Mab laughed.‘It’s OK, Jess, I won’t go over the top with losing weight, but it’s good to be able to wear some of the things that have been at the back of the cupboard for years.I nearly threw these cut-offs away when I moved, but they fit me perfectly now even if it’s probably only for a few weeks, look.’
Mab twirled, showing off her flat stomach in the denim shorts.She was wearing a vest top with them, and a lot of silver chains around her neck.Her hair was loose and curled over her shoulders and her feet were bare.She had painted her toenails pearly pink again and she had an ankle bracelet that dangled one small charm.It was a dragonfly.
‘I like your anklet, in fact you look totally amazing, Mab,’ said Jess enviously.‘I’m finding it hard to even find time to wash my hair at the moment, what with trying to sort out George’s education and everything.At least George seems happier now.’She looked down at him as he lay on his stomach on the floor, contentedly drawing.
‘Stand still, Mab,’ George said, ‘I’m doing your dragonfly.’
‘Are you?Why?’
‘It’s going to be our… you know… I can’t remember what you call it… when you put it on all your stuff…’
‘Symbol?Motif?’
‘No… begins with a T…’
‘Trademark?’said Mab, interested.‘I didn’t know we were having one.Shouldn’t we have something to do with chocolate though?’
‘No,’ said George, ‘I want that fly.It’s cool.I’m going to do some small ones and then one giant one for the walls.It’s going to have gold and blue wings, like the cups for the café,’ he said, helpfully.‘I’ve got new paints, and the gold one’s wicked.’
‘Oh, OK then, George, sounds good.The dragonfly’s a symbol of change, or so I’ve read, so it fits in with our new lives.Everything’s changed for all of us lately.’
Jess smiled in agreement.‘There’s one thing though, Mab.We called in at the newspaper office while we were out, just to let them know that we haven’t given up on the opening party, and that we still want the double-page spread they promised us.’
‘I thought you’d gone right off that paper after the letter they printed about us last week?’
‘Yes, I have, but we haven’t got much choice – everyone around here reads theClayton Chronicle, so we need to keep well in with them.But the reporter guy, he said that when we finally do open we’ll need a really big gimmick to get us going, after all the rumours and problems.’
‘A gimmick?What sort of thing does he mean?’
Jess shrugged and rubbed her tired eyes.Mab pondered for a moment.She still had her Big Idea.She sat down at the table and flicked the computer back on.Was it possible?Where could she get hold of some money, quickly?Mab clicked away busily for a few moments as Jess subsided onto the floor, beginning to do some rudimentary stretching exercises to ease her aching shoulders.Finally, Mab stood up.
‘George, I need your help.Bring your pad and pencils, we’re going down to the shop.I need you to draw a plan for me.Oh, hang on, I just need to check my emails first, I’ve sent a few submissions off to agents lately and there might be a reply by now.’
Mab sat down again and began to scroll through the various uninteresting messages, without much hope.The living room window was open, letting in the warm summer breeze.A dustbin lorry trundled along the street and market traders bustled around not far from the shop door.It was very peaceful, but when Mab gasped loudly, both Jess and George, startled, turned their heads to look at her.
‘Oh, no, Mab, not more problems?’said Jess, coming to look over her shoulder.
‘What?No, not problems.Not at all.’
Mab started to cry silently, tears trickling down her cheeks.Jess put her arms around her friend, deeply alarmed.She looked down at the email that Mab had just opened, and could just see the words ‘winning’ and ‘prize’ in bold.Mab indicated that she should check out the whole thing properly before getting up again to find the tissue box.Jess read the words aloud.
Dear Ms Millington
We are delighted to inform you that your three-chapter extract, from the novel entitledLast Weekend, has been selected as the winning entry for our Brand-New Author Award.As I’m sure you will remember, the first prize is £15,000 and the chance to meet with a top agent and pitch your idea.The agent in question, Cameron James, has already seen your work, and is very impressed.He will be contacting you personally in the next few days to arrange a meeting.In the meantime, please find enclosed a cheque for £15,000, with our warmest congratulations,
Yours sincerely
Camilla Brown
Administrative assistant for Writers’ Showcase, Leamington Spa
‘Mab, this is amazing!After all this time, this is your chance…’ Jess was so excited she could hardly speak, and Mab gazed back at her, dumbfounded.
‘I entered this competition towards the end of last year, and I’d almost forgotten about it.Angelica made me do it.She nagged and nagged until I sent it off.I can’t believe it, Jess.Thank goodness I remembered to arrange for my post to be forwarded.I nearly didn’t bother.Now I might get published at last, and even better, now I’ve got some money I can try out my Big Idea.I need to ring Leo, as soon as possible.’Mab’s heart lurched at the thought of speaking to Leo again, and she had to take several deep breaths to calm herself.
‘So what is the Big Idea?I texted Leo to tell him you were cooking something up, but I’d expected you to have told me a bit more about it by now.’
‘Don’t be cross, Jess.It’s just that there was no point in talking about my idea before because I thought it was too expensive… but now… anything’s possible.That is, if Leo agrees.’
