Page 81 of The Village of Lost and Found

Tom burst out laughing, thinking that his headline for that week’s edition of the newspaper had just written itself.

44

Molly’s birthday party came at the end of another hot and sunny Saturday. So the beer garden at back of The Black Swan was the perfect setting.

It was just a shame that Bridget was there as well, thought Lucy.

‘Here you go,’ said Bridget, with a flourish as she handed out business cards around the table where Lucy was sitting with her friends.

Belle picked one of the cards up with a look of distaste. ‘What’s this?’

‘My new interior design website,’ said Bridget, grinning manically. ‘No job too big or small. And you’ve seen my fabulous designs in the flat already.’ She looked at the pub, her eyes gleaming. ‘Just think what I could do with this place!’

Belle gave her a hard look before dropping the card onto the grass. ‘Actually we’re quite happy with the derelict, falling-down look,’ she drawled.

Keith, who had been sitting underneath the table, decided that the card would keep him going for a while and happily reached out to grab it with his tongue and began chewing.

‘Anyone want another drink?’ asked Amber, picking up the Prosecco bottle which was in an ice bucket on the table.

‘Yes please,’ said Molly, holding out her already empty glass. Despite it being her birthday, Lucy thought that she seemed particularly on edge.

‘Blimey,’ said Bridget with a grin. ‘You’re getting through them fast this evening.’

‘I don’t blame her,’ murmured Amber, raising an eyebrow at Lucy.

‘Well, don’t get too drunk,’ said Bridget, giving Molly a hard nudge. ‘You’re going to want to remember tonight.’

‘Why?’ asked Molly, looking a little worried.

Bridget rolled her eyes. ‘Honestly, you’re so thick sometimes. Isn’t she stupid?’ She looked across the table.

Lucy glared at her. ‘No, she’s not. She’s actually very bright.’

Bridget’s good humour immediately faded. ‘Humph. I don’t know why you hang around with this lot for,’ she told Molly. ‘They make you awfully dull.’

Lucy tried not to roll her eyes. Molly was so sweet, but her friend was just awful towards her.

‘Ah! There’s Gary!’ Bridget leapt up from the table and tottered over to where Molly’s boyfriend had appeared.

‘Sorry about Bridget,’ said Molly, looking downcast once they were on their own again.

‘You don’t need to apologise for her,’ snapped Lucy. ‘She’s big enough and ugly enough to apologise for herself. If she even realised how rude she actually is.’

‘She has the hide of a buffalo,’ said Belle. ‘Why do you put up with her?’

Molly gave a sad shrug. ‘She’s my oldest friend.’

‘Some friend,’ muttered Amber.

‘Right,’ said Belle. ‘Let’s get on to more pressing matters. How about some birthday presents?’

Molly cheered up and was all smiles and grateful as she unwrapped their presents. Bubble bath, pretty flip-flops, a new top, chocolates and nail polish were all received with oohs and aahs. She seemed particularly pleased with Lucy’s present which was a sparkly iPad cover.

‘I thought you’d be using it a lot more with your new job,’ Lucy told her, with a wink.

The table suddenly became dark as Bridget came over, blocking out the evening sunset. ‘What new job?’ she asked.

‘I told you,’ said Molly, blushing. ‘I’m in charge of the social media for the newspaper.’