Page 60 of One Golden Summer

When she checked her watch, it was still only 7.15.

Her phone beeped.

Kirsty’s stomach sank. If Saffron was cancelling, she was going to punch something.

It was from Helena, asking her to come down to confirm some website login details.

Kirsty jumped up, checked she had all the essentials in her bag and went downstairs. When she walked in the shop, Helena’s eyes widened.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you this dressed to kill since… Well, I can’t remember. That’s how long it’s been.”

“It’s not too over the top, is it? Too much for a Monday?” Maybe she should have gone for jeans rather than tapered orange trousers and a figure-hugging shirt? It was just a cocktail on the harbour, after all.

They weren’t goingout-out.

Helena shook her head. “No, it’s perfect. It’s just, your hair, your make-up, the whole ensemble.” She paused. “I love that shirt. The hot pink is fabulous on you. And your shoes.”

Kirsty’s feet were adorned with freshly shined two-tone brogues.

“I’ve been waiting for you to wear those again. They’re at least three levels up from your slippers.”

The blood rushed to Kirsty’s cheeks. “Thanks.” She wasn’t comfortable in the spotlight. Whereas Saffron’s job was literally to be in it. But she wasn’t going to focus on that now.

“Only, with your shirt showing that much cleavage, she won’t be looking at your shoes, trust me.”

Kirsty really hoped the make-up was covering the pink of her cheeks.

“You wanted the website details? It’s all in the logbook, in the drawer.” She pointed under the counter. “I loved the new illustrations Anton sent through. Can’t wait to see the new promo pages, too. When Ginger gets the online shop going, we should get some new business.” Kirsty beamed. “Thanks for doing this. You’ve really stepped up of late.”

Helena gave her a wink. “Anything to drum up new business. Anton’s putting the finishing touches to it this week, pulling all the images I’ve snapped for the promo pages from my cloud. At least, that’s what he told me, so I believe him. I had to check there were no dodgy ones of me or Hugh in there before I gave him access.”

Kirsty made a face. “TMI.”

The shop door opened and Saffron walked in. Suddenly, all thoughts of Helena and Hugh vanished. Saffron looked every inch the movie star. Her trousers were low-slung, her low-buttoned shirt an invitation, and her open biker boots screamed sex bomb.

This was Kirsty’s non-date for the evening.

It was as if she’d been transported to a far-off lesbian dreamscape. She concentrated hard on not letting her jaw hit the floor.

“I saw you through the window.” Saffron hesitated. “You ready to go from here?”

Kirsty nodded, her throat suddenly too dry to talk. She turned to Helena, not meeting her wide-eyed stare, wanting to get out of the shop as quick as she could.

Somehow, this moment was way too intimate to be shared, and they hadn’t even got out of the shop yet.

She wasn’t sure how she was going to cope.

“Have fun!” Helena shouted as they left.

Kirsty guided them out of view down the High Street before she risked a glance at Saffron.

The heat in Saffron’s stare made her stop in her tracks. Her eyes raked Kirsty’s body.

Kirsty stood stock still, balling her fists so tight she was sure to leave a mark.

“You look amazing,” Saffron said. “I feel like I should kiss you on the cheek at least, but it’s a non-date.”

Kirsty nodded. “Right.”