Page 57 of Pyg

She scribbled down the address of the place Ash suggested, intrigued by Ash’s glowing review of Porky's and their ‘badass bacon butties.’

The health kick and the to-do list could wait, as could her resume. Today was a cause for celebration because she had been brave. And who was she to go againstdoctor’s orders?

* * *

Standingoutside the shabby café on a quiet, run-down street, Alice double-checked her phone to make sure she’d got the right place.Yep, this is definitely Porky’s.

A bell rang overhead as Alice pushed through the peeling door and tentatively stepped inside. Vinyl gingham tablecloths covered square tables, each set with condiments in squeezable red and brown tubes. Large tin cans that once held chopped tomatoes were now stuffed with cutlery and serviettes. The smoky smell of bacon hung in the air and roused Alice’s appetite, making her mouth water. Aside from a sumo-sized man reading a red-top newspaper, the only other customer was Ash, sat at a corner table and smiling in Alice’s direction.

“I know what you’re thinking,” she said as Alice approached.

“You do?” Alice grinned back.

“This place, it doesn’t look like much… but trust me.”

“Because you’re a doctor? You already used that line.”

Ash laughed. “This was our go-to at Uni. Their bacon butties are a proven cure for any hangover or heartache. We’ve literally done medical research on it.”

“Mmm-hmm.” Alice peeled the laminated menu from the table and studied the instructions on how to ‘Build your own bacon butty’.

This place was a million miles away from anywhere she’d ever been with Fran. She’d more likely see a pig dance out of the kitchen on roller-skates than she would ever see Francesca Dalton set foot in a place like this, let alone order a ‘butty’.

A round woman with cropped hair and a blue apron popped out of the kitchen and hobbled her way over to them.

“Sorry for the wait. It’s just me on today. Merv’s at the surgery. His hip’s troubling him again, poor love. Eh, he should’ve just let you see to him.” She nudged Ash’s arm and chuckled. “Is it the usual?”

“Give Merv my best, will you? And yep, I’ll have my LGBT special please, on a wholemeal bun. Thanks, Barb.”

“Right you are, lovey.” Barb scribbled onto the pad she’d pulled from her apron pocket. “And you, dear?”

“Oh, I’ll have the streaky smoked bacon, on sourdough please. And mushrooms, lots of mushrooms.”

“Is it tea for two?”

Ash looked to Alice, who nodded. “Sounds good.”

As Barb returned to the kitchen, Ash leaned over the table. With a grimace, she whispered, “Mushrooms?”

“Yeah, who doesn’t like mushrooms?”

“Me.” Ash stuck her tongue out. “They’re slimy and gross.”

“Well, what’s an LGBT special?”

“Lettuce, guacamole, bacon and tomato. It’s delicious.” Ash chef’s-kissed her fingers.

Alice raised an eyebrow. “Guacamole has no place outside of a taco.”

Ash gasped in mock-horror. Laughter bubbled between them, and they eased into each other’s company, which Alice realised was as effortless as slicing through warmed butter. She wasn’t on eggshells, scared she’d slip up at any moment. She wasn’t even wondering why Ash wanted to spend time with her, which she usually did around other people — always second-guessing their motives and worrying about whether they really liked her or just felt sorry for her. None of the usual mind-buzz seemed to bother her when she was with Ash.

Until now.Noticing the absence of mind-buzz seemed to have summoned it. Static fizzed and Alice blinked rapidly as she tried to equalise herself.

Ash tugged her back to the present with a hand squeezing over hers.

“Hey, where’d you go?” The corners of her eyes crinkled with concern.

Alice shook her head and refocused her gaze on that kind, lopsided smile, and after a moment, the fizz faded into the background. “Sorry.”

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