‘Thank you, Josie, but you know I don’t just go about jumping into bed with random men who save me from smashing my two front teeth in.’ She giggled.
‘No, you just wait and wait only to find that the bloke you’ve been waiting for is more interested in his bloody vintage Mark II Ford Escort.’
Mallory cringed as Josie reminded her of her last disastrous relationship. ‘Don’t go there, Josie. I honestly thought Darren’s obsession with that canary yellow passionless wagon was endearing at first.’
‘Yes. Until you found out that he used to tuck it in every night.’ The two friends howled with laughter. ‘So,ishe well off?’
‘Josie! Really, I don’t ask such questions. But I’m guessing he’s comfortable. His job sounds quite high-flying. Honestly though, you know I don’t care about that stuff. I just want someone who looks at me as though he could ravish me on the spot; someone who wants to make a life with me; someone who won’t mind that I’m not supermodel thin.’ Mallory sighed at that last thought.
‘Hey! What have I told you about that? Men prefer curves.’ Josie attempted to stomp on the negativity.
‘Yeah? Shame that none of them are prepared to admit that in public. Eh?’
‘So, do you think he’ll call you?’ Ah there we go; Josie had asked the dreaded, million-dollar question.
‘Ireallyhope so. I had a really good feeling about him.’
‘In your knickers, I bet.’ Josie gave a coarse cackle, in true Josie style.
Mallory tutted and decided she was tired out. Giving a yawn, she mumbled, ‘And on that note, Josie Gardiner, I’m hanging up. Night night.’
‘Night night, you spoil sport. Love you squillions, babe.’
‘Love you too, you cackling banshee!’ The conversation came to its usual banter-filled end and Mallory was once again alone, save for the little black Patterdale terrier with staring brown eyes pawing at her for attention.
*
Mallory’s shop was crammed the next day. She was rushed off her feet and even had to call in Josie from her day off for assistance. Together they smiled, chatted, served customers and had the old-fashioned cash register making that fabulouskerching!noise over and over again. She had giddily checked her mobile several times throughout the day for signs of contact from Sam but when nothing materialised her excitement began to wane. Perhaps it had all been too good to be true.
When five o’clock finally came around, Mallory locked the door and heaved a huge sigh of relief.
‘Phew! Thank goodness it’s time for home.’ She slid down the door, landing with a bump on her bottom.
Josie smiled down at her friend, holding out her hand to pull her back up. ‘Come on you. Let’s get back to yours and have a bite to eat and then we’ll wander down to the Railwayman’s for a couple of pops.’ Josie widened her eyes suggestively. It sounded like a bloody good plan.
Mallory put the day’s takings in the money bag and fastened Ruby’s lead onto her bright rainbow-coloured collar. ‘You’ve loved today haven’t you, Rubes? All that attention.’ Ruby wagged her tail and pawed at Mallory’s skirt in agreement. Just then her mobile phone began to vibrate in her bag, rattling against her door keys. Her heart leapt as she rummaged around in the cavernous depths, frantically searching for the phone.Let it be him. Let it be him, she repeated silently in her mind.
Finally putting her hand on it, she swiped it up to her ear. ‘Hello?’ she gasped, feeling flustered.
‘Well, hello there, Miss Yorksher.’ A familiar voice kissed at her ear, making her shiver with excitement.
‘Oh, hi! Sam, right?’
‘Oh great, you’ve forgotten me already, huh?’ He sounded perturbed.
‘No-no! Not at all. I was just checking. You’d be surprised at how many Canadian men have been ringing me lately.’ She chuckled.
‘Ah well, I’m afraid I’m going to push to the front of the line. I wondered if you’d like to meet for a drink or a bite to eat later… I know it’s short notice.’
‘Ah, I was actually going out with my friend, Josie, tonight I’m afraid.’
On hearing her declining a date with the hot Canadian, Josie began to make throat slitting gestures and wave frantically in Mallory’s face.
She scrunched her nose in confusion, mouthing ‘What?’
Josie whispered loudly, ‘Just go on the bloody date, Mal, you moron. You can see me any time.’
Chuckling became audible from the other end of the phone. ‘Umm, I think you should take your friend’s advice, Mallory. She sounds like a very sensible girl.’
