Gina hadn’t been for a run in a while, but she wasn’t chancing another game of squash, and Neeta was very insistent.
They began on the waterway beside their building, the stone flags underfoot uneven and hot from today’s sunshine. They ran over the chrome bridge that vibrated under the pounding of their feet, past the busker on the other side singing a dodgy version of Oasis’s ‘Wonderwall.’ Was there a non-dodgy version?
Gina breathed in the smells of coffee and chorizo from the street stalls on the north side of the water, then ran under the Docklands Light Railway, which rattled overhead, the sun hot on her skin. They carried on along the water, until they ran past a line of small boats — then the vista opened up. Before them, the Millwall Docks shimmered into view, the weekend dragon boat crews ploughing up and down the aqua carpet, making the water fizz white and frothy.
Once there, Gina and Neeta raced to the bridge on the other side, as was their custom, then doubled over, wheezing and grinning at each other.
It was a few seconds more before Neeta got her breath back. “You never told me what happened with Bernie, by the way.”
“That’s because I never see you.” Gina was still out of breath. She needed to run more often.
“Is she still bringing Sara to the office and making your life hell? I never liked her, I told you that, right?”
“A number of times, yes.” She didn’t want to tell Neeta she’d been right in her assertion that Bernie was ‘dodgy’, which her sister had said from the start. Gina was hopeful she’d soon be rid of her, and that her life would be as smooth as India’s bum. Which was the smoothest she’d ever felt. The corners of Gina’s mouth twitched just thinking about it. Luckily, her sister was oblivious. Some things Gina was more than happy to keep to herself.
“Bernie backed down after some choice words from Frankie, India’s friend. Plus, I worked out everything that needed to be done with the help of India’s legal team. I made it easy for her to get out. Bernie just had to realise that, which she eventually did.”
“So, Bernie gets cash and Sara to spend it for her. She’s a glutton for punishment.”
“She’s going in with her eyes wide open. What can I do but wish her luck? She’s going to need it.”
A man and a woman walked by with a toddler between them, each holding one hand. They swung the small girl, whose feet left the ground as she was propelled forward, the glee on her face palpable. Both Gina and Neeta grinned.
“Now you’re in business with Deepak. Which is better?” Neeta elbowed her sister.
“I know how to handle Deepak. Plus, he’s a pussycat around me.”
“You always were his favourite.”
“He’s a shrewd business owner, too. I’m not expecting an easy ride, but at least this will give me the money to do this properly. I’m excited about driving the business forward. It does mean that Deepak might come down to London a bit more. Which means you’re going to have to come out with us, too.”
“Us? As in you and Deepak, or you and a certain tall, biscuity woman?”
Gina rolled her eyes. “India might be involved, but I’m sure he’d like to see you and Neil, too. Heck, I’d like to see Neil. You are still married, right?”
“Last time I checked.”
“Good. I spoke to Deepak last night, and invited him to Pride. He’s coming on the bus.” Gina was still wondering whether or not that had been a sound move. “Am I totally mad to do that?”
Neeta shook her head. “Not mad. I spoke to Mum this week, and she told me she was pleased Deepak was going into business with you. She might be coming to London a bit more, too. Tagging along with her brother. Your personal lines might start to become blurred. So please tell them you’re with India soon. Mum was badgering me the other day, and it took everything I had not to crack.”
“I will. I promised India too, so I have to do it now.”
“You have to do it before Pride, if Deepak’s coming. He won’t be able to keep his mouth shut.”
“I know.” Gina held up her hands, her insides twisting. This wasn’t her favourite topic. Dealing with her sexuality and her parents was never easy. But now she had someone who counted, it was time. She just had to work up the courage.
“How are things going with India?” Neeta glanced Gina’s way. “You seem… I don’t know what you seem. Like you’re more at ease. More sure of yourself. Whatever it is, I like it. It looks good on you.”
Neeta had hit the nail on the head. It was still early days with her and India, and there were still many things that hadn’t been said. But India had nudged Gina towards change. Her family lines were blurring, Neeta was right. It had to happen, and Gina wasn’t sad. Scared, yes, but change happened with small steps. It had started with the weekend in Birmingham, it was shifting with Deepak, and who knows, one day, her mum might ride the Pride bus. Not this year, but one day.
“I like her, and I think she likes me, too. We’ll see where it goes, but fingers crossed. It feels different.” That was the understatement of the year. Gina had never felt this way before, and it was a constant surprise. “Plus, she’s got a Pride bus, so we’re riding in the parade. That’s different, right?”
Neeta put an arm around her. “A marked difference to Sara. You deserve happiness, and I’m backing India to bring it to my little Nagina. Otherwise, she’ll have me to answer to.”
Gina picked up an orange from the pile in the greengrocers and squeezed. Not too soft, not too hard, just right. She dropped it in her basket and grabbed a bunch of bananas from the shelf above. She needed more fruit in her diet, and the only way she was going to get it was to buy it.
Her gaze shifted, and she was just deciding between blueberries and raspberries when her phone rang. She checked the screen. Mum.
Gina wrinkled her forehead. She’d already decided to ring later and tell her about India. However, Gina wasn’t ready to have the conversation just yet. Not in the greengrocers. Then again, she was probably never going to be ready.
Gina stared at her phone. It was still ringing. She should ignore it.
Her finger pressed the green call button.
Damn it.
“Hi, Mum.” Gina selected a punnet of blueberries and put them in her basket. Whatever her parents’ reaction, Gina was going to stay healthy.
“I’ve been waiting for you to call, but I could be waiting forever for that to happen.”
Hello to you, too. What was it with mothers and daughters? Gina was sure her brother never got calls like this.
“I was going to call later.”
Her mum made a noise like she didn’t believe that for a second. “How is your business going? Deepak said things are progressing well.”
Gina nodded, picking up a cauliflower. She’d heard you could roast them to great effect, make a cauliflower pilaf. Maybe India would like it, too. She added it to her basket. Maybe she’d cook it for them next time she came over. Look at Gina, thinking like someone in a relationship.
That her mother still didn’t know about.
“It’s going well. We’re getting the paperwork sorted, and then hopefully, Deepak will be the perfect sleeping partner.”
“He’s had enough practice at the sleeping part. He was still in bed when I called him last week at 9am.”
Gina’s mum got up at 6.30am every day, rain or shine. Anything else she considered ‘lazy.’
“Scandalous,” Gina replied.
There was a pause before her mum spoke again. A man brushed past Gina and nearly knocked her basket out of her hand. She scowled at him.
“And how is your friend?”
Gina froze. “My friend?”
“India.”
Her mum had never asked about one of her friends before. Then again, since coming out, Gina had been hiding her life from them, so it wasn’t a surprise. Plus, she’d lost a few friends from Birmingham after she came out, after they told Gina they’d feel ‘uncomfortable’ being around her. Good riddance.
“She’s good.”
Gina’s heart thumped in her chest.
Tell her.
Her pulse stuttered. She wasn’t ready.
“Your dad downloaded her show. She’s very good. Professional. Knows what she’s talking about. Dad was saying you should get her to come up here and give a talk to the business community. I’m sure she’d be very popular.”
Gina pushed down a strangled laugh. “I think she might be a bit busy to do that, Mum.”
A pause. “She seemed fond of you, so she might. People do things for people they want to impress, don’t they?”
Gina’s pulse stopped. What was her mum saying? Did she know? Was she fishing?
“I suppose they do.” Gina picked up some raspberries. “Actually, Mum, I’ve got something to tell you.”
Deep breaths.
Take aim.
Fire!
“We’re actually sort of seeing each other.” Hot breath rushed out of Gina’s mouth like fire.
She’d really done it now.
Another pause on the other end. “Seeing each other as in you’re together?”
Gina nodded. “Uh-huh.”
“Sort of, or you are?”
Gina clenched her teeth, then mustered up all the courage she possessed. “We are. Together. A couple.”
Her brain buzzed inside her skull. She’d done it. Told her mum they were seeing each other. This was a monumental step forward in her life.
“Okay,” her mum replied.
“Okay?” That was all she got?
“I guessed as much. Not many women have turned up on our doorstep and looked at you like that.”
Gina dropped the punnet of raspberries. The plastic lid popped off, and the small red berries exploded over the shop. Gina put down her basket and looked over to the cashier. She was busy serving another customer.
“Oh shit,” Gina said, still holding the phone.
“Language, Gina!” Mum said.
“Sorry, I just dropped a load of raspberries all over the shop floor.” This was ridiculous. The moment she’d been dreading had casually slipped itself into her life, and it wasn’t even the biggest news of the past ten minutes.
“Ask her about the talk, anyway. If she likes you, she’s going to want to impress your parents.”
Her mum had a point, but the thought of India going to Birmingham to address the Asian business community wasn’t something Gina’s brain could compute.
“I will, Mum.”
Right at that moment, a small child walked past Gina, slipped on the berries and fell on his bum. He started to bawl, and when Gina looked up, a red-faced mother was heading her way.
“I’m going to have to go. Can I call you back later?”
“Okay,” her mum replied. “And Gina?”
“Yes?”
“She seemed… nice.”
Gina stared at the toddler, his crying stopped. His focus now was on smearing the raspberries around the floor with his hands.
“She is,” she replied.
Gina stood with her basket hanging from her arm, dazed. She’d practised that speech so many times in her head, and then it had happened in a greengrocer’s? Also, did her mum just give her blessing to their relationship?
Gina needed a lie down.