Chapter 19

NINETEEN

The jolly-faced group of musicians had struck up a lively round of traditional Christmas folk songs which had proved to be a popular choice. The group of friends joined the other regulars and enjoyed a raucous sing-along with much tapping of feet and fists thudding on tables in time to the beat.

‘That was fab!' said Jasmine.

‘Shame the same can't be said about your caterwauling,' Stella said dryly.

‘Cheek!' said Jasmine, before giving in to a giggle. ‘Mind, I take your point, I was giving it some welly just then.'

‘We'd noticed,' said Maggie, chuckling.

‘Hey, you can't beat a good vocal clear-out.'

‘Those of us in earshot would beg to differ,' Stella added.

‘Whoa, this looks great,' said Lark as Immy and Tara arrived at their table, each armed with two plates piled high with fish and chips. Soon the delicious aroma of their food filled the air around them, a tang of vinegar adding to the mix as Maggie doused her plate with a generous dash.

‘Yours is on its way, Stella.' Immy gave her a friendly smile. ‘As is the gravy and the mushy peas.'

‘Fabulous!' said Jasmine. ‘I'm absolutely ravenous, feel like I've been running around like a loon all day. I've only had an apple since breakfast.'

‘An apple's not going to keep you going, Jazz, especially with all the racing around you do. I'd be keeling over.' Florrie shot her a concerned look.

‘I'm fine. Didn't feel hungry till I got a waft of this grub.' She flashed Florrie a smile that said, ‘Don't fuss.'

With the arrival of Stella's plate, the friends were soon tucking in with great gusto. Florrie took the opportunity to share the tearoom at the bookshop idea with her friends. She was thrilled when they all responded so positively. ‘At least it proves Ed's sticking around and should send a strong message to his parents that he's not going to be getting rid of the bookshop,' Stella had said, echoing Florrie's thoughts. And they'd all agreed that Jean's suggestion of taking things at a pace they could afford rather than risking themselves coming financially unstuck was a good one, especially in the current climate. That they all thought along the same lines was reassuring.

‘Oh, man, this is so good.' Jasmine rolled her eyes in ecstasy. ‘Makes a nice change from the rest of the week when I've been having to wolf my food down and rush off to take the kids somewhere, or get back to ice the latest cake I've got on the go.'

‘I'll bet,' said Lark, slicing into the crisp, golden batter of her fish. ‘Just savour it, Jazz. This is your "me time", no need to rush off for anything.'

Jasmine smiled over at her, her eyes shining. ‘Ooh, I don't half like the sound of a bit of "me time". With the exception of Jack's reading and our Friday nights, it's been in short supply recently, and tomorrow's looking like a stinker of a day. I don't even want to think about what I'm going to do with the kids now my mum's not well and can't look after them. I could do with there being two of me.'

‘Heaven forbid!' joked Maggie.

‘You'd be able to give the other one of you to Ando.' Stella gave a wicked chuckle. She was rewarded with a stern look and a swift kick under the table from Jasmine.

Joking aside, Florrie's heart went out to her friend who never seemed to have a moment to sit down and catch her breath. She was in awe of Jasmine, of how she kept track of everything, and of how she kept on top of it all; though Jazz joked about her life being chaotic, she was the most organised person Florrie knew. She'd been a single mum for over six years since the death of her partner, Bart, when she was pregnant with Chloe, losing her home not long after, but you rarely heard her grumbling about all she had to do, even if at times it seemed she was being pulled in a million different directions. She was a brilliant mum – everyone said so – with seemingly boundless energy, though Florrie did occasionally detect a whiff of tiredness about her. In fact, as she looked more closely at her friend right now, she picked up on the dark shadows that hung beneath her eyes, despite Jasmine's evident attempts to hide them with concealer. And there was a general undertone of weariness about her that wasn't usually there. Poor Jazz . Florrie pulled herself up with a start; the last thing Jasmine would want was her sympathy. Anyone Jasmine suspected of feeling sorry for her was in danger of finding themselves on the receiving end of a verbal savaging. Florrie winced inwardly at the thought.

‘So, how's The Happy Christmas Memory Project going, Florrie?' Jasmine asked, pushing a gravy-dunked chip into her mouth and chewing enthusiastically.

‘The ice skating yesterday was brilliant fun – thanks for suggesting it, Mags. Mind, we're both suffering a bit for it today. I've got a massive bruise on my bum.' Florrie chuckled.

‘Don't worry, we won't ask you to show us.' Jasmine grinned at her.

‘I hope whatever's going on with Ed's dad and Dodgy Dick haven't been too much of a distraction,' said Stella. ‘You mustn't let them spoil something as thoughtful as The Happy Christmas Memories Project. And don't forget to holler if you need help with anything, or for us to join in.'

‘It's been a welcome distraction, actually.' Speaking of distractions, something Jasmine had said earlier had set an idea brewing in her mind. And it was one Florrie couldn't wait to set in motion.