Hooked on You

by Jenn Matthews

  The young girl who had been having so much trouble during the previous weeks was chatting and crocheting happily away with her friend. The older lady with the huge blanket was beginning something else in a deep green. The old man had chosen yellow and orange and had a twinkle in his eye. The radio played softly, something old. It lulled her and made her think of warmer weather.

  Christian and Sarah were sitting together. She was grinning, then blushed and lowered her head towards him.

  “I think Sarah and Christian have something going on,” Anna told Matthew, her mouth behind her hand.

  Matthew leant to look at the couple across the room.

  “All right, don’t make it obvious.”

  He turned back around. “I have staring rights. I introduced them.” He tossed his head back with a panache that made her laugh.

  “Good instincts.”

  “Why, thank you. I’ve been waiting nearly a year for them to get together. I was on the pinnacle of getting them both drunk and surreptitiously giving Christian Viagra.”

  Anna snorted and shook her head.

  He glanced over at the counter. “You and Ollie seem to be getting on okay.”

  “She’s lovely. Awfully skilled.”

  He nodded.

  “Does she not have many friends?” She kept her eye on Ollie, who was now preparing their drinks.

  “Not too many. Since the divorce, she’s sort of…thrown herself into this place.”

  “It’s a wonderful shop.” But still, a shame. “I can imagine she’s a very good friend.”

  His eyes seemed glassy as he looked over at Ollie. Small lines appeared between his eyebrows, then disappeared. “She is.”

  The pattern was more complicated than she thought it might be, but the picture on the front looked so beautiful that Anna found herself immersed in trying to get it right. The yarn was so skinny, and her fingers felt like sausages. After a while and several mistakes, the pattern started to click in her brain, and she finished the first row.

  Ollie brought over a cup of tea for her when she had completed row three. Anna’s stomach felt warm and tingly. She smiled up at Ollie and held up her work.

  The beam she got in return settled an infinitely comfortable feeling over Anna. Ollie simply nodded and allowed her to continue without a word.

  For the remainder of the class, Anna could feel the smile on her lips as she got twelve rows done. When everyone started to pack up, she was so happily engrossed in her work, the sounds of scraping chairs and clinking metal hooks startled her into attention. Her neck cracked as she stretched it one way and then the other. She pushed her arms in front of her and yawned. As she packed up her own things, she watched Ollie collect her mug and take it to the sink to wash.

  Feeling too tired to socialise, and too achy to hang around, Anna dropped five pound coins into the envelope and lifted her now-dry coat from the radiator. She felt cocooned by the warmth, pulling the collar up against the wind as she left.

  She turned back to glance at the shop as she walked down the street and saw Ollie leaning out of the door, frowning. She waved at her with the hand not currently attempting to control her umbrella.

  Ollie hesitated before waving back and then disappeared inside.

  The coat was soaked again by the time Anna had walked to her car and driven home. She bade the kids goodnight before dragging her cold self upstairs to run a hot bath. She left her phone by the bath playing a little soft music and climbed into the steamy bubbles.

  She nearly fell asleep—in fact she probably would have if it hadn’t been for her phone buzzing and attempting to escape into the water. After quickly drying her hands on the bath towel hanging above her head, she picked up the phone.

  Hope you got home safely and aren’t too wet from the rain. You alright? You seemed sad when you left. X

  Sorry I left in a hurry, absolutely knackered! Long day and my new pattern has made my head spin a bit. How has your week been? x

  She pressed Send and kept her hands out of the water while she waited for a reply. The music on her phone continued to lull her into a state of comfort. Her bones began to heat up as the swirling water chased away the chill.

  My week has been okay, thanks. Quiet at the shop with the kids back at school. Many kids splashing about at the baths, though. If you need help with the scarf, just call or pop in. Always happy to help. Keeps me out of trouble too. X

  Sitting up a little straighter in the bath, Anna gazed at her phone with a heat in her belly that definitely wasn’t due to the bathwater. She couldn’t resist: she phoned Ollie.

  Who picked up immediately. “Hey.” Her tone was bright. “You all right?”

  “Tired,” Anna replied. “Just having a bath.”

  There was silence on the end of the phone.

  Anna frowned. “Ollie?”

  “Oh. Yes, I’m still here.” Another pause followed. “Sorry. I can call you back later, if you like.”

  “I called you. It’s fine.” Anna settled a little further down in the warm water, her hand resting on her sternum. “So, it’s been a quiet week over there?”

  “Boring. Finished that Lego blanket, though. The mum picked it up yesterday. She loves it.”

  “Good.”

  “Done anything nice? You know. Other than teach?”

  Anna pursed her lips momentarily. “Are you implying I enjoy going to work?”

  “I would hope so.”

  It must be hard for her. She used to teach, too, and now she can’t. “I do enjoy work, of course I do. Sorry.”

  “S’all right.”

  “I’ve not done anything nice, actually. Just hung out with the kids.” Anna’s stomach fell as she remembered her weekend. Something rose up in her throat like bile. She swallowed it down and sighed.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” Ollie said after a beat or two.

  “Actually…I broke up with Liam.”

  Another pause.

  “I’m sorry,” Ollie said. “Are you…” She cleared her throat. “Are you all right?”

  “I should be.” Anna’s voice felt stronger. “No, I am.”

  “Did he do something?”

  She sounds tense. “You remember I said he and Timothy really don’t get on?”

  “Yep.”

  “Well.” Anna sighed. “There was an incident at school. Timothy runs a little shop after school time, selling sweets and stationery. The kids absolutely love it, and they love him. And Liam was questioning him and his colleague David about… Anyway, he wasn’t very nice to him. Timothy’s colleague had to intervene, their boss got involved. Timothy came home in such a state.”

  “He’s all right now?”

  Anna smiled. “How sweet you are. Yes, he’s fine.”

  “Good.”

  “Liam was fired.”

  “Good.”

  Anna chuckled at Ollie’s simple response. “I went to the Head, explained what had happened. And now Liam is without a job.” She sighed. “I feel quite responsible.”

  “Don’t. He sounds like a complete arse.”

  “Ha. Well. That seems to be the opinion of most of the women in my life.” Anna swished the water around by her hip, watching the dwindling bubbles whirlpool.

  “Sounds like a good decision on your part, anyway.” Anna heard a few crackles before there was silence again. “Sorry. Just sat down with a cuppa.”

  “I should have brought one upstairs with me. Or perhaps something stronger.”

  “Mmm,” Ollie sighed. “A bath and a glass of wine. Perfect combination.”

  “Next time.”

  “Oh. I have news,” Ollie said, her voice bright. “Christian and Sarah got together.” Silence for a moment. “Sorry. Bad choice of topic, after your week. I’m sure you don’t want to hear—”

  �
��No, please. Do tell. I saw them together this evening and thought something was going on.”

  “Apparently he asked her out after the group last week.” Ollie made a humming noise. “All rather sweet.”

  “Sounds it.”

  “Honestly, who would have thought my little group would induce such romance?”

  “Oh, I don’t know.” Anna felt all sleepy and very fond of her friend. “I think crochet has a wonderful ability to bring people together.”

  “It’s obviously worked for them.”

  She caught what sounded like sadness in Ollie’s voice. “Now, come on. I’m sure you know you’re really quite a catch.”

  “If only the rest of the British public would recognise that,” Ollie said, laughing.

  “I could set you up with someone if you like,” She’s been so kind. It’s the least I could do. “I know a few single men; some of them are even nice-looking.”

  “No, thank you,” Ollie snapped.

  Anna paused. “Oh. Uh, all right.”

  “Sorry.” She sounded calmer. “I just… I’m not really interested in…in dating at the moment.”

  “I’m sorry,” Anna said. “Of course that’s fine.”

  “Who has the time to date, anyway?” she joked.

  Thank goodness I haven’t upset or offended her. “I know. And it’s such a faff meeting new people.” They laughed together. The water was starting to get cold. “Anyway, I need to get out and into bed. “I’m up early in the morning. Need my beauty sleep.”

  “No, you don’t.”

  “Oh, shush.” Anna sat up in the bath, brushing bubbles from her bare knee, which was shiny from the bathwater. “See you next week.”

  “See you.”

  Anna ended the call and placed her phone on the side. After climbing out of the bath, she wrapped her towel around her, and then went to sit on her bed. Her clean towel was squishy against her skin. She pulled on her pyjamas, which smelled like the new fabric softener she’d purchased just that week. This is luxury.

  Her phone buzzed. She smiled at the text and snuggled under the covers, her head on her soft pillow.

  Sorry about Liam. He doesn’t deserve you. Goodnight. X

  Anna hummed contentedly, rubbed her cheek against her pillow, and then typed out a quick reply.

  He really doesn’t. I need to trust my daughter’s instincts, I think. She never liked him. Night. X

  She fell asleep thinking about how her life was already so much better.

  Chapter 6

  Loose Ends (A Pencil Pot)

  Tuesday afternoon was busy for Ollie, even with her usual crochet class cancelled. Schools had for some reason let out early, and children were flocking into the shop, looking for crafty things to make Christmassy gifts out of. Her handmade reindeers had already sold out, and it wasn’t even December yet.

  By five, Ollie was nearly pulling her hair out. Why were there so many people with so many requests for things she did not stock?

  The busyness of the shop had left her feeling a tad shaky. She knelt on her good knee, surrounded by sheets of discarded paper in every colour under the sun.

  The tinkle of the bell yielded two familiar voices that carried across the shop.

  When Ollie looked up, Sarah and Christian approached with matching smiles, hands joined between them.

  Ollie gave them a smile back. “Hello,” she said, her eyes closing on a sigh as they stared at the carnage that enveloped her. “Don’t ask.”

  “Kids?” Sarah asked.

  “Yep.” Ollie clambered up, grimacing as her knee screamed at her. She grabbed on to one of the shelves. Christian put his hand out to her, but she batted it away. “What can I do for you?” She had to push away the temptation to roll her eyes at the way they turned and grinned at one another before answering.

  “We’re thinking about making some matching wrist warmers,” Christian said, his eyes never leaving Sarah’s.

  “D’you have a pattern already?”

  “Yes,” Sarah replied.

  Ollie relented. The love between them was brightening up the rest of the shop. But it made her miss looking into a beautiful woman’s eyes, touching a soft cheek, kissing gentle lips, knowing the other person was for her and her alone. Looking at the two of them so in love, she missed being gathered up into someone, no one else mattering.

  She moved towards the rainbow of yarn and then stretched up above her head. “What d’you need?”

  The couple finally broke their gaze and returned to look at her.

  “Right,” Christian said. “Hundred percent cotton. Reasonably thin…” His eyes returned to Sarah.

  Ollie shook her head. “Focus, dear Christian,” she said, and he laughed, which made Sarah laugh too.

  “Blue and cream,” he said.

  Ollie left them to their staring, grabbed a couple of skeins to their specifications, and placed them on the desk by the till. They paid and left, whispering into one another’s ears. Ollie wiped her hands down her face and stood for a moment, then slumped into her chair behind the desk. Her ribs expanded and released on a loud huff, unheard by anyone else in the empty shop.

  Her phone was in her hand before the idea had truly formed in her brain.

  No crochet class tonight. Drinks?

  Matthew replied fairly quickly in the affirmative.

  Ollie closed up. After running upstairs, she dragged a brush through her hair, applied some make-up, and found her favourite leather jacket.

  Ten minutes later, they were sitting in The Cock and Duck, drinking beers out of bottles and checking out the other customers.

  “Anything happen with that bloke from the other week?” Ollie asked.

  He let out a snort. “Apart from a fumble in the toilets on Saturday night, which was brief and ended rather unsatisfactorily…?”

  “Thanks for that.” Ollie drained her beer quickly, hoping the delicious taste would push away any nausea. “And Harry?”

  “Just friends.”

  Ollie sighed. “Seriously.”

  “I don’t want anything boring. I’m young.” Matthew squinted accusingly at her. “I need to be out there, having fun and being free.”

  She just shook her head. “Whatever. Another?”

  “Thought you didn’t drink on a school night?”

  “I’m breaking my rule.”

  He put up his hands in an “I’m not complaining” kind of way. She smirked at him before taking their empties to the bar and ordering them two more.

  Their night turned out rather well. Matthew managed to grab three numbers from guys he’d made eyes at, and a couple of women had actually noticed Ollie, shooting her smiles across the bar. She had returned the smiles but hadn’t delved any further; she hadn’t really been attracted to any of them. They were all so young. Short skirts and low-cut tops are not really my thing.

  They were deciding their fifth drink would be their last when Matthew’s eyebrows lifted and he nodded towards the bar. “Girl checking you out.”

  An eye roll seemed appropriate, but when Ollie turned around, she discovered “girl” wasn’t really that accurate. Mid-forties, if not a little older, brown hair in a low ponytail, simple jeans and a baggy T-shirt. Dark eyes and a smile that brightened at Ollie’s focused attention.

  Ollie turned back around. “That’s more like it,” she muttered. “I’m, for once, not old enough to be her mother.”

  “Grandmother,” Matthew said and earned himself a kick and a very rude word. “Hey,” he complained wryly, “that’s not very grandmotherly language.”

  She would have kicked him again, but the woman came over and held out a hand.

  “Hi, I’m Tracy.”

  Ollie stood awkwardly from her armchair and grasped her hand. Confident, I like it.

  She invited Tracy
to sit with them, as she didn’t appear to be with a particular group of friends. As they chatted about this and that, Ollie’s stomach fluttered at the attention, something she was reasonably unused to.

  Matthew left when the clock hit eleven, reminding Ollie she had to work in the morning.

  Ollie rolled her eyes, which made Tracy laugh, and then hugged him goodbye.

  Tracy touched the tiny silver pendant at her sternum and looked at Ollie through lowered lashes.

  They chatted some more, then Ollie realised she really should stop drinking and go home—and perhaps get the woman’s number. She felt so unused to the dating thing, the “getting to know a woman so you can be romantic at some point” thing. She stumbled slightly as she stood.

  Holding a hand out towards her, Tracy downed her drink. “I might walk you home.”

  Ollie didn’t argue. They walked side by side, shooting one another little smiles, until they reached Ollie’s door.

  “You live above a shop?” Tracy asked.

  “It’s my shop.” She held out a hand in a half-shrug.

  Tracy nodded. “Craft stuff, hmm. I’m not really into all that.”

  Ollie’s head dropped forward nervously as she stepped back towards her door.

  Tracy stepped up with her, right into her personal space. The gentle scent of wine drifted close from her breath. “Never mind, though, hmm?” she whispered.

  Ollie tensed as Tracy’s hand touched her cheek, cupping her face. She inhaled deeply as their lips met. Sod it. She slipped her hands around Tracy’s waist and returned the kiss, which had no intention of being chaste or friendly. One or both of them made a noise between a gasp and a moan, and Ollie turned them, pressing Tracy up against the wall beside her front door. She sneaked her fingertips into Tracy’s belt loops and held her steady.

  Their tongues battled, and Tracy pushed back. Their teeth knocked together, they were so hungry for one another. Tracy’s fingers dug into her scalp. Ollie shivered, but not with the cold. As soon as she broke the kiss, she took a breath. She was about to dive back in but blinked as Tracy looked behind them. Ollie kept her hands on Tracy’s belt loops, but turned and caught sight of a short-haired redhead lingering in the doorway of a pub across the street, her eyes wide. It was dark, but Ollie’s stomach fell as Anna took off down a side street at a hurried pace. Ollie stepped back and let Tracy go.