‘Fran’s on her way,’ said Hattie, walking into the kitchen with a mop and bucket. ‘Felix, can you get on with mopping? Me and Sarah will empty the food. If we put it all on the counter, Fran can decide what to keep and what needs to be binned.’
The three of them set to work, Sarah cursing under her breath. Of all the days for a freezer to break, this was the worst. She hoped they could salvage enough food from the mess. Otherwise, it would mean even longer hours each day as they worked to replace it.
‘Sorry for calling you in on your day off,’ said Hattie as Fran arrived. ‘I thought you’d want to be here before we chuck stuff.’
‘Too right,’ said Fran, rolling up her sleeves.
‘Checking the clock every five seconds won’t make us go any faster,’ said Felix after they’d been cleaning and sorting for an hour.
‘Don’t worry,’ said Fran, patting Sarah’s arm. ‘We’re almost done. I know today’s important to you.’
‘Thank you,’ said Sarah. She couldn’t bear the fact she was letting Kate down on such an important occasion. It was an honour to be invited to the dress fitting. Despite having no mother or sisters, Sarah was sure there were other people Kate could have chosen for the task. But she’d picked her, and Sarah didn’t take the responsibility lightly.
*
The clock on the car’s dashboard taunted Sarah. She had promised Kate she’d be on time for the dress fitting and was already ten minutes late. Fran screeched around a bend, narrowly missing a collision with a motorbike.
‘Don’t worry, you’ll only be a few minutes late.’
‘I just wish I could call Kate and let her know I’m on my way. My stupid phone has no signal.’
‘Use mine,’ said Fran.
‘Are you sure?’
‘Of course I’m sure. It’s in my bag. I’ll get it for you.’ Fran looked behind her and the car swerved.
‘I’ll get it,’ said Sarah, grabbing Fran’s bag from the back seat.
‘The code’s one, two, three, four,’ said Fran.
Sarah bit her tongue, saving the lecture on online security for when Fran didn’t need to concentrate on the road. Kate didn’t answer the phone, so Sarah left an apologetic message explaining that she was on her way and would be in town any minute now. When Fran pulled the car to a stop on the high street, Sarah breathed a sigh of relief.
‘Thanks for the lift,’ she said, climbing out of the car, grateful to have all her limbs intact.
Sarah walked up the high street and knocked on Kate’s door.
‘Hi, Sarah,’ said Bob. ‘I’m afraid Kate had to go on ahead. I’ve borrowed Mum’s car so I can give you a lift.’
‘How far is it? I can walk if it’s easier.’
‘It’s not far, but I know Kate wants you to be there for the big reveal, so I’ll take you over there then make myself scarce.’
‘Thanks.’
Compared to Fran, Bob drove like a grandad, his mother’s car crawling up the hill, and coming to a near halt each time they encountered a speed bump. Sarah reached for her phone to check the time.
‘Oh no.’
‘What is it?’
‘I borrowed Fran’s phone to call Kate, but must have put it back in my bag.’
‘Do you want me to drop it off to her?’
‘No, I don’t know where she lives. I’ll go to the fitting, then call Hattie for Fran’s address and drop it round to her once we’re done.’
‘OK, if you’re sure.’
