29
‘On a personal note,’ Annie said to the assembled crew the following day at the end of the pre-service meeting, ‘I think you all know by now that I’m leaving. Yes, worst kept secret ever,’ she said with a laugh to the murmurs of acknowledgement. ‘Anyway, now that the cat’s out of the bag, I can invite you all to my going-away party. Monday night, so no excuses. I know you’re not working.’ Everyone laughed. ‘Eight o’clock, my place. I’ll text you all invites later with the address.’
‘Okay, let’s get to work, everyone,’ Aidan said, clapping his hands. ‘We’re all going to miss Annie, but you can get mushy about it on Monday on your own time.’
‘Are you going to Annie’s party?’ Shane asked Lou as they began prepping lunch.
She shrugged. ‘I don’t know. I haven’t been here very long. I don’t know her that well.’
‘You should come. We’ll all be there.’ He gave her an odd look. ‘Aidan too.’
That look was disquieting. Did everyone know she was into Aidan? Had she made it that obvious?
‘It would be nice. I’ll try.’ The idea of a party was appealing – and not just because Aidan would be there. It was a while since she’d been on a proper grown-up night out. It would be fun to dress up, have a drink and let her hair down. ‘I’ll have to see if I can get a sitter for Jack, though.’
There was a lot of chatter about the party throughout the shift.
‘Some of us are going to meet up in the pub beforehand,’ Ingrid told her later as service wound down. ‘Are you in?’
‘Yes, definitely – if I can get a babysitter for Jack. Which pub?’
‘The Anchor. It’s across from the harbour.’
Lou nodded. ‘I’ve seen it.’
She asked Fiona that afternoon as soon as she got home. Fiona was happy to stay as late as needed and Lou promised to get her a cab home.
Lou felt a little giddy as she started planning what to wear that night after Jack had gone to bed. It would be her first time socialising without children since they’d moved here, so it felt like a special occasion. She raked through her wardrobe, but everything seemed dull and tired. It would be nice to have something new, but going-out clothes were a frivolity she couldn’t afford at the moment.
However, walking home from the restaurant the next day, she passed a charity shop and a dress in the window caught her eye. It was a gorgeous shade of purple and looked like it would fit her. She went in and asked the elderly lady at the cash desk if she could try it on.
‘Sorry, dear, but we’re not selling the window display until the end of the month.’
‘Oh.’ Lou sagged, disappointed. ‘Oh, well, thanks. I’ll just have a look around.’
‘Is it for a special occasion?’
Lou shrugged. ‘Just a party.’
‘Well, the occasion wear is over there.’ She jerked her head to the far side of the shop.
Lou raked idly through the racks. There was a lot of frou-frou mother-of-the-bride type stuff and she couldn’t find anything she liked in her size. She’d just have to cobble together an outfit from what she already had. She was on her way to the door when the sales assistant called after her.
‘You didn’t find anything?’
‘No.’ Lou smiled to show there were no hard feelings.
‘That’s a shame.’ The woman looked to the window. ‘I think that dress would look really good on you.’
‘I do too,’ Lou admitted.
‘Give me a minute.’ The woman held up a finger and Lou stood where she was while she came out from behind the counter. She was surprised to see her making for the window. She returned moments later, huffing and puffing as she dragged the mannequin back into the shop. She started to unzip the dress. ‘It’s a size twelve,’ she said, checking the label. ‘Is that okay for you?’
‘Yes. Perfect. But… are you allowed to do that?’
‘What they don’t know won’t hurt them,’ the woman said with a wink. ‘Anyway, I’m a volunteer here. What are they going to do, fire me?’
Lou grinned. ‘I like your attitude.’
