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Jen nodded. ‘What’s your plans tonight?’
‘They had been to lay about in my pyjamas.’
‘And yet you texted me.’ Jen couldn’t hide her wry smile.
It was Holly’s turn to look sheepish. ‘Correct. Dunno, just changed my mind.’
She was holding something back, Jen could feel it, but it wasn’t her place to pry. She didn’t know Holly well enough to push it. ‘Well, if your PJs aren’t still calling, do you fancy going somewhere after this? Seems a shame to do shots and not carry the night on.’
‘What do you have in mind?’
‘I’m thinking we avoid Shawlands. I don’t think we’re ready to look couple-y yet.’
‘Agreed.’ Holly replied, looking relieved.
It was good to know she felt the same. Jen wasn’t much of an actress and it had played on her mind that the next time she and Holly were out they’d have to start on their plan. A chat was needed. Bringing it up felt awkward, though. Anything to do with relationships, real or not, made Jen’s skin feel itchy.
‘There’s a place over in Mount Florida that’s good, if you can bear to walk for ten minutes.’
‘I think I can handle it.’
* * *
It wasperfect weather for walking. The evenings were still long and the light showed no sign of turning to night any time soon.
‘I keep meaning to go for a walk in the park,’ Holly said as they passed one of the entrances to Queen’s Park. ‘But I’ve not found the time. Is the greenhouse still open?’
‘I don’t think so,’ Jen replied, stuffing her hands into her denim jacket. ‘But I’ve not been in ages.’
‘Be a shame if it was closed.’
‘It would. See that flat up there?’ Jen asked, pointing towards the block of flats on their right.
Holly chuckled as she came to standstill. ‘There’s a lot of flats. Which one?’
Jen moved closer and leaned her arm over Holly’s shoulder. She was a good few inches shorter and Jen liked the difference; she’d always liked being the tall one in a relationship. Not that this would be going anywhere near that territory. ‘Block behind this one. Third floor up. The one with the curtains drawn.’
Jen watched as Holly counted the floors. ‘Yeah, what about it?’
‘That’s Chloe’s. I live across the landing.’
‘Nice. I’ve always wondered what they’re like inside. Odd little buildings.’
Jen stopped herself before inviting Holly to her flat there and then. Her first time out in a long time with a pretty gay girl and her body had a mind of her own.That’s all it is. These aren’t actual feelings.
‘They are weird aren’t they?’ Jen walked on before she could change her mind about the invite. ‘Not as boxy as they look, though.’
‘I thought you’d be a tenement girl.’
‘Nearly everyone in Glasgow lives in a tenement. It wouldn’t have been a stretch,’ Jen replied with a snigger.
‘True. My detective skills might need some work. They’re nice inside, then?’
Was she angling for an invite?No, you’re reading too much into this.To be fair, it was a strange little development. Glasgow was a city of sandstone tenements. Jen’s block of flats looked like it could be made of Duplo: little squat stacks of blocks, dozens crammed into a manicured space. She quite liked how quirky they looked, but Holly was right; her flat was kind of boxy. Especially compared to the high ceilings of the neighbouring flats. Still, Holly had lived in London. She was probably used to compact and bijou.
‘I like them,’ Jen said, her eyes still on Chloe’s window. ‘I have spent the last few years doing it up, though.’
‘That’s how you know Chloe, then? She’s your neighbour?’
