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‘That’s the one. I always start with the hard mixes, so I’m onto the easy ones now. This is the last batch, actually.’
‘I thought you needed my help?’
‘I did, but you took your time,’ Jen replied with a smirk.
‘Sorry.’
‘Don’t be. I’m just winding you up. Give your hands a good wash, then pour the whole bottle in there,’ she said, pointing to the large mixing bowl on the table. ‘Then grab the next one.’
Holly gave her hands a scrub before returning to the table, where Jen was lining up empty pouches. There was silence as the vodka glugged into the bowl. The smell was strong. This wasn’t a job you could ever do hungover.
Jen cleared her throat quietly, like she might be working up to saying something.
‘Did I do it wrong?’
Jen chuckled. ‘No, no. Your pouring skills are top-notch.’
Holly’s brow knitted. Something was off. ‘What’s up?’
Jen bit her top lip. ‘Next bottle now.’ She watched as Holly poured, before finally talking. Her voice was low, like she was embarrassed. ‘I’m sorry for being grumpy earlier.’
‘You were? I thought that was just your default mood,’ Holly said with a smile. She had thought Jen’s originalI’m busytext was a bit off, but it was Jen. She barely knew the woman; that could be normal for her.
Jen pulled a face, amused. ‘Oi. No, I was short with you and you didn’t deserve it.’
‘Anything you want to talk about?’
Jen unscrewed a bottle of dry vermouth and poured it into a measuring jug, studying the volume carefully. Enough poured, she spoke, her head still level with the jug. She avoided eye contact with Holly. ‘I have a lot of debt and I’m kind of chasing my tail with stuff right now. Other things.’ She shook her head, clearing her thoughts. ‘It just got a bit much. Sorry.’
She placed a hand on Jen’s back, her body heat radiating through Holly’s hand and up to her cheeks. ‘You don’t need to apologise. I know what it feels like.’
Jen stood to face her and Holly removed her hand, the warmth on her cheeks remaining. ‘It’s like, I’m doing so much and I’m not getting any reward. Do you get that? I’m starting to wonder what the point is.’
Holly’s features shifted to a sympathetic smile. ‘The point is, you’re killing it. Look how successful your business is.’
Jen laughed under her breath. ‘That’s kind of the issue though, isn’t it? It’s a business; it should be making money. Right now it’s just paying off loans.’
Holly paused, turning the idea over in her head like a coin between her fingers. ‘We’re like ducks. Everything seems fine on the surface, but underneath, out of sight, we’re working like the clappers, burning ourselves out. Everything’s cool if we keep a straight face though, eh?’
‘Bingo.’ Jen’s face softened. ‘It’s nice to have someone who gets it.’
‘Quack quack,’ Holly said, a grin taking over.
Jen let out a throaty laugh that didn’t stop; tears formed in her eyes. Holly couldn’t help but join in. Finally, they composed themselves, Jen shaking her head as the last wisps of laughter floated in the air between them. ‘Thanks. I needed that. Now, did you bring me limes?’
‘I did, but only two. You sure that’s enough?’ Holly asked, eying the litres of liquid in front of them.
‘They’re not for this. They’re for us.’
