Page 59 of A Snowy Seaside Christmas
It had been snowing on and off all day, but it didn’t stop the regulars from turning out at the Jolly on a Friday evening. Though it was only seven thirty, it was already busy.
Lark was the first to arrive, which was hardly surprising considering she lived just around the corner. She’d organised the wine and five glasses and was busy checking her phone when Maggie arrived.
‘Now then, flower. I’m glad I’ve caught you before the others arrive. How’ve you been doing since our chat? I know we’ve been texting, but to be honest, you don’t reveal much about how you’re really feeling.’ Maggie’s words tumbled out in a torrent, presumably so she could get the conversation over with quickly in case Lark hadn’t shared any of it with the others.
Before she had a chance to answer, Jasmine arrived along with Florrie, Stella a few minutes after.
With them all settled in their seats, glasses of wine in hand, Stella said, ‘So, lasses, have we all had a good week?’
Maggie’s eyes flicked to Lark. Lark lowered her gaze to the table and cleared her throat.
‘Ey up, do I detect something’s been going on that you two know about?’ Stella was regularly described as having eyes likea hawk and a nose like a bloodhound. ‘Come on, share what you know.’
Maggie raised her palms. ‘I’m saying nowt.’
All eyes turned to Lark.
‘So that leaves you, missus,’ said Jasmine, her copper eyebrows raised in interest.
Lark closed her eyes and drew in a fortifying breath. She wasn’t so sure sharing what she’d done with Nate was going to be such a good idea, especially with the way her friends were all looking at her and holding their breath in expectation.
‘I’ve donated Betty’s suitcase to the heritage centre.’
There was a collective sagging of shoulders and exhaling of breath.
Maggie’s eyebrows twitched.
Lark felt the weight of four pairs of eyes scrutinising her.
‘Talk about an anticlimax,’ said Jasmine. ‘Not that I mean it’s not a good thing about you donating the clothes, but?—’
‘But, with respect, we thought you were going to give us something a little juicier than that,’ Stella interjected.
‘Yeah, way juicier,’ said Maggie, sotto voce, but apparently not “sotto voce” enough.
‘What was that, Mags?’ Stella’s head whipped round.
Lark shot Maggie a pointed look.
‘What’s been going on?’ asked Florrie, looking totally baffled.
‘Come on, spill the tea,’ said Stella in an authoritative tone Lark didn’t like to ignore.
What made me think this would be a good idea?
She inhaled slowly once more, her hand reaching for the amethyst pendant at her neck.
Just say it. Just rip the plaster off and get the words out.
‘I kissed Nate.’ She spoke as quietly as she could, keeping her eyes trained firmly on the table, bracing herself for the wave of reactions.
‘What did Lark just say?’ Jasmine looked at Stella who had a smile inching across her face.
Florrie nudged her glasses up her nose and blinked in apparent disbelief.
‘Oh, this calls for a celebration,’ said Stella, before leaning in to Jasmine. ‘She’s just fessed up to having a snog with Nate. Praise the Lord.’
‘Woohoo! About bloomin’ time, woman!’ Jasmine danced a jig in her seat, causing heads to turn at nearby tables.
