Florrie pulled out the elusive tights and stood for a moment considering his offer. ‘Okay, if you don’t mind, it’d definitely take the pressure off.’
‘I don’t mind at all, it’ll save yourunning there.’ He hitched a smile at that.
‘It’d crossed my mind I could saddle Gerty up till I remembered we don’t have a saddle.’ She grinned at him, pushing her foot into the leg of her tights.
‘Now that’d be worth seeing, you riding Gerty-Girl like a little racehorse all the way to the Jolly. I reckon it’d turn a few heads.’
‘Daresay it might.’
Florrie had found herself looking forward to seeing her friends and having a relax with them. The time since their last Friday night session seemed further away than a week ago; so much had happened in that time. And the salsa dancing lessons didn’t even feel part of the same year! How could that be? she wondered.
Florrie pushed open the heavy door of the Jolly, the usual sounds and smells pulling her in with their comfortable familiarity. She felt a wave of relaxation spread through her as she headed across the bar. The folk group was playing a lively, lilting tune, Lobster Harry’s unmistakable cackle floating over the notes, while a fire was blazing in the inglenook and kicking out a welcome warmth along with the cosy aroma of woodsmoke. She beamed a smile as her friends waved enthusiastically from their usual table.
‘Come and park your bum, missus,’ said Maggie, shuffling up the settle to make room for her.
‘How are you diddlin’, flower?’ asked Jasmine, at the top of the table, as Florrie squeezed by her and onto the settle next to Maggie.
‘It’s good to see you, lovey,’ said Stella, reaching for the bottle of Pinot Grigio in the metal chiller and filling a glass before passing it to Florrie. ‘There you go, grab yourself a bit of that.’
‘Thanks, Stells.’
‘How’s your dad?’ asked Lark. ‘It’s good to hear he’s out of hospital.’
The others all agreed with that, listening as Florrie filled them in, and laughing heartily when they heard Charlie’s ‘Florence Nightmaringale’ nickname for her mum.
‘Your parents are so wholesome,’ said Maggie, fondly. ‘I bet he secretly loves being fussed over.’
‘Oh, there’s no doubt about that. It’s the not being able to do much or get back to work until he’s fully recovered aspect that frustrates the heck out of him.’
‘I get that. It’s the sort of thing that would drive me mad, too,’ said Stella. When Stella wasn’t in court or poring over a brief, she was going for a run on the beach or enjoying long walks in the countryside with Alex and his high-spirited black Labrador, Fred.
‘Shame he’s not into reading like you and your mum,’ said Jasmine.
‘I know, my mum’s tried, but he says he hasn’t got the patience to sit and read, so he’s been watching all his favourite thriller films on Netflix again. He’ll have to make sure he gets plenty of rest for now, though.’
‘I’ll pop up with a coffee and walnut cake, I know that’s his fave.’
‘That’s kind, Jazz, he’d be chuffed to bits with that.’ Florrie gave her friend a grateful smile. She paused for a moment, conscious that her voice was dominating the conversation. ‘Listen, lasses, I don’t want to hog the evening talking all about what’s been happening to me. I feel I did enough of that last week worrying about you lot organising me a strippagram.’ She was suddenly struck by how simple that worry was in comparison to the drama that had gone on in the week. ‘Tell you what, I’d give anything to swap the worries I’ve had this last week for that one right now. I’d even put up with Ando Taylor and Lobster Harry as the double act you lot teased me about.’
‘Just so you know, we can have that arranged at the drop of a hat. Just say the word.’ Stella gave her an exaggerated wink, making them all fall about laughing, Jasmine giving a loud snort.
‘Talking of Ando,’ said Jasmine, in an ‘I’ve got big news’ way. ‘I do believe he has a lady friend.’
All eyes switched to her.
‘What?’ said Maggie, incredulous. ‘Who? It can’t be anyone we know, surely.’
‘Hmm. Now this actually rings a vague bell,’ said Lark, tapping her finger on her chin. ‘Why do I know this?’
‘Haven’t a clue,’ said Jasmine. ‘Maybe it’s your intuition and you’ve been picking up vibes that have been floating about.’
‘No, it’s not that – I’m sure I overheard someone talking about it.’
‘Did I hear right?’ Stella looked around them in disbelief. ‘Please tell me you haven’t ditched Max in favour of Ando. I always had a sneaking suspicion you were getting slowly tempted by his offer of dates at his bedsit, swigging Gut Rot and downing out-of-date pickled eggs.’
‘Rumbled. Guilty as charged.’ Jasmine held up her hands, making them all roar with laughter.
‘Come on, Jazz, we know how loved up you and Max are so there’s no chance you’ll have succumbed to Ando’s culinary horrors. Share the deets and put us out of our torture,’ said Maggie.
