‘I’ll tell you once we’re sitting down in the restaurant.’ Jasmine linked her arm through Florrie’s, hurrying them along, no doubt before she got dragged into any further conversation on the street.
Inside the bistro, they received a warm welcome, their shoes clipping over the polished floorboards as they were led to a table in the corner by the window. Florrie glanced around her as she pulled out the bistro-style wooden chair in front of her. Oscar’s was one of her favourite places to go for a meal and she loved the typically French décor, with arched mirrors trimmed with fairy lights set above wainscotting painted a tasteful sage green. The wall at the far end, with its exposed imperial-sized bricks afforded the restaurant a rustic quality, while lighting was courtesy of pendant lights with vintage-style bulbs suspended from twisted fabric cable, and candles wedged in old wine bottles sat on the mismatched tables. A selection of old-style crystal decanters filled with yet more fairy lights were dotted around the place along with a variety of quirky memorabilia.
‘Oh, wow! Something smells absolutely delicious,’ said Maggie, inhaling the mouth-watering aroma of seafood infused with garlic, which was the bistro’s speciality.
‘Mmm. It does,’ agreed Jasmine, just as their server appeared, handing them all oversized menus.
‘I think I’m going to have the crayfish salad to start; the thought of it has been torturing me all day,’ said Lark.
‘Well, I haven’t had that luxury, since I only found out where we were going ten minutes ago,’ Florrie said dryly, a smile making her mouth twitch.
‘The element of surprisewill add to the flavour,’ Stella said, chuckling, just as the server arrived back at the table with a basket of sliced French bread and a carafe of water.
Once they’d placed their orders, Maggie waited until the server was out of earshot and asked, ‘Dare we ask how things have been with Ed’s parents?’
‘Quiet since they’ve gone back to London.’ Florrie finished buttering her slice of bread and set her knife down. ‘It’s been reassuring to know Dawn can’t sneak into our house again.’
‘Did you ever get to the bottom of what she was looking for?’ asked Stella.
‘No, but we suspect it was probably documents relating to our ownership of the bookshop.’ Florrie shook her head. ‘I did notice something missing, though. It was when I went to pay the window cleaner from the tin on the dresser – you know how Jed prefers cash. Anyroad, I thought it felt light when I picked it up and when I took the lid off, it was completely empty, not a single penny left. She must’ve taken it when she had a key to the cottage.’
Jasmine tutted, and Stella asked, ‘Do you know how much was in there?’
‘Maybe around fifty quid, made up of notes and coins.’
‘Thank goodness you stopped her access when you did,’ said Lark.
It had made Florrie feel uneasy at the time, and not wanting to risk those feelings returning – despite her determination not to let Ed’s parents get her down – and casting a cloud over the evening, she figured a change of subject was on the cards. ‘So, have you been getting any cravings, Stells, or going off particular food? I recall Mags saying she went off her beloved bacon butties.’
‘Ooh, I did, big time.’ Maggie pulled a face at the memory, setting off a flurry of giggles around the table.
‘I can’t say I’m craving anything yet, I think it’s still early days for that, but I’m definitely struggling with the smell of coffee. Even the thought of it makes my stomach turn over.’
‘No coffee for us tonight, then, lasses,’ chirped Jasmine.
‘So, what are you going to do about living arrangements whenthe baby arrives, Stells?’ asked Maggie. ‘I mean, you don’t actually live together, do you?’
Stella and Alex lived in separate luxury apartments in Fitzgilbert’s Landing, a recently converted warehouse that overlooked the newly created marina. Their apartments occupied the same floor and were located opposite one another, so the close proximity had meant they hadn’t felt the need to move in together. Until now.
‘Well, rather coincidentally, you might recall I told you Al had plans approved for a decent-sized family home on that plot of land he bought not far from Max’s place on the cliffs. He’d originally planned to build then sell the house, but the unexpected baby news has thrown a slightly different light on things.’ She glanced around the table. ‘So he’s decided to keep it and make it our family home. We’re going to hang on to my apartment, rent it out, and he’s going to sell his.’
Florrie observed her friend, delighting in seeing her look so happy and settled. There was no denying Stella’s brittle edges had been smoothed since she’d changed her stance on relationships. She’d previously denounced them as being only for fools, that men weren’t to be trusted. But meeting Alex had changed all that. He was good for her, as she was for him. He loved her strong, sassy personality and wasn’t intimidated by her ball-breaking attitude or her successful career as a formidable prosecution barrister. In turn, she loved his calming nature, how he was slow to anger, knew just what to do or say to soothe her tendency to be highly-strung. It was obvious to all who knew them, they were a good match. He was the proverbial yin to her yang. He’d gained her trust and made her feel safe and secure such that she’d done something she’d sworn she’d never do: she’d opened up her heart to love.
‘Wow! You’ve got it all worked out, the pair of you, haven’t you?’ exclaimed Jasmine, smiling happily.
‘Ah, Jazzy-Pants, that reminds me, I rather got the impression you have a little secret you’d quite like to share with us thisevening.’ Stella quirked an eyebrow, her eyes twinkling with mischief as she smiled back at her friend.
Colour flooded Jasmine’s cheeks. ‘Er, I do, yeah. Mind, it’s top secret for now. But’ – she covered her face with her hands, muffling her voice – ‘I feel so embarrassed saying this, but Max popped the question and I said yes.’
The table bounced with excitement as the friends all congratulated her, mindful of keeping the subject secret from other diners, though a squeal did manage to escape from Lark, turning heads nearby and making Jasmine laugh.
‘He’s taking me to choose a ring next week; says he wants to do it properly and get down on one knee, and all that mushy stuff.’ She rolled her eyes affectionately, her cheeks still blazing. ‘Then we’re going to tell the kids – who’ve been hounding us to get married anyway. Zak and Connor keep telling us they’re desperate to be “proper brothers” as they call it. Then we’ll tell everyone else, though my mum and dad already know and are chuffed to bits for us, as you can no doubt imagine.’
‘It’s fantastic news, Jazz.’ Florrie squeezed her friend’s shoulder.
‘Wow, what a couple of years it’s been for us, lasses. Who’d have thought we’d have joined Mags and Bear in the loved-up club?’ Stella said, beaming.
‘Funny how things slot together, isn’t it?’ observed Jasmine. ‘Look at Jean and Amery. And even Ando’s found someone to share his pickled eggs.’
