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Jenn blinked. “Well… when you put it like that.”
Vivi grinned smugly. She had a knack for cutting right to the heart of things—one of the many reasons Jenn adored her.
Then Jenn’s phone buzzed again, making both women jolt forward.
“What’s he saying?” Vivi demanded.
Jenn read aloud, “Excellent. You free Thursday night for drinks after your class? I’ll pick you up.”
“Good man! No messing around.” Vivi nodded in approval and crammed another ridiculous piece of cake into her mouth. “I assume you are free?”
“Yeah, that works. I’ll just have to freshen up at the gym first. But I’m off on Friday, so I can have a wee drink without worrying. Timing’s actually perfect,” Jenn said, thumbs already tapping out her reply.
“Morning!” Auntie Peigi’s voice boomed from the hallway. “Are you two up yet?”
“In here!” Vivi shouted back. Morag chimed in with a decisive meow.
Auntie Peigi swept into the living room, gave Morag an affectionate scratch behind the ears, and settled into the free armchair.
“Well, you don’t look nearly as rough as I thought you would,” she said with a half-laugh, eyes narrowing at the scene. “Although, cake for breakfast and three drinks on the go. I see how it is.”
“There’s more in the kitchen,” Vivi said sweetly, flashing a grin full of cake crumbs.
“Och, do you know what? I will.” Auntie Peigi got right back up again. “Who wants another cuppa?”
“Me!” Vivi and Jenn chorused in unison as she bustled off.
Auntie Peigi called back over her shoulder, “I’ll bring more water and Irn-Bru too—so you’ve got your holy trinity.”
When she returned, a tray loaded with drinks and fresh slabs of cake, she got herself settled again and leaned in with intent.
“So… how was last night?”
“It was great fun,” Jenn said quickly. “We had a brilliant time.”
“What time did you roll in?”
“Think it was just before five, wasn’t it, Vivi?”
“Yeah, somewhere around then.” Vivi nodded, mouth already full again.
“Ìosa, wild things. So, where’d you end up—what beach party?”
“Puka’s Beach,” Jenn replied, sipping her tea.
“Good shout.” Auntie Peigi nodded knowingly. “Beira’s is always a riot. Anywhere on the west side, really. Although Eachann was saying Tràigh Siar didn’t look too bad this morning.”
“Oh yeah? Well, the one we went to was dead chilled, wasn’t it, Vivi?”
“I was very chilled,” Vivi said archly, shooting Jenn a pointed look that Auntie Peigi clocked immediately.
“And what does that mean?” Auntie Peigi asked, eyes narrowing like a hound on the scent. She never missed a whiff of gossip.
“Well… ahhh…”
“Jenn finally got her hunky pilot last night!” Vivi blurted, practically glowing.
“A Leabhra! What?” Auntie Peigi nearly leapt out of her chair, tea sloshing dangerously. “Is he still here?” She craned her neck, scanning the room like he might pop up from behind a cushion.
