Page 53 of A Wish For Wilma
‘Wilma.’ Gus took her hands and squeezed them gently. ‘I’d love to stay the night in the spare bed, on one condition.’
Wilma gulped. ‘And what would that be?’ If he suggested a romp on the sofa or a cavort on the carpet, she’d have to say no. Thinking about sex was one thing, but actually doing it—
‘Can we have a nice big cuddle first?’ Gus pulled her close and she relaxed into his warm, safe arms. Kissing was lovely, but you couldn’t beat a proper, full-on cuddle. Unless…
‘That’s no’ a euphemism, is it?’ Wilma peered over Gus’s shoulder and he shook with laughter.
‘No it’s not, you wanton woman. We’ve kissed, we’ve cuddled and now we both need some kip. You fill the hot-water bottles and I’ll clear up in the kitchen.’
Twenty minutes later, a contented Wilma nestled into her pillow. Gus had kissed her goodnight and only a thin wall separated them. To the sound of gentle snoring in the next room, she closed her eyes and drifted off.
CHAPTER32
‘You look radiant, Jinnie.’Jo beamed at Jinnie, who pulled a wry face.
‘If radiant means utterly knackered and feeling like a beach ball on legs, I guess so.’ She hung up her coat and ordered a peppermint tea and a Danish pastry.
‘Nonsense: you’ve got that glow pregnant women get when they’re ready to pop. Not that I’ve ever popped myself, mind you. Angela’s the same, aren’t you, love?’
Angela’s head bobbed up from behind the counter. ‘I’m with Jinnie on the knackered and over-inflated front.’
‘I told Angela she needed to put her feet up, but she insisted on lending a hand here,’ said Jo.
‘Only because I’m a bundle of nervous energy and Ed, bless him, treats me like a fragile piece of china. He watches me like a hawk and if I so much as burp he reckons I’m about to give birth.’
Jinnie giggled. ‘Sam’s not quite that bad, but I try to keep my grunts and groans to a minimum. Pregnancy-related ones, that is!’
‘Not listening,’ said Jo. ‘Right, here’s your tea and pastry, Jinnie. Would you fancy coming with me to Alison’s boutique after?’
Angela winked at Jinnie. ‘Jo’s in need of a new outfit for a special occasion, and obviously she trusts your judgement more than mine.’
Jo’s cheeks reddened and she tutted. ‘Not true, and you promised not to say a word. Now, there’s a tray of fruit scones ready to go in the oven, Angela, and Ken’s picking up the cake for Mags’s birthday.’
Angela nodded, the corners of her mouth turned down. ‘The poor love doesn’t even know it’s her birthday tomorrow. It’s so sad, but Ken’s determined to go all out with balloons and banners.’
‘He’s one in a million,’ said Jo.
Jinnie flicked though a magazine as she polished off the pastry and finished her tea.
As soon as they left the café Jinnie halted and faced Jo. ‘I’m not taking another step until you tell me what’s makingyoulook radiant. There’s a definite glow about you. Hang on, areyoupregnant?’
In true cartoon style, Jo’s jaw dropped, then she howled with laughter. ‘I am one hundred per cent not pregnant. Unless having babies is contagious in Cranley.’ She took a big step away from Jinnie.
‘Then what gives? And don’t tell me it’s down to a wonder serum or facial scrub.’
‘OK. Angela already knows, as you no doubt gathered. The thing is… Harvey’s going to propose to me tonight!’ If Jo glowed any more, she’d put the Cranley street lamps out of business.
‘He’stoldyou he’s going to propose? Isn’t that unusual?’ Jinnie recalled her own enthusiasm when Sam had asked her to marry him. Yet here they were, with a baby on the way, and wedding bells not even tinkling. Her fault, mind, but now…
‘Erm, not exactly. Come on, let’s walk and talk at the same time.’
In the short time it took them to reach the boutique, Jo revealed how she’d picked up a suit of Harvey’s to take to the dry cleaners and discovered a receipt in the jacket pocket. ‘I wasn’t snooping, honest: I always check pockets for stray tissues and coins. And I couldn’t help looking.’
It transpired that the receipt was from a high-end jeweller in the city for an eye-watering sum of money. ‘He’s booked a table at The Crooked Cauldron tonight and told me to splurge on something new to wear! It can only mean one thing, right?’
Jinnie nodded cautiously. Now wasn’t the time to revisit poor Emma Thompson’s heartbreak inLove, Actuallywhen she discovered that the necklace she thought her husband had bought for her was actually a gift for his young mistress. That wasn’t even relevant, because Harvey adored Jo, and vice versa. ‘Did the receipt say it was for a ring?’
Jo shook her head. ‘I know what you’re going to say: it might be a Christmas present. And you could be right, but— Ooh, Jinnie, I’ve got a feeling!’
