Page 44 of A Wish for Jinnie
‘Is it because of Sam?’ Dhassim sat cross-legged at the end of the bed. ‘If you like, you can wish for him to —’
‘No!’ Jinnie lunged forward before Dhassim could touch his WIFI, sending the mug of tea flying. ‘I’m not going to wish for him to love me. That’s just pathetic. Ugh. I’m sad and lonely, but I’m not desperate.’
Watching as Dhassim mopped up the spilled tea with a discarded T-shirt, Jinnie pulled the duvet up to her chin. She’d got it hopelessly wrong, and she couldn’t see a way to make it right. The thought of walking into the shop and pretending everything was fine, made her shudder. Working alongside Sam and seeing him gambolling around like a spring lamb would be torture.
‘If your WIFI is functioning again, can we do the thing for Angela?’
Dhassim ceased mopping and returned to his position on the bed. ‘The screech card?’Close enough. ‘If that is your wish, then it is my command.’
Huddled together, Jinnie said the words — ‘I wish for Angela to win money’ — and Dhassim gave a thumbs-up to signal all was well. Oops, Jinnie hadn’t specified howmuchmoney. She hoped Angela didn’t do the EuroMillions and suddenly find herself hounded by gold-digging Lotharios. Although she might be happy beating them off with a wodge of crisp hundred-pound notes.
‘Thank you.’ Jinnie kissed Dhassim on the cheek. A fresh bout of tears threatened when he wrapped his arms around her. She squeezed him tight, aware that soon he’d be out of her life too.
Then Jinnie pulled away. ‘I have to go.’ She needed to splash some water on her face, put on a bit of slap and drag her weary body out of the door. How she would convince Angela to pop to the corner shop and buy a scratch card was something she’d figure out on the way.
* * *
After knocking for several minutes,Jinnie turned to leave. Then the door opened and Angela appeared, her expression stony.
‘Hi. Sorry if it’s a bad time, but I was just passing and wondered if you fancied a walk?’Well, that sounded totally convincing.
‘Walk to where?’ Angela replied. ‘I think back to happiness might be a stretch.’ She smiled, but it was a lacklustre effort.
‘Oh, I dunno. Just a wander along the high street. We could check out the boutique, see how the refurb’s gone.’
The boutique had closed down just after Christmas, and re-opened a few days ago with a new owner. Rumour had it that the tent-style dresses and forgiving waistbands had been replaced by more attractive and modern stock.
Angela shrugged, unhooked a jacket from behind the door and stepped out.
‘Aren’t you going to lock up?’ asked Jinnie. Cranley wasn’t the crime capital of the region, but Jinnie was always vigilant about making sure all windows and doors were secure.
‘Nah,’ said Angela, patting her pocket and producing a shabby purse. ‘Jamie’s in his kip and one look at him naked will scare anyone off.’
They ambled along, Angela revealing she had a couple of bedsits to view in the city early next week. ‘I’ll have to give my landlord a month’s notice and I guess that’ll be the end of the line with Jo too. As for Jamie—’
Stopping at the boutique, they admired the dramatically different window display. Pastel jumpers draped over wickerwork chairs; multi-hued scarves threaded through a lattice frame, and glittering items of costume jewellery hung from tree-shaped metal stands.
‘Bit of an improvement, eh?’ said Jinnie, heading inside. They were greeted by the new owner, Alison Gale, who explained she was originally from the village, but had moved to Aberdeen many years ago.
‘My husband died a few months ago,’ she said. ‘I’ve been living in the small flat upstairs here, but hopefully I’ll buy something bigger in due course. Now, can I offer you ladies a wee glass of something to celebrate my opening?’ Alison produced a bottle of champagne and two plastic flutes. Angela declined, and Jinnie hesitated before saying yes.
‘This is pretty.’ Angela fingered a double-layered moss green top with a chiffony piece poking out at the bottom. ‘It’s been ages since I bought anything new to wear.’
Overhearing her, Alison glided over and flipped the price tag. ‘Fifty per cent off for opening week,’ she declared. ‘An absolute bargain, and that colour is perfect for you!’
‘Fifty per cent is still too much when you’ve got nothing in the pot,’ muttered Angela out of Alison’s earshot. ‘Come on, let’s go. Unless you’ve got your eye on something.’
Waving goodbye to a crestfallen Alison, they made their way to the corner shop.
‘When life gives you lemons, you need chocolate,’ said Jinnie. ‘Ooh, and maybe a little flutter. You never know when Lady Luck might be smiling on you.’Smooth, Jinnie, very smooth.
Janette was arranging newspapers and magazines when they arrived. Balanced on a stepladder, she tutted over a copy ofGQfeaturing a scantily clad model with whipped cream on her nipples.
‘Whit a waste o’ cream, that,’ she grumbled. ‘Mind you, I’d need a whole can to hide my puppies. Hello, girls. What can I get you?’
Jinnie selected a Wispa bar and a bag of chocolate-coated raisins. Angela went for a Crunchie, and pulled out her purse.
‘Wait!’ This was it. Crunch — or Crunchie — time. ‘What do you recommend on the scratch card front, Janette? I mean, in terms of winning a decent prize.’
