Page 54 of A Wish For Wilma
With the Black Eyed Peas song firmly wedged in her brain, Jinnie allowed Jo to lead the way into the shop. Hector scampered over, a dog chew clamped in his mouth. Seconds later, Alison emerged from the back clutching a Stanley knife.
‘Don’t kill us, we’re here to buy something!’ said Jo.
Alison placed the knife on the counter next to a stack of taped-up boxes. ‘Music to my ears, ladies,’ she said, calling Hector to heel. ‘Don’t worry, I haven’t turned into a murderer. I received new stock from the company that made the dress and top you bought, Jinnie. I’m a little giddy with excitement, like a child on Christmas morning.’
Jinnie and Jo watched Alison slice through the tape with surgical precision. Next she removed layers of tissue paper before pulling out a dress — no ordinary dress, but one that drew gasps from all of them. It was a simple tunic style, covered in rose-gold sequins that twinkled in the lights. Alison held it up, shaking out minor creases.
‘You would look the bomb in that,’ said Jinnie.
‘Atomic or mildly incendiary?’ quipped Jo. ‘Don’t you think it’s too young for me? I’m nudging fifty. Mutton dressed as lamb comes to mind.’
‘Stuff and nonsense,’ said Alison sternly. ‘You have a fantastic figure and I’m so tired of all these silly rules about how you should dress at a certain age. Janette is a case in point: with a little guidance from me, she’s found her style and she looks absolutely fabulous.’
Someone else was definitely glowing. Jinnie smiled. ‘You’ve got a talent for bringing out the best in people, Alison. OK, Jo, let’s get you into that dress. Ready to rock — if you catch my drift — and roll.’
Jinnie and Alison agreed that the dress looked stunning on Jo. Alison wrapped it up and added a pretty silk scarf. ‘On the house,’ she said with a warm smile.
‘Are you sure I won’t look ridiculous?’ Jo frowned as they headed along the road.
‘Stop fishing for compliments, woman. If Harvey doesn’t fall at your feet in awe of your beauty, tell him to stick his ring where the sun don’t shine. With that dress, your fab chocolate-brown suede boots and a few curly hair bits, you’ll knock ‘em dead.’
Perhaps Jinnie had binge-watched too many American shows. She’d lovedThe Good Place, a show Sam described as ‘philosophy-lite.’ Whatever. It had taught her a few lessons. Don’t judge a book by its cover. ‘Bad’ people can become good, and even demons deserve another chance. Genies, too. Even ones who got things wrong and showed no signs of getting them right any time soon.
‘How are things in Genie World, by the way?’ Jo flipped her hood up as a smattering of rain began to fall.
‘Well, it’s not quite the same as Disney World. I didn’t buy a ticket, the rides are more challenging and I doubt any of us will escape unscathed. It’s a mess, Jo, to be frank.’
‘Don’t be Frank, be Jinnie.’ Jo nudged her with an elbow. ‘Sorry, my head’s full of romance when it’s normally full of cakes and crumpets. I’ll never regret my time with Aaliyah, but sometimes enough is enough.’
‘Can you stop doing that?’
‘Doing what?’
‘Stuffing my head with tunes. I’m weeks away from squeezing out a baby and I should be chanting on a cushion or massaging oil into my stomach. Instead, all I can think of is dumb songs. I think I’m going ga-ga, Jo.’
‘As in radio?’
‘Aargh!’
They arrived back at Jinnie’s, both convulsed with laughter. ‘Come in for a cuppa?’ asked Jinnie. ‘No, on second thoughts, you need to get toshed up for the big night. Bouncy hair, big boobs and lots of perfume. Go easy on the make-up: you don’t need it. Harvey’s a lucky, lucky man.’
Jo pressed a finger to the corner of her eye. ‘Dammit, if I’m wrong tonight I’ll feel like a complete eejit. But it won’t change how I feel. You don’t have to be married to be a couple. You know that, more than anyone.’
That twinge again. Had Jinnie missed the boat? Would they raise a child together, united in that but not tethered by law? Didn’t that make a split more difficult? Why was she thinking of a split?
‘Jinnie, you have a mad look in your eyes. A really,reallymadlook. You’re making Alison and her blade seem positively tame.’
‘Ignore me.’ Jinnie hugged her friend. ‘Go forth and bewitch that man of yours. Not that you need to cast a spell on him. He’s already enchanted.’
‘I hope so.’ Jo gave Jinnie a last squeeze. ‘Give my love to the gang. Hopefully, next time I see you, I’ll blind you with a dazzling rock on my ring finger.’
* * *
Jinnie relishedthe warmth of the house after the bitter early-December cold. She sat down on the bench in the hallway to kick off her fur-lined boots. Bending down to deal with zips and laces was an impossibility these days. ‘Where are you, Sam?’ she shouted.
No reply. He was probably holed up in his study with headphones on, listening to inspirational music or drowning out the racket from their non-paying guests — who were suspiciously quiet.
‘Is anyone around?’ Jinnie inspected the lounge, kitchen and rarely used den, which housed a small TV, shelves of books and a saggy old three-piece suite Sam had picked up at a house clearance. Occasionally Jinnie took herself there to read in peace, but everyone else preferred the lounge, which was bigger, brighter and infinitely more comfortable.
