sense, get over me and go back to Victoria.’
Holly gave me a quick appraisal. ‘That would be down to your femme fatale wiles, traffic-stopping Jessica Rabbit figure and those intoxicating pheromones, I’m guessing.’ She laughed. ‘You should be flattered. After you told her to butt out and piss off.’
‘It’s Sam’s mum. I can’t do that.’
‘Why the fuck not? A) it’s got nothing to do with her, and B) it’s still nothing to do with her. Sam, who I’ve yet to meet, I might add, is a grown man.’
‘I know, but she and Sam are close. I don’t want to come between them.’
‘Too late for that. Seriously, Jess, stop being so bloody nice. You want to watch this Victoria.’
I gave a grim smile. ‘By the time it came to Victoria, I lost patience. She’s a complete bitch.’
Holly arched an eyebrow. ‘That’s more like it.’
‘Apparently, according to her, everyone thinks Sam’s making a huge mistake.’
‘Well she would say that, wouldn’t she?’ said Holly with patent logic. ‘Luckily, you know better. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to him.’
I beamed at her unconditional support. ‘I’d like to think so, although after yesterday I’m still licking my wounds. It feels like a skirmish and both Victoria and Sam’s mum drew blood.’
Holly frowned. ‘Jess, you’re better than this. You know that. I hope you told her where to go.’
‘Within the bounds of being at Sam’s parents’ wedding anniversary party, yes.’
‘You’re too nice.’
‘Not anymore I’m not. I’m over feeling sorry for her,’ I growled, remembering her swanning about at the party as though she were hosting it alongside Sally. It had been deliberate posturing on her part, aided and abetted by Sam’s mum but, do you know what? I could live with it. There was no reason for me to see either of them again – Victoria ever, and Sally not for a while.
‘What did Sam say?’ asked Holly, spot on the money as always.
That was harder to live with. I pressed my lips together before I could speak. ‘Sam didn’t say much.’ At Holly’s indignant huff, I explained. ‘That’s his default when he’s upset.’ Last night he’d internalised his anger and distress, withdrawing into silence as if he hadn’t wanted to inflict it on me. ‘He’s furious with his mum. I thought I was just being over-sensitive about Victoria being there, but he was really angry about the way his mum treated her as if she were the favourite daughter all afternoon.’
‘He’s got a point.’
‘Yes, but I don’t want him to fall out with his mum about it.’
‘I’d just lie low for a while. You’ve got the man. It’ll all blow over soon. Just concentrate on you and Sam… And when do I get meet him?’
‘Wasn’t sure you’d want to…’
‘Because I’ve got a dried-up old fanny?’ she drawled with amusement. ‘And I’ve got about as much time for love and romance as I have for a DIY vajazzling.’ She shuddered. ‘Did I tell you my sister’s dyed her muff blue and decorated it with silver star sequins? Offered to come into the refuge and cheer our ladies up.’
‘What, flashing her bits?’ I asked horrified.
‘No, you numpty, apparently vajazzle parties are all the rage. She’s just bought into some franchise. Offered to come and demonstrate here for free.’
‘Oh God, don’t breathe a word in front of Shelley.’ I groaned. ‘It’s the sort of thing she’d love. It’s her thirtieth birthday soon. I can imagine her having it done and threatening to flash it at the party. Aunty Lynn has just rumbled her tattoo is fake, Shelley would love to wind her up with something like this.’
Holly snorted and then we both dissolved into giggles, and spent the rest of our lunch hour breaking into laughter periodically.
Holly had a great way of taking my mind off things, so that by the time I was ready to go home, the hideous party and meeting Victoria had faded into insignificance at the back of my mind where they belonged.
Chapter Twenty-Six
With a slice of toast in my mouth and clutching a coffee-to-go cup I hurtled out of the front door with Sam close behind me.
‘See you later.’ He took the toast out of my mouth, kissed me and then popped it back. I waved my cup at him as he crossed the road to his car and headed to mine. Just another manic Monday morning. We were both dreadful at getting out of bed, hence breakfast in the car.
I slid into the driver’s seat already mentally running down my