Page 39 of The Village of Lost and Found

But Bridget merely waved away her friend’s point of view. ‘It doesn’t matter about her,’ she carried on. ‘Have you got the right filter on now? I want to put some photos on Instagram.’

‘I think so,’ Lucy heard Molly say as she went into the bathroom and shut the door behind her, which only just muffled the volume of Bridget’s harsh voice.

Lucy sighed with relief as the shower washed away all the mud and dirt. But it couldn’t stop the memories of the bull charging at her. Nor the scary lizard thing that she had come face to face with.

Worst of all, it couldn’t wash away the image of Tom’s mocking face and words when he had seen the state of her. She had hoped that he had thought better of her. But obviously not. He was just like everyone else. Thinking that she was a poor little rich girl.

She dried herself off in her bedroom after her shower and pulled on a denim skirt and top. The last thing she wanted to do that evening was go to the gin tasting at the pub, but she had promised Belle that she would go. After all, it had been her idea.

Her stomach rumbled and knowing that the pub food was likely to be as dreadful as always, Lucy decided to grab something to eat before she went.

However, as she headed back into the kitchen, Bridget was back to screeching along to the music at full volume.

Molly swiftly moved to turn the music back down again. ‘Sorry,’ she said, with a small smile. ‘We’re celebrating.’

‘That’s right!’ said Bridget. ‘I got engaged last night.’

She held out a hand, which had one of the biggest fake sapphires that Lucy had ever seen.

‘Nice ring,’ she said, as Bridget appeared to be expecting some kind of reaction. ‘Congratulations.’

‘It looks just like Kate Middleton’s, doesn’t it? And you’re next!’ said Bridget, pointing at Molly and causing some liquid to spill out of her wine glass in the process.

Molly blinked at her friend and looked nonplussed. ‘What are you talking about?’

‘Come on!’ said Bridget. ‘I know you’re desperate to get married like me. Especially now you and Gary are back together. If you announce it early enough then it won’t take the shine off my big day. This is my time, remember?’

Molly’s mouth pressed together into a thin line. ‘Actually, I don’t know if I’m ready for all that yet,’ she told her friend.

Bridget stared at her, confused. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Maybe Gary’s not the one,’ said Molly.

‘Ha! Who else is gonna have you?’ said Bridget, before screeching with laughter.

Lucy looked away to put the bread into the toaster and hoped Molly couldn’t see her shocked expression. Was this really how best friends spoke to each other? She didn’t think so.

‘We’re going to head over to the pub now. Do you want to come with us?’ asked Molly.

Lucy shook her head. ‘I need to grab some toast and put some make-up on first. I’ll catch you up in a half-hour or so.’

‘You need to love yourself and the home you live in,’ Bridget was dictating into her phone.

Lucy raised her eyebrows at Molly in question.

‘Bridget’s planning on becoming a social influencer,’ said Molly.

‘Right.’ Lucy grabbed her toast as it popped up and buttered it, anxious to get out of there to the safety of her bedroom.

But she had become trapped in Bridget’s megawatt stare. ‘It’s more than that,’ she told them both. ‘I want to become a lifestyle guru. Someone who motivates people to decorate their homes.’

‘Like this?’ drawled Lucy, pointing with her butter knife at the black and pink walls.

‘Exactly,’ said Bridget, on whom irony appeared to be lost. ‘Your home is your badge.’

‘But you don’t live here any more,’ said Lucy, trying not to snap. ‘So this isn’t your home.’

Bridget gave a little huff. ‘It wasn’t yours either before you had to run away. Exactly how long were you Jamie Watkins’ mistress?’