Ned started the engine and turned back to look at her. ‘All good?’
She nodded. ‘All good.’
The drive from the church to The Cheese Wedge and Pickles was silent but far from being awkward. Morgan felt relaxed in Ned’s company. Just as they swung around the corner to park outside the side of the building leading up to the living quarters above the pub, Mrs Calloway walked past. Her eagle eyes instantly spotted Morgan in Ned’s car.
Morgan groaned and Ned laughed.
‘Oh no. Thant's all we need.'
Ned shrugged. ‘Well, it will help spread the word about your party at least.’
‘Every cloud has a silver lightning, I suppose.’
Ned leaned across the gear stick and pecked Morgan on the cheek. Her mouth dropped open and hand flew to the spot.
She looked around to see if Mrs Calloway was there and was relieved to se she had gone. ‘What was that for?’
‘Just because you are lovely. Not everyone would think of holding a birthday party and inviting the entire community.’
Morgan smiled and opened the door. She climbed out and then leaned on her cane to look back in at Ned. ‘Thanks for the ride.’
‘It was my pleasure,’ he winked.
Morgans stomach did a little loop-the-loop.
Act 2 - Chapter seven
‘Good morning, Christine.’
The door to the hair solon tinkled as Morgan entered, announcing her arrival. She closed it behind her and walked in.
‘You’re early,’ smiled Christine, looking up from tidying the magazines on the table next to the customer’s waiting area.
‘I was hoping you might be able to start me earlier than the time I booked if you had no other clients, love.’
‘Then you’re in luck. My half nine just rescheduled. Why? What are you up to? Have you got something special to do? Do you need my help for anything?’ Christine tapped the seat in front of the wash basin. ‘I can help, but not until my last client.’
Morgan took off her coat and hung it up, before walking over to the seat. ‘Nothing special, I just wanted to talk to Katherine yesterday about helping me prepare the food for the barn dance, but she was out all day visiting relatives, so I'm meeting up with her this morning now.’
‘Oh okay. Well, as long as you give me some notice, I’ll be there to help. You can count me in.’
Morgan chuckled. ‘Thanks Christine, but be aware, it will probably be another episode like the last-minute dot com we did for Pippa’s thirteenth birthday, when we’re up until the wee hours making hundreds of sandwiches. Do you remember?’ She held her arms out and Christine slid a gown over them, before placing a towel around her neck. Morgan settled back into the seat, resting her head into the curve of the bowl.
Christine turned on the shower and tested the temperature on her inner wrist before letting the jets of water touch Morgan’s hair. ‘Is that temperature okay?’
‘Perfect.’
‘Yes, I remember when Marie got us all to help out with the buffet for Pippa’s surprise thirteenth. What a hoot that was.’ Christine chuckled to herself as she wet Morgan’s hair.
Morgan closed her eyes. She knew Christine was spiritual and decided to divulge her dream experience with her dear friend. Morgan knew out of all her friends, Christine was the one most likely to have an insight into something so spiritually profound, and be able to give Morgan advice on it.
‘What do you think about dreams Christine?’
‘Can you be more specific love?’
‘Dreams people have of the ones they love but are no longer with them.’ Morgan opened her eyes to look up at her friend.
Christine massaged shampoo into Morgan’s hair and looked contemplative as she answered. ‘I believe it’s their way of the best ways they can communicate with us.’ She looked down into Morgan’s upside-down eyes and frowned. ‘Why?’
