Page 46 of A Wish for Jinnie
‘As it’s only been a week since your girlfriend binned you, how come you’reso revoltingly upbeat?’ Jinnie already knew the answer; that Ed and Cheryl’s relationship had been wobbly for some time. She just wasn’t ready to pour her heart out about her feelings for Sam and her plans to leave.
‘She did me a favour, to be honest,’ replied Ed, dipping a wing in a bowl of blue cheese sauce. ‘We weren’t exactly a match made in heaven, unlikethisdivine coupling.’ Contented sighs and slurping sounds followed. Jinnie scooped up some nachos, and strands of molten cheese dribbled down her chin. If dubious eating skills were a sign of compatibility, she and Ed were love’s young dream.
‘So, got your eye on anyone else?’ Jinnie laughed as Ed mock-choked on his food. Once upon a very short time, she might have hoped for a lingering look that said:Why, you, of course. The look he gave her now was affectionate, but more one a doting brother would give to an upset sibling.
‘Steady on, woman! Just because I’m not broken-hearted doesn’t mean my ego’s not bruised.’ Jinnie doubted that. Ed’s ego could probably withstand a hurricane, since it seemed as robust as his physical form.
‘You didn’t answer the question.’ And it remained unanswered as the pub's door flew open and Angela charged towards them; cheeks flushed, eyes glittering and waving something aloft. She skidded to a halt in front of Ed and Jinnie, her lips moving but no sound coming out.
Ed grabbed another chair and guided Angela into it. ‘What on earth’s the matter? Has something bad happened?’
Quite the opposite,thought Jinnie.
Angela unfurled her fingers to reveal the scratch card, in all its scratched-to-bits glory.
‘I won, Jinnie.’ Her voice cracked, and she trembled from head to toe. ‘I waited and waited to do it, because people like me never win.’
‘That’s amazing.’ Ed pushed the plate of food in Angela’s direction, but she ignored it. ‘How much?’
‘Fifty thousand pounds.’ The words hung in the air, the only sound a gasp from Ed.
Jinnie downed the rest of her wine, sending up a prayer of thanks to Dhassim and his WIFI. Finally she’d made a wish that would change someone’s life —
‘And it’s yours, Jinnie.’
Jinnie stared at her.Eh, what?
Angela nudged the card towards Jinnie. ‘You paid for it. I think you’re one of the loveliest people I’ve ever met, but — I can’t keep it. It wouldn’t be right.’
Ed chose that moment to head back to the bar. Jinnie didn’t know what to say. Yes, technically she’d bought the card, but she’d given it to Angela. What she said next was so important.
‘Angela, listen to me. The card was a gift. I didn’t know it was a winner — how could I? — but the money is yours. Please. I’m thrilled for you and I want you to have it.’
Angela rested her head in her hands. The winning card lay between them, a ticking money bomb. When she looked up a minute later, tears streamed down her face. ‘Last night I bought a cheap bottle of vodka and poured a glass. And I thought, “What’s the point in being sober?” I stared at it for half an hour, held it to my lips, but I couldn’t do it.’
Jinnie handed her a napkin and Angela roughly wiped her eyes. ‘I poured the lot down the sink, and went to bed. Then I spent the day working at Jo’s, mapping out what to do with my stupid life. It was only when I got home that I remembered the card, and —’
‘Now you can stay!’ Jinnie shoved the card back under Angela’s nose. ‘I don’t want the money, honestly. It’s all yours. You can pay your rent, treat yourself to some nice things, do whatever you want.’ Despite her sadness over Sam, a warm bubble of joy tickled Jinnie’s insides. She even managed a proper smile when Ed returned, holding a bottle and three glasses.
‘Non-alcoholic fizz,’ he declared, popping the cork.
‘Give me a few minutes to tidy myself up.’ Angela picked up her bag and took a step towards the toilets. Then she stopped, turned back to Jinnie, and wrapped her arms around her. ‘You don’t know how much this means to me,’ she whispered. ‘I thought I’d hit rock bottom, but now the only way is up. Thank you.’
‘You are one hell of a woman, Jinnie Cooper.’ Ed poured three drinks and gave her that cheeky grin which had female customers swooning. ‘Maybe you could buy me a scratch card too, seeing as I’m pretty much unemployed at the moment?’
They waited for Angela. Ed fiddled with a beer mat, and Jinnie felt her brief euphoria seeping away. Before she could stop herself, she blurted out: ‘Have you ever fallen in love with someone who doesn’t feel the same way about you?’Great. So much for not talking about Sam, and especially to Ed…
‘I’m not sure about falling in love.’ Ed’s gaze shifted to the door of the ladies, which remained closed. ‘But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t interested in someone.’ He studied her. ‘I suspect your question relates to a certain man with a passion for old things. Present company excepted, of course. And I’m no expert, but I’d say he has more than a soft spot for you.’
Jinnie goggled at him.Is that true?
Before she could answer Angela returned, and they toasted her good fortune.
‘What’s the first thing you’re going to do with all that dosh?’ asked Ed. ‘Apart from taking yours truly out for a slap-up meal, of course.’
Angela blushed before clinking her glass with Jinnie’s. ‘You’re next in the queue after this amazing woman. But — there isoneother thing I’d like to splash out on, Ed, if you don’t mind helping me.’
Ed and Jinnie waited.
