Rhianna finished attaching the foil Let’s Boogie! sign to the wall and stepped back.
‘Perfect finishing touch,’ she said to Brooke. ‘I think we’re all ready.’
Psychedelic bunting decked the pub and a disco ball span overhead. A line of tables and chairs had been placed down the middle of the room, ready for the speed dating. The Bay City Rollers tribute band they’d booked, Shangri-La, were currently setting up under Janey’s watchful eye, with an area cleared to serve as a dance floor.
‘It looks like a whole new place,’ Brooke said. ‘Very “Disco Inferno”. We’ll have them necking like teenagers by the end of the night.’
‘I hope we get more people than the dozen who bought advance tickets,’ Rhianna said. ‘And only two of them men. This could be a complete washout if no one comes, Brooke.’
‘It won’t,’ Brooke said, with more confidence than she felt. She glanced at her sister’s face, which was haunted by a barely suppressed anxiety. ‘How are the kiddywinks?’
‘They were full of bounce when I phoned. James had taken them out to this restaurant we used to go to on their birthdays. They get to wear chefs’ hats and help cook their own meals… you know, the sort of place I could never afford to take them.’ She sighed. ‘They love it there.’
‘Well, that’s OK,’ Brooke said gently. ‘It’s a good thing if their dad’s spending quality time with them – that’s what they’re there for, right? It’s not going to make them want to go live with him, just because he takes them to some fancy restaurant. You’re their mum.’
‘I know. It just feels like they’ve finally settled here, they’re happy, they’ve got new friends and routines. And now they’re being plunged back into their old lives for a few days and they’re going to come home dissatisfied, because they’re kids and things like nice restaurants and expensive toys matter to them.’
‘Not as much as their mum does.’
‘Even so. I worry James has got some plan to… I guess to weaponise them against me. Weaken me so I’ll ultimately go back to him.’ Rhianna scowled. ‘You know, all this week he’s been sending me links to articles outlining the many terrible outcomes for kids raised in single-parent families. If I divorce him it’s tantamount to passing them a dirty syringe and inviting them to start shooting up, apparently.’
‘I’m sure he’ll send whatever suits his agenda. It’s bollocks though, Rhia, obviously – you only need to look at Hayden’s kids to see that. This is exactly what James wants, to get you beating yourself up over nothing.’
‘Yeah, you’re right. I just can’t help feeling stressed while the children are away from me.’ Rhianna twisted the wedding ring that from habit she still wore, turning it round and round on her finger. The skin underneath had become red and sore, and Brooke wondered if, like the legacy of the white scars on her sister’s arm, the pain was a way for Rhianna to keep control of her whirling emotions. ‘Brooke, I can count the nights I haven’t been there to kiss them at bedtime on the fingers of one hand. I’ll be a bag of nerves until I get them back.’
Brooke gave her a swift hug. ‘I know, love. Here for you, eh?’
Janey approached them.
‘Right, I need to go change into my pulling gear,’ she said. ‘You two can babysit the band. They just need supplying with cups of tea.’
Rhianna glanced at the five-man band, all dressed in tartan shirts open to the waist, huge denim flares and shoulder-length wigs. ‘They certainly made boy bands differently in the bad old days. Why are they called Shangri-La? I don’t get the connection.’
‘I asked the lead singer that,’ Janey said. ‘Apparently they used to be called Shang-A-Lang, you know, after the Rollers hit, but it turned out there was already a tribute band called that so they changed it to something similar to save money on rebranding.’
Rhianna squinted at the band logo on the drumkit. ‘Oh yeah, you can see where they peeled the letters off. No wonder they were so cheap.’
‘No Hayden?’ Janey asked. ‘I thought he’d be here by now.’
Brooke flushed. ‘No, not yet.’
Rhianna frowned. ‘Something up, Brooke?’
‘Oh, we… it’s nothing. We had a bit of a row yesterday, that’s all.’
‘What about?’
‘He started going on about introducing me to his kids again and I snapped at him. Then he got in a strop about something I said and… we haven’t spoken since.’
‘I don’t know why you’re so against the idea of meeting his girls,’ Janey said. ‘You might as well do it now as later, since it’s obvious you’re nuts about each other. Then you wouldn’t have to juggle your schedules so much.’
‘Oh right, take his side.’ Brooke scowled at the carpet. ‘I’m not ready yet, all right? Kids weren’t something I ever expected to have in my future, and now… I just want to know we’re not rushing into it. It needs some serious mental preparation on my part before we take that leap.’
‘I suppose that’s fair enough,’ Janey said soothingly. ‘Talk to him about it, chick. I’m sure he’ll understand if you explain.’
Rhianna nodded to the door as a Hayden-shaped silhouette loomed behind the frosted glass. ‘Here he is.’
‘Right.’ Janey glanced at Rhianna. ‘Well, I’m going to get changed. Rhianna, didn’t you say you had something to do in the kitchen?’
‘Me? No.’
‘Yes you did. You specifically told me you had to be in the kitchen right at this very moment.’
Rhianna followed Janey’s glance to Hayden approaching. ‘Ah. Right. So I did.’
They disappeared, leaving Brooke and Hayden to talk.
‘Um, hi,’ he said, rubbing his neck.
‘Hi.’
There was silence as they both looked anywhere but at each other.
‘Look, Hayd—’ she began.
‘Brooke, I wanted to—’ he said at the same time. They both stopped, laughing.
‘All right, me first,’ he said. ‘Brooke, I’m sorry. You were right and I was wrong. I’m an idiot and you’re amazing.’
She smiled. ‘I’m liking this apology so far. Go on.’
‘I shouldn’t have pressured you. The last thing I want is for you to feel on edge when you meet the girls, and you’re right, it is very soon. I was excited about how things were going and I guess I got carried away. I’ll wait for as long as you want, OK?’
‘Thanks, Hayden. And I’m sorry I upset you when I suggested you expected me to be a substitute for their mum. I know what a huge honour it is that you want me to get to know them.’ She beckoned to him. ‘Come here then.’
He took her in his arms and kissed her forehead. ‘Friends again?’
‘Friends again. It’s just a big deal, you know? Your kids are the most important people in the world to you, naturally, and I’ve got ten million things to worry about when it comes time for me to be introduced to them as your girlfriend.’
‘You honestly haven’t. I told you, they’re going to love you.’
‘Hayden, please. I know you’re trying to be reassuring, but what I need you to do right now is understand. This is terrifying for me.’
‘Sorry,’ he said softly. ‘Go on. Tell me what you’re afraid of.’
‘Well, I’m afraid your kids won’t like me, because kids generally don’t, and then you won’t like me, and I’ll lose the thing that’s currently making me the happiest I’ve ever been. I’m afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing around them, and being a poor role model. I’m afraid they’ll look to me for advice about things and I won’t know what advice to give. I’m afraid they’ll expect me to take their mum’s place, and I’m not adult enough or mumsy enough to do a good job. And I’m afraid, just a little bit, that something will go wrong between me and you and then I’ll lose three people I’ve come to care about instead of just one.’
He blinked. ‘Wow. That is a scary list.’
‘I know.’
‘I liked that bit about you being the happiest you’ve ever been, though. Birth of my children aside, that’s how I feel too.’ He lowered his voice to a whisper. ‘As a father I’m morally obligated to say that. Actually I was a nervous wreck the day my children were born.’
‘So you get it, then?’
‘I get it.’ He kissed her softly. ‘And I know I can’t say anything to stop you worrying about those things, but I can promise to be right there next to you, holding your hand. When you’re ready let me know, OK?’
‘Thanks, love.’ She lowered her voice. ‘Hey. Max and Livvy are away at their dad’s tonight. Do you want to sleep over?’
‘What, you mean have sex in a bed?’
‘Yep. Make-up sex, the best kind.’
‘Glory hallelujah.’ He kissed her forehead and let her go. ‘I’ll have to run out on you early though, so I can be home before the girls get up.’
‘That’s OK.’
‘Oi!’ one of the band called. ‘Any chance of a cuppa when you two have finished snogging?’
Brooke rolled her eyes. ‘These tribute bands are real divas. You know, I bet we could’ve got the actual Bay City Rollers for the same money.’
‘I’ll sort them out. You’d better set up a table by the door to take cash. Shouldn’t be long until people start turning up.’
‘I just hope some of them are men, or this speed dating idea could be the biggest flop we’ve had yet.’
The first person to arrive was Colin Ackroyd, one of the four widowers who came in for a drink most days.
‘Oh,’ he said when he spotted Brooke sitting just inside the door with a money tub and a stack of question sheets. He took a look around the pub and its retro decorations. ‘Something special going on tonight, Brooke love?’
‘That’s right, it’s our Silver Singles’ Night for over-fifty-fives. You’re welcome to join us, Colin. We’ve got speed dating, a band and some games for later. It’s a fiver in though, sorry about that.’
‘Oh, no. I’m too old and knackered for all that nonsense.’ He paused. ‘Your, er… your mam coming, is she?’
‘She is.’
‘Well, I might stay for a drink now I’m here.’ He took out his wallet and chucked a fiver in her tub, then glanced at the question lists. ‘What’s all this?’
‘It’s for the speed dating. You’ll be matched to someone for a two-minute date and this is a list of suggested conversation-starters. You don’t have to take part if you don’t want to though.’
‘Right. Well, may as well get my money’s worth.’ He picked one up. ‘See you later.’
Next through the door was Martin Brady.
‘What’s all this then?’ he asked Brooke, blinking at the flashing disco lights.
‘It’s our over-fifty-fives singles’ night,’ Brooke said again. ‘We’ve had posters up for weeks, Marty. Haven’t you noticed them?’
‘No. Must’ve passed me by.’ He tugged at his too-tight shirt collar. ‘Janey joining in?’
‘Yes, she’s been looking forward to it. Still on the hunt for her perfect man.’
‘Ah well, I suppose I can stay for a pint. May as well, eh?’ He fished out a fiver – apparently he knew the entry price, despite not having noticed a single poster – then grabbed a list of questions and went to sit down.
Next was divorcé Nigel Horsforth, one of the village’s parish councillors, wearing his best shirt and tie.
‘Oh,’ he said when he walked in, his face a mask of surprise. Brooke sighed.
‘Yes, it’s a special night. Yes, my mum’s taking part. Here’s your list of speed dating questions and you can chuck a fiver in the tub.’ She thrust a question sheet at him and he took it, blinking, before paying his entry fee and going to sit down.
Five minutes later, Rhianna joined her.
‘How’s it going?’ she asked. ‘Seems to be filling up.’
‘I’m spotting a trend,’ Brooke said, smiling wryly. ‘Apparently the mature menfolk of Leyholme are all very surprised, having turned up here in their Sunday best for no reason, to discover we’re holding a singles’ night. Despite the stack of flyers on the bar, the ten or so posters around the pub, the twenty or so stuck to lampposts all over the village and the one in the post office window, it’s a complete shock to them. But they’ve all graciously decided they’ll stay for a drink now they’re here.’
Rhianna laughed. ‘What is it, do you think? Some sort of macho thing?’
‘Embarrassment, I suppose. The men are shyer about admitting they’re here on the pull than the women. Their pride demands they pretend it was all an accident.’ Brooke glanced at Martin Brady and his mates. ‘What’s really worrying is that most of them are here for Mum.’
‘You’re kidding!’
‘Nope. About half the men in here specifically asked if she was joining in.’
Rhianna looked over at the stairs. ‘Well, here she comes, ready for her admirers to start throwing themselves at her feet.’
Brooke laughed. ‘Bloody hell. Where’d she get those clothes?’
Janey was wearing a pair of hip-hugging denim dungarees decorated with crocheted flower patches over a rainbow-striped top. A pair of huge platform heels added a couple of inches to her height, and her chestnut hair was brushed and sprayed into a Farrah Fawcett-esque feathered style. Nearly every male eye turned to look as she descended, sweeping the stairs with her massive flares.
‘Oof. That is painfully seventies,’ Rhianna said, shielding her eyes.
‘It suits her though,’ Brooke said. ‘Hey, those bellend dungarees are quite flattering, aren’t they?’
‘Bell-bottom, you turnip.’
‘I stand by what I said.’
Janey grinned as she came to join them.
‘So, daughters, how embarrassed are you on a scale of one to ten?’
‘I’d say a solid eight for me,’ Brooke said. ‘The dungarees do wonders for your bum, though.’
‘You think I don’t know that?’ Janey took a disappointed look around the busy pub. ‘Not many out-of-towners, are there? I was hoping to see at least a few faces I didn’t recognise.’
‘Mum, don’t be so ungrateful,’ Rhianna said. ‘They only came for you.’
Janey blinked. ‘Me?’
‘That’s right,’ Brooke said. ‘We’ve barely had a man through the door who didn’t ask if you were taking part before he agreed to part with a fiver. I’m starting to see why business has been bad, when we’ve been hiding our star attraction in the kitchen.’
Janey blushed. ‘Give over.’
‘I’m not kidding. Apparently there isn’t a man over fifty-five in this village who doesn’t fancy you.’ Brooke handed her a question list. ‘Here. I’m going to get things started.’