Page 24 of The Wedding Pact
‘Don’t tell the ones that pay.’
‘Deal. So, I have news … ’ August declared, diving into her stack, finally. ‘I’m moving.’
‘No! Not back to London? You only returned to Bath six months ago!’
‘Nope, not back to London, I’m staying here, I just got a new flat.’
‘But not with James?’ Bel clarified.
‘No, not with James.’
Bel hesitated, realising why her friend had that familiar, excitable bounce about her. She’d done something a little crazy. ‘Wait, is this to do with the house on Elizabeth Street?’
‘Yes!’
‘Are you renting that apartment you told me about? The one you couldn’t afford to rent alone?’
‘Yes!’ August was grinning.
‘But you can’t afford to rent it alone … Did you come into some money? Are you planning to squat? Aug, I’ve told you that’s not the way—’
‘Relax, I’m not squatting, I’m renting, all above board and legitimately, pretty much.’
‘Oh God. What does that mean?’
‘Can you believe I’m finally going to live in that house?’ August said by way of reply.
‘I mean, it’s about time,’ Bel agreed. ‘Most people’s dream home is some mansion in Beverly Hills, but you’ve been banging on about that place since school.’
‘I’m obsessed with it, and I have no problem admitting it. And now I can live there!’
‘How come though? Like I’ve been saying … Isn’t it too expensive? Did you find someone to rent with?’
‘Exactly. I’m going to give notice on my place today and I should be able to start moving in within a couple of weeks.’ August took a big, satisfied gobble of her pancakes.
‘Who are you moving in with?’
‘How are your pancakes?’
‘Incredible, but who are you moving in with?’ Bel pressed.
‘Just this guy.’
Bel put down her knife and fork and sat back in her chair.
‘ “Just this guy?” “Just this guy”, she says. Which guy?’
‘A guy called Flynn.’
‘Flynn?’
‘Yes, Flynn. It’s a cute name, huh? Don’t you want any more of those?’ August reached across the table but Bel slapped her away.
‘People called Flynn aren’t just “some guy”. Flynns are bad boys. Flynns wear leather jackets, and will ask to put their hands up your blouse at the drive-in. Flynns are Casanovas.’
‘Okay,’ August scoffed. ‘I’ll be on guard at the next drive-in I go to. You don’t even know any Flynns.’
‘I know hundreds of Flynns.’
