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“That is odd,” Molly mumbled, brows creased in thought as she held her cup to her lips.

“Yeah, we were wondering if something happened to her, but we don’t know what. Anyway, we’re all going shopping today in town, so hopefully it was just a one off.”

“That’ll be nice. I have to finish off the pansy prints today.”

“Josie is in love with the raspberry one. She really wants it. I told her I’d invite her to the exhibition.”

“Yes, please do. I’m thinking mid-November. That gives us a month and a half. I’ll need your help to organise it all. Greta usually does the event management, but she just had a baby. Oh, she’s the cutest. Her name is Jillian, but they call her Jilly.” Molly smiled at the thought of the baby. “So Greta will be out until next year. You’re still staying to help me, right?” Molly did her best puppy dog eyes.

Hazel sighed and tried not to roll her eyes. “Yes. I’m staying. It’s only a few extra weeks. What harm could it do?”

Molly gave a delighted laugh. “Ooh! Yay. We’ll have fun, I promise.”

Hazel thumbed the row of creamy coloured clothing, the coat hangers hooked over a weathered piece of suspended driftwood. Across the room, Josie eyed the jewellery, and Serena pawed her way through the discount rack.

“Serena! This would look so good on you,” Hazel called as she came across a dress hanging on the driftwood.

Serena turned at her name as Hazel held the hanger up. It was a peasant style dress in a soft blue with little daisies embroidered on it.

The shop assistant swooped in, like a ravished bird of prey. “Oh, yes,” she crooned in a sickly-sweet voice. “Ah-mazing. Try it on. I am living to see you in this.” The assistant snatched the dress from a shocked Hazel and guided Serena into a change room.

“Call me if you need anything, babe,” she yelled as she scurried back to the shop floor. Hazel made her way over to Josie.

“Slow month?” Josie whispered in her ear.

Hazel giggled. “We may as well see what it looks like.”

The two friends approached the dressing rooms and waited. Serena soon emerged. Hazel’s jaw dropped, and Josie gave a small grin.

“Serena, wow. You look so good. The colour really makes your eyes pop.” Hazel’s palm rested against her cheek. “Honestly, you have to buy that dress. If you don’t, I’ll buy it for you!”

“Really? It looks that good? I mean, I like it, but I wasn’t expecting that reaction!”

“Uh oh,” Josie murmured as the shop assistant descended upon them once again.

“Oh!” She gasped dramatically. “You have to buy this. I’ve never seen anything so perfect.” She pretended to faint.

The bell rang, alerting the shop assistant to new customers. Like a long legged gazelle, she darted back towards the door, calling out a greeting.

“Is she for real?” Serena asked. “It’s like she’s on something.”

“Maybe she’s just enthusiastic,” Hazel suggested.

“Well, after all that fuss, I guess I better buy this dress!” Serena declared.

After the most theatrical purchase of a dress any of them had ever seen, the three women made their way down Beach Road, perusing the boutiques and gift shops. They headed into the bookstore where Josie browsed the cookbooks. Serena found some picture books for Mari while Hazel headed straight to the self help section.

How to Fix Your Life sat on the shelf in front of her. Hazel picked it up and flicked through it. It was filled with chapters titled with funny catchphrases about making big life changes. Would it be really desperate of her to buy this? Sighing, she put the book back on the shelf. Her mind flickered to Sam. She felt so lost about everything, but when she thought about him, she instantly felt better. But the little voice in her head couldn’t be silenced. What about your career? You can’t stay here. Ignoring the negative chatter, she wandered over to Josie, who had selected a book on Mediterranean cooking.

“That salad looks delicious.” Hazel pointed to the front cover of the book Josie held in her hands. It was white and blue with bright yellow lemons on the front, covered in cursive script. “Do you cook?”

They walked over to the register.

Josie hesitated. “I haven’t for a while. I thought I could use some inspiration to get back into it.”

“I think that’s really nice. I love Mediterranean food,” Hazel added.

Josie put the book on the counter to pay. “Well, maybe you’d like to come over for dinner one time?” She pushed back the hair that had fallen across her face. Josie took some cash from her wallet and handed over a twenty dollar note.