Page 5 of A Summer of New Beginnings
‘Erm, if she gets to read it so do I,’ Marco insisted.
‘Neither of you are reading it so that resolves that situation,’ Zara informed them bluntly.
Shelley smirked. ‘The crap Scottish accent ruined it, Marco.’
He waved a dismissive hand. ‘Yeah, well… Oh, bugger off to the bar. It’s your round, Shells Bells.’
Shelley made a dramatic tongue-out gesture to Marco before rising from the table andsashaying off to buy more drinks.
Once she was out of earshot Marco leaned closer to Zara to be heard over a group of rugby players who had walked into the pub. ‘Do you get the feeling the magazine is in trouble, Zee?’
Bloody hell, if Marco’s noticed too I can’t be imagining it. ‘Erm… what makes you say that?’
He shrugged. ‘With Dillon’s shock departure. You being forced to go to Scotland underduress. And Abbie from Accounts was in tears this morning too. There’s just this weird atmosphere. No one’s saying anything and Noah’s walking round like a bear with a sore arse.’
Zara sighed and nodded. ‘Yeah, I know what you mean. It does feel a bit strange. I’m hoping it’s just an ego thing where Dillon’s concerned. Maybe he feels he’s not being challenged any more. And there’s no law againstmoving jobs. Like they say, all’s fair in love and business.’
Marco scrunched his brow. ‘War, Zee. All’s fair in love andwar.’
She raised her eyebrows. ‘Okay,Shelley.’ She laughed. ‘But you said it yourself about the atmosphere. Prettywar-ish to me.’
Marco sighed. ‘Ugh, this is just too depressing. Let’s change the subject, eh?’
‘Okay, let’s. So how do I get out of this camping trip withoutletting Noah down big style?’
Marco huffed. ‘Oh, honey, I think that ship has sailed. I think you’re going and I think you know it. So, anyway, do you want me and Shells to come shopping with you for camping gear?’
Zara shook her head. Although she loved them dearly, she knew, from past experience, that the two of them would only make matters worse and that the outing would drag on longer thannecessary. Besides, she was in the perfect situation to find everything she needed, seeing as Josh managed an outdoor clothing and accessories shop. She’d simply wait until he could fit her in for some very personal shopping. ‘Nah, it’s okay. I think I need to put on my big-girl knickers and do this alone.’
He grinned. ‘Oh, you’re so brave. And you never know, this might all be a ruse to getyou into one of the places the stars go to holiday.’
If only,Zara thought. ‘Not with my luck.’
Shelley returned with a tray of drinks that she placed carefully on the table. ‘So, when are we off shopping for camping gear, Zee? I’m guessing sooner rather than later. Oh, and you’ll need bloody comfy shoes, that’s for certain. I discovered, to my horror, that hiking in normal trainers just doesn’tcut it. When Jake took me walking last summer I thought my feet were going to drop off at the end. Had to soak them for days after. And you need a good rucksack. One that you can get everything in but that isn’t too heavy. And you need a breathable one too or your back will be all sweaty. Yuck.’
‘Bloody hell, Shells, let the woman get a word in, will you? She doesn’t want us to go shopping withher,’ Marco informed Shelley in his inimitable bitchy way.
Shelley flopped into a chair. ‘Seriously? You’d deny your best friends the chance to help you?’ She stuck out her lip like a petulant child.
Zara cringed and took a large gulp of her wine before speaking. ‘I think I can probably get everything I need from Josh’s store. And I need to get used to the fact that I’ll be out there, alone,in the wilderness, all by myself. Might as well start as I’m being forced to go on.’
Marco snorted. ‘God, you’re being so bloody melodramatic. It’s a camping trip, you’re not being sent to the bloody front line. Honestly, Zara, you’re such a wuss.’
‘Oh, yeah, and you’d be so-o-o brave out there camping all alone, wouldn’t you?’
‘Yes, Shelley, I would be brave. Because it’s a bloody holiday,not a concentration camp. I think you’re overthinking it. I really do. And anyway, it’s me you should be feeling sorry for. I might end up living in a bloody tent for real.’
Both women turned their attention on him simultaneously. ‘What do you mean by that?’ Zara asked, concern for her friend now taking over the worries about midges and blisters.
Marco huffed. ‘The guy who owns my flat has decidedto sell. I’ve got a month left to find something. I… I didn’t want to say anything because I thought I’d find somewhere relatively easily – I mean, I’m the perfect house-mate. And I know what you two interfering old biddies are like when you’re worried about me,’ he said, a teasing tone to his voice.
‘Oh, my God, Marco. You should’ve said something. Jake and I have a spare room if—’
‘Really,Shells? And listen to you two shagging all hours of the day and night? Ugh, no chance.’ He was laughing but Zara could sense a hint of sadness in his expression.
‘Move in with me!’ Zara blurted. ‘It’s the perfect solution! I’ve been thinking that it would be good to get a lodger and at least I know you, warts and all. It would be fun.’
‘Really?’ Marco’s brow crumpled in disbelief. ‘You meanit?’
