Wait. Flora stopped in her tracks. That was the first she had thought about loneliness for a long, long time. Generally, Flora liked her own company. She was an introvert whose idea of a great night was being on her own, with her favourite book, TV show, or film.

But since she got to know Mack, she was breaking all sorts of new ground, and she’d miss her until they saw each other again. This was her new worry and anxiety. Flora was getting attached to her new crush, and although Mack had said she wasn’t seeing anyone at the moment, there would come a day when she would.

Flora went out to the stockroom to get a new tub of sherbet flying saucers. She crouched down to get them off the bottom shelf and thought of seeing Mack come into the shop, arm in arm with some pretty girl.

It would hurt. She stood, and the picture of Mack and her girlfriend floated around her mind.

She shouldn’t have gotten so attached. Maybe she should stop going for a walk with Dexter and Mack every day.

Flora heard the bell on the door chime. It must be Sandra. She walked back out front and saw Mack standing just inside the door.

“I can’t stop. I’ve got a client arriving any minute. Can Dexter come and spend some time with you? He’s been pawing the door trying to get to you.”

“Of course.” Flora put down the tub of sweets and knelt to allow Dexter to jump into her arms. He ran to her and leaped onto her chest. “Hi, Dex.” Dexter licked her face and gave her little yelps. “Good boy, good boy.”

“Thanks. I’ll come and get him when Isy arrives, later. Remember—I’m bringing her in to see you later, after her haircut,” Mack said.

“I remember. I’m looking forward to meeting her.”

Mack gave her that dazzling, sexy smile that she had, and Flora’s stomach flipped.

It was too late not to be attached, wasn’t it.

* * *

Mack put the hairdryer down and started to brush Isla’s hair. “What do you think, Isy?”

Isla smile was wide. “It’s really nice. The only thing that would make it nicer is if it was shorter.”

Mack grabbed some hair product and laughed. “Let’s take it step by step with your grandma, okay? She’s let you get a lot chopped off this time.”

Isla wanted her hair as short as Mack’s. Mack knew how much Isla hero-worshipped her, and she didn’t know why, but she did. She wasn’t like Isla’s mum, an articulate, beautiful businesswoman.

Nikki was happy to go with whatever Isla wanted, but her grandma, the matriarch, wasn’t so keen, and everyone listened when she spoke.

“I think your grandma doesn’t want to lose her little girl just yet. Give her time to get used to it.”