Page 40 of A Wish For Wilma
Sam gave a sympathetic smile. ‘Wilma’s obviously smitten with Gus. I wonder if he feels the same way.’
Aaliyah put down her jumbo packet of cheesy Wotsits and waved a dismissive, orange-stained hand in Jinnie’s direction. ‘It’s completely gross in my opinion, two wrinklies getting together like that. Eurgh!’
‘No one asked your opinion, Aaliyah,’ retorted Jinnie. ‘And that’s rich, coming from someone so old she doesn’t even know her date of birth.’
‘True, but I am blessed with youth and beauty, not to mention sex appeal by the bucketload.’
‘You forgot to mention modesty,’ said Sam, wryly.
Aaliyah stuck out her tongue — also orange — and snatched up her Wotsits.
‘I fancy a walk,’ said Jinnie. ‘Care to join me?’ She directed the question at Sam, not that Aaliyah cared much for walking. Flouncing was more her thing.
Leaving Aaliyah munching crisps and fiddling with her WIFI, Jinnie and Sam set off along the high street. It was early November and leaves clung to the pavement. A brisk wind lowered the temperature and Jinnie tightened the woollen scarf around her neck.
‘Remember when you thought I was getting back together with my ex-wife?’ Sam squeezed Jinnie’s mitten-clad hand and she cringed inwardly.
‘It was an easy mistake to make,’ she replied, cheeks burning at the memory. ‘If you see someone kissing their very attractive ex-wife, you tend to jump to conclusions.’
‘The wrong ones.’ Sam pulled Jinnie into a bear hug. ‘Thank goodness you wore me down in the end and convinced me to fall in love with you.’
‘What? You’ve got a nerve, teasing Aaliyah about her lack of modesty, Mr Big Head! We both know you were already madly in love with me. Dhassim’s WIFI said so.’
Continuing to tease each other, they came to Alison’s boutique. ‘Do you mind if we pop in?’ asked Jinnie. ‘Hannah messaged to ask where I got my new dress, and I’d like to tell Alison it was a big hit with my friends.’
They entered the shop to find Alison and Janette huddled over mugs of tea, guffawing with laughter. Alison’s dog Hector gave a half-hearted welcome woof before returning his attention to a well-chewed toy rabbit.
‘Afternoon, ladies,’ said Sam. ‘How are things?’
‘Fine and dandy,’ replied Janette. ‘Peggy’s holding the fort at my place, as she’s nae hot water at the salon. Who wants an ice-cold wash in this weather?’
‘Hi, Jinnie,’ said Alison, coming over and giving her an unexpected hug. ‘Have you had the chance to wear the dress or top yet?’
‘I wore the dress on a girls’ night out and everybody loved it. In fact, I think my friend Hannah will pay you a visit soon.’
‘That’s wonderful.’ Alison beamed with pleasure. ‘There’s nothing like a satisfied customer spreading the word. Best advertising in the world!’
‘I’ll be next in line to spread the word after what this magical woman has done,’ said Janette. ‘Come take a gander.’ She tugged Jinnie towards the changing room and pulled back the curtain to reveal a rail draped with tops, trousers and skirts. The mixture of fabrics and muted colours lent themselves to multiple outfit combinations. ‘I’ve tried them all on and it’s amazing how good I look! At first I thought they were boring as all get out, but they’re pure class. Feel that one.’ Janette fingered a cream and beige slouchy top with chocolate-brown buttons on the cuffs. Jinnie followed suit.
‘It’s gorgeous,’ said Jinnie, finding it hard to reconcile loud, lairy Janette with this subdued collection.
‘And it’s made of plastic! Recycled, so it’s eco-friendly, and no one needs to know I’m wearing melted down Coke bottles or whatever.’
Sam came over with Alison. ‘Very nice, Janette. We’re lucky Alison moved to Cranley and opened this treasure trove.’
‘Indeed we are, Sam.’ Janette bent down to pat Hector, who’d trotted over to see what all the fuss was about, but not before Jinnie had caught a shared glance between Janette and Alison. It was brief, but it spoke volumes.
‘Talking of treasure troves, I haven’t seen Out of the Attic Antiques open for a wee while. Otherwise occupied, Sam?’ Janette tapped her nose in a knowing fashion. Sam’s other life as a best-selling author wasn’t common knowledge, but what Janette didn’t know about Cranley could be written on the back of a postage stamp.
‘I have my hands full at home,’ said Sam.
‘Aye. With a baby cooking and your otherwork, flogging ancient china and chamber pots isn’t a priority, right?’
Jinnie bristled on Sam’s behalf. He’d never, to her knowledge, sold a chamber pot — she wasn’t one hundred per cent sure what one even was — and plenty of his stock appealed to customers. She couldn’t stand the toby jugs, but that was just her. She decided to change the subject. ’What were you two laughing at when we came in?’
Alison looked at Janette and their brows furrowed as they tried to recollect the reason for their earlier mirth. ‘Oh, I made a bit of a cock-up when we were talking about Alison’s boy,’ said Janette. ‘Nice lad, FaceTimes her twice a week and never forgets birthdays.’
Alison grinned. ‘I mentioned he was a barrister and Janette said: “I bet he makes a belting coffee!”’
