‘Ah, now if you’re talking about fitness, that’s a different matter. Health is important. At least you’re in the right place. There’s no shortage of walks around here. And if it makes you feel better, take a walk for every piece of cake you eat. That’s how I like to balance it.’
Sarah looked at Fran, at ease with her voluminous bosom and tiered middle. What she’d give for a fraction of Fran’s contentment. But as Cynthia said, Sarah couldn’t afford to be so complacent, not if she wanted to start a family before her eggs dried up.
Sarah’s phone buzzed again, and comforted by the cake, she risked a glance.
Forgot to tell you, house has sold. Full asking price! New owners moving in in a couple of weeks, so you’ll need to find somewhere else to stay. Mum.
Sarah sighed. It looked like she had no choice but to stay put.
Chapter 17
Sarahfoldedherapronand laid it on the counter. ‘What time do you need me tomorrow?’
‘Oh, sorry, I forgot to say. I don’t need you tomorrow. We’re closed on Mondays.’
‘OK. Well, a rota might be helpful. I know I’m living on site, but it would be nice to have a life outside of work.’
‘Of course,’ said Hattie, her tone cooler than before. ‘I’ll get a rota dropped round to you tomorrow. Sorry, we’re pretty casual here, but I’m not usually this disorganised. Truth be told, we’ve been so short-staffed I’ve let some things… like rotas… slide. I’ll try to up my game.’
‘Thanks.’
‘How was your first full day?’
‘Good.’
‘Right, well, I’ll see you Tuesday at ten. Are you OK to work ten till six?’
‘Yep.’
Sarah walked out of the café and back to her tipi. She longed for a hot shower, but it had rained all day so she wouldn’t risk the dodgy solar panel. The evening stretched before her like an abyss. What did people do before electricity, TV, light bulbs? Sarah considered taking up a hobby. Maybe she could learn the guitar?
As though reading her mind, strumming started up in the tent next door. Of course Felix played the guitar. He was such a cliché. Scruffy, hippy clothes, laissez-faire attitude, he probably had a trust fund tucked away, enabling him to be a free spirit. Sarah would put money on him spending the cold winter months on a beach in Thailand or at a commune in India. Or perhaps he returned to Mummy and Daddy and their big house in the country?
The evenings were drawing out, but inside the tipi any daylight that made its way in glowed dull orange. Sarah lit the paraffin lamp beside her bed and picked up her book. She read the same paragraph again and again before throwing her book to the ground in frustration.
The guitar playing stopped, and Sarah heard rustling footsteps heading her way.
‘Sarah?’
‘Yes.’
‘OK if I come in?’
Before Sarah could say no, the tipi’s door opened, and Felix ducked inside the tent. He filled the space, stealing any comfort Sarah might have felt by his presence.
‘What do you want?’
‘I just wanted to check in and see how you’re doing.’
‘I’m fine.’
‘Good. How was your first day?’
‘I was stuck with a pile of dirty dishes all day, so how do you think it went?’
‘Not a fan of washing up?’ Felix laughed and Sarah bristled. ‘I love washing up duty.’
‘Why don’t you do it then?’
