Nina was on her way to the deli to meet Sophie for lunch, and being a bit early she’d taken the long way around, and once she’d arrived she stood outside under the awning on the pavement people-watching for a bit. She smiled as a woman in an all-black outfit with long, blonde hair and a red umbrella clumped past her in too high shoes. A man in an aqua blue anorak with yellow sleeves, clearly a trainspotter, and his wife in a white raincoat with the hood up strolled past arm in arm, and a man on a green bike cycled past with a concerned look on his face as if he was going to get very wet.
Once Sophie turned up, they’d gone in and sat down, and Sophie raised her eyebrows. 'So, you’re not into a hen do where we all get drunk and run around in bridal dresses with sashes, then?' Sophie asked with a laugh.
Nina shook her head fervently. 'No, I don’t even want a hen do as such at all.’
‘You don’t want me to get you a tiara and rude things from the sex shop and present them to the group at the table?’
‘That would be a no as well,' Nina said with a smile. ‘Not my scene, as you know.’
‘Pin the tail on the donkey or the you-know-what on the muscly man.’
‘Soph!’
'How about a fake veil and a plastic, sparkly tiara?' Sophie giggled.
'We didn’t even have that last time, on my first wedding, so I don’t know why I’d want one all these years later when I’m older.'
Sophie chuckled. 'We’re notthatold. Right, so you just want a very nice, very tame, sophisticated, and elegant meal with the girls?'
Nina nodded. 'Correct. You’ve got that in one. It’s not that hard. It’ll be really nice, just a beautiful meal with loads of lovely food and a few drinks.'
Sophie nodded. 'Works for me. So, are we talking chowder in Lovely Bay?'
Nina contemplated for a second. 'Do you know what? I think it might be good to go somewhere else.’
‘How about over my way? You could all stay with me,' Sophie suggested.
'Yes, that would be lovely. When you say we could stay with you, what do you mean? Like including my mum and sister?'
Sophie nodded. 'Yeah, not that I think your mum or your sister will stay with me, but the offer is there. Nick's here that weekend we’re talking about, and I’m going to get him to take the children to his mum’s.
It’s about time, Nina thought but stopped herself from saying. ‘Sounds good.’
‘Who would’ve believed it? Neens getting married again. I’m so excited.’
‘I know, tell me about it.’
‘So, what are you two thinking about doing about names?' Sophie asked. ‘We did talk about it but you hadn’t decided…’
'Robby Lavender sounds quite good to me, don’t you think?'
Sophie raised her eyebrows. 'Could be an option, I suppose. Thank goodness it’s not like the old days any longer and we have to automatically take a man’s name.'
'We’re just going to leave it as it is. Can’t be bothered with all that rigmarole.'
'I don’t blame you,' Sophie said. 'So old-fashioned as well.’
‘I’m just going to keep my name as it is. And anyway, I feel like "Lavendar" keeps a part of Andrew and me, if you see what I mean. I’m sorry if I seem like I’m going on about Andrew lately. It’s just that this feels like a massive step for me, and then the anniversary. I hadn’t expected it all to be such a jumble of emotions.'
'Don’t be ridiculous! It’s understandable. You’ve been through loads. I feel like I have too in a way.’
‘Yep. Sometimes, I think that talking about him makes me seem so wrapped up in myself and selfish,' Nina shook her head.
‘Nothing of the sort! You hardlyevermention him.’
‘I feel like I do.’
‘No, no, not at all. And even if you did, it’s fine. That’s precisely what best friends are for. That and organising classy hen nights.’
