Chapter 26 #2
That starts everyone off again. Donna seems completely thrown by the comment. Her eyes well up and she excuses herself with a trip to the bathroom. She eventually returns to the group with red eyes and a wobbly, apologetic smile.
We are way past the finishing time of the group, but no one cares. It feels important that we keep talking, keep the flow going, so everyone gets their chance to speak.
Pete clears his throat and holds some pictures in the air.
‘I just wanted to say that these are the pictures I showed Donna after she said at the first session she wanted to see more pictures of her mum. I genuinely don’t think she’d have told me that without this group.
It really is helping people in our community and that’s bloody brilliant if you ask me. ’
‘Hear, hear Pete!’ Margaret agrees and the group offers up a round of applause. Donna chimes in with a ‘whoop whoop’, followed by a loud whistle.
‘God, you’ll start me off all over again,’ I say, my voice cracking slightly. ‘Thank you, everyone.’
‘We should meet again tomorrow night,’ Donna suggests. ‘It feels like we’ve had a breakthrough tonight. We should run with it.’
Everyone nods in agreement, and I smile.
This is what it’s all about – being there for one another.
The pit of doom in my stomach feels much lighter and everyone else feels the same.
As we all say our goodbyes, there are hugs and well wishes all round.
I catch sight of Fiona as she picks up her bag to leave and call after her.
Fiona beams at me and I envelop her in an embrace.
‘I just wanted to say thank you for letting me see your house,’ I say, rubbing her back. I hold on to her hands as I pull back. ‘My granny’s old house. It was so special for me.’
Fiona smiles. ‘I only bought the cottage last year. I didn’t realize your granny lived there.
Rory and I agreed you’d want to take some time in the house alone, but please come and visit while I’m there next time.
I’ll make us some tea and scones. You can tell me all about your childhood memories of the cottage. I’d love to hear them.’
‘Honestly, I can’t think of anything I’d like more. Thank you.’
‘I’ll hold you to it,’ Fiona says. ‘Now, can we please address how sweet it was of Rory to organize it for you?’
I nod. ‘Yes, it was. It really was.’
‘When you find a good one, you hold on to him,’ she says, her eyes twinkling. ‘Or her.’
‘Or her.’ I smile as Fiona waves on her way towards the door. ‘See you for scones soon!’
Donna and Eilidh promise to stay behind to help me clear up, but after the group have left, we remain firmly in our seats.
‘I’m emotionally exhausted after that,’ Donna exclaims. ‘I feel like I’ve been through an exorcism.’
‘I’m the same. In the best way possible,’ Eilidh says with a smile. ‘There was something in the air tonight, wasn’t there?’
I nod. ‘We got pretty heavy. I suppose it’s because the first few weeks were us getting to know one another. It really feels like we’re getting somewhere now, doesn’t it? Great idea to continue tomorrow night.’
‘Everyone’s starting to feel comfortable with one another,’ Eilidh says.
‘Even people that have known one another for years. I’ve been to Fiona’s cafe, spoken to her a million times about the weather or whatever, but never gone any deeper than that.
A lot of the time we co-exist with people in our community without getting to know them properly.
Pete’s right, this bookshop has brought us all together. ’
‘We should celebrate,’ Donna grins. ‘Toast the success of The Next Chapter bookshop with a night on the town.’
‘Not sure we can call it a success right now. My bank balance suggests otherwise. But if my funding application for a book festival is approved, then we can break out the champers. Or, more likely, the English sparkling wine.’
‘Ah, come on,’ Donna urges. ‘We need a good girls’ night out! It’ll help you take your mind off your finances and stop Eilidh thinking about her twat of an ex parading around in his Speedos.’
And keep my mind off Rory receiving a declaration of love at the wedding. It could be happening right now. Elle could sidle up to him at the bar, compliment him on his kilt and whisper in his ear…
‘Okay, I’m in,’ I agree.
We make our way over to the pub and place our orders. A large group of men dressed in Scotland tops and kilts gather around one of the tables.
‘Is there a Scotland game on tonight?’ I whisper to Donna.
‘Worse than that,’ she whispers back. ‘It’s a stag do. I recognize a couple of the lads here.’
‘Alright, Donna!’ one calls. ‘Do you ladies fancy joining us?’
‘Christ, we’ve only been in the door five seconds and you’re already pouncing,’ Donna says with a roll of the eyes. ‘We’ll be keeping it quiet over in the corner. Maybe later, okay?’
Famous last words. One gin turns into two, before we agree we’d be as well sharing a bottle or two of wine. Within a couple of hours, we’ve put the world to rights and Donna is trying to persuade Eilidh to approach one of the men on the stag do.
‘I’m telling you, Eilidh, he’s perfect for you,’ she says, slurring her words.
‘What do we have in common exactly?’ She raises an eyebrow towards the group, who are cheering one another on in a game of beer pong on the pool table.
‘Who cares?’ Donna retorts. ‘You just need some love. Unless, oooh, did you finally take up Richard J.’s offer of a good time?’