‘I missed you girls!!’ I screamed, opening the door and hugging Kat and Abi at the same time. ‘Thanks for coming straight over. You too, Jimbo.’
‘Not a problem, pet,’ he said, smoothing his hand down the wall and admiring his own handywork. ‘Lovely job, this. The paint went on like a dream.’
‘Tea? Coffee?’ I shouted, pointing at them all like an out-of-control air stewardess. ‘Tea?’
‘Yes, milk, three sugars. And then you need tospillthe tea,’ Kat said, eyes gleaming. ‘Don’t miss anything out. I want all the gossip. My cup needeth to be filleth-ed.’
‘Coffee for me and Jimbo – both white, no sugar.’
I put the kettle on and got straight into the tricky part of the chat to get it over and done with.
‘Jimbo, you have done an amazing job. Exactly what I wanted, no complaints – it’s perfect.’
‘Champion!’ he said, beaming widely. ‘I was worried there for a minute when Abi called.’
‘Well, that’s the thing. This is exactly what Ididwant, but it’s no longer what Idowant.’
‘It’s not?’ Jimbo said, exchanging a look with Abi. ‘You’ve lost me.’
‘I’ll pay for it twice, obviously, because I want to change all the colours.’
I locked eyes with Abi, and she immediately understood.
‘Don’t worry at all,’ she said, fixing me with her ‘we can do anything’ smile.
Jimbo was still puzzled.
‘It’s a re-brief,’ Abi whispered. ‘Double bubble on the cash.’
His face lit up at that. ‘Well, why didn’t you say?’ he said, rubbing his hands together. ‘Nay problem, pet, we’ll get straight onto it and have it done in no time.’
‘I don’t want a mini version of my old house on the King’s Road; I want a King’s Cross original.’
‘Amen, sister,’ Kat said, holding her roller aloft, ready to do battle.
‘I’m thinking lots of greens in different shades – grassy, emerald, racing car – with stark white walls.’ I showed them the Pinterest board I’d put together.
‘Ooo, yes, that’ll look fab,’ Abi said, swiping through and zooming in to check against her colour swatches.
‘Then, Kat – I was thinking maybe we could go shopping with your PR discount and get some furniture. Floating shelves in pine, a rustic dining table with hand-hewn chairs, see what else there is – maybe a wicker basket for my blankets?’
Kat gave a low whistle. ‘Someone’s got their mojo back,’ she teased, putting her roller down. ‘That is ahugerelief. I’m much better at shopping than painting.’
‘I LOVE these colour combos. Veryrumble in the jungle,’ Abi said. ‘I know you weren’t keen before but can I please,pleasedo you one of my murals? I’ve got a brilliant idea.’
She was desperate to get her hands on my naked walls. And really, what was the worst that could happen? It was only paint after all.
‘Yeah, go on then,’ I said, giving her a hug.
‘Squeeee! Really? Shall I tell you what I’m thinking?’
‘No. Surprise me.’
‘Even better,’ Abi said, clapping her hands in delight. ‘My favourite.’
It was time to shake things up. Kat was right, my mojo was back. I’d found it in Firefly Forest.
*
