by Clare Lydon
Jeremy ran his online stationery business from their spare room while also caring for the twins. Consequently, his life-management skills were second to none.
“If your relationship isn’t perfect, there’s no hope for any of us.” I focused on the road, thinking about Maddie. About what she’d said when she spoke about waiting for the right woman to come along. Had I been waiting, too?
“And Justine?”
I glanced left. “Yeah?”
“If you died tomorrow, there would be a queue of people to sit on the front bench, so you don’t have to worry. And I’d be first in the queue.”
Chapter 12
I couldn’t believe it was nearing the end of July already. After the first half of the year had crawled by as we watched our friend die, the second half was flying past at speed. We’d just waved a class off, the end of five days of learning how to bake and decorate a cake to a high standard. The class had the normal mix of women wanting to shake up their lives, and they’d all left with some amazing cakes and new-found confidence.
As usual, after five days of teaching I was exhausted. On my horizon I saw a bottle of Rioja and a Chinese. That is, until I remembered my brother was due in a minute to come home with me and measure up for his side of the sibling bargain. It had only taken him three weeks.
Gemma appeared from the back, typing something into her phone as she walked. She finished and looked up, her eyes sweeping the scene of devastation. Mixing bowls, nozzles, cutters, tools, boards — all dirty. I loved the tools of baking, but I didn’t love washing them up. Luckily, today it wasn’t my job. After months of trying different cleaners, we’d finally found a reliable one and she was due in 15 minutes. After just two weeks, we were already wondering how we’d survived without her.
“What you doing now? Fancy a quick drink and we can look over these property brochures?” She picked them up and waved them in my face.
“I can’t. Dean’s coming and we’re going back to mine to measure up for my cupboards.”
“Dean’s finally doing those?” My wonky cupboards had been a running joke for a while, but even the joke had died it’d been so long.
“Apparently.” As if on cue, Dean turned up at the door. Instead of knocking, he squashed his face against the glass door as hard as he could, making us both smile. Brothers.
Gemma unlocked it and Dean gave her a hug.
“I’m trying to persuade Justine to come to the pub and look at property brochures.” She untangled herself from him. “Could you be persuaded to come to the pub first?”
“I can always be persuaded to have a pint,” Dean replied.
I folded my arms across my chest and sighed at Gemma. “Is this because you want me to say yes to a new premises, so you’re going to ply me with booze?”
Gemma tilted her head. “We’ve got money, but you’re still dragging your heels. So yes, you could do with a nudge. Plus, we could get Dean’s professional opinion, seeing as he’ll be involved.”
“I will?”
“Yes, you nugget,” I replied. “If we need a builder, we’re going to hire you.”
“You better book me in then, before I get snapped up.” Dean picked up a spatula and I could see he was contemplating licking it.
“Put it down.” My voice was direct, as if I was talking to a dog. Dean put it down. “I thought you were nearly jobless?”
“Now I am, but things could change.” He paused, looking around the room. “More to the point, if I can’t lick the leftovers, is there any cake going spare?”
Gemma laughed, then walked over to the fridge, got a cake out and cut a slice for Dean
A knock on the door made us all look up.
Maddie.
I frowned, feeling my heart-rate tick up. What the hell was she doing here? It was hardly somewhere you just happened to be walking past. I went over and opened the door. Where the air in the room had been relaxed and convivial, now a cold blast of tension settled on us.
Maddie gave us a tight smile as she entered, nodding at Gemma, then at Dean.
Dean’s face was a picture. Over Sunday lunch, he’d heard a little about Maddie being back on the scene, but I’d glossed over it. He hadn’t seen her since he was 20, and he’d loved her back then.
“Hi again, Gemma. And hi, Dean. You’re looking well.” Maddie cleared her throat. “How’ve you been?” That was directed at my brother.
Dean nodded. “Good. You?” Well, this was weird. Dean used to not-so-secretly fancy Maddie, so much so that Mum had to take the then-teenage Dean aside and tell him it wasn’t such a great look to be mooning over his sister’s girlfriend. He’d sulked for months when she left. He ought to try being me.
“Awesome,” Maddie replied. “Anyway, to stop this turning into an especially awkward episode of a yet-to-be-filmed Larry David sitcom, I was just thinking of you today when I was looking at some auction brochures. There’s one on in two weeks, and there are a couple of properties that you and Gemma might want to look at.” She fished the brochure out of the leather bag hanging from her shoulder. The same one she’d left here after the cupcake class. “I wasn’t sure if it was useful, but I thought I’d let you know anyway. I’ll be going to the auction, so if you wanted to come along with an experienced bidder, that would be me.” She prodded her chest with her index finger as she said the last part.
I glanced at Gemma, who was giving Maddie a blank stare.
Maddie moved back towards the door and stuck her head out, then back in again. “Just checking for traffic wardens or tow trucks after what you told the hen party.”
She stood on the precipice, one foot in the door, one foot out. How poignant.
“We were just going to the pub to look at some brochures, so I guess you could come along too?” It was out of my mouth before my brain kicked into gear. Was that what I wanted to say? I had no idea. The amused look Gemma was giving me told me she wasn’t sure if that was what I’d wanted to say, either.
“Sure,” Maddie replied, putting the brochures back in her bag. “So long as I’m not intruding? I was just going to drop them off so you could have a think about it.”
“It’s no big deal. We’re going to the pub near Justine’s place. Yes or no, up to you.” That was Gemma and she was using her clipped tone. Letting Maddie know this wasn’t about her and she could fall into our plans or not. It was up to her. In that moment, I loved my best friend fiercely.
Maddie glanced at me, then at Gemma, then gave a short nod of her head. “If you’re sure, then count me in.” She paused. “My business partner Ally is in the shop next door. I’ll just need to go and tell her. Be back in two minutes?”
I nodded. “Sure.”
Maddie gave me a grin, then left the shop.
Gemma let the door close before she turned to me, a single eyebrow raised. “You know, for someone who didn’t want Maddie back in your life, you just did a startling impression of exactly the opposite.”
Chapter 13
An hour later, we were all sitting in my local around a gnarled wooden table. We’d only been there for 20 minutes, but already I could see Dean falling back under Maddie’s spell, and I wondered if she had some strange power over the Thomas family. My parents had loved her, too, until she upped and left. My dad would probably be eating out of the palm of her hand just like Dean within minutes of meeting her again. Men were easier to impress. My mum, however, would be a harder nut to crack.
Dean wasn’t the only one laughing at someone’s jokes. Maddie’s business partner Ally had come along to the pub as she lived close by, and Gemma was now fluttering her eyelashes in her direction and generally being as subtle as a sledgehammer. It wasn’t just one way, though. Ally was doing it right back.
I could see the appeal. I’d only met her for half an hour, but Ally was a whirlwind, one of those people who drew you in and made you want to know more. She was short and wiry, and she dripped charisma. Her short, dark hair framed her face like a lightning bolt and her skin wa
s smooth and bronzed. Between Gemma being charming and Dean dissolving into a puddle of goo, I felt like a bit of a spare part. A fifth wheel in this double date.
“So how long have you two been working together?” Gemma asked, pulling us all into the conversation. She was sitting up a little too attentively waiting for Ally’s answer. It made me want to laugh, but I couldn’t burst her bubble. I’d seen this practised move from Gemma before.
“We met in an auction room, didn’t we?” Ally’s voice was gravelly and still true to her northern roots, her vowels punchy and consonants spiked. “I went in looking to buy a flat or a house, and I came out with that and a Maddie.”
“I wasn’t for sale, I might add,” Maddie said. “But yes, we had coffee and it changed our lives. You don’t get that many women bidding at auctions, and we’d seen each other around. When we met, we got on. When we realised we were both gay, it bonded us that little bit more.”
“We’ve been business partners for just over two years.” Ally took a slug of her gin and tonic. “And I have to say, I’m loving living here. It’s a refreshing change from London. Plus, we’ve got a few projects on the go. Some going well, some not so well.”
“Why’s that?” Dean asked.
“The council,” Maddie replied. “Getting planning permission is the bane of our lives. Especially when the building is Grade I listed, like the one in the Royal Crescent. We only want to move a wall, but you’d think we were asking to demolish it and start again. But anyway, I’m not going to moan.”
“If she does moan, I’ve told her she’s got to do it in a West Country accent.” Ally tried to put one on for her next sentence. “I’ve been trying to perfect mine, but it’s hard with such a strong northern one already.”
“As you can hear, she’s rubbish.” Maddie laughed. “Accents are not your forte.”
“Luckily, interior design and knocking down walls are.” Ally grinned.
“I love a woman with a sledgehammer,” Dean told her. “Nothing sexier.”
“I agree.” Ally turned to Gemma. “Ever wielded a sledgehammer? I think it would look good on you.”
Gemma’s cheeks blushed bright red. “Not really, I’m more likely to wield a spatula or a piping bag than a sledgehammer.”
“Equally sexy,” Ally replied. “Everyone needs cake in their lives, don’t they?”
“So what do you think about those properties?” Maddie interrupted Ally and Gemma’s blatant flirting to bring the conversation back to why we were all there. “This one especially could be great.” She pointed her finger to the brochure Gemma had been nodding at a few minutes earlier. “You could have two workshops for your classes, and plenty of space for an office each, too. Plus, it’s nice and near the train station, so great for people coming in for classes. Do people come from all over?”
I nodded. “They do. The furthest we’ve had was from Brazil, and she came for a week-long class. We get people coming from Europe regularly, so being close to the station is ideal.”
“Not that far from the airport, either,” Gemma added. “Which is what we ideally wanted.”
“And would you be involved in the building work?” Maddie directed the question to Dean.
“If they book me, I will come. But you better book me quick. And I need paying in cash, not just cake.”
“What about a cake in the shape of cash?” I asked.
“So long as there’s cash in the middle of it,” Dean replied, deadpan.
Maddie furrowed her brow. “Did you say you were at a loose end at the moment?”
Dean nodded. “Just waiting on a couple of bids to come back.”
“We might have some work coming up if you’re interested?” She looked at me. “If it’s okay to give your brother some work?”
I nodded. What could I say? I wasn’t sure if it was or it wasn’t, but Maddie appeared to be seeping back into my life before my very eyes and I was powerless to stop it. The weird thing was that I felt fine about it, too. Being in this pub with her was fine. Dean laughing with her was fine. Gemma flirting with her mate was fine.
But why the hell was it all so fine? That’s what I couldn’t figure out. I decided to push those thoughts aside, for now.
“If Dean needs the work and you need a builder, I’m not going to get in your way.”
Maddie studied my face, before giving me a nod. “That’s fantastic news. Dean, consider yourself hired.” She sat back shaking her head. “Who would have thought I’d be hiring Justine’s little brother after all these years?”
“Not me,” I replied.
After a couple of drinks, Dean, Ally and Gemma went for a Thai meal. We waved the trio off to the gorgeous cafe around the corner, me giving Gemma an inquisitive look and her skilfully ignoring it. Did Dean know he might be crashing a semi first date? Probably not. And even if he did, he’d still be delighted to be going to dinner with two women. My brother never was very quick on the uptake.
Maddie had to go back to Bristol.
I frowned. “You drove half an hour this way, only to have to drive back again now?”
She shrugged, not quite meeting my eye. “It was worth it, I had a good time. Plus, I’ll probably stay over at the house tonight. I’ll walk you home, seeing as my car’s parked there.” Maddie pulled on her lightweight bomber jacket as she spoke.
“Sure.”
She fell into step beside me, her footsteps echoing mine perfectly. Dusk was just settling, but the air still gave us a warm hug. A bus drove past on the main road, its diesel engine splintering the silence. We walked past the Post Office, the florist and the local car repair garage before Maddie spoke.
“So what do you think about the premises? Could be a go?”
“It could, but it’s a lot of work. I’ve always favoured going with something that was already done, but Gemma’s more into getting a space we can mould to be our own. That scares me, but ultimately, it could make our business better. At least, that’s what she keeps telling me.”
“She’s right. If you make it what you want, that’s far better than working around what’s there. You can make it to your exact specifications, right down to how many plug points you need and their exact position. All important when you need to plug in 20 mixers at a time, I assume.”
I turned my head, taking in Maddie’s outline as she walked. She was still attractive, there was no denying that. But discovering this new side to her was making her that little bit more attractive. She was taking an interest in our business, wanting to help, and making me see how change could be a positive step.
Gemma would be thrilled. As my business partner kept telling me, I could keep the old business running while she worked on the new one. Maybe it could work with Dean on-board and Maddie to bounce ideas off. It was certainly sparking ideas in my head.
“I know, and it’s not something Gemma hasn’t said to me a million times before. Maybe we’re too close now, though. Maybe I need an outsider to come in and show me the possibilities.” I stopped. “Who knew that outsider would be you?”
She gave me a smile that warmed my toes.
“Not me.” Maddie cleared her throat. “I’d love to buy you dinner one day. Just to catch up and chat about your business. My treat, it’s the least I can do after everything.”
My heart boomed at her words, but my feet dragged. The push and pull made my blood pulse, and my face told the story.
She held up her hands. “Just dinner, nothing more.”
I waved my hand as we turned into my street, with its uniform rows of two-up, two-down terraces. Mine had an olive green front door I’d spent hours deliberating over. That was another reason why I didn’t want to be involved in design decisions. I’d been known to take hours deciding what to eat in a restaurant, never mind what colour to put on the walls in our prospective new business.
I paused, looking in her eyes. “I don’t think going out for dinner is a good idea, do you? But I’d still love some help for our business if that’s still on
offer?”
Maddie was nodding her head before I’d finished my sentence. “Of course, I’m not mercenary. I’m doing this to help an old friend, which is what you and Gemma both are.”
I smiled. “Pleased to hear it.”
“If it makes you feel better, I’d ask Gemma out for dinner, but I might be stepping on Ally’s toes if the looks they were giving each other tonight are anything to go by.”
“You noticed that, too?”
Maddie raised one of her perfect eyebrows. “Everyone but Dean.”
Our laughter melted into one.
“It really was great to see you. Let me know about the auction. I’m going to bid on a couple of properties, but if you want to come too — even just to get a feel for it, not even to buy anything yet — then let me know, okay?”
She fished in her pocket and pulled out a business card, pressing it into my hand. “I know you can probably find me on social media, but that’s got my number and email on it.” She raised her soft grey gaze to me, the colour of gathering storms. “Even if we’re not going to dinner, I’m pleased to be back in your life in whatever capacity. Get in touch if you want to come along, okay?”
I nodded, unable to think of a retort as a wave of emotion swept down me. Nothing was going to happen, and yet, something already was, wasn’t it?
“See you soon, Justine.” Her gaze was trained on me as she spoke, and then she leaned closer, her lips moving towards me, landing on my cheek and pressing lightly.
I stopped breathing. Just the fact of her lips so close to mine rendered me speechless.
Chapter 14
It was ten weeks since her husband’s funeral, and Kerry was on summer break. Against the advice of many, she’d gone back to work pretty soon after James’s death, saying she wanted to be there for her classes before they took their GCSEs. Kerry was a natural teacher, her subjects being maths and drama. I hadn’t been sure it was wise, but Kerry said work had been a lifeline, a bit of normality in her topsy-turvy world.