Page 63 of Coming Home to Wishington Bay
The penny dropped.
‘Two. You. And me.’
‘Oh.’ I saw the disappointment.
‘Like I explained yesterday. It’s not real. It’s just to keep his parents happy for now until he meets a real girl.’
‘Who are you? Miss Pinocchio? You are a real girl!’
‘You know what I mean,’ I said, taking the coffee cup from the machine while Carrie fed in a hot chocolate pod for herself, having opted for that over tea.
‘I do, but when you were stood waiting for the taxi with Gabe’s parents last night? That, my girl, did not look fake. On either side.’
I felt the blush as I remembered thinking the same thing. But now, as then, I reminded myself that it was.
‘His parents were there. If we just stand there all straight and regimental with our arms folded, they’re going to know something’s up.’
‘Yeah, I get that,’ Carrie said, eyeing the cake stand which currently sported a Victoria sponge I’d baked filled with some passion fruit and prosecco curd I’d found in a little shop in the village. Lifting the lid, she helped herself to a big slice. ‘Want some?’
‘It’s … Oh blimey, is that really the time?’
‘Uh-huh.’ Carrie nodded. ‘Why do you think I showed up here? You weren’t answering your messages.’
‘Which you automatically assumed was due to the fact I was setting the sheets on fire with my next-door neighbour.’
‘Exactly! Which meant I obviously had to come over,’ she exclaimed, spraying crumbs as she did so. ‘This is really good by the way. You’ll have to give me the recipe.’
‘Are you going to start baking?’
Carrie looked at me askance. ‘Don’t be daft. So I can give it to Ned to make for me!’
‘Oh. I’m pretty sure he can knock up a Victoria sandwich with his eyes closed, and the curd’s from Anita’s on the high street.’
‘Is it? I’ll have to let Ned know. Do you want a piece or not?’
I glanced at the clock again. ‘I’d be having cake for breakfast. Is that even legal?’
‘One of the few perks of being a grown-up,’ she said, cutting another enormous slice and plopping it on a plate. I got another fork out from the drawer and trailed out after her onto to the shady deck.
‘So, going back to why you’re here …’
‘Like I said. You didn’t answer your messages.’
‘I was asleep.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes. Perfectly.’
‘Shame.’
‘Not really.
‘Why not?’
‘Because otherwise you would have just interrupted us, and I wouldn’t have been happy.’
‘You don’t look that thrilled now.’
