I look at the numbers on the screen in shock. Then Ilook at Carrie and we both burst out laughing.
‘But this is ridiculous.’ I shake my head as I watch herwrestling with the champagne cork.
‘I know.’ She laughs. ‘It still hasn’t sunk in. I kept Ronanawake practically all night talking about it. We kept saying, “Right, betterget some sleep” but then a minute later, he’d say something like, ‘Hey, you’llbe able to buy yourself that posh new cake mixer thing you’ve wanted for ages.’Or it would be me saying, ‘You know what I’d love to do? I’d love to get thegarden landscaped,’ and then he’d say, ‘Don’t you want to buy a house first?Thenget the landscapers in?’ So then, of course, we’d be talking about gorgeoushouses we’d like to buy and grabbing the laptop to check out what they’reasking for the lovely three-bed detached at the end of the street!’
I nod, feeling as if I’m floating in some weird dream. ‘Thepossibilities are endless.’
She sighs. ‘We’d have had to save for years to make it ontothe property ladder. But now, we’ll be able to buy a little house outright.Just think, no rent or mortgage.’
‘Never mind the “little house”,’ I laugh. ‘You could buy thehouse of your dreams.’
Carrie shakes her head. ‘It might sound like a lot of moneybut it won’t last forever if we start splashing the cash all over the place. I’mgoing to be sensible and talk to the National Lottery’s financial advisors.’
‘But I hope you’re going to treat yourself as well? Youcan’t be sensibleallthe time.’
She chuckles. ‘Well, I might just take myself into Guildfordonce the money lands in my account and buy a top of the range new dishwasher.’
‘Adishwasher?’ I laugh. ‘Are you sure you’re my twin?’
‘I expect you’re dreaming of shoes and handbags, then.’
I smile doubtfully. ‘Maybe.’
‘What do you mean, maybe?’ She gives me an odd look. ‘Ithought you’d be thrilled. You’re a millionaire as well, Krystle.’
‘But...’
‘But what?’
‘It’s not my money, Carrie. They’re your winnings. Youbought the ticket so the money by rights should be all yours.’
She sighs impatiently. ‘Krystle, no. Look, you obviouslyneed time to process all of this because it clearly hasn’t sunk in yet. Iwantto share the win with you. I wouldn’t enjoy the money half as much if youweren’t in this adventure with me. Get it?’
I give her a lopsided grin. ‘I suppose so.’ Then I shrug. ‘Iguess you’re right. You’ve had all night to think about becoming wealthy, but Ifeel like I’m still in shock.’
‘Exactly. So let’s just toast each other and then I’ll gooff and meet the lottery people and you can lie on the sofa and process it all.’She grins. ‘And maybe think about buying anewsofa because that one inthere really has seen better days. Or even better, think about getting out ofrented and becoming a home-owner yourself.’
‘I like that idea.’ Excitement is starting to bubble upinside me. Combined with drinking deliciously chilled champagne at ten in themorning, it’s a rather heady brew. I guess the ‘processing’ of this might notbe a terribly lengthy job! ‘We could always go into Guildford today and havelunch out. A real celebration. And then get that dishwasher for you and maybean eye-wateringly expensive handbag for me?’
‘Hey, calm down, Big Spender. We’re not spending a singlepenny until that money hits my account.’
‘But it will, won’t it? I mean, there’s no doubt, is there?’I grin. ‘I don’t want to “process” the win and then have to “unprocess” itbecause it’s all been a big mistake.’
She laughs. ‘There’s no mistake. Honestly. The numbers havebeen checked and verified and it’s definitely official. So you don’t need toworry about that. But can you just calm down a bit?’
‘Calm down?’ I hoot with laughter. ‘She’s giving me amillion pounds and she’s asking me to calm down.’
‘I suppose thatisrequesting the impossible.’
‘Er,yes.’
Carrie smiles wryly. ‘I suppose all I’m saying is I’d ratheryou didn’t start going mad, spending it all in your head before you even haveit.’
‘Do I have to check with you, then, before I buy anything?’I ask, only half-joking.
‘No, of course not.’
‘Well, that’s a relief. So my plans to buy a vineyard andmove to France are on, then.’
