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‘You always listen in at bathroom doors, Gran, like a weirdo?’ Paige said shaking her head.
Connie started singing, ‘I am what I am’ as Paige grabbed her leather jacket, her keys and her phone, then put on her Vans. She was half tempted to text first, let Melanie know about the change in plans, hell who was she kidding, she was always tempted to text her. Ever since she got those digits, the battery life in her phone had dropped significantly, the number of composed and unsent messages could have been turned into a short story.
Me and Connie are both gonna come over if that’s OK? She wants brunch, and I want to know how I can help x
Paige studied the message for a minute before Connie nudged her in the ribs and the message was on its way.
‘Oops,’ Connie said, looking inordinately pleased with herself. ‘Come on let’s go — it’ll be fun.’ Connie set off towards the back exit to the apartment, and down the metal fire escape steps.
‘Will it though?’ Paige shouted as she locked up.
‘Oh yes, if you want it to be, today’s going to be great.’ Connie’s smile was somehow both radiant and scheming and Paige wasn’t sure if Connie knew something she didn’t, but then her phone buzzed in her hand.
Melanie: Great I’ve saved you both a table — see you soon x
And completely without meaning to, Paige let herself relax, just a little, as she smiled at the response.
‘See,’ Connie shouted. ‘Let’s go.’
* * *
Together they walked the two-hundred meters down the road until they were outside of Lulu. It was ten a.m. and there was already a queue. Paige went to walk towards the back of the line, when Connie grabbed her arm. ‘Don’t mind us, we know the owner,’ she said before stepping into the bar.
Paige shrugged and followed, keeping her head down as she entered, but her eyes were unstoppable as they searched the premises for . . . her. She found Melanie in the corner by the bar, in what must be her standard work attire of black pencil skirt and shirt, only she was wearing Converse today rather than heels.
Connie made a beeline in her direction. ‘Morning love, thank you so much for the invite.’ Connie reached up to throw an arm around Melanie and brought her in for a hug.
‘Oh hi,’ Melanie said her smile widening at Paige over Connie’s shoulder. ‘How are you both? It’s lovely to see you again, Connie. I’ve saved you this table over here. Follow me.’ Melanie led the way, Connie pausing to get something out of her bag, gesturing that Paige follow. Paige absolutely did not stare at Melanie’s bum in that skirt. Instead, she focused on the Instagram walls, so much so that when Melanie did stop, Paige walked right into her. She quickly held onto Melanie’s shoulders so that she wouldn’t run her over altogether. Which actually resulted in pulling Melanie closer to her chest. Paige realised that without heels, Melanie was just a few inches shorter than her own height. Her hair, nearly in Paige’s face . . . mango again.
‘Sorry.’ Paige stepped back, and immediately pulled out the chair and sat down so she didn’t have to see whatever expression was on Melanie’s face.
‘Good morning to you too, Paige.’ Melanie chuckled and Paige looked up and saw genuine amusement on her face before she pulled out the chair for a grinning Connie who sat down.
‘Can I use your walls for my Instagram, Melanie?’ Connie asked.
‘Of course. Would you like to order first though? Have a look at our menus.’ Paige watched as Melanie moved away to grab some menus from the little pedestal at the front.
‘Paige, you’re so cool.’ Connie laughed, and Paige rolled her eyes, so happy her gran was there to witness her embarrassment first-hand.
Melanie made her way back towards them and Paige had no time to sort herself out.
‘It’s going to be a little busy with the brunch rush this morning, so I might not get a chance to speak to you both properly, but I’ll try,’ Melanie said, handing over the menus.
‘We don’t want to impose, do we, Paige? If Paige can’t talk to you about whatever she wants to talk to you about then I’m sure you can catch up another time, can’t you? I appreciate you’re a businesswoman and we don’t want to be getting in your way or be an inconvenience. And we really appreciate your generosity inviting us over here like this.’ Connie paused for a split second as her attention moved to the menu. ‘Now, can you tell me, do you have gluten-free muffins for the eggs benedict? But also can I have my eggs scrambled not poached, and if it’s not too much trouble I would love the sauce on the side, and the smoked salmon on the other side, deconstructed if you will?’
Paige watched as Melanie was momentarily stunned silent before her eyes widened as she tried to take in the complex order. With a quick smile at Paige, that might have been a cheeky little smirk, Paige wasn’t sure, Melanie looked back at Connie.
‘Absolutely, we can do that. What would you like to drink?’
‘I think today feels like a mimosa day, what do you think, Paige?’
‘Sure.’
‘Paige? What are you going to have?’ Melanie asked.
‘Can I be really difficult . . . and ask for the eggs benedict, just exactly as it’s listed in the menu?’ Paige flushed with embarrassment as her little joke, the worlds tiniest joke in fact, failed to land. Connie looked baffled, but then Melanie burst into a huge smile. As in showing teeth, eyes sparkling, Melanie Megawatt Smile.
‘In all our interactions I would say, that’s the least difficult you’ve been yet.’ Paige couldn’t stop the laughter from escaping. She wasn’t wrong. ‘I’ll be back over with your drinks shortly. Connie, go wild with your Instagram. Make sure to tag us in your pics.’
