Page 25 of Love Is…?

They stared at each other for a moment. Then Sam nodded.

“Cool.” She grinned. “So, what’s your first question? Better be a good one, journalist lady.”

“It’s on a Sunday?That’s a strange night for something like that. You’d think a Friday or a Saturday.” Tessa’s voice lifted at the end of the sentence, and Jayde smiled. She could almost visualise the wrinkles of confusion falling into Tessa’s eyebrows. She put her phone on the counter and tapped the speaker icon. Two hands were needed to stir the curry because there was every possibility she’d drop the entire meal on the floor if she didn’t pay attention, and Tessa’s lovely voice filling the kitchen was a massive distraction.

“I think it’s because they’re trying to make sure that people don’t drink so much that they’ll fall into bed with the last person they chat to and wake up with regrets on a work day,” Jayde replied over her shoulder, dragging the spoon lazily through the contents of the frypan.

“Jayde…”

Grinning at the stove top, she twisted the knob with one hand, turning off the heat, and grabbed the bowl with the other.

“I don’t know. It’s probably the only night thatKings and Queenshave spare, what with the drag show and the trivia night occupying prime positions.Queer Beershas a sapphic speed dating night only every once in a while, henceKings and Queens. Anyway, speed dating tomorrow night? If you’re free that is.”

Jayde scooped curry over the rice in her bowl, then sat on the stool at the counter, happy to leave the phone on speaker, which was silent at that moment.

“Tessa?”

“I’m here. Sorry. Just having my turn. I’m playing Scrabble with Grace.”

Jayde heard the, “Hi Jayde”.

“Hi Grace,” she answered, and Tessa relayed the greeting.

“Why is Grace, who is fourteen and could be out doing fourteen-year-old stuff, playing a board game with her chaperone on a Saturday night?” Jayde whispered.

“Because Grace is an old soul.”

“I’m retro, thanks very much,” Grace retorted in the background, and Jayde laughed.

“Popcorn?” Tessa asked, the question obviously meant for Grace.

“Of course.”

Jayde heard rustling, then a change in acoustics as Tessa spoke while she walked.

“She’s an interesting kid. Poetry, board games, books. Reminds me of myself at the same age.”

Jayde nodded, staring out into her lounge room. “That’s really cool.”

The sound of popcorn heating in the microwave filled the silence.

“Tessa?”

“Sorry,” she repeated. “Just mentally reviewing my wardrobe. I’ve only got a day to decide what to wear.” Evasive. Nervous? Jayde paused the fork’s journey to her mouth.

“Really?”

“No. I can chuck together a nice look in an hour. I’m just a bit nervous.”

Jayde pointed into the air. Picked it.

“To be frank,” Tessa continued.

“You’re Tessa, not Frank.” It was automatic, and Jayde dropped her head. Clearly her father’s jokes were rubbing off.

“Did you just toss a dad joke at me?”

Jayde shovelled some food into her mouth, swallowed too quickly, and coughed violently, tears leaking from her eyes. “I’m surrounded by them. They leak out from my dad’s house andseep into my kitchen like a chemical spill.” She coughed again. “He’s writing a book of dad jokes, which I think is great because it keeps his mind active but seriously, some of them are so appalling.”

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