Page 58 of My Summer of Magic Moments

‘You’re welcome,’ Mark smiled.

‘The sore arms are worth the fish and chips,’ grinned Jack cheekily.

‘Cheers,’ they all chanted, and there was a clinking of glasses all round. Even the boys had a small taste of champagne to toast with. Though Ollie pulled a face, gulping down his can of cola straight afterwards.

Mum added, ‘To your new home, darling – be happy and healthy.’

They were all too well aware of the shadow of ill health. She could tell it still hung around in the corners of their minds.

‘Cheers! And thank you all so much. For everything.’ Claire smiled. Boy, was she ready for her new start.

25

Precious Prosecco moments with friends

‘Surprise!’ Andrea and Lou were on the doorstep beaming at her, dressed in training shoes, shorts and tees, each bearing a bottle of Prosecco.

‘First, we run as planned. Then we party. Happy new home!’ Andrea announced.

It was the following Friday evening, the end of the first week in her new flat. The last thing Claire felt like at that moment was going jogging – she’d not long been home from work and she was absolutely jiggered – but once she got going, she was usually fine. They had got to two and a half fairly comfortable miles now, with two weeks to go to the Big Race.

Andrea looked down at Claire’s work clothes. ‘Had you forgotten the Friday training session, lovely?’

‘Might have done – sorry, guys. It’s been a topsy-turvy week, with moving in.’ She had in fact envisaged a night in with feet up, TV on and a box set at the ready, possibly with a trip to the Co-op for a tub of ice cream. It had just been such a busy week, with work as normal and unpacking every evening. But she rallied. ‘It’s fine – I’ll get changed in a flash. And thank you. Come on in. Welcome to my humble abode.’

‘Ah, it looks lovely,’ said Andrea as she entered the hallway, which was painted a pastel green – not Claire’s favourite colour, but she could live with it for now. She’d hung up an ivory shabby-chic-style mirror to give it a sense of space.

‘The living room is really sweet.’ Lou had popped her head in through the open doorway. Claire had more or less sorted that room out. Her comfy beige sofa was installed with a couple of new cushions, taking up much of the space. And she’d kept the small wooden coffee table and matching TV stand from the old house.

Andrea was already through into the kitchen. ‘Hmm, now this is nice.’

The kitchen had been recently done out with light oak-style units and a dark-grey marble-effect work surface. It did look good, and was Claire’s favourite room. It was fairly compact, especially with the kitchen table and chairs in it, but it was proving easy to work in. She’d give the oven a go soon and try out some baking; see how it handled cooking a loaf or two. It had only had to deal with warming up a pizza so far.

‘Okay, I’ll nip upstairs and quickly change. Let’s get this run over with, then we can chill out with that bubbly. Go ahead and pop them in the fridge, if you like. Thanks so much, guys.’

A quick trip round the corner to the shops once they got back would soon sort out some nibbles, she mused on her way to her bedroom. She’d get some spring rolls and starter-style treats to heat up, and she’d do some cheese and biscuits too. That would serve as supper for them all. Other than the ice cream scenario, she hadn’t even planned what she was going to have for tea up to that point, anyhow.

Sal turned up five minutes later in running gear with yet another bottle of Prosecco and some gorgeous-looking Belgian chocolate truffles, obviously having been kept in the loop too.

Five minutes later, Bella’s Babes were grouped on the pavement outside Claire’s new home.

‘Right, ladies – quads, squats and pods!’ Andrea was making up her own exercise terms for good measure, which made them grin. Lou started off the warm-up routine she insisted they do to ensure there were no pulled muscles before the big day.

The stretch they were currently performing involved balancing on one leg with the other leg pulled up behind as you held onto your ankle. As they were wobbling like a gaggle of half-drunk flamingos, two lads pulled up beside them on chopper bikes, smirking. They looked about twelve. ‘All right, ladies?’ One of them gave a cheeky grin. The other winked, then burst out laughing, before they scooted off.

‘Great, thanks,’ Andrea shouted after them. ‘Cheeky little gits.’ She turned back to the group.

‘All for a good cause,’ reminded Claire. ‘Let’s set to it.’

And they were off.

Twenty-seven minutes and forty-three seconds later by Lou’s Garmin measurements, they were staggering back up to Claire’s front gate.

‘Hah, we did it. And in under twenty-eight minutes. Well done, ladies!’ Lou congratulated them.

‘Blimey – that last bit nearly finished me off. I’m sure you were speeding up, Lou.’ Andrea was still out of breath.

‘Might have been just a teensy bit – I saw that we might do our best run yet. And we did!’