Page 42 of The Summer That Changed Us

‘I’m a previvor,’ Robyn blurted out and then felt her face flood with colour. ‘But I’m very private about it.’

‘I understand.’ Nula pinned her with her gaze, a gentle smile on her lips. ‘Well, if you fancy learning to knit, we’d love to have you.’

Robyn thanked her and then Nula left her to browse while she waited for Katie. Everybody’s cancer journey was different, and a previvor, like she was, had different issues to a survivor. She didn’t want to join the Knitting Knockers group because she didn’t know one end of a knitting needle from the other, but the idea of talking to others who understood the choices she’d made was beginning to appeal. Maybe there were other women in the area who had found it hard to come to terms with their new bodies too? She’d do an internet search later and see if she could find out.

Katie was seeing her visitor out and as she passed by Robyn she whispered, ‘Thanks for waiting, so lovely to see you.’ She smiled as she showed her visitor to the door. ‘Great to meet you, Sasha.’

‘Likewise,’ said the visitor. ‘And I’ll talk to my marketing team about visual merchandising props if you put the new collection in the window.’

‘Deal.’ Katie shook her hand and then held up a lacy bra. ‘And thanks for the sample. I’ll get one of my models to trial it and come back to you.’

She closed the door, waved to Sasha as she walked away and turned back to Nula and Robyn. ‘That went well.’

‘Your models?’ Nula said, raising an eyebrow. ‘Would that be me and you?’

Katie grinned, ‘Artistic licence. I was trying to compete with Sasha and her marketing team. It’s a 34C.’ She held the bra out to Robyn. ‘Do me a favour and try it on, it’s non-wired and I think it’ll feel like a second skin.’

‘How did you know what size I am?’ Robyn began, folding her arms across her chest and wondering what else she could tell from a casual glance.

‘It’s my party trick. Oh no, that sales agent has just sent Grace flying!’ Katie flung open the door again and went outside.

Robyn turned to see Sasha helping Grace up from the pavement, bags of shopping on the floor. She followed Katie outside to help.

‘Hello girls!’ Grace laughed. ‘What a palaver! I buy all this healthy stuff and look what happens, fruit and veg scattered to the four winds.’ She bent to pick up an aubergine. ‘It’s a sign. Me and Pringles were meant to be.’

‘All my fault,’ said Sasha, stuffing bread rolls back into a jute shopping bag. ‘I was texting my boss to say our meeting went well. Oh dear!’

They all watched as two oranges rolled into the road and into the path of a car.

‘Most of it is fine.’ Katie picked up a courgette and blew on it. ‘Five-second rule.’

‘The oranges certainly aren’t,’ Sasha argued. ‘Oh, I know, let me see if I have another sample that might fit you.’

Grace looked confused but Katie murmured something in Sasha’s ear. Sasha rummaged in her bag and pulled out a black sheer lace bra with a large satin bow at the front.

‘That’s gorgeous! I was coming to Auntie Small’s to treat myself to some new knickers.’ Grace whooped with delight. ‘Myles will think he’s died and gone to … Oh.’

The smile fell from Grace’s face at which point Robyn bundled her into the shop and Katie waved Sasha off again, before declaring it was high time for a coffee break.

Chapter Sixteen

Five minutes later, Nula had made them coffee while Katie did the introductions and Grace had brushed away her moment of grief by sharing the fresh plum loaf she’d bought from the bakery. Katie was touched that they’d both come to see her but hoped they were careful not to say anything about her secret in front of Nula.

‘I’m so pleased Katie’s making friends, finally,’ said Nula, handing round milk and sugar. ‘Seems a shame she keeps herself to herself. I’ve tried no end of times to get her to come along to line dancing with me. I can’t understand it.’

Robyn met Katie’s eye and they both smothered a giggle. It reminded Katie of when she’d started school and her mum had related embarrassing anecdotes to the other mums. ‘I’m not unfriendly, I hope.’

‘You’ve been a good friend to me already,’ said Grace, giving her a meaningful look. ‘Both you and Robyn have. Has Katie told you that I was a damsel in distress when they first met me?’

‘She tells me nothing! Comes from being an only child,’ Nula said in a stage whisper. ‘My husband was the same. Well, up until he met me.’

‘I’m the soul of discretion, that’s all,’ Katie retorted.

‘So has anything happened since we last saw you, Katie?’ Robyn asked, popping the last piece of cake into her mouth.

‘Ooh, yes!’ said Grace. ‘The post lady said you’d had some news. Do tell!’

Robyn’s eyes widened in alarm and she shot a look at Nula. Who from?