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“I was wondering if I could come and visit you?” she asks.

“Of course. When?”

“I don’t have anything on next weekend and it would be nice to swap this city for another for a couple of days. Can you take the time off?”

“For you, of course. Actually, there’s someone else down here you might be keen to catch up with. And they might be helping me with the not working too hard thing, too,” I tell her, amping up my mysterious tone.

“What? Who?”

“Remember Pixie? The woman we–” I break off as she interrupts.

“You found her,” she exclaims.

“Well, she kinda found me. Turns out The Juniper is just down the road from where she works. She spotted me walking to work one day.”

“No fucking way. What a crazy coincidence,” she shrieks, and I hold the phone away from my ear to save my eardrum from any damage. “So, are you guys together?” she asks.

“I wouldn’t say together but we’ve hung out a few times. She’s fun. Her independent streak is even wider than yours though, so she tends to keep me at an arm’s length unless that arm is bringing her pleasure.” Her independence is what heats my blood; whether it’s frustrating me or turning me on. I quietly admit to myself that I’m enjoying the challenge of pushing back and seeing where it gets me.

Saff chuckles. “And do you know her name yet?”

“I do. It’s…” I pause, wondering if it’s okay to share. “How ‘bout she can tell you herself next weekend,” I suggest.

“Of course. I’ve got the flight options open now.” She runs me through the flights and she picks out the best ones. I agree to meet her at the airport on Friday afternoon and drop her back there on Sunday evening.

“It’ll be good to see you. We can have a proper catch up. And I’ll tell you what, I’ll keep the hotel for next weekend so you’re not slumming it at The Juniper with no carpet or curtains.”

“Thank goodness for that, although I would like to see the building.”

“Of course, I’ll give you the full tour.”

And as we hang up, I remember I owe Abby the full tour as well, now we’ve got the flooring properly secured. Perhaps I can show them both together.

I fire off a quick text to Abby to see if she has any spare time next weekend and then get ready for my day.

It’s a couple of hours before I hear back from her.

Pixie:

I’m working Friday afternoon and evening. And same on Saturday. I have Sunday off. Why?

Me:

Saff is coming to visit, and I wondered if you’d like a tour of The Juniper with her?

Pixie:

So damn much. I don’t think I can get the time off work though. I start at 2 pm on Saturday until close. There’s footie on, so it will be all hands on deck.

Me:

We could do brunch and the tour on Saturday morning? She’s here until Sunday night if you want to do something with us on Sunday.

Pixie:

Something? Is that a euphemism, big guy?

Me: