Page 24 of On The Edge

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Cat almost ran to Jess’s gallery, she tried to calm herself and slow her speed, but something in her kept her going faster. Perhaps it was that kiss? Arriving at the back under the eaves, she banged the door behind her.

“Jess!” she yelled, and then realised there was a small woman looking at a painting in the backroom. “Oh! I’m very sorry!” Cat composed herself.

Jess appeared from behind her customer. “If you'd like it in a different frame, I can do that also?” Over her shoulder as she approached Cat, mouthing “Everything OK?”

“I'm fine, I’m sorry. I thought you were closed. Take your time!”

Jess looked straight into Cat’s eyes with bemusement, and whispered, “Go upstairs and make us a cuppa, I’ll be ten minutes.”

Cat went up to Jess’s flat, made two cups of tea and sat anticipating her arrival. She fidgeted with her hair, braiding and re-braiding her auburn locks. Time still dragged, so she decided to wash the dishes, and give the kitchen a little tidy as the jittery energy persisted. By the time Jess came up the stairs, the kitchen was spotless. Cat was sat on the couch and had arranged the magazines on the coffee table.

“WOW, what a great sight to come home to! I got a sale and my house tidied! Could it get any better?” Jess walked over to the couch and bent down to give Cat a peck on the cheek.

“That’s amazing!”

“Yip sold my big oil landscape. The tourists love landscapes, I need to do more!” She fist-pumped the air and did a little dance.

“We should celebrate! Lets go into Kirkwall and dance!” Cat poured fresh tea for Jess and handed it to her with an innocent smile.

“What's going on with you anyway?” Jess squinted suspiciously at her friend and sniffed her tea. After a moment’s hesitation she sipped it with pleasure. “Ah! I don’t think I’ve had a cup of tea all day, it’s been pretty manic.”

“All the more reason to let your hair down!” Cat smiled encouragingly.

“All the more reason to get a fish super from the chippy and have an early night.” Jess shoved Cat over to the other side of the couch and sipped her sacred cup of tea.

“Noooooooo!” Cat whined.

“What is wrong with you?” Jess took off her shoes and propped her feet up on the coffee table.

“Patrick is playing in Kirkwall tonight, we spent the day together – you know he’s helping me with the house right? And it was just so lovely Jess, we had an excellent day and got all the jobs I wanted done, and then we went for a drink and that was lovely too, then he remembered he was playing a gig tonight and kissed me and left, but then the waitress was flirting with him on his way out and-"

“OK stop!” Jess put her hand up with authority. “Breathe honey, breathe. There’s no need to get in a tizzy, he may be a dream-boat but – wait, he kissed you?” Jess quickly put her cup down and faced Cat properly.

“Yes, and it was heavenly!”

“I knew he’d be a good kisser, he’s got lovely lips. That’s the first thing I noticed - well that and his hair.”

“I know I know!” Cat bounced with excitement.

“OK, so: details; was it slow and sexy, or passionate and fast? Jess tapped her friend eagerly for information.

“Neither...” Cat began to feel a little embarrassed.

“Oh I see, was it like a few kisses, gentle and considerate?” Jess's thoughts drifted dreamily away towards the art of kissing.

“No..."

“Oh, was it like-"

“No, he... he kissed me on the head.” Cat thought about this statement and lay back on the couch deflated.

Jess was about to ask for further details, then realising what Cat had just said, also sat back and looked at her friend with quiet concern. After some moments of silence, she contributed cheerily: “Well, it’s a start!”

“Suddenly I feel depressed - where’s your alcohol?”

“Don’t drink when you feel down Cat, not a good habit!” Jess put her hand on Cat’s shoulder in an authoritative manner.