No Way to Say Goodbye - Anna McPartlin [65]
Mary found Penny sitting at one of the garden tables toasting with Steven and Barry.
Steven jumped up to greet her. “Mary, you look like a diva.”
“Isn’t that your way of calling me a bitch?” She smirked.
“It’s his way of telling you to take it easy on the hair dye,” Barry informed her. “Or are you trying out for the Pussycat Dolls?”
Mary gave him a dig as Penny threw her head back, laughing.
“And you’ve competition,” Steven said, throwing his eyes in the direction of Sienna and a blonde friend, who was helping her carry sauce bottles and condiments.
“Two redheads, but who is the reddest of them all?” Steven said, in his movie-trailer voice.
Mary looked at Penny. “You told them about the hair-dye incident.”
“We heard it was more like a pushing-and-slapping affair,” Barry put in.
Mary moaned. “Who’s the blonde?” she asked, gesturing at Sienna’s friend.
“Her name is Flory,” Steven grinned, “as in Floor E.”
“You’re messing,” Mary reproved him, but Barry and his boyfriend Steven shook their heads.
“And here’s the best bit,” Barry added. “The lovely Sienna has brought her along as a potential date for your new neighbour.”
Penny started to laugh, which struck Mary as unkind although she wasn’t sure why.
“Well, I wish her the best of luck,” Mary said, as Steven stood up and took her arm so that they could walk to the makeshift bar together.
“Don’t worry, she hasn’t a patch on you,” he whispered.
“We’re just friends,” she said, for the umpteenth time, and sighed.
Their friendship had been agreed upon over a meal in a local restaurant, which the hovering waitress, Minnie Morrow, had made uncomfortable by offering the new couple a free bottle of wine. Mary had tried to explain that her neighbour was merely thanking her for taking care of him during his convalescence to which Minnie had commented, “I bet you did,” then leaned in to Sam and whispered that if it didn’t work with Mary of the Sorrows he’d know where to find her.
When Minnie had gone, Mary had said, “Don’t worry, I’m not looking for a relationship.”
“Right back at ya,” Sam had replied.
“I knew that. I just didn’t want you to think I was sitting here with any expectations. I’m happy as I am.”
“Me too,” he had said, and raised his glass. “Here’s to friendship!”
“Friendship,” she’d echoed happily.
Mary made peace with Sienna over a hot dog, and told her how happy she was making Ivan. It was true – Ivan was like a playful puppy. When his wife had walked out, he’d lost his confidence as well as his family and Sienna had restored it so Mary was grateful to her. Ivan had put his arm around his favourite cousin and toasted his friends and family, while Justine sat on her grandmother’s knee and Chris sneaked a sip of his uncle’s beer.
Mary cornered Penny when she was pouring vodka for herself at the bar. “Hey, stranger! You’ve been keeping to yourself.”
“I know,” Penny said. “I’ve just been really busy.”
“Maybe I could call over in the morning – I’ll bring breakfast,” Mary volunteered.
Penny glanced over her shoulder at Sam, who was talking with the blonde. “Great.”
Mary had watched Penny from a distance and noticed she was never without a drink. But it was a party. She vowed to keep a closer eye on her. “You’re OK, aren’t you?” she asked.
“I’m fine,” Penny said. “You want a drink?”
Mary nodded so her friend poured her one and they sat together.
Penny looked back towards Sam and Flory. “I don’t trust him,” she said, out of nowhere.
“Who?”
“Sam.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. Why did you dislike him at first sight?”
“I didn