlessly reverse-parked into what seemed to Florrie like a space that was far too small.
‘I don’t know how you do that, Stells. I need a space that would fit at least two double-decker buses before I’d even consider it.’
‘Wish I could take the credit, but the sensors on the car help a lot.’ She flashed a grin at her.
‘I’ll take your word for it.’
‘You seriously can’t be worse than me, Florrie,’said Jasmine. ‘I managed to scrape the front of my car on a drystone wall when I was trying to park up at Danskelfe Castle last week.’
‘Oops!’ Florrie replied.
Out on the pavement, her gaze ran along the row of shops, including Nate’s recycling business which was now in complete darkness.
‘Follow me,’ said Stella, all businesslike.
Florrie did as she was bid, trotting behind her friends who stopped at the doorway of Pippa’s Paint Pots, the newly opened pottery painting shop.
‘We’re pottery painting?’ she asked.
‘We sure are.’ Jasmine grinned. ‘This is Maggie’s hen do suggestion.’
‘After you, madame,’ said Stella, holding the door open for her.
Stepping inside, she was greeted by a bubbly atmosphere with an upbeat playlist burbling away in the background. Florrie spotted Lark and Maggie already settled at a table, chatting away. They were wearing brightly coloured PVC pinnies with the shop’s name and logo. Maggie looked up and waved excitedly, Lark following suit. Their smiling faces and the warmth of their greeting sent a wave of happiness washing over her.
‘Come and park your bum, missus,’ said Maggie. ‘Since you’re guest of honour, we thought you should sit at the head of the table.’
‘And you’ve got to wear what’s in here – no arguments,’ said Jasmine, smiling as she passed a gift bag down the table once they were seated.
‘Oh, okay.’ Florrie took the bag that bore the word ‘Congratulations’ in large gold letters, and peered inside to see it stuffed with bright pink tissue paper.
Before she had a chance to lift anything out, a smiley-faced young woman appeared at their table wearing a name badge that told them she was called Casey. ‘Now you’re all here, can I get you some drinks?’ she asked.
‘Ooh, sounds good,’ said Lark, beaming up at her. ‘I’ve beenhearing wonderful things about the hot chocolates here, so I think I’ll have one of those with all the trimmings, thanks.’
‘Can you make that two, please?’ said Jasmine.
‘Two house special hot chocolates,’ said Casey, as she wrote down their order.
