Page 6 of Lost in Love
Gloria beamed and placed her hands on her hips. “You see, recommended by the doctor herself,” she shouted over to the staring twins.
They shrugged and returned their attention to the window.
“You not got a husband joining you? Seems a big house just for one.”
Katherine knew immediately she had been correct in avoiding the tearoom up to now, yet she felt she had enough support from the village that she could be truthful. “No, I don’t have awifejoining me sadly. I’m not married,” Katherine replied.
There was a clatter from behind her. She and Gloria both looked over to the elderly twins who would have clearly heard; one was leaning over to pick up a teaspoon from the floor. The other dropped a sugar lump into her tea and focussed on stirring it in.
“Well, you’re most welcome here anyway,” Gloria added.
Katherine frowned. She wasn’t sure how to take the statement but felt sure there must be good intent behind it, so she smiled and thanked her as she left. As she passed the twins, she made sure to give them a smile. In return they eyed her with suspicion.
Luckily, Katherine didn’t mind who knew her preferences; if anything it might work to reduce her waiting list of new patients. As far as she was concerned, people could think what they liked about her. They usually would anyway, and she did like accuracy, so it was better that they make informed judgements rather than ill-informed ones.
As soon as she reached the pavement, her phone rang inside her handbag. She placed it on one of the outside tables with her smoothie and delved into it, extracting her mobile. The name “Rebecca” flashed onto the screen.
“Hey, where are you?” Katherine asked, answering it quickly.
“I’m outside your house. Where are you?” came the sharp response.
“Oh, sorry, I popped over the road for a smoothie.”
“Smoothie? This doesn’t look like the type of village where one can get a smoothie. Am I in the right place?”
Katherine laughed. “Yes, I can see you. Look at the row of shops and you’ll see me.” Katherine waved, much to the surprise of passing pedestrians.
“I see you. I’ll come over; I need a drink after that journey.” Rebecca hung up.
Katherine watched as her tall, red-headed best friend navigated her way across the road through her enormous sunglasses.
“Darling,” Rebecca shouted as she approached Katherine, arms wide open.
They hugged and air-kissed.
Rebecca lifted her sunglasses onto her head and looked around. “Well, well, what have you got yourself into here? It’s beautiful, I’ll give you that.”
“I did grow up in the country,” Katherine reminded her.
Rebecca pulled the corners of her mouth down. “I know. I also know I’ve lost you completely to it now. There’s no persuading you back to the inner city, is there?”
“Afraid not.”
“Oh well, you’re probably better off here anyway, and I do need a country break occasionally. This looks just the place.”
“You know you’re welcome any time. Let’s walk up an appetite, and then I’ll take you for a pub lunch.”
Gloria appeared from inside the tearoom to clear a table. Katherine got the feeling that something was always left outside so she could clear it if she needed a better look at something on the high street.
Katherine shoved the smoothie at Rebecca, who took a sip.
She pulled away and examined the green liquid. “That’s good.”
Gloria grinned.
“Another smoothie if we may?” Katherine requested.
“Certainly.”
