“Keep it up, and you’ll be seeing stars.” Helena gave his shoulder a light punch.
“Don’t damage the goods.” Hugh rubbed the spot.
Saffron wrapped one of her legs around Kirsty’s under the table, needing to be as close as possible without putting on the wrong type of show for all to see.
Ian leaned forward in his seat, making eye contact with Saffron. “Thanks to you, I was able to answer a crossword clue inThe TimesI wouldn’t have known three months ago.”
“What was it?”
“Girl Racer.” He puffed his chest out.
Kirsty bristled, but Saffron comforted her with a grin. “That’s the best thing that came out of the franchise.”
“A crossword clue?” Ian’s brow furrowed.
“Meeting all of you.” Saffron boosted Kirsty’s hand to her lips. “You most of all.”
There was much oohing and aahhing, and Saffron wanted to snap her fingers to have Dolly clear the plates to get the meal over with, and send the guests home.
“I’d like to say something.” Ruth raised a glass, looking at Saffron and then to her daughter. “Not too long ago, Kirsty teased Ian and me about being adorable and I said she’d find her adorable. And now she has.”
“To adorable!” Ginger clinked her glass to Ruth’s and then Kirsty’s, everyone else taking part.
Kirsty leaned close to Saffron and whispered, “I love you.”
The three words Saffron had always wanted to hear, but never believed she would. Or believe the person who spoke them. With Kirsty, though, Saffron was only beginning to understand how deep their love was for each other. Every moment they shared brought them closer and Saffron still couldn’t believe her stroke of good luck. Fleeing the life she’d hated had led Saffron to her forever place and person and she had no intention of letting go.
Epilogue
One Year Later
“Wait. Did you box up the wine orders for The Sailor Bistro already?” Kirsty frowned at the screen behind the shop counter. They’d only had it for a few weeks and she was still getting used to it. Kirsty swore at the system daily, but it was helping hugely with their online orders, which had gone bonkers since launch. She’d thought it would be mainly businesses who wanted their wine, but it was households, too, and plenty of them.
Helena reached an arm around her from behind. “This tick here?” She pointed at the green tick on the screen. “That means it’s done. It’s sitting by the door. Anton is coming to bike the orders round this afternoon.”
Helena was on at her to get a van now their orders had stepped up, but Kirsty still loved her bike with its vintage stylings and personal touch. Saffron agreed with Helena, telling Kirsty she wasn’t getting any younger. That comment had gone down like a lead balloon. Unlike the surprise weekend Saffron had whisked her away on to celebrate her 50th birthday.
There was a time when Kirsty had been dreading turning 50. However, it transpired that 50 really was just a number. Plus, when she had a hot woman on her arm, clocking up half a century didn’t seem like such a big deal.You’re only as old as the woman you feel,as the saying went. In that case, Kirsty was a cool 33. Saffron was keeping her young. She lovedeverythingabout that.
In the interim year since Saffron turned downGirl Racer3and bedded down in Sandy Cove, so much had changed. Saffron was now renting Donald’s old menswear shop opposite, turning it into an art studio where she exhibited local artists as well as her own work. More than that, Saffron had also set up a children’s arts charity, putting her money to good use where the arts were concerned.
Kirsty was beyond proud at how Saffron had adapted to normal life. True to her word, she didn’t seem to miss anything about her old life. The past 12 months had been a time for Saffron to stop, reassess, and pivot. That didn’t mean she’d given up on the acting world totally.Acting, yes. But Saffron was still drawn to the industry.
Kirsty had noticed scripts lying around the house far more over the past few weeks, showing Saff was almost ready to dip a toe back in the water. She’d set up a production company with the help of her assistant, Michelle, and was keen to head down the directing route when the right queer project came along. Kirsty was all for it. Seeing Saffron doing things her way finally was something she could totally get behind. Saffron lit up every time she spoke about it.
Kirsty walked over to the shop front and opened the door. The sun hit the pavement like a slice of lemon. It was July, and the tourists were thronging the pavements of the seaside town, soaking up its charm and good looks. Give it three months and the High Street would be empty, save for the locals. Even though the summer season was what brought in the money, Kirsty far preferred the quieter months. When the beaches were empty. The streets hushed. The cafés easy to get a seat in.
Plus, it’d mean more time for her and Saffron.
It was still something she couldn’t get enough of.
Saffron coming out of her studio and shaking hands with a teenager caught her eye. Her smile was a sunbeam, and Kirsty couldn’t help reflect it. The teenager was there to sign up for Saffron’s arts scholarship, another thing she was doing to help the local community. When Saffron glanced across the street, she gave Kirsty a wave.
A bus driving by swallowed up whatever Saffron shouted, and Kirsty cupped her ear to show she hadn’t heard. “What?”
Saffron tried again and held up her phone.
Still no joy.
