Page 38 of Flowers Go Flying in Crumbleton

‘All teeth accounted for?’ said Caroline.

‘Yep. And no blood,’ said Milly. ‘He’s not been back from hospital for long, though. Sounds like he got a pretty nasty bump on the head – and I bet there was a bit of concussion. But, other than being a bit all over the place because he’d forgotten to eat… he seemed to be okay.’

Milly stopped talking and took a sip of her wine. Caroline just sat there, watching her.

‘What?’ said Milly after several long seconds.

‘Is that it?’ said Caroline, looking disappointed. ‘You said it was a long story. That wasn’t even worth cracking out the emergency office wine!’

‘To be fair,’ said Milly, ‘you had that open before I even called.’

‘Damn… you weren’t meant to remember that bit!’ laughed Caroline. ‘But seriously… what’s with you? The smiling… the twinkles…? I know something else must have happened. According to Jo, you’ve been gone all afternoon.’

‘Ooh, she’s soooo fired,’ muttered Milly.

‘And you haven’t told me why you’re wearing those!’ Caroline continued, pointing at Murray’s shorts.

‘I happen to like them,’ said Milly mildly.

‘And I happen to know they’re not yours,’ countered Caroline. ‘Come on, out with it!’

Milly took a deep breath. ‘Off the record?!’

‘Of course,’ tutted Caroline. ‘As if you have to ask!’

‘Well then,’ said Milly, ‘it’s like this…’

She had to hand it to Caroline – she made an excellent audience. She groaned and cheered and gasped in all the right places… and she even let out a little sigh when Milly told her about the kiss.

‘So – you did get to feel his bump!’ said Caroline with a teasing grin. ‘I knew it!’

‘Get your mind out of the gutter, Car!’ huffed Milly. ‘It was all very sweet, and lovely, and innocent.’

‘Oh yeah – super innocent!’ said Caroline, rolling her eyes. ‘Tell me that bit about you ogling him in a towel again.’

Milly smirked, but after a couple of seconds, it slid right off her face.

‘What?’ said Caroline. ‘Did reality not quite live up to eighteen months of fantasising?’

‘It’s not that. It more than lived up to it!’ she sighed. ‘It’s just… I don’t have his phone number.’

‘You’re kidding me,’ said Caroline. ‘You spent a whole afternoon with the guy… you slept with him—’

‘Next to him!’ Milly cut in.

‘Same difference,’ shrugged Caroline.

‘Really not!’ insisted Milly.

‘Whatever. You slept on his boat… and now you’re telling me you have no way of contacting him?’

‘Pretty much,’ said Milly, feeling a bit sheepish. ‘I was caught up in the moment.’

‘Uh-huh?’ said Caroline. ‘Did you at least arrange to see him again?’

Milly gave her head a tiny shake. ‘Nope.’

‘Dumbass,’ said Caroline affectionately.

---