‘Why does that make me feel nervous?’ said Stella, quirking an eyebrow.
‘Hmm. I kind of know what you mean,’ said Lark, grinning.
By the time they’d filled their bin bags – competitive as ever, Stella was onto her second one – they were almost back at the pier where they’d met earlier.
‘Well done, lasses.’ Jasmine’s nose was pinched red from the cold. ‘Mind, I have to say, isn’t it shocking how much rubbish we’ve collected between us? And who thinks it’s okay to leave their baby’s dirty nappy? It’s not as if there aren’t plenty of bins along the bottom prom.’
‘I picked up a flip-flop and a trainer – it’s one of them expensive brands,’ said Jean.
‘How about we contact the local press, show them how much we’ve gathered? It might help draw attention to what a problem it is, and encourage people to take their rubbish home,’ suggested Stella.
‘I think that’s a bloomin’ good idea, pet. I wouldn’t mind putting my name behind it – not that I’m saying I’m anything special, but I’m quite taken aback by just how much there is, and what folk leave behind,’ said Jenna.
After all agreeing that they liked the idea of doing what they could to highlight the problem and welcoming Jenna’s offer, Stella rubbed her hands together, a smile spreading across her face. ‘So, now it’s time for the best part. We need to head this way.’ She spun on her heel and pointed in the direction of the beach huts.
It crossed Florrie’s mind that even after a couple of hours being blown about on the beach, Stella still managed to look stylish.
The gaggle of women followed, chatting away and coming to a stop at the door of the beach hut – or chalets, as they were sometimes referred to by the locals – Florrie knew belonged to Stella’s mum, Alice. It had a special place in her heart since it was where Ed had proposed to her two Christmases back.
They waited while Stella jiggled with the lock before pushing the door open and a welcome wave of warmth rushed at them. ‘Brr!’ Florrie gave a shiver – she hadn’t realised how cold she was until then.
Inside, the tasteful coastal décor of white painted timber-clad walls had enjoyed a temporary makeover in a nod to Florrie’s hen celebration. A small table in the compact kitchen area, whose units were painted a smoky blue, had been set with an array of hen party plates, cups and paper napkins, while a chair at the head had been trimmed with a clutch of pink helium balloons emblazoned with the word ‘BRIDE’. Pink streamers were festooned along the white-painted beams and a banner declaring ‘Florrie’s Hen Party 2026’ was situated above the small fireplace where a wood burner sat,flames dancing behind its glass. Florrie spotted a group of folded chairs set against the wall, no doubt deposited by her friends earlier.
‘We’re having a beach hut picnic!’ said Maggie. ‘Grub, courtesy of the local deli, with yummy cupcakes made by the fair hands of our very own cake-baker extraordinaire, Jasmine Ingilby.’
‘So this is why the three of you were coming from this direction when we met first thing,’ said Florrie.
Leah nodded. ‘We were getting it all set up.’
‘Don’t let anyone tell you we don’t know how to do tacky with flair.’ Stella grinned as she pulled off her pale pink Schoeffel bobble hat and swapped it for a deely bopper, its glittery pink hearts bobbing back and forth and making everyone laugh.
‘Oh, lasses, this is amazing. Thank you.’ Florrie gazed around the well-thought-out space, memories of her Christmas picnic with Ed floating into her mind and flooding her heart with happiness. ‘I love these little buildings, it’s a shame there aren’t more of them.’
‘Funny you should say that,’ said Stella. ‘Al’s been briefed to design some more – I think he said the council’s planning ten or twelve with plans to lease them out to small businesses. He’s really excited about it, reckons they’ll be ready next year.’
‘Ooh, that does sound good. I love the idea of some interesting little shops down here,’ said Maggie.
It didn’t take long before the friends had divested themselves of their bulky coats and were getting stuck into the food, the small space filled with their lively chatter and laughter, those in the know mindful of not mentioning Stella’s recent baby news. Florrie couldn’t deny she was distracted by her argument with Dawn, but she did her best to push it from her mind and allowed herself to enjoy her time with her friends. It helped that Jenna had a whole armoury of entertaining anecdotes and had everyone in stitches, particularly when she was recounting a time at a book awards ceremony and she’d gone up to accept an award for best romcom novel.
‘I do love me a heel, but mind, I’m no Posh Spice when it comes to walking in ’em – I’m no posh anything come to think of it,but you lasses already know that,’ she’d said with a cackle. ‘Anyway, there I am, teetering across the stage in me six-inch skyscraper Jimmy Choos, glammed up to the nines in a silky Grecian goddess frock, complete withdangerouslyplunging neckline – with heavy emphasis ondangerous. I’ve got a massive smile plastered across me chops, and the award’s within touching distance. But the next thing I know, me ankle wobbles and I feel meself being propelled towards Jem Jacobs – he’s the dish who’s presenting the award,’ she’d continued, the group’s undivided attention on her. ‘Everything feels like it’s moving in slow motion, and from the corner of me eye I see me beautiful crystal award flying off the podium and go sailing through the air. I do some sort of crazy lunge, hoping to save it but in the process, I wallop straight into poor old Jem, knock him off his feet and land slap bang on top of him with my boobs in his face. I mean, these bad boys aren’t exactly what you’d call small.’ Jenna had clapped her hands to the generous proportions of said, ‘bad boys’. ‘Next thing I know, there’s a stampede as what sounds like a hundred wildebeest rush onto the stage to help drag me up – once they’d stopped laughing, that is. And the worst of it is, I’m never gonna be able to forget it cos it keeps getting played on those bloomin’ programmes of embarrassing moments.’
It had taken several minutes for their laughter to subside and the power of speech to return to the group. Florrie had been forced to remove her glasses to wipe away the tears of mirth that had streamed down her cheeks.
‘Ah, my sides are hurting with laughing so hard,’ Stella said through her guffaws.
‘What a way to go, eh? Death by boobs.’ Maggie giggled, her shoulders shaking.
‘Could be the title of your next book, Jenna,’ Jasmine quipped, her body still wracked by laughter.
‘Ooh, yeah, it’d be a whole new genre for me: cosy crime.’ Jenna chuckled.
‘With emphasis on the cosy,’ added Stella, the ensuing peals of laughter bouncing around the beachhut.
‘Thanks for an amazing day, lasses. I’ve loved every minute.’ Florrie beamed at them as they were walking towards the pier. It had been good to put her thoughts of Dawn and her worries about her dad out of her mind for a few hours.
Lark flung her arm around her, kissing her cheek, pressing her head against Florrie’s. ‘You’re welcome, flower. We’re super-chuffed you enjoyed yourself. Just one more hen celebration to go and then it’s the big day.’
Florrie turned, meeting her friend’s pale green eyes, the pair of them exchanging happy smiles. A pulse of excitement rushed through her. She just hoped the situation with Dawn had calmed down by then, leaving Ed and her to enjoy their special day. And it went without saying that she hoped with all her heart her dad was well enough to walk her down the aisle.
