Jasmine reflected on the people she’d met. Robin and Bunty, two people she had grown so close to that it was impossible to think she hadn’t even known them this time last year. She didn’t want to go back to that harrowing, painful time. Her memories of Tom and their life together would always be precious, but it was time to move on and she felt resilient enough to do so now.
After finishing her coffee, she decided upon a touch of retail therapy and bought some new make-up and a silk nightshirt. On impulse, she called into a nail bar for a manicure. Why not? she thought, it had been ages since she’d pampered herself. The assistant behind the counter grimaced at the state of her nails, making Jasmine smirk. What did she expect when she’d subjected them to ripping out kitchen units, a bathroom, wallpaper stripping, painting and tiling?
‘Oh dear, never mind, we’ll soon have them in tip-top shape,’ the technician promised, lining up a row of colourful nail varnish bottles. ‘Now, which one should we go for?’
Jasmine wanted to be daring. ‘The bright crimson please,’ she said almost defiantly, never having had such a vivid shade before.
‘Excellent choice!’ exclaimed the beautician and set to work.
It was amazing how just a manicure could give you a boost, thought Jasmine as she pushed out of the glass doors with her newly polished nails.
All in all, Jasmine had had a very productive day and when she’d collected Bunty later in the afternoon, she knew her friend had also had a good time.
‘How did it go?’ Jasmine asked as soon as Bunty had got in the car.
‘Splendid, darling, simply splendid,’ gushed Bunty, to Jasmine’s delight, then proceeded to give her a full lowdown.
After listening to Bunty’s account, sparing no detail, Jasmine was full of hope.
‘It all sounds so promising,’ she remarked excitedly.
‘It was like going back in time, Jasmine. Perry was,isstill—’
‘Full of charisma and utterly handsome?’ cut in Jasmine with a giggle.
‘Yes,’ Bunty said, ‘yes, he is.’ And with that she sat back and sighed like a lovestruck teenager.
Jasmine grinned, finding the whole thing entertaining. It was good to see Bunty like this, upbeat and positive. She thrived in company. Once again, she considered how lonely Bunty must get, living alone in that great house on an isolated peninsula.
When they’d arrived at the house, she had accepted Bunty’s invitation to go inside for a drink but, instead of going to the glass drinks cabinet in the drawing room, Bunty headed for the kitchen.
‘I’ll put the kettle on,’ she said over her shoulder, surprising Jasmine as she followed.
For Jasmine, the kitchen was one of her preferred rooms in the house. Having cooked in there for the dinner party, she’d quite liked its quirky free-standing units, ancient Aga, white pot butler sink and stone floor. A sturdy shelf above the stove held pots and pans of all sizes and a glass cabinet displayed fine bone China. All it lacked was a frilly aproned cook, which she assumed it once had. Even the kettle was copper and had a whistle attached to its spout. It was all so quaint and reminiscent of the 1930s. She found it amusing that Perry wouldn’t notice any change whatsoever if he were to revisit the place.
‘I take it you’ll be meeting Perry again soon?’ she asked, whilst Bunty made the tea.
‘Oh yes, we both want to see each other again,’ replied Bunty. Putting the cups of tea on the kitchen table and sitting down next to Jasmine, she added, ‘That’s the beauty of being old, you’re more upfront, say what you really feel.’ She faced Jasmine and looked her in the eye. The statement was clearly loaded.
Jasmine couldn’t help but believe there was a message intended for her.
‘I hear what you say,’ Jasmine spoke in a quiet voice, ‘and I now know how I feel, about Robin that is,’ she admitted, looking into the wise, old face of her friend.
‘But does Robin?’ Bunty questioned softly.
‘Yes.’ Jasmine gave a wobbly smile, not trusting herself to start blubbering.
‘Come here, my darling.’ Bunty’s arms enveloped round her in a reassuring way. She smelt of Blue Grass perfume and compact powder.
‘It’s a weird feeling, you know, after Tom…’ Jasmine mumbled into Bunty’s shoulder.
‘I know, darling, I know,’ soothed Bunty, then pulled away to face her at arm’s length. ‘But would Tom really want you to live the rest of your life alone?’
Jasmine gulped. ‘No, no he wouldn’t.’
‘Well then.’ Bunty smiled kindly, making the sides of her eyes crinkle.
‘You’ve been a good friend to me,’ said Jasmine, still on the verge of tears.
