Page 24 of In Just One Day

The train rattled slowly through the suburbs. Flora distracted herself by peeking into the passing gardens and extensions stuck on the back of houses like enormous concrete barnacles. The train picked up speed as it headed to the coast and, as it did, so her worries about the exam began to fade. No good worrying about something you can’t change, as her mother was in the habit of reminding her on a regular basis.

Again, her phone pinged. Flora picked it up and looked at the screen. A message on the ‘Family’ group chat from her mother:

Hi Darling, well done! We’ve got everything crossed for you. Xxx

Flora started typing.

Thanks Mum, I’m just glad it’s all done for now. See you at the party next week. Did you get the email about it from Johnny?

Flora waited for a reply. She could just imagine her mother asking her father about the email. ‘Did we get an email, Robin? I didn’t see it… Can you have a look? Print it off?’

The guard’s voice interrupted her train of thought, announcing the next station. It was the one before her usual stop, but that morning Flora had decided to go from a different station. The car park there was bigger than at her usual one and she hadn’t wanted to risk not being able to get a parking spot. She reached for her bag, folded the paper in half and tucked it inside. Standing by the door as they pulled into the station, Flora realised she was feeling something she hadn’t felt for a while. Taking a second to register it, she was stunned to notice that the tight knot that had been in her stomach, seemingly for months, just wasn’t there any more. Relief, that’s what it was. At last.

Stepping onto the platform, she joined the snake of people climbing the stairs, placing one foot in front of the other, head down. When she got to the top, she saw a familiar figure walking a few steps in front of her. It was her father. She went to call out, but something stopped her. He turned to speak to the person next to him, a woman she didn’t recognise. Flora slowed down, watching as the woman turned her head to his, lifting her face. He kissed her cheek, saying something that made her laugh. She put her hand gently to his face and smiled again before they both started walking in opposite directions across the car park.

Flora stood rooted to the spot, people passing either side of her. Trying to make sense of what she’d just witnessed, she racked her brains. Who could this woman possibly be? Perhaps it was an old friend he’d bumped into on the train, she told herself. But then what was he doing on the train in the first place?

Flora’s legs felt weak. She knew, deep down, that what she’d seen wasn’t a goodbye kiss between friends. It was one between lovers.

11

‘Here you go…’ Susie held out two paper cups, bubbles threatening to escape over the sides. She’d instigated a trip to the beach after school, determined to make the most of the warm spell, and she and Tilda were wanting to toast Flora finishing her exams. ‘Here’s to you, Flo.’

They raised their paper cups in unison.

‘Thank you, but you really shouldn’t have. Technically, I haven’t quite finished them and I’m sure we shouldn’t be doing this until I actually pass this damn diploma.’ Flora laughed.

‘Nonsense, just getting this far is a real achievement in itself and we’re going to bloody well celebrate it. Talking of which…’ Tilda shifted back on the blanket they’d laid on the pebbles, ‘… I’ve been thinking about the party again. We could do a raffle to raise money for a local charity, get people’s email addresses so you can add them to your database, Flora. Also, if you do a raffle after everyone’s had a few glasses, you’ll sell loads of tickets.’ Tilda took another long sip from her cup.

‘Ooh, good idea.’ Flora sat up, lifting her sunglasses as she did so. ‘Hey, Pip! Try and persuade Tom to come in with you!’ Pip threw an enthusiastic thumbs up back to her mother from where she stood in the water, now up to her knees. Tom was at the water’s edge, crouching down to examine stones in the sand. ‘And what about doing some sort of actual wine tasting? Or do you think that’s too formal?’

‘I think you just need to get a good crowd in and let people know you’ll be doing wine courses and talks, that kind of thing, in future.’ Susie passed a packet of opened crisps. ‘Take them away from me, someone, please, before I eat the lot of them.’

Tilda took the packet. ‘I think Susie’s right. You want this to be about showing off the shop, get people trying a few wines. Make sure they sign up for the newsletter, you know? And, Susie, you do not need to worry about eating too many crisps. For heaven’s sake, there’s nothing of you – which is very annoying – and sadly cannot be said for me.’ Tilda grinned, shoving another handful in her mouth as she did so.

Flora took a sip, then another. Flavours of citrus and just-crushed biscuits filled her mouth. ‘God, this is delicious. Did you bring it, Susie?’

‘Yep, I nicked it from Jules’ wine rack. It is rather nice, isn’t it?’

‘Pass me the bottle…’ Flora reached across, turning it to look at the label. ‘Bloody hell, Susie, this is a really good champagne.’

‘Oh, shit, is it?’ Susie grimaced.

‘What is it?’ Tilda took the bottle from Flora to take a closer look.

‘It’s a Blanc de Blancs. Vintage, as well. And this producer is really good. I mean it goes for about £120 a pop.’

There was an awkward silence.

‘Well, it is bloody delicious. Even if I did think we were drinking Prosecco.’ Tilda laughed throatily. ‘Sorry, Flo, totally wasted on me.’

‘No, it’s not, you said it yourself! You knew it was better than your average. But, Susie, will he mind?’

‘Oh, don’t worry. I’ll replace it before he’s even noticed. He doesn’t even really drink. It’s only there so he can impress people when they come round…’ Susie tailed off.

‘Suse, is everything OK?’ Tilda spoke softly.

Susie looked out towards the children, now splashing in the surf as the waves broke gently on the shore. ‘It will be.’ She turned back to her friends. ‘I can’t talk about it yet. But I will, one day, I promise.’ She tried a small smile.

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