Page 54 of Our Stop

Nadia reached for her phone and messaged Emma:

Nadia:HELLO! Can you do a dinner this week?

Emma texted back immediately – one of the things Nadia liked most about her, and had found so frustrating lately. She’d been taking 48 hours to get back to her.

Emma:What are you thinking?

Nadia:Thursday?

Emma:Ah – I’m heading out of town Tuesday till Friday.

Nadia:For work?

Emma:Yeah! So … Friday? Saturday?

Nadia:Yup! I’ve got Mary’s birthday on Saturday night, but other than that!

Emma:Noted. How’s it going with The Ginge?

Nadia:Don’t call him that! Also,would you hate me if I said how nice it is to have somebody to do stuff with?

Emma:Why would I hate you for that! It *is* nice to have somebody to do stuff with! … I mean, you like him too, though, yes?

Eddie called through from the kitchen, ‘Five-minute warning, babe! Fish Wellington with hollandaise sauce incoming!’

‘I’ll lay the table!’ Nadia shouted back.

Nadia:Of course I like him! Literally, he is plating up homemade fish Wellington as I type.

Emma:Okay, well – enjoy, and I’ll let you know about the weekend later in the week if that’s okay!

Nadia:Okay!!

The next day at work, Nadia made a point of texting Gaby to connect too.

Nadia:Coffee in the lobby in five?

Gaby:Oh babe! I’m on annual leave this week!

Nadia:What!!!!!!

Gaby:I had holiday to use up before the next big project starts and I’m not allowed to breathe without permission. I’m at home!

Nadia:Damn. I need a warning about these things!

Gaby:Lol.

Nadia:Are you around for drinks? Dinner?

Gaby:Some of the time! I’m around at the weekend?

Nadia:Oh. Okay, cool. Yeah, the weekend works! Are you staying home the whole week?

Gaby:I’m going to leave town for a few days – get some fresh air, maybe by the sea. Do you wanna do Bellanger for brunch? Sunday?

Nadia:I do. I’ll book a table so we can sit outside if it’s still warm. I’m loving this ever-lasting summer.

Gaby:Perfect! Thank you!

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