Chapter 36
‘We might as well lay all our cards on the table,’ said Emmalina, flopping her pink sparkly handbag onto the table and climbing onto a chair opposite Alyssa, Devan grabbing a seat next to her. ‘I know you’re secretly snogging my dad.’
Alyssa’s eyes widened, taking in Devan’s daughter for the first time as they assembled for the date for three in I Scream for Ice Cream in the neighbouring town of Taybury.
Emmalina looked just like her mum Sylvie had at that age – huge brown eyes with natural lashes to die for, and brunette hair for days. Though she was definitely bolshier.
‘Told you she was forward, for her eleven and a half years,’ said Devan, with a low whistle.
‘We’re just good friends,’ Alyssa said kindly.
She was just about used to the idea of meeting Emmalina, even though it seemed like a tentative step towards being the sort of person who stuck around.
But Alyssa wasn’t ready to let the young girl get her heart set on her and Devan having a committed thing.
Emmalina broke into a grin. ‘Hey, whatever you’re up to, I’m cool with it. I know how being an adult works.’
‘I wish I did.’ Alyssa smiled. ‘Want to give me some tips?’
‘Sure.’ Emmalina shrugged. ‘If you’re buying the ice cream. Although I’m not having that weird thing with the peanut butter. I’m strictly a strawberry sundae kinda girl.’
‘Whatever you fancy is good with me,’ said Alyssa, handing out the menus.
They took a moment to choose, talking through the options before going with what they’d all originally been drawn to.
‘Your first instinct is usually the right one,’ Emmalina said breezily, like a person who’d seen it all.
When the waiter had brought their orders – two Peanut Butter Triple Beasts and a Strawberry Fields Forever – the three of them chatted about all sorts, from Emmalina’s love of football to her aversion to green jelly, to her favourite singer, Doja Cat – whom she adored, apart from the swearing.
It was sweet how Devan fussed over his daughter, making sure she had the right spoon for her sundae and that her chair wasn’t too wobbly.
It was equally cute how Emmalina told him to stop being a dork because she knew how to ask for cutlery.
Alyssa was relieved that the conversation seemed to flow and found herself genuinely interested to hear Emmalina’s quirky take on things.
Though as the random chat and their light-hearted banter tailed off, Alyssa sensed her new young friend was building up to something.
She could also tell she wouldn’t beat around the bush.
‘If you do happen to be sucking face with my dad at any point, there is one condition. Hypothetically of course.’
Alyssa raised her eyebrows.
‘You have to be nice to him.’
No pressure.
‘I mean, I know he can be annoying at times. Like, he’s super keen on stuff being tidy, and he gets a bit geeky about computer coding. I get it if things don’t work out and you decide to dump him. Hypothetically.’
‘Hey thanks,’ Devan added, with a hint of sarcasm.
‘What I mean is, if you do decide to give the poor guy a chance and it doesn’t work out, let him down gently, OK?
Don’t just run off or ghost him. That happened to my older friend Jade when she went out with a boy from Taybury High.
It was so not cool. I had to spend a whole week of the summer holidays handing her tissues. Communication is kinder.’
‘I agree.’ Alyssa reached out a hand and squeezed Emmalina’s, trying not to feel the guilt of the last time she’d run out on Devan, which hadn’t exactly been her fault. ‘Hypothetically.’
Emmalina eyeballed her for a long moment before grinning and turning the squeeze into a handshake. ‘Sounds like a deal.’
It did? Alyssa swallowed hard, sensing it wasn’t one to be taken lightly. She stole a glance at Devan, who looked apologetic.
‘Don’t think I’m picking on you,’ Emmalina bounced on.
‘I know Mum’s going out with Jess from the shop – for real – and I’ve said the same to her.
I do approve of Jess, but I’m going to have a word about her bringing back the penny sweets display.
How do they want kids to stick around and love Hartglove, if they’re not fully catered for?
I’m not all about the treats,’ she clarified, digging out the last spoonful of her syrupy sundae.
‘I’ve been trying to promote girls’ football, because we need a better team and more prospects, if we want the town buzzing again.
Sweets, strawberries, sport. That’s balance, right? ’
This kid could take over the world.
‘And I like what you and Dad are doing to bring more love to Hartglove,’ Emmalina added.
‘The app is getting more people dating. I’m excited about the hall reopening, with more clubs and parties.
And in Design and Technology, I’ve been making a suggestions box so we can collect more ideas for improvements.
It’s my hometown and I don’t want it to be called loveless again. ’
Alyssa gave her a high five, sure this young woman was already adding fuel to her own small fire.
As they gathered their coats, with Alyssa and Emmalina due to meet Sylvie for tango night dress shopping, Emmalina grabbed Alyssa’s arm.
‘I saw your parents in The Rat and Raspberry last week, when Mum took me for steak pie night. Your dad wouldn’t stop going on about you. He’s so proud of you.’
He was?
Emmalina rolled her eyes. ‘Embarrassing dads, hey?’
‘Hmm,’ Alyssa replied.
‘I heard you don’t always get on with them. Small-town gossip. But if you want some friendly advice …’
Alyssa guessed she was going to get it anyway. Though in fairness, she was yet to hear the youngster say anything that wasn’t surprisingly sensible.
Emmalina pinned her with a serious look.
‘My biological dad doesn’t want to know me.
I mean, his loss. Loser. I’ve got this goon, and he’s the absolute best.’ She gave Devan a quick beam.
‘But if your dad does want to get to know you again, why not give him a shot? He always seems nice when I speak to him, and he’s sweet to your mum.
I like them. I wouldn’t say it if I thought they were creeps. ’
Alyssa felt her eyes well up. ‘Thank you,’ she said quietly. ‘I’ll bear that in mind.’
Devan pulled his daughter into a bear hug.
If Alyssa had known Emmalina was going to be quite so deep, she’d have worn waterproof mascara.
Thankfully, Alyssa was granted a break from the meaningful life advice as they said goodbye to Devan and joined Sylvie for dress shopping.
‘I broke with tradition and wore a skirt,’ said Sylvie, giving them a shy twirl as she met them in the town square, which had always been their place for people-spotting over a Zinger Burger when they were teenagers.
‘I didn’t want to be typecast as the one with boring mum jeans, and Alyssa always looks so put together. ’
Alyssa looked down at her fitted black trousers, pink army-style boots and rainbow knitted jumper.
‘Pre-loved,’ she whispered. ‘With social media photos, I’m embarrassed if I keep wearing the same old thing.
So I grab designer cast-offs online. It’s amazing what you can find.
’ She tapped her nose, conspiratorially.
‘Thanks for the idea,’ said Sylvie, pulling them into a three-way hug.
‘You look hot, Mum,’ said Emmalina, as the three of them rocked and giggled in a way Alyssa would usually have found awkward, but just seemed to work.
‘Your mum has always been a hottie,’ Alyssa confirmed as they pulled away from each other, Alyssa straightening out Sylvie’s wayward fringe and Sylvie inspecting Alyssa’s knitwear.
‘If you two would stop preening each other like a pair of monkeys, maybe we can shop?’ said Emmalina.
Sylvie laughed. ‘Did you meet my daughter? Beauty, brains and a whole lot of cheek.’
Emmalina gave a small bow.
‘I think she’s incredible.’ Alyssa meant every word. ‘She knows her mind and isn’t afraid to speak it. I respect that. She’ll go a long way.’
‘We should share tips about coaching,’ said Emmalina, nestling between her elders and linking arms with them both as she guided them towards the first dress shop. ‘Did you hear I’m going to be a football coach one day? And I know that’s not the same as a love coach, but goals are goals.’
Alyssa and Sylvie smiled at each other over Emmalina’s head as she began sharing her best advice on keeping a winning mindset.
The afternoon played out nicely, Emmalina in her element as she swished around changing rooms in various styles of dresses, Sylvie vetoing anything too low-cut or leggy, Alyssa suggesting hairstyles and accessories.
Emmalina then picked out several options for the two women, who squashed themselves into one changing room like they’d always done so they could mix and swap, and warn each other if they had their skirt tucked into their knickers.
‘We definitely take up more room than we used to.’ Sylvie giggled as she ducked away from Alyssa’s elbow while she was trying to wriggle into a particularly tight dress. ‘Though your joints are bonier.’
‘They surely made the changing rooms smaller,’ Alyssa reasoned. ‘And they’ve changed the clothes sizes. I mean, who added size zero? Give a girl a break.’
‘Breathe iiiiiiin,’ Sylvie said with a snort of laughter, mimicking something Pearl Bagnor used to say on their shopping trips, adding a dress zipping action.
Alyssa swooshed open the dressing room curtain.
‘Never wear a garment that only fits if you’re breathing in,’ she said to Emmalina, with a serious finger waggle.
‘Not unless you’re willing to hold your breath until you look like a beetroot and decline all offers of food.
Also, you then can’t sit down all night in case your zip pops. Devastating.’
‘Why would anyone wear clothes that are too small?’ Emmalina looked at them both like it was the most stupid thing she’d ever heard.
‘That’s my girl,’ said Sylvie, staggering out of the changing room in a dress that kept riding up like it was defying gravity. ‘I wish we’d been that wise. Anyone for tango-night trousers? Or maybe a jumpsuit.’
‘You have to get naked every time you need a wee, when you wear a jumpsuit.’ Emmalina rolled her eyes. ‘Totally bad design.’
‘Agreed,’ said Alyssa. ‘Shall we go for food, and see what clothes we can scrounge online? If I have to look at my bare bum cheeks in a changing room mirror for much longer, I might lose the will to shop.’
And with that, they abandoned the glaring lights of the changing rooms and made their way to Pepperoni Franco’s pizza place, hoping for a subtly lit booth.
Alyssa gave a quick glance over her shoulder before she entered, so accustomed to checking who might see what she was up to it had become a habit – even though she didn’t feel the need to do it as much lately.
Though perhaps she should, with the potential bush photo lurker on the prowl.
She still hadn’t got to the bottom of that.
They settled themselves into the comfy bench seats, breathing in the gorgeous cheesy aromas and spreading out menus.
‘I like you, Alyssa,’ Emmalina said, the words seeming to come so easily to her.
Alyssa looked up, her heart feeling warm.
‘Though can I give you one last piece of advice, coach to coach? Then I promise I’ll shut up and let you choose your food. I recommend the pesto and mozzarella deep dish, by the way.’
Alyssa nodded for her to continue.
‘You worry a lot about what people might think. Like, you’re bothered about what strangers would say if you were snogging Dad, or if they knew where you actually buy your clothes, or if they spotted you wolfing down a pizza.’
Alyssa’s eyes widened, but she kept slowly nodding. Sylvie looked curious too.
‘What other people think of you is none of your business. You should just be you.’
Alyssa blinked a few times, letting the thought settle.
It was the sort of thing she’d read on Instagram many times but usually brushed off.
To her, what other people thought of her had always been her business.
Quite literally. The opinions of strangers could make or break her career.
She was no health guru or fashion icon, but she’d always strived to be seen as inspirational, on top of life, good at making wise choices.
She’d got a lot of social media love as that person, and for a long time, that had brought her clients and opportunities.
People wanted to work with her because they wanted to be like her. It was a simple equation.
She’d been getting better at shaking some of that off since she’d returned to Hartglove.
But if an eleven-year-old could spot it, clearly, she had more work to do.
And what kind of example was she setting to the next generation if she was on social media, putting on a front?
Maybe too much ‘feel good’ could make others ‘feel bad’. The thought made her stomach drop.
‘You make a great point, Emmalina,’ Alyssa said earnestly. ‘And I’m working things through. Are you hiring yourself out as a coach yet? I should get your card.’ She gave her a wink.
‘Jeez, you guys. Can’t we just eat some pizza?’ Sylvie groaned.
Alyssa laughed. Friendship felt good again, after all this time.
And now it was like having two sweet friends for the price of one.
Although that gave her a quiet, creeping fear that the more good things she gathered, the more she stood to lose if things didn’t work out for her.
It had hurt like hell the last time she’d lost her best people, and she had no idea if she could survive that again.
She would just have to channel some of Emmalina’s fighting spirit.
And while Alyssa wasn’t ready to let a minor railroad her into announcing her relationship with Devan before she was ready, Emmalina had inspired her to work on at least one of her other problems.