Page 21 of One Golden Summer
Kirsty glanced around the main room of her flat: kitchen at one end, small dining table and four chairs, and a sofa big enough for three at the other. It wasn’t much, but it was home, which had been the most important thing when she needed it. Moving above the shop was meant to have been a short-term affair, but it’d turned into years. Now, Kirsty was comfortable. She wouldn’t rule out moving into a house with a partner, but until that day, she was happy here.
“I absolutely love your place, it’s so cosy and welcoming.” Ginger was standing at the fireplace, holding up a photo frame. “Is this your parents?”
Kirsty nodded. “Yep, on their wedding day. They had way more luck than either of us. Still happily married, sometimes nauseatingly so.”
“Good for them. The world needs more love.”
Kirsty let out a gust of laughter. “Those are not the words of someone about to plan their divorce party.”
Ginger gave her a smile. “I can be bitter and twisted but still wish happiness for others. It’s a skill I’ve perfected over the past few months.”
Kirsty brought the glasses over to the sofa and popped the cork on a fresh bottle of red. “You’re going to like this one,” she said. “It’s a grenache-tempranillo blend from Southern Spain, a little spicy with mixed berries. Plus, they sent me a free case, so I’m talking them up. I’m easily bought.”
“I’ll remember that.” Ginger clinked her glass and took a sip. “I’m no expert, but that is pleasingly winey.”
Kirsty laughed again. She’d found herself doing that a lot around Ginger. She was on her wavelength, easy to get along with. Who would have guessed they only met last week? It felt like they’d packed in a lifetime over the intervening days.
“First things first: have you narrowed down a date yet? I’m thinking after the Oyster Festival, when hotels will have more room.”
Ginger nodded. “The third weekend in August. Does that work?”
Kirsty nodded. “Let me put a few feelers out. Obviously, we’re in wedding season, and a lot of the bigger places will be booked up. But you never know. Let’s work with that for now.”
Ginger put her glass on the table and sat back. “Putting a date on it makes it so much more concrete. I’ve only just got divorced, but it still seems a little surreal.” She rubbed her hands together. “But this is my fresh start. I just have to keep remembering that.”
“Totally. A new beginning. Maybe I should have had one.”
“You still could. We could make it a joint one.”
Kirsty shook her head. “Seven years later is a little late. Plus, this is your big day, your moment. It’s not about me.”
Ginger ran a hand through her hair. “You’re right. It is about me, and I should embrace that.”
“Have you thought about what you might want? A dartboard with Dave’s face on it? A punchbag? Stripper? I’ve seen some out-there ideas on the web, but I wasn’t sure that was the way we wanted to go.”
Ginger shook her head. “I’m not trying to shock anyone. The main thing is I want it to be on my terms. Because looking back, the last few years haven’t really been. I’ve been giving in to what Dave wanted for a while. Not drinking white wine just because he didn’t want to. Then I tried those ones from New Zealand tonight, and I loved them.” She threw up her hands. “What else have I been holding back on that I should have been savouring?”
Kirsty got it. “When Anna and I broke up, one of the first things I did was buy some lilies. She was wildly allergic, and I’ve always loved them. Sometimes compromising for partners is a good thing. But only if the compromise is reciprocated.”
Ginger nodded. “Exactly. I’ve pussyfooted about with my life far too much. Which is why this party is important and has to be what I want. Not what Saffron thinks or what she can afford. Which is a lot, obviously, but I don’t want her to get carried away. That’s your job to police. Tell her no. She’s not used to that.”
Kirsty gave her a salute. “On it. Saffron and I already have an understanding anyway.”
Ginger turned. “Oh really?”
Heat rose to Kirsty’s cheeks. “She apologised for her behaviour when we met. Told me to call her out if she did it again. I’ll just add saying no to the list.”
“You’ve seen her? I’ve only had one coffee. Otherwise, she’s been avoiding me. She told me she has stuff to sort with work and her personal life.”
“We ran into each other on the street, and I delivered some wine to her place. Nothing major.” Kirsty’s skin prickled as Ginger’s inquisitive gaze settled on her. “You should go round, take advantage of her veranda. It’s got a glorious view.”
Ginger went to say something, then stopped. She took a sip of her wine before she continued. “I’ll do that. I hope she enjoys it here. She deserves happiness. I had it for a good chunk of time, until Dave went weird. Saff’s never stayed still long enough for it to happen.”
“She’s got enough wine from my shop now to keep her still for a few days, at least.” Kirsty paused. “Talking of wine, we need that for the party, too. So much to think about and only a handful of weeks to plan.”
Ginger turned to her. “Am I asking too much? Should we have it in September?”
Kirsty shook her head. “Nope. It’s my personal mission now to make this work.” She tapped the side of her nose with her index finger. “Nobody knows Sandy Cove like I do. Well, apart from my mum, but she’s on our side.”
