Chapter 30

Stella had headed into town before Andrea had arrived to give her apartment a quick once-over. Armed with a list of things she needed to pick up for her small get-together the following evening, and relieved that the sun had decided to make a reappearance, she made her way to the little gift shop that stocked an array of her favourite scented candles. With those taken care of, the next stop was the florist's to pick up her weekly order of a pre-arranged bouquet. Treating herself to a bunch of flowers was something she'd been doing for a few years now, usually collecting the floral arrangement on a Saturday morning, but she'd given the florist, Maisie, the heads-up that she'd need it a day early this week.

After calling in at the deli, where she selected a range of dips, cheeses and continental meats, Stella headed to the supermarket to stock up on more drinks – top of the list there were a couple of bottles of traditional lemonade which was something Maggie had developed an insatiable craving for during her pregnancy.

Stella was pushing her trolley towards the tills when she spotted Alex wandering along with a half-filled basket in his hand. Her stomach leapt. He was wearing a troubled expression and there was no trace of his usual confident demeanour. Annoyance prickled through her, tempered by a tinge of regret.

Since yesterday evening, she'd found herself wondering if she'd maybe overreacted to finding her underwear in his bathroom. She'd been quick to jump to the worst of conclusions, hadn't been prepared to listen to his explanation. It made her embarrassed at her behaviour. She'd even wondered if her extreme reaction was linked to her reluctance to be in a relationship. She was used to being in control and had struggled to get used to the fact that her emotions had taken the lead – or at least tried their hardest to. It had ruffled her usually cool, level-headed disposition. Maybe she'd subconsciously thought that a way of regaining control was to get rid of the cause. It was easier to walk away than get involved and risk getting hurt. Even she had to admit, this line of thinking had all the hallmarks of an exercise in self-sabotage. But then again, she had found her missing underwear in his bathroom and he hadn't even tried to tidy it away! The reminder justified her actions to herself.

As she went to turn in the opposite direction, he looked her way, their eyes locking. He froze on the spot, his troubled look exchanged for one of sadness. Stella felt a tug in her heart, the urge to go over to him gaining pace, until a little voice reminded her she'd found a stash of her knickers in his bathroom. Don't be fooled, he's a pervy knicker-nicker! In the next moment, she swung her trolley round and strode to the till furthest away.

Boy, did she have a lot to tell the lasses at their Jolly session tonight!

By the time Stella landed back at her apartment, Andrea had gone, leaving the citrussy smell of cleaning products in her wake, the place neat and tidy, just the way Stella liked it.

After putting her shopping away and placing the bouquet in a vase, being careful not to disturb the arrangement, she settled down to a couple of hours' work at her desk. Rather annoyingly, Alex made regular appearances in her thoughts, the hurt look in his eyes triggering a pang of guilt. It frustrated her no end; she shouldn't be the one feeling guilty, he was the one with her missing underwear in his bathroom. She really needed to forget about him. That was going to be easier said than done with him living in the apartment opposite, but she was determined to do just that, telling herself the passage of time would make the situation easier. You're a strong woman, you can do it!

Stella always looked forward to her Friday nights at the Jolly, but tonight she found herself even more so.

With the weather being a little cooler, she'd opted for a jumpsuit in a bold floral print, teamed with her favourite designer ankle boots and a black cotton utility jacket. She'd fixed her hair in a messy "up-do", leaving soft tendrils framing her face.

A chilly breeze was blowing in off the sea, a hint of mizzle in the air, as she strode briskly across the old cobbles, passing the ramshackle stack of lobster pots that lined the path to the Jolly. A couple of seagulls wheeled overhead, their screeching cries carried along the beach. She welcomed the blast of warmth that hit her when she opened the heavy oak door of the pub, her eyes going to the fire that was dancing in the grate of the old inglenook.

Spotting Florrie and Lark at their usual table, Stella headed over to them. ‘Hiya, lasses, how're you diddlin'?' She beamed a smile, glad to see them.

‘Hiya, Stells,' Florrie and Lark chorused back, both wearing happy Friday night smiles.

‘Tell you what, it's a bit nippy out there now.' Stella was aware that both her friends were regarding her closely which didn't surprise her after everything that had been happening, and they didn't even know the half of it yet.

‘You're not wrong there. I had to fish out my thicker jacket,' said Lark.

‘Yeah, me too,' said Florrie. ‘Jazz is on her way, says she's adding the finishing touches to a cake for a fiftieth wedding anniversary. We're expecting her to arrive covered from head to toe in golden glitter.' That made them chuckle; Jasmine regularly sported some sparkly evidence of her cake-decorating.

‘Poor old Jazz, she works her socks off.' Stella slipped in beside Lark on the settle, laying her jacket beside her.

‘She does,' said Lark, inching up for her. ‘Which reminds me, as it's her birthday coming up soon, I was going to suggest we book her in for a pamper session at that place you go to over in Danskelfe, Stells. You're always raving about it. What do you reckon?'

‘Ooh, fab idea, she could do with a treat like that,' said Florrie, reaching for the bottle of white wine in the ice bucket and pouring a glass for Stella.

‘Thanks, Florrie.' Stella picked up the glass and took a sip, the crisp flavours dancing on her tongue. ‘I agree, it is a fab idea. Rachel is amazing. Her hot stones massage is so dreamy, I defy anyone not to feel relaxed after one. It'd do Jazz the world of good, providing she can sit still for long enough, that is. We could take her for a meal at The Sunne Inne in Lytell Stangdale after. I've had a Sunday dinner there and it's absolutely amazing, and Mags is still raving about the meal she and Bear had there.'

‘Aww, that would be a fab way to finish her day off, she so deserves some "me time".' Lark pressed her hands to her heart. ‘I suggest we tell her it's all been paid for in advance and that it's our treat; you know what she's like about not letting folk pay for things for her. We don't want to make her feel like we think of her as a "charity case" as she calls it.'

‘Heck, no, we don't want that,' said Florrie.

‘How about we don't let on any of the details at all?' said Stella. ‘We could just tell her we're taking her out on a surprise trip for the day, that way she won't have the chance to dissuade us or try to get us to cancel it.'

‘Good plan.' Florrie nodded and Lark agreed.

‘Now then, lasses.' Just then, Maggie appeared at the table, oozing radiance, her baby bump standing proud in her brightly coloured jersey tunic dress. ‘I just caught the tail-end of that, but I'm guessing you're plotting our Jazz's birthday.' She inched her way in beside Florrie.

‘We are.' Stella nodded as they filled Maggie in on their idea.

‘We'll need to make sure her parents are free to look after the kids that day. I can run it by them when we settle on a date,' said Florrie.

‘Ey up, the woman in question has just walked in,' said Maggie. ‘Time to change the subject.'

‘Flippin' 'eck it's good to see you lot.' Jasmine puffed out a sigh as she flopped onto the chair at the end of the table, her brow glistening with perspiration. Her hair was shimmering with gold sparkles, the soft lighting of the bar picking out a dusting of gold edible glitter on the end of her nose. Despite her smiles she looked exhausted. ‘So what have I missed? Owt or nowt?'

‘Nothing really,' said Stella, ‘we haven't been here long ourselves; you've made good time.'

‘I'm not surprised! I belted down Skitey Bank as fast as my little legs could carry me. I'm jiggered now,' she said with a chuckle. ‘Anyroad, how's things with you, Stells? Have they settled down after Wednesday night's drama at The Cellar?'

‘Yes, that can't have been an easy night for you. Have you seen any more of your father?' asked Lark.

‘And how's your neighbour Mr Dishy?' Jasmine waggled her eyebrows mischievously at that, raising a smile from Stella.

‘Hmm. There's so much to tell, I'm not sure where to start,' Stella said, before pointing her finger between her nose and Jasmine in an attempt to alert her friend to the smudge of gold glitter adorning her nose.

Jasmine's brows knitted together before she clicked what Stella was doing. ‘Ahh, the bloomin' stuff gets everywhere. I dare say I'll find it in my knickers when I take them off.'

‘Please tell us you're not going to do that now, Jazz.' Maggie feigned a worried expression just as Ando Taylor's shrieking laugh rang around the bar. The friends glanced over at him and burst out laughing. ‘Ando clearly agrees.'

‘Trust me, my belly-whackers will be staying firmly in place on my bum. No one in their right mind wants to see those things.'

‘Phew!' Stella mimed wiping sweat from her brow. Jasmine responded by poking her tongue out at her friend.

‘Anyroad, getting back to you, Stella, we're all dying to know how things went with your father after his dramatic appearance on Wednesday night. Have you seen or heard from him since,' asked Florrie.

‘I met him at The Cellar yesterday morning, Pim was there too.' Stella went on to share what followed.

‘Wow!' said Jasmine. ‘That's some heavy stuff.'

‘Tell me about it,' said Stella. She was still trying to get her head around it and reliving it had got her feeling a little churned up again.

‘So you've gone from having no siblings to a whole load of them,' said Lark.

‘Pretty much sums it up.' Stella nodded. ‘Though, in all of this mess, learning that Pim's my half-brother has been kind of nice.'

‘Yeah, Pim's a really decent bloke,' said Jasmine.

‘He is, he's got a good heart; you can see it in his face, and his aura,' said Lark.

‘And now I think about it, you really do look alike, and I don't just mean that you're both so tall; facially you're very similar, especially around the eyes,' said Florrie. The others scrutinised Stella's face, making sounds of their agreement.

‘How come we didn't notice this before?' said Jasmine.

‘Probably because we weren't looking for it,' said Florrie.

‘And how's your mum in all this, Stells?' asked Maggie.

‘She's taken it surprisingly well actually. Though she'd shared the details of their conversation concerning Johan de Groote and Pim, Stella hadn't mentioned her mum's visit to the hospital, knowing she'd want to keep it private. ‘Anyway, I'm sick of talking about myself and I'm sure you're getting fed-up of hearing about me, so what have the rest of you been up to?' Stella glanced around the table; she'd save telling her friends about Alex and her knickers after they'd had had a chance to speak. ‘Mags, I take it you haven't been troubled any further by that dreadful cousin of yours?'

Maggie's face dropped at the reminder. ‘Thankfully, all's quiet on that score, and I really can't see me hearing any more from her. Touch wood.' She tapped her fingers against the table.

‘Good,' Florrie said firmly.

Earlier in the summer, Maggie's estranged cousin, Robyn, had arrived on their doorstep armed with an elaborate story of how her marriage had broken down and she'd been left homeless and penniless. The two cousins shared a troubled history and despite Maggie's misgivings, Maggie and Bear had found themselves inviting her to stay for a couple of days. It had soon become clear that she had no intention of leaving and, worse, had designs on Bear. Her passive-aggressive behaviour and endless lies had taken a worryingly short space of time to cause a rift between the usually contented couple. Things came to an unpleasant end when Robyn's lies were exposed and she was asked to leave, which she did, but not before she'd caused a final flourish of trouble. The whole drama had coincided with Maggie being desperate to share the news of her much-longed-for pregnancy with Bear, after the couple had suffered a heartbreaking series of miscarriages. The stress had been enormous and she'd worried it would affect her unborn baby. It was fair to say, the couple were still reeling a little from it.

‘If she shows her face around here again, she'll find herself getting chased out of town before she can cause any more trouble,' said Jasmine, her pixie face flushing with anger.

‘Too right,' said Stella, the friends murmuring their agreement.

‘Thanks, lasses. I'm hoping it won't come to that.' Maggie gave an appreciative smile.

After Florrie had updated them on the preparations for romance author, Thea Carlton's, reading, Lark had shared how she and Nate had booked a trip to France to trawl the markets there in search of items for her shop and more pieces for his upcycling business — Lark's revelation had resulted in an exchange of knowing looks.

‘We're justfriends!' she said, laughing.

‘Oh, aye. And I'm a multimillionaire,' Jasmine said dryly before turning to Stella. ‘On the subject of lurve, how's things going with you and Mr Hot?'

Stella snorted. ‘They're not and never will be. We're over before we got properly started, and I won't be troubling the idea of a relationship again, that's for sure.' Though she was putting on a brave front, it did nothing to stop the ache in her heart.

‘No!' said Florrie, her smile falling. ‘What happened?'

‘I think I need my lugs cleaning out,' said Jasmine, waggling her finger in her ear. ‘I could've sworn you just used the "relationship" word. Thought you didn't go in for them.'

‘What happened, Stells?' asked Lark, her face wreathed in concern.

‘Well, we seemed to be getting on fine; I'll even admit to quite liking him.' She caught Lark's eye and quickly looked away. She didn't want to run the risk of her friend reaching in and reading her thoughts in that other-worldly way of hers.

‘So what went wrong?' asked Maggie. ‘I thought he seemed really nice, and from the way he was looking at you the other night, I got the impression he was very keen on you.'

Stella gave a scornful laugh. ‘In love with my knickers, more like.'

Jasmine spluttered, almost choking on her glass of wine, while Lark's eyebrows shot up to her hairline. ‘What d'you mean, in love with your knickers?' asked Florrie.

‘I don't think I'd mentioned that some of my underwear had gone missing; there's been so many other things going on. Anyway, Andrea, the woman who cleans my apartment, popped some washing in for me, and had apparently hung a load of my knickers and a couple of bras out in the garden on a clothes airer.' Stella rolled her eyes at the memory.

‘There wouldn't have been much fabric in your drawers, so I doubt they'd have taken long to dry,' Jasmine said with a snigger, earning herself a look of mock disapproval from Stella.

‘And are you saying someone nicked it?' Maggie asked in disbelief.

Stella nodded. ‘Yep, that's exactly what I'm saying.'

‘But I don't get what this has got to do with Alex, and why you don't want anything to do with him anymore,' said Florrie.

‘The thing is, I found them.' Stella glanced around at their faces, using a lengthy pause for dramatic effect; a much-used courtroom tactic of hers. ‘In Alex's bathroom.' She sat back, awaiting their reaction.

‘No!' Florrie's eyes were wide with disbelief.

‘Are you sure they were yours?' asked Lark. ‘I mean, hadn't his sister been staying with him? Don't you think there's a chance they might belong to her?'

Stella shook her head assertively. ‘Nope, they were definitely mine.'

‘Flippin' 'eck, I'd never have had him down as a perv,' said Maggie, shocked.

‘So what did you do with them? Did you take them back? I dare say they'll have cost a fortune; you wouldn't want to just leave them there,' said Jasmine.

‘Did I heck take them back! I chucked them at him after I'd told him what I thought. I don't care how much they cost, there's no way I'd want to wear them again.'

Her friends looked at one another before dissolving into a fit of giggles. Despite her indignation, Stella found herself laughing along with them. ‘I told him he was a "knicker-nicker",' she said when she was finally able to speak. His horrified expression bloomed in her mind, momentarily distracting her. ‘And what's worse, when I'd thrown them at him, a pair landed on his head.' Her words came out in a splutter of laugher. ‘And he whipped them off, throwing them inadvertently at Fred. Poor lad just sat there with them on his head, an ear sticking out of a leg-hole. Honestly, I had all on to keep a straight face.'

The friends collapsed into another round of raucous laughter, attracting bemused attention for nearby customers.

Once their giggles had subsided, Florrie wiped tears of merriment from beneath her glasses and said, ‘Well, I'm really sorry to hear that, Stells. Seems he fooled us all good and proper.'

‘Didn't he just,' said Stella. ‘Anyroad, that really is enough about me tonight; I don't want to think any more about Johan de Groote or Alex Bainbridge.' She turned her attention to Maggie. ‘So, Mags, how's things going with you and Baby Marsay, not to mention your bear-making company?'

‘Well,' Maggie was busy fishing the slice of lemon out of her drink. She popped it into her mouth, pulling a face as she sucked the flavour out of it, then plopped it back into her drink. ‘Not bad, thanks.' She flashed a smile at her friend.

‘I see the lemon craving's still in full swing.' Stella couldn't help but chuckle.

‘I think it's actually getting worse.' Maggie grinned.