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smiled both at Jenny in reassurance and at Barbara in welcome.
    “You two look cosy. Hello, Jenny, I didn’t expect to see you, how are you?”
    Barbara sat down at their table.
    It wasn’t long before the waitress arrived once more with two more coffees and a cappuccino for Barbara.
    The three chatted for some time in the congenial atmosphere – an onlooker would have been impressed.
    One woman with flaming red hair; today tied loosely down her back, her green cotton dress making her eyes more brilliant as they looked at her companions. Although not as slim as the tiny blonde by her side, her curves only served to emphasise her graceful long, shapely legs.
    The shining halo of the woman beside them kept falling into her blue eyes, so she was constantly pushing it back. At shoulder length, her hair framed her face perfectly, so black its sleek lines glowed in the sunlight. She had chosen to wear simple white cotton trousers, topped by a blue shirt, whilst the tiny blonde wore a stylish black fitted dress that showed her perfect figure for all to admire, the beautiful jade necklace and matching earrings echoing the tints of green in her warm, if weary, brown eyes.
    After another hour, Anne said she needed to make a move, making no mention of going to Jenny’s house.
    “Listen, why don’t the two of you come over for dinner tomorrow night? Bring David and the girls and whoever you wish, Barbara,” Anne suggested.
    Why not, it’d been too long?
    “I’ll see if Frank can come too,” she added. “And who knows who he’ll bring?”
    She rolled her eyes, the others understanding Frank’s fondness for the fairer sex, they grinned.
    “And Sam of course,” she finished.
    Both women smiled and said it would be great. They’d let her know this evening to confirm.
    After paying the bill, they rose, kissed and went their separate ways.
    After finding her car, Anne made her way to Jenny’s house.

{12}
     
     
    Anne and Jenny arrived at the same time.
    Jenny pulled into her drive first allowing Anne room behind. They entered the house and, and both went into the kitchen.
    Anne loved this room. Pale yellow walls, one of which was covered in children’s art-work, oak cupboards and easy wipe clean surfaces. On the windowsill was a vase filled with wild flowers from the garden, which Anne could see through the window beyond. David and the girls were playing in the sandpit.
    At the far end of the kitchen was a table and bench nestled into a corner, two further chairs had been placed under it.
    Anne went to sit on the bench whilst Jenny knocked at the window, beckoning David.
    Telling the children he’d be back soon, he left them to play.
    Walking through the back door and into the kitchen, he noticed Anne sitting in the corner and smiled.
    “It’s been awhile. To what do we owe the pleasure?” he said in his easy manner.
    David took everything in his stride. Nothing was ever too much of a problem. The most frightening experience he’d ever had was when his wife had gone into labour without him. He’d never forget the feelings of terror on that journey to the hospital, not knowing what he would find. His family was the most precious thing in the world to him and hated the fact he was away so much. Well, that was going to change soon – he didn’t want to tell Jenny yet in case things went wrong but...
    Apart from the birth of his twins, nothing had ever fazed him. Each problem he tackled with logic and calm, and a never-ending optimism.
    His tall body folded into the seat opposite Anne, who marvelled at his boyish good looks – thick dark blond hair, green eyes and wide smile. He was quite unaware of his charm. He could be quite the lady-killer, she knew; if he were that kind of man – but there was only Jenny for him, his childhood sweetheart.
    Anne returned his smile and answered, “Well, for one, I hope you and your lovely family will come over for dinner tomorrow night. It’s been ages since I’ve seen anyone