Page 15 of Molly: Part One
“Picnic on the bed,” she says nodding towards it.
I finish what I’m doing then go and sit opposite her with the plate between us. “I need to talk to you about something,” I say, grabbing my first sandwich.
“You can’t kick me out already, the furniture isn’t all made yet!”
“Very funny. Actually we won’t be talking about it, I’ve got to tell you something.”
“Okaaay, go on,” she’s says starting to look nervous.
“You know what Tuesday is, right?” I ask, but I know the answer. She nods looking suddenly sad.
“A couple of months ago I booked to go away so I wouldn’t be home and miserable. Since I booked it, thanks to you and that counsellor you found, I feel totally different about it. I no longer want to disappear for a week and be lonely and miserable, I want to go and celebrate. Does that make sense?”
“Of course it does, I totally get it. I want to celebrate her too. So what are you telling me, that I’m home alone next week while you go away?”
“No, I’m telling you that you are coming with me. I have already-”
“Ryan no, I can’t just tag along because you don’t want to leave me alone. Plus I’ve got work and shifts at Cocoa’s next week.”
“Will you listen to me woman! If you hadn’t so rudely interrupted you would have heard me explain that I have already spoken to Susan and Lilly and Dec are going to work your shifts at Cocoa’s. I have spoken to the company I booked the holiday with and there is Wi-Fi so you can take your laptop and work on whatever briefs you’ve got at the moment, and they confirmed that although it’s only a one bed there is a day bed and plenty of room for two people to stay.”
“Well, you really have thought of everything. Where is it?”
“It’s a little beach hut right on the beach in Cornwall. Look,” I pass her my phone with the details of the beach hut.
“Wow, it’s so cute and peaceful.”
“It’s a private beach so there won’t be any holiday makers on it, other than the ones staying in the huts along with us.”
“Sounds perfect.”
“So you’re in?”
“Did I actually have a choice?” she laughs.
“No, but I was expecting to have to convince you. You surprised me yet again.”
“I like to keep you on your toes! What time are you planning on leaving tomorrow because I could really do with going shopping?” she asks.
“I wondered how long it was going to take you to fill all this new furniture. We can get in the beach hut anytime after three and it takes about three hours to get down there I think, so around midday if that suits you.
“I’m not filling my furniture yet, I’ll need holiday stuff, bikinis etc.” she says picking up the empty plate and putting it aside so she can get the next box to start on.
Did she just say bikinis? Shit, I didn’t think this through. I close my eyes and will the image of her in a bikini to leave my mind. I really need to get a grip.
