Page 32 of My Summer of Magic Moments

‘And lovely ladies, you will be pleased to know that life with Danny is still a-maz-ing. Footballers’ thighs really are to be recommended.’

‘I suppose he’s got good pace on the ball, too,’ Claire added, dead-pan.

Andrea nearly choked on her wine and the five of them creased into a heap of giggles.

‘I think it’s time to move on to the next venue, ladies,’ Andrea said when she’d recovered. ‘Anyone ready for a boogie? Who’s up for Bella’s Bar?’

They wandered along the quayside, linking arms, slightly wobbly in their stilettos. Blame it on the shoes, not the booze! They ordered a round of cocktails (and a mocktail for Claire) at the bar, then got into conversation with a group of cute guys who were on a work’s night out. And then they danced. And danced. At one point, Andrea got up on the table, though the barman quickly came across and got her down, probably worried about a health and safety incident.

Now past one a.m., they were sitting chatting in a booth over a final nightcap. Claire was on the fizzy water by now.

‘So what’s on for everyone next, then? What are our plans, our schemes and dreams for the coming few months?’ Andrea had posed the question.

‘To achieve more than four hours’ sleep in one stretch,’ Jo ventured with a wry smile.

‘See how it goes with my water-cooler man. And I’d love to get a promotion at work. I’ve been covering for a colleague who’s been on sick leave, being head of department. And I’ve just heard she might not be coming back. I’ve really enjoyed it, and I seem to have done okay. It would be great if I could get the role.’

‘That would be brilliant, Lou. Best of luck. And keep us posted – on man and job!’ Claire gave her a hug as they sat side-by-side.

‘What about you, Claire?’

‘I want to do well at work, too. The “Magic Moments” column seems to be gathering momentum. And I’ll be getting my own place soon, so that’ll be exciting. A new page. But I feel like I want to do something else, something new. Even if it’s a hobby.’ She paused, gathering her thoughts. ‘The cancer, the treatment, took all my energy and time. It sounds weird, but it kept me busy, filled my life somehow, the routine of chemo, hospitals. Maybe I could do something that links with that. I feel like I want to give something back, find a way to help people. All those other people facing it now. Something for charity, maybe.’ It was becoming clearer in her mind as she talked.

‘Like a Race for Life or something,’ Emma suggested.

‘That’s it! That’s perfect. I could raise money for Cancer Research and get fitter in the process.’

‘I’ll do it with you,’ Lou said. ‘I like going to the gym anyhow. And I’d like to try proper running.’

‘Count me in too,’ Andrea added, much to Claire’s surprise. Andrea hated physical exercise – except for anything that took place in the bedroom, that is.

‘Is that just the cocktails talking?’ Claire questioned as her eyebrows shot up.

‘Now don’t give me that look. I’m really up for it. After all you’ve been through, and all those other people. It won’t hurt me to run about for half an hour or so.’ She made it sound easy.

‘So you’ll be up for a training run tomorrow morning, then?’

It was Andrea’s turn to raise an eyebrow. ‘Can we skip to Sunday?’ she pleaded, thoughts of her impending hangover in mind, no doubt.

‘Okay, I’ll grant you that. Right, we’ll meet at mine at ten on Sunday morning for our first mile.’

‘Yep. We’re on,’ Andrea agreed, adding, ‘God, you’re going to be such a slave-driver, Claire. I can see it now.’

‘That’s fine,’ said Lou.

‘And we’ll support on the day,’ Emma and Jo said, smiling. Jo added, ‘In fact, I’ll give you twenty quid right now to start the fundraising.’

‘You don’t have to do that yet.’

‘I’d like to. And then there’s no backing out for you lot. You’ll have to sign up tomorrow … including you, Andrea. It’ll be worth twenty quid to see you run.’

They laughed, except for Andrea, who pulled a face at her workmate.

‘What are you going to call yourselves? You’ll need a team name.’

‘Hmm, suppose we will.’

Claire looked up at the neon sign above the bar just at that moment. ‘Bella’s Babes has a nice ring to it.’