AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Hindsight and all that.
But God, now certainly wasn’t the time to be striding down unpleasant memory lane. Swallowing and sitting up straighter, she pushed down the emotions and carried on, getting another to do ticked off her list. ‘Alfie has asked me to tell you it’s his birthday soon and that you’re invited to his birthday party.’
‘Cool. Do you have the details on you now? I can let you know.’
‘Sure.’ Melanie sent the details over to Paige’s phone.
‘Yeah, I’ll be there. What’s he into? I would normally bring booze but he’s not into that yet, is he?’
‘Not quite. Think more PAW Patrol or books or something.’
‘Disney?’
‘Of course.’ Melanie nodded and ticked the fact Paige had been asked and was coming to Alfie’s party.
‘What time was Selena due?’ Paige asked as she locked her phone and checked the time.
‘Erm, five minutes ago,’ Melanie said.
‘I’ve updated the list, but Seb has said she’s happy to design any flyers or promo stuff for the big unveiling.’
Wait what? The big reveal. Oh, well of course there would need to be a big reveal. Before she could sink any further into it, Melanie’s eyes were drawn to a whole lot of colours as a large flowing kaftan came into the bar. Melanie watched in fascination as the rainbow sensation floated in on a breeze towards them. The person wearing it was barely visible as she swept closer. Melanie cast a look at Paige, who appeared equally as bemused.
‘You must be Selena,’ Melanie said, standing up to welcome their guest.
‘Indeed, I must.’ Selena swept down and kissed Melanie on both cheeks. Paige had stood up to greet Selena and Melanie was surprised to see them smile at each other and even more surprised when Paige permitted Selena to wrap her arms around her for a hug before kissing her on both cheeks too. ‘How are you, Paige?’ Selena asked as she pulled away.
‘Good, thanks. You?’
‘Of course.’ Selena sat down, moving the fabric about her until she was settled.
‘Can I get you anything to drink?’ Melanie asked.
‘A whisky sour, please,’ Selena said quickly, and Melanie looked up at Paige.
‘I’m good, thanks.’
Melanie nodded and got up to speak to one of her staff. She could do with another coffee anyway, given that caffeine was the only thing keeping her going. She quickly asked Cleo for the drinks and when she got back to the table, saw that Selena had managed to produce a large handbag from somewhere within the kaftan and was going through it.
‘Selena, it’s so lovely to meet you and congratulations on being the judge's choice.’ Selena looked up at Melanie and smiled before placing a crystal on the table.
‘Don’t worry, it’s just to help us get to know each other and send creativity our way. Although . . .’ Selena grabbed her bag and began rummaging around again, and all Melanie could see was the rainbow pattern of her head wrap until her head shot up again.
‘Here. No offence, sweet, because you are absolutely gorgeous, but I get the impression you’re not sleeping so well at the moment. Take this crystal, put it on the windowsill in your bedroom. It helps unblock and allow for more rest. Go on, take it, I insist.’
‘Erm, thanks.’ Melanie reached forward for the cloth pouch that presumably held a crystal within.
Selena’s smile was wide-open, her deep brown eyes warm, her brown skin smooth, her hair neatly wrapped in a head scarf. But whether it was the kaftan, the crystals, her smile, or the kiss on the cheeks, Melanie felt an immediate warmth from Selena that made her shoulders relax a little. Maybe she would try and use the crystal, see if it helped.
‘So, perhaps I should tell you a bit more about the project and where we’re up to?’ Melanie suggested.
Selena nodded. ‘Yes please. We’re so excited.’
‘Well, we’re waiting to hear back from Councillor Houghton about which wall will be used, but we should have that in the next day or so, complete with necessary risk assessments and insurances etc. Or so I’m led to believe.’ Melanie momentarily panicked; it had said that in the last email right? God, she could barely retain information any more either. She quickly added a note in her list to check, while mumbling her apologies.
‘So, yes,’ Melanie continued. ‘The project, the mural, is being sponsored by the Neighbourhood Business Alliance, the NBA, which is basically a group of business owners in the neighbourhood and around this area all working together with Councillor Houghton as the Chair.’
Selena interrupted. ‘What streets specifically are included in the NBA?’
