Page 65 of Pyg

“Well, no need to be so bloody uncouth all the time.”

“I’m starving.” Alice stuck her bottom lip out, even though that never worked on Maggie.

“It’s almost done. Just drink your wine and keep your fingers to yourself; I never know where they’ve been.”

Alice tutted and took a mouthful of wine, the flavour crisp on her palate. She held the long stem of her glass between her fingers and twirled the pale liquid around.

“This is a nice one.”

Maggie sipped from her own glass. “Mmm, it is. That’s why I told you not to bring the cheap stuff.”

Alice pulled a face. “I’ll have you know, I’ve tasted some of the finest wines.”

Maggie scoffed. “Didn’t Fran practically force you to drink red all the time?”

“She didn’t force me, exactly. But yeah, she isn’t a fan of white unless it’s fizzing.” Alice grinned to herself, remembering Fran’s white shirt sprayed with the Merlot she’d choked on that time in The Dog & Duck. And the hot night that followed in the room they’d booked on a whim. They’d ended up staying the whole weekend, and it’d been lovely, at least until Fran’s mood had changed.

She’d never been truly at ease with Fran. Their time together, althoughmostlyenjoyable, somehow felt make-believe, like Alice was an actress in a play with stunning sets and elegant costumes — and Fran directing her this way or that. Alice had never been in control, merely reading the lines and hoping she didn’t fluff them, although inevitably, she always did.

Maggie pulled a steaming dish from the oven and fanned it with her oven glove before prodding at the contents with a knife. “Almost ready.”

“Thank goodness. I’m going to pass out if I don’t eat soon.”

“You pretty much ate a family-sized bag of Monster Munch by yourself when you arrived.”

“I’ve been very active today. I went to the gym.”

Maggie tilted her head. “You joined a gym?”

“No, I said Iwentto the gym. I took one look at the membership prices and left. But it’s the thought that counts, right?”

“Um, I’m pretty sure that doesn’t apply to working out.”

Alice waved away Maggie’s reasoning. “When I got home, I did a YouTube workout.”

Maggie raised an eyebrow, as if waiting for the punchline.

“Seriously, I found my old yoga mat under the bed, as well as a lot of dust, which I vacuumed whilst I was down there. And I did a HIIT workout.”

“Wow! I’m impressed. You’re going to ache like a bitch tomorrow.”

“No, I should be fine. I stretched before and after.”

Maggie gave her a smug grin. Alice wasn’t going to tell her that she was right, that the muscles in her thighs and arse cheeks were already burning in protest against her deciding to use them again. Alice shifted her weight, grateful for the plush cushioning on Maggie’s counter chairs.

“I can add you to my gym membership if you like?” Maggie offered.

“Really, you’d do that?”

“Yeah, of course. It’ll make me feel less guilty about all the times I don’t go. And when you get a new job, you can put something towards it.”

“You know I probably won’t, though.”

“Yeah, I know, but isn’t it the thought that counts?” Maggie chuckled and nodded to Alice’s empty glass. “More wine?”

Maggie passed Alice the bottle from the fridge and turned her attention to serving up their meal. Alice’s phone screen lit up, and her heart bounced. She grinned at the screen as she read Ash’s text. Despite refraining all day from texting her, and resorting to exercise to distract herself, Ash hadn’t strayed far from her thoughts.

Hey! Hope you’ve had a good day. Did you get some rest? Remember doctor’s orders! Just about to start my shift. I’ll try to check on George and let you know how he’s doing. Looking forward to our non-date tomorrow X

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