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Connie sighed, and paused, no longer looking at Paige’s hand, even though she held it tightly. Instead, she studied her face and it was too much for Paige. She quickly let go and jumped up. ‘I need to get a shower. The girls are all coming to the bar tonight. They’d love to see you if you can join us.’
‘Book,’ Connie said. ‘Paige,’ she said more softly. ‘Your mum is still going to keep contacting you until you talk to her, you’re long overdue closure.’ Paige still said nothing as Connie got up and approached.
‘I think it’s temporary. I believe you’ll be back to your fully functioning self again soon.’
Paige stilled but didn’t turn. ‘Do you know or do you believe?’
‘Love, we both know that sometimes they’re the same thing.’
Paige went to walk away, but at the last second, she turned and reached for Connie, finding her arms wide open.
‘Two hugs in one hour, I’m honoured.’
Paige squeezed her tightly, taking in the scent of Chanel No 5 and then let go. ‘Yeah, that’s your lot, old woman.’
‘Right, well I need a shower and to find some glad rags then, don’t I?’
‘Thanks for coming, Gran.’
‘Always Book.’
* * *
Paige was making her way over to her friends sat as they were, in their usual spot but she couldn’t stop her eyes from canvassing the scene. As much as Paige loved that they all hung out in her bar, it wasn’t exactly relaxing. Connie would refer to it as a busman’s holiday. She couldn’t hang out the same when she was making sure all the staff were around. Checking to see what the wait time at the bar was, seeing dirty glasses on the tables. But she would try and make the most of it, because she was grateful that her friends were with her. It had been ages since they last hung out together, and even now they were still missing Mya and Smithy. Paige tried not to sigh at that, but it was only just held in. The fact they hadn’t been able to hang out was symptomatic of them all going through major life changes.
Then as she was scanning the bar, she saw Connie emerge in skinny jeans and killer heels, a turquoise shirt, her silver hair swept up off her face with a bright pink scarf, and her mood immediately started to lift as she watched Connie make her entrance.
‘Darlings!’ Connie called out.
‘Here she is,’ Paige muttered, watching as her friends one by one jumped up and hugged her gran as she kissed cheeks, patted backs, passed compliments. Then they were all settled and seated and Bailey and Marcus were properly introduced.
Paige was not at all surprised to see how quickly Connie had become one of the gang. She had always been charming, hence the husbands, but she also had the ability to make you feel like she was rooting for you. It had been nearly four years since Connie had been in Manchester. She’d been the guest of honour when Paige opened the bar, being that it was her living will that enabled it to happen, and all of her friends had immediately fallen under Connie’s spell, and by the looks of things that hadn’t been forgotten.
‘Oh Polly, you did good there, girl,’ Connie said, and while the words were aimed at Polly, Paige couldn’t help but notice Connie looking at Bailey like he’d come to save her from a fire, and if she wasn’t mistaken, she thought she saw Bailey blush. That was new. Clearly a first time for everything.
‘Thanks, Connie,’ Polly said, a slight look of concern thrown to Paige. Paige grinned, knowing she couldn’t and would never control her gran. Unable to stop herself, Paige checked out her bar once again. Belle was serving drinks along with India who was showing their new starter the ropes. A number of staff were collecting empties, and clearing down tables, and it was the usual sort of Friday night busy. Paige tried to refocus on what was important. Her friends and her family sat around her. They were tucked away in the far corner of the bar, the overhead light pendants shining down on the table, the fairy lights scattered around the wall behind them. Sophie sat next to her, Marcus on the other side. Beside him was Bailey, and obviously he sat next to Polly. Then there was Connie and finally back to Paige again. Paige tried to soak up the happiness of the situation. Mya and Smithy were due to fly back soon too. Then hopefully Paige would feel it. That sense of contentment.
‘Sophie, I must say you are doing so well. I was showing Richard, the Captain on the cruise liner, all your social media. He wasn’t as clued up as me so I made sure to subscribe him to everything of yours when he wasn’t looking. That’s at least a dozen subscribers I’ve gotten you using that technique, you know, and they won’t know how to unsubscribe either so that’s a dedicated following for you.’
‘Thanks, Connie,’ Sophie said.
‘I was thinking by way of payment for my input into your business you should maybe see that some make-up products make it my way.’
‘Connie, I didn’t realise you were on commission. I’ll send some stuff around tomorrow, or the day after. Anything in particular?’
Connie delicately shrugged.
‘Why don’t you come round and I’ll do you a makeover?’
‘Oh that would be lovely. I really think I could be a YouTube star ? shall we say tomorrow?’
Paige grinned. Polly nearly spat out her drink. Sophie nodded with complete sincerity. ‘I really think you could. It’s been a while since I’ve done make-up on such . . .’ Sophie paused for the right word, the pause a little too long. ‘Such a fabulous canvas.’ Paige was impressed; that was an incredible save. ‘I’d love to give you a makeover. Tomorrow should be fine.’
‘That would be great love, thank you. It’s a shame Mya isn’t here but she was telling me that she had to kick ass in a big meeting with The Suits today to go over . . .’ Connie paused. ‘What?’
Paige was wide-eyed as she looked at her gran. ‘When do you speak with Mya?’
‘Oh, we catch up all the time, usually over WhatsApp.’
