‘Of course it is!’ She had no idea what the event would entail and hoped there’d be no need for redecorating, which seemed to be Holly’s current preoccupation.
‘Thanks, Enya. It’s a collab with an American guy called Columbus. He’s super-talented and makes dog collars, pup jackets, cat clothes and stuff, but we think there’s crossover – his demographic is, you know, cutesy, home-loving, slightly vintage, theDinkmarket.’
Entirely unsure of how to respond to the words that she recognised, but which made little sense to her, Enya smiled widely. ‘Right. Good.’
She watched Holly make her way into the kitchen. Pickle immediately perked up and gave an elongated stretch, arching her back in a way that looked blissful, before hopping down to slink around the girl’s legs.
‘Hey, little Picks!’ Holly dropped to the floor and patted her outstretched legs. Without the slightest hesitation, Pickle settled on to Holly’s lap and closed her eyes as she was treated to back rubs, tummy tickles, paw holds and even kisses to the top of her pretty head.
‘Did you finish the bedroom?’ She placed the tray of blondies on the countertop and filled the kettle.
‘Nearly! It looks fab, I’m just waiting for the knobs off the chest of drawers to dry, I’ve covered them in pages from old books and clear glue. The actual drawers I’ve painted in a tea colour, but with the edges distressed, and the knobs will just finish it off. The whole room has like a vintage ship’s library vibe! I recorded a time-lapse video of the restoration, got loads of likes.’
Vintage was obviously the word of the day.
‘Well, that sounds...’ Enya tried to find the words that wouldn’t dull the light of enthusiasm in Holly’s eyes, while trying to disguise her own bewilderment as to why you might want to sleep in a vintage ship’s library. If Enya had the time or inclination to decorate her own room, she’d do it in the style of a very comfortable bedroom, with the emphasis on extreme cosiness, but what did she know? Her taste was a little more eclectic. She bought things she liked rather than considering how it might affect the whole. Jonathan, she remembered, had reached for his sunglasses when she’d placed the bright, bird-embroidered cushions on the raspberry-coloured sofa. It was also more than simply not having the time or inclination to improve the house since Jonathan had died, but rather that she wanted to leave things just as they were. This so she could better picture him in their bed, on their sofa, standing right here, leaning against the countertop with his legs crossed at the ankle, waiting for the kettle to boil. She smiled at him, as Holly fussed over Pickle and the cat purred obligingly. ‘It sounds veryyou, Holly!’
‘I hope Aiden likes it. Mind you, if he doesn’t, I can change it, a chance to make some content showing that you don’t have to get it right first time.’
‘Good point, yes!’ She had no idea what she was enthusing over.
‘I’ve missed him so much! Can’t wait to see him!’ Holly tensed her arms and legs and beat her feet on the floor with delight. She was giddier than usual, if that were possible. Pickle jumped off.
‘Well, only a couple of hours or so and he’ll have landed. I think even you can wait that long!’ She grabbed the mugs from the wooden mug tree, feeling the unwelcome flicker of irritation at the girl’s besotted display. It had been sweet at first, endearing, but sometimes it smacked of neediness.
‘Only just, Enya. I hate being apart from him.’
‘I know.’ She smothered the unfavourable thoughts that it might be healthier if Holly were not so dependent; what right did she have to judge how they loved? ‘Your mum’s coming over later.’
‘Yeah, she said. Just think, Enya, in a few months you’ll be as boring as her, filling your time with flowers for weddings and funerals!’ Holly teased. ‘Although I can’t imagine you two getting much done, you’ll be too busy laughing and skiving off for cups of tea. The business will go bust, but at least you guys will have a good time watching it sink!’
‘Ha! Your mum has it all very much under control. I’m going to be her apprentice, it’ll take me a while to learn the ropes, but I can’t wait.’ She felt lifted at the prospect of the challenge ahead, knowing that Jonathan would be delighted that she was using some of the money he’d left to part-own her own business.
‘Talking of weddings, d’you remember a while back I said I wanted a basket of sweet peas to carry up the aisle?’
‘I do indeed.’ It was also a little concerning that Holly had almost planned her entire wedding, despite the fact she and Aiden were not engaged and there had been no mention, as far as Enya was aware, of any impending nuptials.
‘Well, I’ve changed my mind. I’m going to go for lavender with the odd blue thistle and gypsophila, lovely blues to contrast with Aiden’s open-necked, natural linen shirt, what do you think?’
‘Oh.’ What did she think?That to give so much thought to an event that wasn’t even on the horizon was a bit previous.‘I think whatever you choose, for whenever that is necessary, will all be perfect, because that’s your thing, Holly – making everything look wonderful, inviting. You’ve certainly got the knack.’
‘I need every little detail to be absolutely on point. I want people to take loads of photographs and when they go to work or the pub, to show everyone the pictures and say it was the best wedding they’veeverbeen to.’
Pickle turned her head to stare at Holly, before wandering out into the garden. It was the first time Enya had ever stared at the little creature who sauntered off into the sunshine and envied her, wishing she could crawl across the floor and slip into the garden, off in search of peace and quiet, to feel the sun on her face, just for a minute.
Holly was now relaxing on the lounger, plugged into her phone and tapping her fingers in time to whatever played in her ear. Enya portioned the prawn cocktail on to beds of shredded lettuce in her mum’s old green-glass trifle bowls and popped them into the fridge. The salmon en croute was prepped and Holly had strict instructions about when to shove it in the oven. The ice bucket, awaiting the rosé from the fridge, sat next to three wine glasses. She hated the lack of symmetry of the three glasses and placed a fourth on the countertop to make a square to help ease her mental itch and to make it seem, just for a second, that Jonathan might be joining them.
‘Not that you’d thank me for rosé, more of a lager man, aren’t you, love.’ She smiled. ‘Right, Holly!’ she called out. ‘I’m off! Back in a bit, don’t forget to put the salmon in!’
‘I won’t!’ Holly waved and settled back on to the lounger with a look of pure contentment. ‘Tell Aiden to hurry back to me, I’m so excited!’
‘Yep.’
‘And tell him I would have loved to come and meet him, but this Insta Live with Columbus feels like a real opportunity to increase my following!’
‘Sure!’ Enya knew she’d do no such thing, as she had barely understood what the girl was saying.
The roads were kind, traffic lights in her favour, and she pulled into the car park a tad before six, thinking inevitably about HCK. Pulling down the sun visor, she checked her reflection in the mirror, noting the glow in her cheeks entirely in keeping with the flush of desire that had quite taken her by surprise some three weeks ago now. He really had been the most handsome man, Dominic. There was something about him, his face, voice and manner, that had stirred long-dormant feelings inside her. It felt both thrilling and disloyal to recall it, still with echoes of her own foolishness ringing in her brain.
