Chapter Six
It’s strange being unemployed, having nothing to force you to get up and dressed in the morning. If I weren’t a guest in Lucy’s home, I’d probably spend half the day in bed, and the other half watching TV in my pyjamas.
I take my time in the shower, relishing the sweet bubbles of Lucy’s rose-scented shampoo that lather up in my hair.
After patting myself dry, I pad through to my bedroom and glance listlessly at my clothes, most of which are still stuffed in the suitcase.
My old uniform is folded up inside the storage unit back in London - I’m not sure why I didn’t just chuck it; it’s not like I’ve got any hope of being hired by Mr Farley again, nor any desire to try to be.
In the end, I throw on a pair of black jogging bottoms and a grey t-shirt, opting for comfort over style.
Despite my casual ensemble, I still do my make-up and take the time to blow dry my hair properly, mostly because I feel better about myself when I make a bit of effort.
If I just lounged around in PJs with my hair thrown up in a messy bun, you can guarantee that creeping, depressive feeling I’m currently fighting off would eek its way in.
Somehow, a swipe of mascara and a little tinted lip balm keeps it at bay, at least for now.
The stairs creak with each step as I descend, and as expected, Lucy is in the living room, hard at work. Legs crossed on the sofa, her fingers type furiously at her laptop, her little pink tongue sticking out of the corner of her mouth, a clear sign of sheer concentration.
‘Morning,’ I yawn in her direction.
‘Morning.’ She manages to tear her eyes from the screen. ‘What are your plans for the day?’
‘I’m not really sure,’ I admit, my gaze cast down to my fluffy socked-feet. ‘Do you need me to do laundry, or the vacuuming?’
She frowns. ‘Leesh, you’re not my maid. You don’t have to earn your keep, you know.’
‘I know, I just - well, I feel guilty living here without paying a penny.’
A pillow-projectile hits me square in the face, courtesy of Lucy. ‘Don’t start that, I’ve already said, I invited you and I wouldn’t have done that if I expected anything in return. You’d do the same for me.’
I beam at my bestie - it’s true, I would.
‘Well, can I do any wedding-based stuff for you?’ I suggest, still desperate to prove my usefulness.
‘No, don’t worry about that today. Just have a relax, explore the village. This is a little holiday for you, right? Treat it like one!’
That’s easier said than done, how can I treat this blip like a holiday when I have no idea what I’m going to do with my life now?
I mean, I didn’t have a clue when I worked at the dentist, but at least I had a job , a purpose.
Now I have nothing, I don’t even have a place to live.
Before I start spiralling, Lucy reaches out and touches my hand, grounding me in reality,
‘Leesh, it’s okay. You’re allowed to take a breath and have some time to think. Now, go on, go have a nice day in the sun.’
I still don’t feel right about it, but thanks to my mate, I’m a little less panicked than I was.
I decide to take her advice and after making myself and Luce a cup of tea, I head out the door.
It’s a gorgeous day - the sun filters through the leaves of the trees and dapples the pavement with golden light, and a cool breeze kisses the back of my neck.
It’s refreshing to breathe in the scent of freshly cut grass and flowers instead of car fumes and backed-up drains.
Though it’s not yet noon and it’s far too early for a drink, I find myself wandering in the direction of The Pheasant’s Nest.
I can just get a lemonade, I rationalise as I amble down the little path that leads to the dark wood front door, or a virgin mojito, Finn said he knew how to make cocktails, after all.
Fluffing my hair and quickly checking my teeth in the window, I stride inside - to an empty pub. I shouldn’t be surprised, it’s only quarter to eleven, who comes to a pub at this time? Me, apparently. Embarrassed, I consider slipping out discreetly, but Barry’s already clocked me.
‘Nice to see you again, love!’ he greets me warmly from behind the bar. ‘What can I get for you?’
‘Oh, erm …’ I pull at my t-shirt awkwardly. ‘Is - is Finn in today?’
‘Nah, it’s his day off,’ Barry quirks a bushy eyebrow. ‘I’m your only eye candy today, I’m afraid.’
My skin sets aflame and I want nothing more than to melt into the ground. ‘Er, no, i-it’s fine. I’ll - I’ll have a lemonade, please.’
Still chuckling, Barry gives me a jaunty salute. ‘Coming right up!’
Within moments, he slides a tall glass of frosty lemonade my way and I sip it gratefully.
‘Thanks,’ I smile wanly. ‘This is lovely, much better than the watery stuff I’m used to at my local.’
‘Now that doesn’t surprise me, all those mock-authentic little brew houses with their watery ales pop up all over the cities, seems like. You’re a Londoner, aren’t you, Leesh?’
‘Born and raised! Near Surbiton, specifically.’
Barry holds up his hands in mock defeat. ‘That means nothing to me, love - it’s all London to ol’ Barry!’
I giggle, raising the glass to my lips. ‘Fair enough.’
‘So, you made quite the impression on our Finn the other day.’ Barry comments, one meaty palm resting on the bar. ‘Caterwauling Guns ‘n’ Roses, apparently.’
I flood crimson. ‘He told you about that?’
With a throaty chuckle, Barry nods. ‘He did. So, shall I tell him that you were looking for him?’
‘No!’ In my panic, I almost tip the glass over. ‘No, thanks, but it’s not necessary.’
With a throaty laugh that somehow immediately calms my nerves, Barry shakes his head. ‘Only teasing, I am. He’s a good-looking kid, my sister’s son. A good bartender, too, I can see the appeal for a young’un like yourself.’
Oh God, this is getting weird! Don’t get me wrong, Barry is such a chilled-out guy and great to talk to, but I’m starting to feel like I’m discussing my maybe-crush on Finn with my uncle.
Downing the rest of my drink (and choking like a fool when it goes down the wrong way), I quickly say goodbye and head out on my merry way.
I spend the rest of the morning pottering in and out of the plethora of little stores Lily Vale has to offer - I admire the glass beads in the haberdashery, marvel at the hidden gems in the local charity shop and stop for an ice cream in the park, where I sit on the bench by the pond and watch the ducks happily quack and splash.
It’s just so … green, so lush and fresh and alive. I’ve only ever lived in London, it will always have a piece of my heart, but I allow myself to daydream about what it would be like if I settled down in a place like Lily Vale instead.
I could wake every morning to the peaceful sound of birdsong (instead of police sirens and car horns), grab a coffee and cake from the Cosy Little Tearoom, and head down the old-fashioned little street to my job …
My shoulders cave. That’s where the fantasy ends and reality kicks in, because I don’t have a job, and I doubt anyone around here is on the lookout for a professional klutz.
I crush my ice cream cone into pieces and toss it to the ducks.
I suppose I’ll just have to listen to Lucy and try to see this prolonged visit to the countryside as a little break, and when I’m ready, I can head back to the city once again.
It’s where my family is, not to mention all my other friends, and plus, if I’m going to find a job anywhere, surely it will be the capital city.
Maybe I’ll move to a different area of London, I’ve got no real ties after all, I can do as I please.
Sighing, I push myself up from the bench, dusting wafer crumbs from my joggers. For now, I’ll just enjoy this short vacation from life while I can. I mean, I’ve got no other options at this point, have I?
*
It’s about twenty to six, and Lucy is getting ready for the book club at Lavender Field House. As she flits about the cottage, I make myself comfy on the sofa, flicking through her wide selection of chick flicks.
‘You don’t mind me leaving you alone, do you?’ she fusses as she scurries into the living room, fiddling to fasten her earrings. ‘I can always stay in if you like.’
‘Of course not, you don’t have to entertain me, Luce. Besides, I’ve got a stack of DVDs and half a pint of raspberry ripple ice cream in the freezer, my evening is set.’
‘Well, I won’t be more than two hours or so.’ She pauses at the door and spins around, her bag swinging about her waist. ‘Hey, would you like to come with me?’
The question comes as a surprise and my mouth contorts in thought. ‘Oh, well, I’m not much of a reader.’
Unless you include smutty little paperbacks featuring male models with oiled-up pectorals posing on the cover!
‘That doesn’t matter, you can just sit with a cuppa and have a chat with us all, no reading required! And who knows, it might inspire you to pick up a book.’
I raise an unconvinced eyebrow. ‘Maybe.’
‘Oh come on, what else are you doing tonight?’
Well, she’s got me there. But do I really want to spend my evening at an elderly folk’s home, listening to a load of old dears prattle on about their latest soppy read?
If I were back in the city, I might have taken the tube and found a bar to hang out at, I love having a dance, and I’d almost always find someone to buy me a drink.
Still, I suppose it beats a night on the sofa.
‘Alright, let me just change out of my joggers, then.’
I nip upstairs and grab a pair of skinny jeans from my partially unpacked case and after wrestling into them, I inspect myself in the wardrobe’s full-length mirror.
Hm, I look okay, fine for an evening at a retirement community, anyway.
Plucking at my grey shirt, I hurry down to Lucy, who’s waiting in the entry hall.
‘Right, let’s go!’
We take her car and soon enough, we’re searching for a space in Lavender Field’s car park. Luckily, it’s not too busy and we quickly sign in at reception then head into the glass lift up to the third floor.