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‘Yes, five times married my dear, and many more mistakes apart from that, but there’s still time for a few more mistakes yet . . .’ Connie paused, before leaning over conspiratorially towards Melanie, and lowering her voice. ‘Nearly all my mistakes have been worth every second. I can sense a rather amazing mistake for you soon, I think.’
‘Oh, you do?’ Melanie raised an eyebrow.
‘Maybe I’m getting soft in my old age, but I think you should give Paige a chance.’
Melanie had been about to retort, her mouth ready to fire something back, but Connie beat her to it. ‘She needs you. And maybe you need her. She can be a grumpy arse for sure. But you’ve seen that bit. I promise you’ll see the other side soon. Don’t write her off just yet.’
Before Melanie could say anything further, the rest of the goodbyes had happened, she’d been dragged into hugs from Sophie and Marcus, and Polly and Bailey were waiting for her at the door. Melanie’s head was a mess; a combination of alcohol and Connie’s words. She quickly turned to glance at Paige, but saw her already head down and clearing things away. Melanie turned back around and walked towards the door, more than ready to get home and to bed.
Once back, showered and in her pyjamas, painkillers taken, water on her bedside table, and her alarm set, she thought over all of the events of the evening. She tried to focus on how lovely Polly, Sophie, Bailey and Marcus were. They’d all threatened to have brunch at her bar soon. Melanie wasn’t sure they would, but there was a chance she may have made some friends. Maybe that was wishful thinking from one night out. But then her phone pinged.
Polly: It was lovely to meet you tonight Melanie, see you again soon x
Polly really was lovely. Maybe she was right, maybe new friends had been made. Melanie messaged back the same. She’d lost pretty much all her friends when her last relationship ended. She didn’t mourn the individual losses but missed having a friendship group. That wasn’t easy to create when all her time was devoted to setting up the business or looking after her nephew.
Just as she was about to put her phone on charge and try to sleep it buzzed in her hand.
Paige: Hope you got home safe x
The whiplash this woman gave her was unreal. And a kiss on the end. What the hell? But then without warning all the Paige moments from the night replayed in her head. Her hand on Paige’s thigh, the hand holding, the looks, the ask from Connie that she give Paige a chance. Well fine, but this would be the last one.
Melanie: I got home safe thank you for a great night . . .
She was going to leave it at that. But with a freedom that comes from text rather than face to face, and the remaining alcohol in her system, she went on to type some more.
But maybe next time when you speak to me you could be a little nicer?
She went to press send but couldn’t do it. In the end she didn’t have to, her phone buzzed again.
Paige: I’ll nip round tomorrow I can help with this art project. I’d like to help. If that’s OK? x
Melanie deleted the message she’d yet to send.
Melanie: Got home safe thanks for checking. And erm yeah, you know where I’ll be . . .
The question was whether or not to put a kiss on the end. She’d put a kiss on the text back to Polly. She’d probably do the same when she texted Sophie. She was definitely overthinking it now. Nobody thought a kiss on the end of a text actually meant anything did they? Melanie quickly added a kiss then pressed send before she could do anything else.
What a freaking night.
Phone on charge, she took off her glasses and snuggled down into her duvet, eyelids closed, ears only slightly ringing, and took a deep breath. The moment where she talked at length about organisation apps with Sophie replayed in her head and she cringed at her own geekiness — had she really used the term organisational porn about her Pinterest account? Surely that wasn’t what actual celebs like Sophie Bowman wanted to talk about was it? Melanie cringed so hard she gave herself a headache. They weren’t going to be asking her back to hang out anytime soon.
Chapter Eight
Paige
‘Paige get a shift on, we need to go,’ Connie shouted.
Paige sighed as she leaned over the sink, checking out the side of her undercut in the mirror, trying to decide if it needed freshening up. She knew what she was really doing. She was nervous, and she was stalling, because once more she had no idea how the day was going to go, and she hated it. What she did know was that it wasn’t fair to take her lack of mojo out on Melanie, and not just because Connie had spent all night last night telling Paige over and over to cut it out.
Tying up her hair into a topknot so that her undercut could be seen more clearly, she then focused on her T-shirt. Tucking it in slightly, before pulling it back out a little. Then she made sure all her ear piercings were straight. And the one below her lip.
She groaned.
This was not who she was. She never cared what people thought of her. She never had this much uncertainty going on in her head. It was chaotic and unnerving, and she longed for some normality. Normality for her at any rate. She studied her face. Still Paige.
‘You’re a badass. Just go be you, and who cares what anyone thinks.’
‘That’s right, my love, you’re a fighter. It’s how I raised you. Now let’s go.’ Paige jumped out of her skin, not realising Connie had been listening in. She reached forward and pulled open the bathroom door.
