She grins. ‘I can’t see it somehow. That sounds far toorustic for the woman who can’t face the day without full make-up and a lengthysession with her hair straighteners.’
‘You’re probably right. Okay, a sporty car. Hot off theproduction line. How about that?’
‘Brand new cars are a waste of money.’
‘Spoilsport.’
She grins. ‘Just promise me you’llthinkbefore youmake any big purchases?’
‘Of course I will, sister dear. I’m well known for beinglogical and sensible.’
That makes us both laugh. I offer to pour Carrie anotherglass but she shakes her head and gets up to go, saying she wants to be able tofocus when the lottery people call round.
‘Better dash. Have another glass yourself, though. It’s yourday off, isn’t it?’
‘It sure is.’
We hug at the door.
‘Enjoy your day, dreaming on the sofa,’ she calls. ‘Butdon’t start spending yet!’
‘I won’t.’ I give a little salute. ‘Good luck with the lotteryfolk. Phone me and let me know how it went.’
I wave her off and wander inside, my mind turningcartwheels. How can this have happened? Life is so weird. Last night, I was inthe depths of despair, terrified of what punishment April was going to mete outto me for failing to make the payments. But now it looks as if I’ll be able topay her back the whole amount and get her out of my life for good. The idea ofthis lifts my spirits like nothing else could – not even the prospect of buyingsports cars and handbags.
I’ll pay that horrible woman back.
And I’ll definitely make sure to instruct her to stuffher money where the sun doesn’t shine!
*****
With Carrie gone, my mind is turning crazy somersaults,trying to comprehend the notion that soon, I will have money in my account...more money, in fact, than I’ve ever had in my life!
It seems like a dream and if it wasn’t for the opened bottleof champagne sitting on the kitchen worktop, I’d be worried I was going to wakeup soon. But it’s definitely not a dream. It hardly seems possible butI’mgoing to be a millionaire!
I do an excited dance around the kitchen that extendsthrough the hall into the living room, at which point I fall back onto the sofawith a whoop of glee.
Next second, buzzing with energy, I’m on my feet and headingfor the shower. I know Carrie said I had to be patient and wait until the moneyis in my account. But there’s no harm in a bit of window shopping, is there?
I decide I’ll drive into Sunnybrook. There are some lovelyshops there and I can kid myself I’m just going to buy milk and a magazine. Somy first port of call when I arrive is the newsagents. I pick up my usualmagazine, but then I glance at the other glossies on the rack and hesitate.Ishouldn’t really...
Amanda, who runs the shop, smiles as she takes payment.‘You’re pushing the boat out today, Krystle. Four magazines! Have you won thelottery or something?’
I swallow. ‘Something like that.’ Fizzing with excitementinside, it just pops out, and there’s a big grin on my face.
‘Really?’
‘Er, no, no. I’m just... er...feeling flush today.’
She gives me a cheeky, sidelong look. ‘That face of yours isvery flushed as well. Come on, confess all!’
I’ve never been very good at hiding my emotions and myexcitement is clearly written all over my face. Also, I just can’t stopsmiling. So I flop over the counter with a sigh and murmur, ‘Don’t mention thisto anyone, Amanda, because we’re keeping it quiet for now. But I think I might actuallyexplode if I don’t tellsomeone.’
Amanda’s eyes are wide with anticipation. ‘Go on.’
I take a deep breath. Then I say it all in a rush. ‘Carrie’swon the lottery and she’s splitting her winnings with me!’
CHAPTERSEVEN
