Page 30 of Tabloid Princess

“Weird and then some.”

We turned for the main road and the shops. “I can’t really afford clothes right now, Molly; it’s ages until payday.”

“I know. I know. It’s why I’m buying them for you as a birthday present.”

I laughed and nudged her with my elbow. “My birthday isn’t until December.”

“I know, I’m just being organised this year.”

“You’re too generous. I don’t need to you to buy me stuff.”

“I’m not. My parents have money to burn, and honestly, I feel like I’m failing if I don’t blow through some of it on a weekly basis.”

“But, Molly.” I affected the stern voice of her dad. “This money is your nest egg. Your future security.”

She rolled her eyes. Molly came from an affluent family; what in the old days would have been called middle-class. Her parents swiftly learned that money didn’t improve their daughter’s prospects, especially when she got led on a dangerous path at private school.

“Who would dress you if we weren’t best friends?” Molly stuck her tongue out after her question. Neither of us had managed to mature much the last seven years despite me being a mother. Possibly in my case it was due to me being a mother.

“Daisy.” I grinned. “She’s all about dresses that flounce at the moment.”

“Now that’s what I’m talking about. Why don’t you wear more dresses that flounce?”

“Because then they would show my thunder thighs.”

“They aren’t that thunderous.”

“Don’t say anything else! It’s bad enough being in a room next to six-foot Freya.”

“Do you think she’s his bit on the side?” Molly asked as she pointed at Primark.

“No! Do you think she is?” I pondered this for a minute as we both grabbed a basket at the shop’s front door. “What would she be a bit on the side to? He has seven different girlfriends a week.”

Molly shot me a glance. “Well he seems to be listening to you rather a lot. Maybe you’re next on his hit list?”

My cheeks flushed for no reason whatsoever other than to make me just that little bit hotter. “I doubt that very much.”

“He did follow you out the office yesterday, or are we ignoring that development?”

I picked up a dress, refusing to pay attention to the tight band that crept its way around my chest. “I think we can ignore it.”

She flicked me with a cardigan she had picked up to inspect. “No chance! What did he say to you? I’ve been desperate to ask you all morning.”

“Nothing. Well, I told him I thought the ball was a lame idea.”

“YOU!” She shouted loud enough that a couple of mothers with pushchairs turned to glance at us. “Don’t you dare ruin our fun! When do we ever get to go anywhere that exciting?”

I scrunched my face. “Do you really think it’s exciting? I think it sounds like hell.”

“Leia,” she shook her head slowly, “that’s because you go to bed at seven every night. When was the last time you went out, without being with me?”

“I’ve got a child for goodness’ sake. I can’t just go out willy-nilly all the time.”

“Babe, you better hope you get some willy.”

I held my hand up. “Stop, okay? Let’s just get some dresses and get back to the office. I’m pretty sure there are things I should be doing. This is a massive week for us, but I don’t really know what’s expected of me. I mean is Freya in charge now?”

“Question is, have you ever been in charge?”