Chapter 31
THIRTY-ONE
‘That woman has some bloomin’ brass neck,’ said Jasmine, her top lip curling in disgust when Florrie had finished relaying what had happened with Dawn.
The two friends were striding purposefully along the top prom, and though the sun was shining and the sky was clear, there was a chilly wind whipping off the sea, making Florrie glad she’d wrapped up well.
She hadn’t a clue where they were heading or what they were doing that day; she was still reeling from her encounter with Ed’s mother and it hadn’t crossed her mind to ask.
‘Tell me about it. I was just relieved she’d gone by the time we left.
I was half expecting her to still be on the doorstep or parked outside when we opened the door.
’ Florrie hadn’t noticed the vice-like grip of a headache that her altercation with Dawn had triggered until Ed had closed the door. And now her head was pounding.
‘Let’s hope she’s got the message. I mean, it sounds as though Ed’s been standing up to the pair of them this time.’
‘Aye, let’s hope so.’ Florrie gave a wistful sigh, hoping the fresh air would help chase her headache away. The two friends walked on, stepping aside to avoid colliding with a couple and their two dogs on their morning run.
‘Anyroad, that’s enough about that old dragon and Lucifer for now.’ Jasmine gave Florrie a playful nudge, catching her eye, the pair of them giggling.
‘You’re right. So, any chance you’re going to tell me what you’ve got planned today?’ She’d spotted Jasmine was wearing her backpack but hadn’t been told to bring anything herself.
‘Well, I can promise you it’s got nowt to do with pigs, Ando Taylor or Lobster Harry, so you can rest easy on that score.’
‘Phew!’ Florrie mimed wiping sweat from her brow, making them laugh some more.
‘I’ll give you more info when we reach our destination,’ Jasmine said, adopting a mysterious tone.
‘Okay.’
Taking the turn onto Skitey Bank, the salty sea breeze hit them full on, though the warmth of the spring sunshine took the edge off the cold.
Thorncliffe loomed over on the right, the red pantiles of Old Micklewick glowing under the sun’s rays.
She spotted the bathing suit-clad Goosebump Gals rushing towards the sea for a chilly frolic amongst the waves – it briefly crossed Florrie’s mind that they must have added an extra day to their sea swimming routine.
She listened as Jasmine updated her on what she and the kids had been up to, their plans to move in with Max.
She knew it wouldn’t be a decision Jazz would make lightly, but all the same, it had filled Florrie’s heart with joy hearing her friend chatter away so happily.
If anyone deserved a happy ending, to Florrie’s mind it was Jasmine.
Not so very long ago she’d been run ragged, trying to make ends meet, being both mum and dad to her children after Bart had passed away in a tragic accident.
Not to mention the grief his parents had given her afterwards.
It gladdened Florrie’s heart to see her friend settled and content.
‘Does this mean we might be hearing wedding bells for you and Max soon?’ Florrie gave her friend a knowing look. The blush that tinged Jasmine’s cheeks was all the answer she needed.
‘Just keep it to yourself for now though. We were going to wait till after you and Ed got married, didn’t want you to think we were trying to steal your thunder.’ Jasmine cast her a bashful look.
Florrie gave a squeal and threw her arms around her friend.
‘Oh, Jazz! This is fantastic news. I’m so happy for you!
And we’d never think you were trying to steal our thunder.
Ed’ll be as over the moon as I am when I tell him.
’ She pressed a noisy kiss to her friend’s cheek before releasing her, clutching onto her shoulders.
‘I don’t want you to keep it secret on my account.
It’s such fabulous, happy news, I think you should shout it from the rooftops. ’ Both women laughed at that.
‘Are you sure you wouldn’t mind?’ Jasmine was glowing with happiness.
‘’Course not. I hope I haven’t been giving you all the impression that I’m some sort of bridezilla diva.’
‘Anything but, you’re mega low-key, which is why we haven’t wanted to wade in with our news and look like we’re trying to hog the limelight.’
‘Neither of you are like that, Jazz. Please don’t give it another thought. Like I said, share it with the world.’ Florrie beamed at her.
‘Okay. We haven’t mentioned anything to the kids yet, but just as soon as we do, we’ll tell everyone else.’
‘Can’t wait! I’m so happy for you, Jazz. Max, too. You can tell by the way he looks at you that he adores you, his eyes go all warm and soft.’
‘Right, that’s it! Give over with the mush!’ Jasmine said, her face burning as she gave an affectionate roll of her eyes, making Florrie hoot with laughter.
Soon they reached the bottom prom where Lark, Jean, Maggie and Leah were waiting by the boarded-up café at the entrance to the pier. They were all wrapped up well and wearing wide smiles as they greeted them.
‘We’re just waiting for Stella, Jenna and Louisa. Hayley sends her apologies, she’s had to head back to university,’ said Jean.
‘Ah, that’s a shame,’ said Florrie. She’d enjoyed catching up with Hayley at the salsa dancing lesson.
‘Here they are,’ said Maggie, as a herring gull screeched from its perch on the railings that separated the bottom prom from the beach.
Florrie turned, following Maggie’s line of sight, to see Stella, Jenna and Louisa hurrying towards them from the direction of the beach huts.
‘Okay, so, I don’t know if you remember, but a few weeks ago, you mentioned something you’d quite like to do. In fact, you thought it’d be the perfect Sunday morning activity,’ Stella said, sounding more than a little mysterious.
Florrie racked her brains for what she could’ve said.
‘That “perfect Sunday activity” – in case you’ve forgotten – is…’ Lark added a pause for dramatic effect.
Florrie glanced around at the smiling faces looking back at her, the sound of the waves in the distance as the tide slowly crept out.
‘A beach clean!’ they all chorused.
Florrie clapped her hands to her face. ‘Oh my days, I did! How fab that you remembered.’ She laughed.
They’d been at the Jolly, enjoying one of their Friday night get-togethers, when Florrie had told them how disappointed she and Ed had been by the amount of rubbish they’d spotted on their recent dog walks along the beach with Gerty.
It was then that she’d mentioned that she’d quite like to organise a beach clean at some point.
‘It’s not your average hen party celebration, but we thought you’d like it,’ said Lark. ‘This one’s Jazz’s suggestion.’
‘It struck a chord when you mentioned it, cos the kids had brought it up the week before,’ said Jasmine. ‘I think I told you one of Chloe’s friends had cut her foot on some broken glass near the rock pools.’
‘I remember that! I hope her friend’s foot’s better. It’s a brilliant suggestion, Jazz. And thank you all for wanting to take part.’
‘There’s something nice at the end, as a bit of a reward for all our hard work,’ added Maggie.
‘I’ve just noticed, you’re not wearing your hen do bits and bobs from the other night. Don’t think you can wriggle out of wearing such classy stuff just cos you’re on a beach clean,’ Stella said with a joking wag of her finger.
Florrie clapped her hand to her forehead.
‘I’ve left them at home. They’re in a bag hanging on one of the coat pegs.
We had an unexpected visitor, and I ended up leaving in a rush; the hen do stuff went right out of my mind.
I’m so sorry, lasses.’ Florrie felt her cheeks flush with disappointment.
She hoped she didn’t look ungrateful or for her friends to think she’d left them behind deliberately.
She was relieved when Jasmine came to her rescue.
‘I can vouch for Florrie, she had an unexpected visitor of the worst kind.’
‘Not one of Ed’s parents or his ex?’ said Lark, looking alarmed.
‘It was Dawn. She turned up about ten, fifteen minutes before Jazz. It was awful, and I’m ashamed to say we had a bit of a barney on the doorstep.
People were looking.’ She pulled a regretful face.
‘I don’t think my parents are going to be too chuffed with me when I tell them.
’ Florrie cringed internally at the reminder of the heated exchange with Ed’s mother and the vitriol that had passed between them.
‘I’m sure your parents will understand, they know more than most what that woman’s like, especially after Thursday night,’ said Maggie. ‘By the way, how’s your dad? Is he still grumbling about Florence Nightmaringale?’
That resurrected Florrie’s smile. ‘He’s good, thanks. Still feeling a bit dizzy, but my mum said he’s got his appetite back. And, yes, he was having a good old complain about her, but it was obvious he’s still loving having a fuss made over him.’
‘Oh, that’s good to hear, lovey,’ said Jean, wearing a look of relief. It had shaken her badly when she’d seen Charlie unconscious on the pavement.
‘If it’s okay with everyone, I’d rather forget about Dawn for now and get on with us having a nice time, especially since you’ve all given up your Sunday mornings on my account.’
Florrie was relieved to find everyone was happy to agree with her request.
‘Not a problem, flower. Let’s get cracking.
But first, you’re going to need one of these,’ Jasmine said, adding a hint of drama to her voice as she produced a folded litter picker from her backpack with an exaggerated flourish, opening it out and handing it to Florrie.
‘And you’ll need a pair of these.’ She reached into her backpack once more, and waved a pair of cleaning gloves in front of her.
‘And one of these.’ This time she proffered a black bin bag.
Florrie couldn’t help but laugh. ‘I see you’ve come fully equipped.’