Page 82 of The Village of Lost and Found

‘And you’re doing brilliantly,’ said Lucy. ‘Honestly, everyone I talk to says your posts are really fun. You’ve definitely got a gift for it.’

‘I’m not so sure,’ said Molly quickly, batting away the compliment as usual.

But before Lucy could say any more, Bridget was taking over again by roaring with laughter. ‘I can’t believe you’re a star on social media! You of all people! Hang on. Maybe I should do it instead.’

‘No,’ said Molly, looking upset. ‘Tom gave the job to me.’

‘Only because he doesn’t know how much you’ll stuff it up,’ said Bridget, still laughing.

‘I won’t,’ said Molly, shifting in her seat uncomfortably.

But Bridget cut her off. ‘See? You’re too sensitive. I only have to make some teeny-tiny comment and you take it the wrong way. How are you going to cope on Twitter when all the trolls come calling.’

Molly bit her lip. ‘Trolls?’

‘You’ll never be able to cope,’ said Bridget. ‘Honestly, what were you thinking? Sometimes I wonder if you’re on the same planet. Am I right?’ She looked around the table as if hoping they were all going to agree with her damning assessment of Molly.

But they all just glared back at her instead.

‘Anyway, it doesn’t matter,’ said Bridget. ‘I’ll talk to your editor. He seems nice enough. In fact, I think I could charm him into giving me any job I like. Excuse me.’

Lucy glared at Bridget as she tottered away in her high heels, grateful to see one of them get caught in the grass and end up being left behind so she temporarily hobbled along like a cut-price Cinderella.

Meanwhile, Belle looked at Molly. ‘She upsets you every time you see her.’

Molly sighed. ‘I know.’

Amber reached out and squeezed her hand. ‘Look, I know what it’s like to be bullied. And that’s what she’s doing to you. And that doesn’t make her a friend.’

‘I just can’t remember a time in my life when she wasn’t in it,’ said Molly.

‘But change can be good,’ said Lucy. ‘Look at me. Look how much my life has changed since I came here.’

The three other women turned to look at her.

Lucy blushed. ‘At least I’m trying.’

‘Really trying,’ Belle told her. But her smile was soft as she said it.

‘Shurrup,’ said Lucy.

‘Poor Tom,’ murmured Amber.

They all turned to see Bridget leaning into Tom so that he had the full force of her considerable chest almost in his face. To his credit, and Lucy’s surprised relief, he seemed to be trying to look anywhere but at Bridget.

Lucy glanced down at her less than considerable chest briefly and then looked up to see Molly smiling softly at her.

‘Your clothes fit much better than hers,’ she said.

‘I don’t know what you mean,’ she replied, blushing.

‘Yeah you do,’ said Amber, smiling. ‘But you’re our friend now so you’ve got to put up with the teasing.’

Friend? Lucy’s heart warmed a little at the word. She hadn’t really had friends before.

‘Shall I get some crisps to munch on,’ she said, standing up.

But her smile dropped a little as she saw Bridget continuing to flirt with Tom. She just hoped he wasn’t flirting back.