Page 110 of Electric Kiss

“You could have given me the sofa, too, seeing as I didn’t get any sleep last night,” Heidi bantered back.

“How much of that was Jason and the surprise, and how much of it was Adam?” Freya asked, studying her nails that hadn’t been polished yet.

“Probably fifty-fifty,” Heidi mumbled to the stone. “He liked the surprise.”

Freya sighed, worried about Luke’s reaction to the surprise. She desperately hoped he liked it, as there was no quick way to undo it.

Freya and Heidi were lounging, waiting for Freya’s new tenant.

The house contained only basic furniture, devoid of any personal belongings. A sofa, two armchairs, and a coffee table in the living room. The kitchen had a table for two and all the white goods. The laundry room was equipped with everything. The house lacked a back garden or yard, and its front faced the street. Upstairs was a double bed with a new mattress in the main bedroom and a single bed with a brand-new mattress in the spare room. Both bedrooms had a chest of drawers and a wardrobe. Both were new to Freya’s house but not new as they came from Edward Hall. Although they were ancient, they were built to last. Freya hoped the new occupant loved the pretty wood design on the matching furniture. Freya did.

Heidi, who had lived next door to her, had sold her house, but when Freya heard her old head teacher was retiring and the school board had hired a temporary head teacher, she offered her home to rent. That way, the new head teacher could decide if she liked island life before she got a mortgage.

When a knock sounded at the front door, Heidi turned her head to Freya and widened her eyes. They hadn’t met the new head teacher, seen her or heard her. They communicated with the new head teacher solely through email.

Heidi shot up to her feet, and then Freya realised she was going to get to the front door before her. Scrambling ensued as they play-fought their way to the door. Freya made it there first with a hair’s breadth. By the time she swung the door open, they were both panting from their exertion and laughter.

When Freya clapped her eyes on the woman standing on the pavement at her doorstep, she knew she’d like her. With one hand resting on the extended handle of a wheelie case, she stood poised with elegance in white cotton trousers and a casually white fitted man’s shirt over a white vest top. Her feet were in lace-up deck shoes, and she didn’t have a single piece of jewellery on. But she still looked fabulous. Her hair was in a short choppy bob with a dozen different shades of blonde.

Aside from how fantastic she was dressed so effortlessly chic, what Freya liked about this woman was the look in her eyes that said,What the fuck am I doing here?

That was the sole reason Freya grabbed the woman’s hand. At the same time, Heidi grabbed the handle of the woman’s bright red case on wheels and they hauled both into Freya’s house. Soon to be this woman’s house.

“Hi,” the woman said nervously, looking around the small but homely living room. “I guess you know who I am?”

“Yeah, Gwendolyn Hoskins,” Freya said.

“I’m Heidi Turner,” Heidi said, jumping to thrust her hand in Gwendolyn’s direction.

Gwendolyn shook her hand while looking around the room and then back at Freya.

“I’m Freya Riley, soon to be Freya Turner,” Freya said, and immediately rushed forward to give her a hug.

Gwendolyn hugged her back with tight arms around her waist. Freya smiled at Heidi. This girl could hug.

When they broke apart, Freya moved out of her way, and Heidi wheeled her case to the foot of the stairs and then hoofed it upstairs.

“I can do that,” Gwen said, calling after Heidi.

“It’s no trouble,” Heidi called back, out of sight.

“So you’re the new head teacher,” Freya said. “It’s great to meet you. I’m a teacher at the school. I’m getting married in three days, so I won’t be at school for the first two weeks of school term. I’m going on honeymoon. I have no idea where, but it’s off-island. Time owed, long story,” Freya said, waving her hand. “The beds upstairs have new mattresses and new bedding. I went for white, so you at least had a fresh bed to crawl into after travelling here. There’s bread, milk, eggs, jam and bacon in the fridge, but you can get most things at the grocery store. I’ve left my number on the fridge in case you need to get hold of me, but there is Heidi’s number who you just met. Erica’s number and Daisy’s number too.”

Freya took a long breath and carried on, ignoring Gwendolyn’s startled expression.

“I’m marrying Luke Turner in a few days. Heidi married his brother, Jason, a while back. Erica is married to Archer, who is the eldest Turner and then there’s Daisy, the youngest Turner. She’s married too, to Nate Hill. We all live up on the estate. You’re welcome any time if you get lonely.”

“Wow, I didn’t expect such a warm welcome. I prefer Gwen. Only my mother calls me Gwendolyn.”

Heidi came bounding back down the stairs and skidded to a halt before Gwen like she’d had twelve hours of sleep.

“It’s great to meet you, Gwen. I’m the midwife on the island, but I double up at the surgery for minor ailments and all the girly stuff we need checked out. When you get a moment, come across and get registered. If you’re looking to get pregnant or want to avoid it, I’m your girl.”

“Well, gotta have a man to get one of those or avoid the other,” Gwen said.

“Oh, single girl. Maybe we can fix you up. I know,” Freya said, grasping Gwen’s forearm. “Come to the wedding. It’s a really small affair and you’ll get to know the islanders while they’re smashed,” Freya said.

“Small affair?” Heidi asked, her eyebrows shooting up to meet her hairline.

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