On Saturday evening, Stella waited impatiently for a knock on the door from Lexi. She’d tidied the flat from top to bottom, cleaned everything including the Seventies kitchen units and pushed the windows fully open to finally get rid of the horrible smell of stale tobacco. As takings had been okay and sleeping on the sofa was giving her a terribly bad back, Stella had shelled out a little bit of money and replaced Herbert’s skanky old bed with something simple and cheap from IKEA. As far as the flat went, she was actually beginning to settle in and it was feeling more and more like home. After locking up the shop, she’d quickly made a lasagne and side salad. Knowing that a lot of wine would be consumed tonight by herself if not by Lexi, a good carby dinner was definitely called for.
The back door to the flat, accessed through a small garden, was blocked thanks to the piles of rubbish in front of it, so Stella sat on her stool by the counter waiting for Lexi to arrive. Spying her approach she opened the door. ‘Hi, thanks for coming.’
‘It’s my pleasure,’ said Lexi, proffering a bottle of wine in one hand and wrapping the other around Stella’s shoulders, pulling her in for a hug. ‘And the kids have been absolute arseholes today so I was quite happy to hand them over to Will.’
Stella laughed. ‘I’m sure they weren’t that bad.’ Lexi’s ability to speak so honestly about her children was refreshing and not at all like Stella’s sister who was sometimes blind to the faults of her offspring. ‘I’ve made dinner and the wine is already open.’
They went through the shop and into the flat where Frank sat in the hallway, wagging his tail. He received a pat on the head as they walked past then followed them into the living room, charging forward to claim his place on the sofa but getting diverted by his food bowl.
‘You take a seat and I’ll grab the wine,’ said Stella. She nipped into the kitchen and quickly poured it into two polished-up glasses she’d laid out in preparation. When she returned she sat in the armchair opposite Lexi who was snuggled on the large scruffy brown leather sofa.
‘How do you like the flat?’ asked Lexi.
‘It needs a lot of work,’ Stella replied, curling her legs under her. ‘But I love the layout, and where I’ve added a couple of the paintings from the shop it’s hidden some of the terrible wallpaper.’ Two of the paintings had been so beautiful Stella had decided to keep them for herself and forgo, at least for now, the possible profit. One was of a dark and stormy sky over a raging sea. There was something so gothic about it that it put Stella in mind of Wuthering Heights and she knew then and there she couldn’t possibly part with it. The other was a more abstract piece: swipes and slashes of colour in oranges and yellows on a plain canvas. The chaos of colour had sparked a strange feeling within – a sure sign it was meant for her. Both were placed either side of the large living room window under which Lexi was now sat.
‘I’ll just have to do bits as and when I can. I need to concentrate on the holiday lets first and get them ready to go. I’ve got a load of work planned for tomorrow. Which reminds me, Jay said I need some photos taken once they’re cleaned.’
‘Jay the website guy?’ Stella nodded and swallowed her mouthful of wine. Frank managed to scrabble onto the sofa with an ungainly thump and plonked down next to Lexi. ‘Jay the handsome website guy?’
‘Umm hmm. Kiera, Miles’s fiancée, recommended him and we met yesterday. I thought he’d be perfect for the job.’
‘And is this just for the job of website guy or did you have something more romantic in mind?’
Stella kept her eyes down on her wine glass. ‘We did have dinner last night but it was just a business meeting.’
‘Ooooh!’
‘I’m a bit out of practice when it comes to men,’ said Stella, unsure why yet again she was sharing so much. Yet, each time it was coming more and more naturally. ‘It was a really lovely evening.’
‘Good, I’m glad. I definitely believe that love finds us when it’s ready. I’m happy to wait and just concentrate on the kids at the moment.’
Stella smiled. Lexi really was a cool woman, content to be herself and live her life, knowing she would deal with whatever came her way. She also looked fabulous tonight, as usual, encased in a Fifties-style dress with a buttoned-up cardigan. Her hair was scraped back into a bun and she wore a headscarf, like housewives used to wear, but somehow, with just her flicky eyeliner and some mascara she looked incredibly chic. The vintage style really suited her.
‘So when will your website be up and running?’ Lexi asked, draining the last of her wine.
‘By the end of this week I hope. Jay texted me earlier to say that he’s already got a basic website sorted and it just needs the images and text. I’ve got a lot of it already written. I’ve been working on it in the shop during the slower times and if I can get the images up soon then we’re sorted. I’ve already got a booking for the one-bedroom from someone who’s stayed here before. They arrive on Friday.’
‘That’s so exciting.’
‘I am quite excited,’ Stella replied. ‘I’ve left the one-bedroom up with the listings Herbert had already organised because once I’ve ripped up the floor tiles and sanded, apart from a good clean and replacing the bed linen, it’s good to go. I’ve taken the three-bedroom one down until I’ve got it in a better state.’
‘Is it that bad?’ asked Lexi.
Stella sighed. ‘There’s nothing structural but it’s tired and old—’
‘Like me.’
‘Hardly. I want to get the carpet tiles up there too and either sand or paint the floorboards, and move stuff around. That’s my job for tomorrow. I’ve set my alarm for five so I can get Frank walked and then start as early as possible. I need to get as much done tomorrow as I can and then I’ll work in the evenings too so I can get it back on the listings from next Monday. That’s my deadline.’
‘Wow. You’re really self-disciplined.’ Lexi twizzled her glass in her fingers. ‘I can’t believe you’ve moved here and taken over a business like it’s nothing. You’ve made it look so easy.’
‘You haven’t seen me running around freaking out about stock levels, sales margins, and mark-ups. Or waking up in the middle of the night, worrying this is all going to go wrong and leave me homeless and bankrupt. I’m sure Miles Parker is thoroughly enjoying watching me all stressed out and manic.’
‘Why do you say that?’
‘Because every time he walks by he’s always slyly peering in and sneering, judging every item I have in the shop. I’m sure he’d be over the moon if everything went wrong for me. The other day I nipped out the back to grab a cup of tea and when I came back he basically had his nose pressed against the window. I’m surprised Frank didn’t bark at him. Then when he saw me he didn’t even smile or say hello, he just shuffled off with his head down.’
‘Poor Miles,’ Lexi said, and Stella raised her eyebrows, unconvinced. ‘He really isn’t that bad, you know. He was probably just curious to see what you’re doing with the place. Honestly, he is a nice guy really.’
‘Well, I’m yet to see that side of him.’
‘Anyway,’ Lexi said brightly, ‘I’m sure you’ll make this place successful. The shop’s doing okay, isn’t it?’
‘Yes, it is.’ Stella tucked her hair back behind her ear. ‘I just want to find some new stock that will sell nice and quick. I’ll need a quick turnover to keep the money coming in. Stock can’t just sit around. It’s got to be in and out. And I can’t sell it for less than I paid. I don’t mind doing that with Herbert’s old tat but going forward it’s not sustainable.’
‘It sounds like you’ve got it all sorted out.’ After adjusting her hairband, Lexi said, ‘I’d love to run my own business.’
‘Really? Would you sell the clothes you make?’ Stella could happily offer Lexi some space in the shop if she did.
Lexi nodded. ‘And all things vintage. But I don’t think it’s on the cards for me. By the way, that lasagne smells great.’
‘It should be done actually,’ Stella replied, getting up to check. ‘Do you want to sit at the table and I’ll bring it in?’
Stella brought in a huge dish of steaming lasagne then went back to fetch the side salad and wine as Lexi moved to the small circular table at the far end of the room. At the moment it was nestled next to some more boxes of stock, but Stella was slowly selling all the old stuff and it wouldn’t be long till the room was clear. After topping up their drinks, they ate with glee. ‘How are the kids?’ she asked Lexi.
‘Oh, they’re fine.’ Lexi rested her elbows on the table and took up her glass. ‘Will loves having them and they love seeing their daddy. It’s better now the kids have got used to things. We had some bad times when Will and I had only just split. Ralph’s behaviour went haywire and Taylor just shut down on me, but now we have a routine they’re a lot happier.’
‘Do you mind if I ask what happened with you two?’
Lexi took another sip and Stella noticed a slight tension in her expression. ‘It’s complicated really but suffice it to say things were tough after the kids were born. They’re really close in age and it was exhausting having a newborn and a toddler. I didn’t feel like me anymore, I just felt like … oh, I don’t know … a housekeeper, a mother, a cleaner … Not a person.’ She took a deep breath. ‘Plus Will was out a lot working. Or in the pub.’
From the way Lexi looked at her, Stella knew it was time to change the subject. They both wanted this evening to be full of laughter and fun. ‘Why were the kids arseholes today?’
Lexi gave an amused smile. ‘Taylor decided to be a grown-up and got into my make-up bag and Ralph wanted to do some splatter painting and ended up completely covering my walls rather than the paper. My landlord will go nuts.’
‘I take it Taylor’s make-up didn’t go well?’
‘She came down looking like The Joker. Honestly, it was absolutely terrifying. And when she asked me if she looked nice, I kind of mumbled a yes and she could tell I was lying. She then had a complete hissy fit and told me I was the worst mum in the world and ran upstairs.’
‘Oh no,’ said Stella, imagining Taylor’s confidence had been forever dented. Not to mention how heartbreaking that must have been for Lexi to hear something like that.
‘It’s not as bad as it sounds,’ Lexi replied. ‘She’s told me the same thing three times this week already. I was more worried about getting the make-up out of my bedding because she face-planted my duvet wearing my favourite red lipstick. Makes you happy you haven’t got kids, doesn’t it?’
‘Sometimes,’ Stella replied. ‘But I bet the cuddles are nice. I miss cuddles with someone.’
Lexi rested her knife and fork for a moment. ‘Cuddles mostly mean snot or toothpaste-covered shoulders. But yeah, I do like cuddle time.’
‘Oh, by the way,’ said Stella, suddenly remembering. ‘Did you want that roll of fabric? I saved it for you as no one else bought it. I thought it should go to a good home.’
‘I’d love to,’ Lexi replied, a slight blush coming to her cheeks. ‘But I still can’t afford it. Ralph needs some new school shoes. His are falling apart so I won’t be able to buy it for a while.’
Stella suddenly felt very awkward and stupid for asking. She should have waited for Lexi to mention it and now she’d embarrassed her. Stella wanted to just give it to her, but she worried that Lexi might think it was out of pity and be even more offended. Stella quickly moved the conversation along. ‘Oh, I bought cake for pudding.’
‘Yay!’
‘I got us a big, gooey chocolate cake from that bakery down the other end of the high street.’
‘Our rivals?’ asked Lexi scornfully.
‘Yes. Sorry. But it wouldn’t have been a surprise if I got it from you.’
‘Traitor.’
Stella enjoying the teasing. ‘And I bought some posh champagne cream too.’
‘In that case,’ said Lexi, ‘I forgive you.’
‘I’ll clear this lot,’ said Stella, thankful that the awkwardness she’d created had been forgotten. ‘And fetch some bowls. I thought you could take what’s left for the kids. There’s far too much for me to finish on my own.’
‘Aww, that’s really kind. I’ll help,’ Lexi said, standing up and picking up the lasagne dish. ‘That was so delicious. You’re a really good cook.’
‘I’m really not. There isn’t much I can cook, but I can manage a decent lasagne.’ Stella served out pudding, and they went back to the living room and curled up on the sofas with bowls of cake and lashings of cream.
‘What are you going to do about your ex’s wedding?’ asked Lexi who was scraping out her bowl so as not to miss anything.
Stella sighed. She’d been trying not to think about it and had hidden the invitation in a drawer in the kitchen. ‘I’ve got to go, haven’t I? If I don’t, I’m going to look like such a cow.’
‘Do you think he’s invited you out of spite or to show off?’
‘No. He was always a really decent, honest bloke. He probably thinks it’s a nice thing to do to show that he still thinks of me as a friend and that there are no hard feelings. It wouldn’t even occur to him that if I turn up on my own I’m going to look like a lonely, sad loser.’
‘No, you won’t. You’ll look like a strong independent woman who just hasn’t found the right guy yet. Or who has concentrated on building up her new business before looking for love again.’
Stella smiled and placed her bowl on the floor beside her. She’d wanted friends like this her whole life. Like the ones you see in TV programmes like Sex and the City but she’d never had them before. Having Lexi around made her feel empowered and happy. She loved her new life and had never needed a man to make her happy before. Deep down she knew that the renewed feelings of rejection the invitation had inspired were making her focus on completely the wrong things but it was hard not to think about how she’d be judged by others. ‘I really don’t want to go,’ she said with a childish whine. ‘It’ll completely suck but I know I have to. If I don’t go, he’ll think I’m still angry with him, which I am, but he doesn’t need to actually know that.’
‘You could always find a hot date to go with,’ said Lexi, licking her spoon. ‘Maybe someone like Jay? He is incredibly good-looking.’
‘Is he? I hadn’t noticed.’
Lexi gave her a knowing look then laughed. Could Stella really pluck up the courage to invite him to the wedding? It had seemed a good idea at the pub the other night but as soon as she was home she’d worried it would be too forward. They’d need to get to know each other better first, but there was plenty of time for that, wasn’t there? She could start by calling him tomorrow to discuss the website again. With Lexi’s encouragement, a smile started to pull at her cheeks. She was definitely going to do it. She was going to invite Jay to Isaac’s wedding.