by Clare Lydon
Geri got her coffee and sandwich and walked back through the carriage, grabbing a headrest as the train lurched one way and then the other. She arrived back at her seat within minutes and was surprised to see the woman she’d just nearly run into sitting on her table of four, coffee and sandwich in hand.
“Oh – hi again.” Geri put her deli bag down on the table and shifted across to the window seat. She could feel another blush waiting to pounce as she sat down.
“Hi.” The woman was smiling at her, still amused. She had short cropped black hair and was wearing a simple black T-shirt that worked amazingly with her olive skin. She pinged Geri’s gaydar immediately.
Geri took out her coffee, sandwich and biscuits, not daring to look up, not trusting her words. Plus, she must look a state after the weekend she’d had. Tired, puffy, spotty. She wished she had her sunglasses. When Geri did eventually look up, though, she found the woman’s warm, interested gaze on her.
“Snap.” The woman indicated that the two of them had exactly the same lunch.
Geri smiled, making sure it was as wide as she could muster.
“Shall we try this again,” said the woman. She wiped non-existent crumbs from her fingers and held out her right hand.
Geri took in short fingernails and long, slim fingers. Geri’s heartbeat got louder still.
“Rachel,” she said. She took Geri’s hand and shook it warmly, fixing Geri with an intense stare. It had the required dazzling effect.
“Geri.” If she was feeling giddy, at least Geri’s voice sounded normal. She decided she could chance speaking again. “So is it any good?” Geri pointed towards the sandwich Rachel had already taken a bite of.
Rachel made a face. “It tastes like a train sandwich.” She paused, cupping her chin in her right palm. “I think it might need a while to warm up.” Rachel smiled, revealing teeth so straight she must have spent her entire teenage years in braces.
Geri smiled right back. “My friend Tash says all these sandwiches taste like fridge. It’s an acquired taste. I don’t think I’ll ever get the hang of it, though.”
At this, Rachel nodded, holding Geri with her unwavering gaze. “Me neither.” She blew on her coffee before pausing, then took a sip. “At least the coffee’s not too bad.” She flicked her eyes upwards. “But then, I’m a chef, so I’m hard to please.” Her smile lit up her face once more.
Geri sat up in her seat and took a sip of her coffee. “A chef?” A slow smile ploughed across her face. “Whereabouts do you work?”
“I’ve just opened up my own place in Islington. You probably don’t know it,” Rachel said.
“Try me,” Geri replied.
***
Tash leaned over and turned the volume up, belting out the chorus as loud as she possibly could.
“Hey baby, I think I wanna marry you!” She was grinning across the car at Laura, who was driving with a smirk.
“Bruno? Is that you?” Laura glanced to her left.
“I sing it way better than Bruno, you know that…” Tash replied.
Laura shifted in her seat, trying to find a more comfortable position for her back. They’d been on the road for over two hours and they still had another four to go. Still, at least it wasn’t raining and they weren’t arguing anymore.
The weekend had been surreal – Laura wasn’t sure what was in the water at these events but they never failed to enthral. This one had topped the lot: they’d nearly broken up and now they were engaged to be married. Plus, she looked like she’d done five rounds in the ring with someone. Laura glanced in her mirror and saw her colouring coming along nicely.
“What you thinking about?” Tash reached over and stroked Laura’s left thigh.
Laura felt Tash’s touch run through her entire body and smiled. “Just how this weekend has been a whirlwind and how I’m now the luckiest woman alive to have you as my fiancée.” Laura smiled at Tash, then winced. Yep, her face still hurt.
“Back at ya, sweetheart,” Tash replied.
***
“So how far have we got to go?” Stevie got back into the purple Fiesta, her knees clicking audibly as they bent in under the steering wheel. She’d just eaten a tuna sandwich at the services and had a half-drunk cup of coffee in her hand, which she wedged into her cup holder.
Vic propped the map on her lap and traced the line of the M4. “Well we’re at Leigh Delaware, so I’d say at least three hours. And that’s providing we don’t get stuck in traffic.”
“Are you not even going to turn the sat nav on?” Stevie arched an eyebrow.
“Nope.” Vic’s tone was defiant. “It was the sat nav’s fault on the way here, so I’m relying on me and my map. Never let me down before…”
“Can you put on a sexy voice like the sat nav at least though?” Stevie asked, grinning. She looked left and saw that Vic was smiling too.
“Whatever makes you happy, baby,” Vic said, lowering her voice and wiggling her left eyebrow. “We’ve got three hours to go until I can get you home and ravish you…”
Stevie threw back her head, laughing. “I’m definitely going to put my foot down now.”
Vic leant over and kissed her wife, before buckling up her seatbelt and stowing her coffee cup too.
“You ready?” Stevie asked.
Vic nodded.
Stevie cracked the engine and they were off.
ABOUT CLARE
Clare Lydon lives in London with her wife and precisely no pets (what a terrible lesbian she truly is). She’s from a huge Irish family who like to sing at any given opportunity, and she bakes a mean banana cake. Even her mum says so, and she knows cake.
Clare’s absolute favourite things in life are (in no particular order): bourbon, Curly Wurlys, stationery shops, sales in stationery shops, music, shoes, beer, signage, roast chicken, Christmas films, road trips, coffee, bananas, slow Loris videos on YouTube, red wine, karaoke, bus countdown apps (life-changing), tea, line-dried laundry, mustard mayo, musicals, lists and those Salted Caramel Puddles from Hotel Chocolat. Try them. You’ll never look back.
CONNECT WITH CLARE!
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Plus, if you enjoyed this book, any mentions on Facebook, Twitter or any other social media would be greatly appreciated by me. Better yet, if you want to let me know what you thought, tweet or Facebook me - details below.
Twitter: @ClareLydon
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FIND MORE GREAT BOOKS FROM CLARE OVER THE PAGE.
AND FINALLY, THANK YOU FOR READING!
ALSO BY CLARE LYDON…
LONDON CALLING
Jess Sharp is at a crossroads — back in London, living in her parents’ spare room, jobless and single. Not quite the irresistible package she was aiming for at age 32. One night, things take an upward turn when she meets Lucy, who could be a game-changer. However, everything in her riotously chaotic life seems to get in the way, including her best friend’s wedding, far too much tequila and the ghosts of girlfriends past. The course of true love has never been so injury-prone. Will Jess overcome her romantic ineptitude and find her happy ever after? Or will she continue to trip over her own feet in the race for romance?
PRAISE FOR LONDON CALLING…
"Well-paced, fun and genuinely engaging. A very likeable debut from this talented author."
Eden Carter-Wood, Diva Magazine
"Amazing chemistry & a beautiful romance. I read this twice, that's how much I loved this book!"
Caroline Domenech, Curve Magazine
“A top-notch rom-com that will keep you rooted to your seat with realistic characters that make you want to know what happens next. Well crafted, well written – well done!”
Velv
et Lounger, The Lesbian Reading Room
“Clare Lydon’s London Calling is as strong as any straight chicklit from a major publisher.”
Katie Bennett-Hall, Planet of the Books, Planet London
“A fast-paced warm & witty debut, whatever your sexuality.”
Gary James, Entertainment Focus
London Calling is available now at most digital & retail outlets.
THE LONG WEEKEND
Secrets. Lies. Romance. Wine. Nine friends. Four nights.
Twenty years since meeting at university, a group of friends rent a house in Devon to celebrate. Fresh air, sandy beaches and historic friendships - what could possibly go wrong?
The catch is, university sweethearts Vic & Stevie are on the rocks, their three-year marriage floundering, while Kat & Abby’s combustible relationship looks set to ignite at any second. Meanwhile, Tash & Laura have downed responsibilities & kids for the weekend and are ready for some fun; single CID sergeant Geri can’t wait to get away from the London scene to reboot her slumbering love life and that’s not to mention Stu & his boyfriend Darren who bring their own man-sized baggage…
Add in laughs, simmering tension, romance & no shortage of wine and you’ve got all the ingredients for a rollercoaster ride of a long weekend…
PRAISE THE LONG WEEKEND…
"Lydon teases out the comic and dramatic potential in this enjoyable novel, which has some steamy moments too.”
Eden Carter-Wood, Diva Magazine
“From the very start I was engaged with these characters and their lives, and felt a part of this fun-filled, but very dramatic long weekend.”
Sanya Franich, Curve Magazine
“Clare Lydon's second novel sets out her stall as a fixture in the modern lesbian lit canon.”
Katie Bennett-Hall, Planet of the Books, Planet London
The Long Weekend is available now at most digital & retail outlets.
