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‘It’s for me actually. I’ve been invited out for drinks and—’
‘Yes. No more words needed. I’ll be at your sister’s for seven so I can put the only decent man in my life to bed with a bedtime story.’
‘OK great. Thanks, Mum.’ Melanie was a little perturbed with the speed that her mum had agreed when she knew Melanie was going out but decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth.
‘See you later, darling.’
‘Bye Mum, love you.’
‘You too.’ So, it looked like Melanie was going out tonight, with a bunch of people she didn’t know. But it was only down the road from work and twenty minutes in a cab from her flat.
Well, she knew Sophie, even if that was mostly her online persona. But it didn’t seem that different from her real-life persona. Oh God, Melanie really hoped it wasn’t. She knew Paige of course, although which Paige she would get tonight was anyone’s guess, and she probably wouldn’t get more than a nod anyway. Maybe she would get a glimpse of the Paige that Sophie saw. Hopefully it wouldn’t be Business Alliance grumpy nod Paige. Not to be confused with the I’ve called in a favour to help you out grumpy nod Paige.
Either way, Melanie was already nervous. Besides, this was how people made friends right? They went out and met up with people?
Only to lose them again when they pick sides. She couldn’t stop the thought that flashed through her brain, leaving behind its streak of pain. Melanie shook her head, and began gathering up drinking glasses, wiping down surfaces, anything to keep her mind from progressing that train of thought. But Melanie suspected that was why her mum had been so quick to step up for babysitting duties; no doubt hoping that Melanie was starting to heal, starting to live again.
Chapter Six
Paige
‘Book!’ Paige looked up at the same time as the soothing rumble of her gran’s voice broke through the bar. ‘There you are, kid. Come here then.’
Paige was immediately jogging out from behind the bar. She wrapped her gran into her arms, realising only in the moment, just how much she had missed her.
‘You’re in a bit of a mess, my love, aren’t you?’ Connie said, pulling back to study Paige more closely.
Paige rolled her eyes but didn’t comment further. Her throat was actually a little tight, the relief at having her gran with her, making her unprecedentedly emotional.
‘Right, come on, lead the way,’ Connie said as they fought over who was going to carry her suitcase. In no time they were sat at the kitchen table in Paige’s apartment, cups of tea in hand.
‘You’re going to need to get some of that oat milk in, Book,’ Connie said before taking a sip.
‘Sorry Gran, didn’t realise you’d changed your milk?’
‘Not for me, love.’
Paige chose not to ask. If her own mojo was working she would know what Connie meant.
‘Come on, you’ve barely said a word. How bad is it?’
Instead of speaking, Paige moved her palm over the table for Connie’s close inspection.
‘So, there’s nothing, no intuition, no guesses?’
Paige shook her head. It still hurt to admit. But she had to ask the question bothering her the most. ‘Is it for good?’
Connie put down her cup and picked up the offered hand. ‘Let’s have a look then.’
Paige’s jaw was clenched, her shoulders nearly immobile as Connie moved her hand around looking closer at different parts. Paige could feel all the various rings her gran wore as they pressed against her. She’d always been the same ever since she could remember, always covered in silver and gold, precious gems, and wearing bright colours.
‘You help and very rarely ask for anything in return. Maybe letting people a little closer wouldn’t be all that terrible.’ Paige rolled her eyes, but Connie continued. ‘Helping is good, but you must make sure it’s aimed in the right direction. Book, this is important. You find fulfilment in helping others, it’s your love language. But make sure you aim it at the right place.’
‘Gran.’ Paige didn’t need the full reading, she needed the answer to that one question. Then they were going to move on and try to forget all about it.
‘She’s trying to get in touch again, isn’t she?’ Connie asked.
‘It doesn’t matter,’ Paige said, through a very tight jaw.
