Page 20 of Sea and Dreams at the Cornish Bakery

‘Umm.’ Wow, she had been going to start a new chat group without telling her. She guessed that made sense, but since everyone was still working at the garden centre until the closing date, wouldn’t they just naturally continue using that chat group? She wouldn’t be invited to get-togethers or anything.

‘It’s completely up to you. I just wanted to run it past you first. I don’t know how you’ll feel if people start sharing photos of the day and stuff?’

She swallowed. She hadn’t actually thought about that. It was one thing reading messages about whether Sam should wear the blue or red shoes with her outfit or Liz should carry her dress in one of those dress cover things or fold it away in her suitcase on the train ride up there, but she knew it would be completely different actually seeing photographs of the wedding. Would they post photos of Andrew and Jennifer together? Her in a big flouncy dress and him in a smart suit? No, why would they? They would all be there apart from Tammy, and she definitely didn’t want to see that. She cleared her throat. ‘I hadn’t actually thought of that.’

‘That’s decided then. ‘I’ll make the other group chat.’ Ellie’s voice was authoritative, her decision final.

‘Okay.’ Tammy nodded. It was probably for the best even if she suddenly felt excluded, an outcast from their once-tight friendship group. It had been going that way though, hadn’t it? With them all working together still, it was bound to. She was bound to be left on the side-lines, peering in. Forgotten. She already knew the group went out together without her. Someone always let it slip that everyone had met up over the weekend and she’d not been invited. Of course, they’d always stumbled over their words and told her it was because Jennifer had been there and they didn’t want Tammy to feel uncomfortable having to spend the evening watching her ex and his new girlfriend together.

‘Are you still there, Tammy? You’ve gone very quiet.’

‘I’m still here.’ Tammy closed her eyes momentarily before fixing a smile on her face and focusing on the halo of light around the streetlamp opposite. ‘Yes, I think that’s a great idea and I hope you all have a fantastic time at Andrew and Jennifer’s wedding. I bet Edinburgh will be amazing. Are you planning on doing any sightseeing whilst you’re there?’

‘Oh yes, Edinburgh will be great.’ The relief flooding through Ellie’s voice was audible as the subject in conversation changed. ‘I’m really looking forward to visiting the castle, and have you heard about that underground street? At least I think it’s underground. Wait, it might not be. It might be that some buildings or something have been built over the top of it. I’ll have to check but I’m determined to visit there. It sounds really interesting.’

‘It does. I’m sure you’ll have a great time.’ Her voice was flat, she could hear that herself. She glanced back towards the pub as a loud cheer and a round of applause wafted out onto the street. ‘I’m sorry, I really should go. I’m at a pub quiz at the moment.’

‘Oh right. Yes, well, have a brilliant rest of the evening and take care, won’t you, Tammy?’

‘I will. You too. Bye.’ Pulling the phone away from her ear, Tammy ended the call and breathed out a sigh of relief. She’d half expected that conversation to arise at some point. She should have prepared herself. She just hoped she hadn’t made Ellie feel guilty. She hadn’t meant to.

‘Tammy? Hey. Have you been chucked out already?’

Jerking her head towards the path, Tammy smiled as she realised it was Josh who had called out. ‘Haha, no. Phone call.’ She held up her phone.

Coming to stand next to her, Josh leaned against the wooden picnic table closest to her.

‘I’m afraid I think the pub quiz has finished now. I’ve literally just this minute heard clapping and shouting, so I assume they’ve announced the winning team.’ Tammy shrugged.

‘Oh, that’s a shame.’ Josh nodded towards the door. ‘Are you going back in?’

Tammy looked down at her phone, still in hand, and nodded. ‘In a bit.’

‘You’ve another phone call to make?’

‘No. I just...’ She shrugged.

‘You need some time?’ Josh frowned.

She nodded.

‘I’m a good listener if you want to talk?’ Pulling himself up onto the top of the table, he shifted along and patted the space next to him.

She scrunched up her nose. ‘You don’t really want to hear about my problems.’

‘Try me. If you want to, of course. If you need some time alone, then just say and I’ll make my way inside.’

She glanced towards the pub door and then back at Josh. ‘Okay, maybe talking about it will help me figure things out in my mind, I guess. But you’ll have to tell me if I’m boring you.’

‘You’ll never bore me.’

‘Umm, you’ve not heard what I’ve got to say yet.’ She clambered up the table and sat next to him. The wood was cool beneath her, but with him sitting so close, she could feel his warmth. ‘Do you remember I told you about that group chat I was in with some friends from work?’

‘The one where your friends were asking your opinion on what hat to wear to your ex’s wedding? I remember.’

She smiled. ‘Yes, that one, but I don’t think any of them are actually wearing hats.’

He nodded.

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