AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Different how?” Tina looks hurt.
“You’re more laid back, easy going, easier to talk to.” Tina grins happily at this astute appraisal of her character, and we enjoy the rest of the journey listening to Magic 105.4 in companionable silence.
“OH. MY GOD,” Tina squeals. “He’s adorable!” Gerry’s standing in the doorway holding a black puppy. The sweet aroma of freshly baked pastry drifts from the kitchen, mingling with Tina’s strong perfume, which she spritzed herself with just before we got out of the car. In case Gerry had any fit friends round, she said. That girl is a born flirt.
“She,” Gerry corrects, handing the puppy over.
“Gerry, she’s gorgeous.” I stroke her soft, shiny hair. She feels warm and fresh. Her tongue tickles my hand as I rub her floppy ears.
“What breed is she?” Tina asks.
“She’s an eight-week-old Labrador,” Gerry smiles, pressing his back against the door. “Go through, Louise is in the kitchen.”
“I’m in here!” Louise hollers.
“Smells lovely, whatever it is,” I yell back, draping my mac over banister. “Is Louise okay about the puppy?” I say to Gerry in a hushed tone as we walk behind a very besotted Tina cooing at the puppy in her arms.
“Orange and Blueberry muffins,” Louise calls out, “hope you like.”
“No, not really,” Gerry whispers, “I thought it’d make her happy.
You know, might cheer her up a bit, but she reckons I’m trying to sub it for our loss.”
I click my tongue. “Oh, no.”
“She wants me to take it back,” Gerry hisses in my ear just as we walk into the warm kitchen. “But they won’t give me a refund. Eight hundred quid she cost me.”
Louise is at the double butler sink washing her hands. She’s wearing a long, white chef ’s apron and has bits of flour in her hair.
“Get that mutt out of my kitchen,” she warns, the moment she claps eyes on the puppy in Tina’s arms.
“Awww,” Tina coos at the puppy, “Mummy-Wummy doesn’t mean it.” We all fall silent. I can’t believe she just said that. I know she can be a bit clumsy and thoughtless at times but this is below the belt. I glare at her, wishing that I’d stuck a large piece of parcel tape over her mouth before we came in. That strong, thick brown one that I use to pack things I’ve sold on eBay with. “Oh, Lou,” she flounders, “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean …” Tina’s eyes flit nervously from me to Louise and then at Gerry. “Gerry I’m…” She’s gone red, there’s a sheen of sweat at her hairline. I soften. Poor Tina, she didn’t mean it.
“It’s okay, Tina, you don’t have to tread on eggshells around us,” Gerry says kindly. “We’ve got to get used to it, get back to normal. We’re not the only couple to lose a baby. Come on, Roxy,” He takes the puppy from Tina’s arms. Roxy yelps and licks his face excitedly.
“And wash your hands, Tina,” Louise demands, throwing a vicious glance in Gerry’s direction. “I don’t want any germs contaminating my food.” Tina heads to the sink and does as she’s told, bangles rattling around on her wrists, face burning.
“See,” Gerry hisses in my ear as he shoulders past me. “I can’t do anything right.” I know Louise is feeling wrecked but taking it out on Gerry isn’t going to help.
The door closes. Louise and I are at the kitchen table. A huge tray of freshly baked muffins and a fresh pot of tea splayed in front of us. I only ever have tea in a pot when I’m at Louise’s or Mum’s. I’m more of a teabag kind of girl. I’m lazy, what can I say? So it’s always a nice treat.
“I’m really sorry, Louise.” Tina searches around for a tea towel and then wipes her wet palms on her white jeans, hurrying to join us at the table. “About before, I mean.”
“Don’t be. I’m okay.” She doesn’t look okay to me, she looks tense, irritated. “Milk and two sugars for you, isn’t it, Tina?” She spoons sugar into a floral china tea cup. “Audrey, you still on a diet? I’m sure I’ve got some sweeteners somewhere.” She gets to her feet and starts opening cabinet doors.
“How’ve you been?” I ask as she hands me a little green plastic box. “How’re things? We’re worried about you.” I gesture at Tina.
“Oh, you know, getting there. I’ll survive,” she says in overdone merriment. “Help yourselves to muffins. Oh shit, I forgot to bring plates.” She gets up.
“If you need any help,” Tina offers, “I’m free most weekends.”
“Nah, it’s okay. We’ve got it covered but thanks anyway. And besides, Francesca’s over soon, business trip, so the house will soon be bustling.”
“Again?” I say. “She might as well move in.”
“Tell me about it. This is the last time,” she grumbles. Tina and I exchange wry glances. She always says this. “I’ve already warned Gerry. It’s not as if they can’t afford to stay in a hotel.”
“I can’t believe we haven’t met Gerry’s sister in all this time?” Tina bites into a muffin then flaps her hand in front of her face miming “hot” at me. “Be great to hang out,” she mumbles through a mouthful of scorching muffin. I know she’s trying to be sociable, lighten the mood, but Francesca has never been Louise’s favourite topic of conversation.
