Page 43 of Second Chances at the Board Game Café

‘Yes, that’s it. The top of the back was striped too, but the bottom part of the back – the slightly looser bit – that was made out of netting with a huge sun stitched onto it, so that part of it was still see-through, but most of it wasn’t. It was gorgeous.’

‘We’d better see what we can find.’

They rummaged through a pile of shirts. They were mostly boring, plain ones, the kind you’d wear to work in an office, garments that said nothing about the wearer or their passions. The human species was blessed with such incredible powers of imagination and creativity and ingenuity; such a shame that so many people chose to dress in clothes identical to everyone else’s.

‘Look at this,’ said Ava, holding up a striped shirt.

It wasn’t your usual blue and white office stripes, but a rather vivid shade of green with thin red stripes. It was a man’s shirt, but in a small size with an elongated collar, and there was something about it that appealed to Taylor. The softness of the fabric perhaps. And the colours. Definitely the colours.

‘I love that. Now what we need is a floral fabric in a similar shade and texture.’

‘Ta-dah.’ Ava pulled out another shirt with a flourish. The fabric wasn’t floral exactly, but was covered with bunches of red cherries, which popped against the green of the background. It wasn’t quite the same shade of green as the stripy shirt, but Taylor could see immediately that the two would work well together.

‘You’re a natural at this,’ she said. ‘Look how well the colours go together – the reds and greens. And the fabric is similar in texture too.’

Ava shrugged. ‘Beginner’s luck. Shall we look for some netting?’

The only netting was a stained net curtain, so not really suitable, so Ava said she’d look for some on eBay, and in the meantime, she’d make a start on unpicking the seams of the two shirts. Taylor left her to it, and went to see if anyone else needed her help.

Most people had chosen the garments they wanted to use, but a small group of people, one of whom was Harry, were still deciding, so she went over to see if she could assist.

‘I can’t make a decision,’ said one of the women. ‘I want to add funky pockets to a skirt but I’m not sure which of these two I like better.’

‘Then take both,’ said Taylor. ‘We need plenty of finished items for the show. How about you, Harry? Fancy doing something with these?’

She held up the jeans. The tags were still on them, but one of the seams was ripped, which was presumably why they hadn’t been wanted.

‘Yes, I spotted those,’ he said. ‘But I’d like to do another appliqué shirt.’

‘Fair enough.’ Taylor was still looking at the jeans. ‘These are about your size, aren’t they?’ She looked him up and down. ‘You know, I could fix this seam for you if you want, and you could take them. To make up for the pair I shortened too much. And to thank you for fixing the washing machine.’

‘Really, there’s no need.’

‘I’d like to,’ she said. ‘What d’you reckon? I’ll text you when they’re finished and you can pop over and pick them up.’

‘Taylor, if you’re sure, that would be absolutely splendid.’

‘That’s sorted then.’ She folded the jeans, trying to ignore the flutter of excitement she felt at the thought of Harry visiting her little shop again. ‘And now let’s have a look for another shirt for you to upcycle.’

22

‘It’s like déjà vu,’ said Harry.

Taylor knew what he meant; they were standing in Taylor’s lounge and Harry was holding the pair of jeans with the newly repaired seam.

Taylor laughed. ‘Except that this really has happened before. Would you like to try on your new jeans in my bedroom?’

‘I um… I don’t think I need to try them,’ he said. ‘I’m sure they’ll fit.’

‘Well, I’d like to see them on. Up you go. D’you fancy a cuppa? I’ll put the kettle on.’

He nodded and set off up the stairs, the jeans over his shoulder.

The kettle had nearly boiled when he appeared in the kitchen wearing them.

‘They fit,’ she said triumphantly. ‘Turn round, let me get a proper look.’

He turned round somewhat awkwardly. The jeans were the perfect cut and size, revealing that Harry had a rather lovely arse. It had been well concealed under the looser clothes that he usually wore.