‘They say a lotta things,’ Merrin countered, ‘but I don’t pay no attention to none of it.’ It was deliberate, her double negative and her slide into an accent stronger than she was used to. She watched the woman sweep past without so much as a sideways glance, before the little bell tinkled, as if to herald her departure. She turned to face the kindly shopkeeper who was as much a fixture of the place as the brick itself, and let out a long, slow exhale as she blinked, feeling giddy, but also a little proud that she had not buckled, not entirely.

‘Oh, Merrin.’ Mrs Everit took a deep breath. ‘It is lovely to see you. I didn’t know what to say, my love. Sorry you had to encounter her.’

‘It’s okay, Mrs Everit.’ Merrin smiled, placing her hand on her stomach, trying to quell the ache in her gut.

‘You did very well, little lamb. And I think it’s fair to say, that woman is a proper fucking cow!’

Merrin’s intake of breath was sharp and fuelled the burst of laugher that spilled from her. ‘Mrs Everit!’ She grabbed the countertop and hung from it, laughing so hard her sides hurt.

‘Well, I’m sorry, Merrin, but she is!’ She flattened her tabard against her chest. ‘Now, what can I get you, lovey?’

CHAPTER SIXTEEN MIGUEL

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

MIGUEL

Ben slept with his head thrown back in the old leather chair and his arms folded across his ample tum. Robin sat next to him in the other, snoring like billy-o and curled like a baby. He and Jarvis sat on the floor nursing cold bottles of beer and looking out of the loft, watching the sun go down.

‘Do you know, I’ve been all around the world, mainly for work, been to some incredible hotels, some insane resorts and I’ve seen some beautiful sunsets, but I don’t think any of them are as incredible as this view right here.’ Miguel, too sloshed to recognise his drunken haze, but loving the moment, made the bold statement.

‘Thank you, my friend, you’ve just saved me a king’s ransom!’ Jarvis chuckled.

‘How come?’

‘Well, I might have spent thousands travelling all over trying to look at a sunset prettier than this, but now I don’t need to if I know I’m not going to get any better. No need to take Rubes on any expensive honeymoon next year when we’ve saved up. I shall instead invest my money in one of them all-singing and all-dancing gas barbecues that she keeps on about for the backyard.’

‘Cheers to that!’ Miguel raised his bottle. ‘So what do you think it’ll be like, Jarvis, being a married man?’