Five French Hens. Judy Leigh

the date. Maybe we can talk about finances too, and have a proper look at the spreadsheet?’

      ‘I wouldn’t mind at all if Sylvester went to Las Vegas with Linval and Aston.’ Della kicked her legs hard against the water in synchronisation with everybody else. ‘It’d be nice for him to be able to afford to go with the boys.’

      The aqua aerobics class was in full swing, Jen and her friends on the front row, five other ladies of mixed ages, one heavily pregnant, behind them.

      ‘Knee to chest,’ called Kathy, a pretty, freckled woman in her fifties with short blonde hair, standing by the side of the pool. She pressed a button on the CD player and a strong female voice sang a rhythmic song about a milkshake. Kathy waved a muscular arm. ‘Knee to chest and push the leg down strongly again; exhale slowly. Now repeat ten times. That’s it. Get those hearts beating fast. Go for it. Keep going.’

      ‘I don’t really mind,’ Jen spluttered. ‘It’s nice for Eddie to have bonding time with his son.’

      Rose frowned, thinking. She didn’t want to say anything to upset Jen, but she wondered if Eddie shouldn’t have included the cost of his projected stag night expenditure on the spreadsheet along with the budget honeymoon and the £300 limit for Jen’s wedding attire that she had just told them about.

      ‘Men and their boring hobbies.’ Tess panted, raising a knee. ‘Why can’t they pick something cheap and fun like… aqua aerobics?’

      ‘Now tread water, ladies,’ Kathy hooted, her voice bouncing an echo on the blue walls of the swimming-pool complex. The women immediately responded, treading water furiously. The smell of chlorine and steam surfaced and hung on the air.

      ‘It’s not as if I’d like Las Vegas though – I mean, I wouldn’t want to go with them.’ Jen gasped, her face pink with effort. Pam thought her friend looked disappointed, but she concentrated on pushing her strong legs against the water.

      ‘Alan spends so much money and time on his golf,’ Tess muttered, her face dripping. ‘I don’t get a look-in.’

      ‘Poor Sylvester spends every penny he can spare all on me.’ Della kicked her legs hard. Aqua aerobics always eased the pain in her lower back. She pushed against the water even harder. ‘I’m not sure he’s the Las Vegas type though. A pint and a pie in a London pub and a bet on the football is more his style – or enjoying my home cooking and a night in, watching television.’

      ‘Jumping jacks – cardio workout. Then we’re into scissor jumps,’ Kathy yelled and the women leapt and fell, splashing water everywhere, Pam bouncing higher and displacing more water than anyone else in the group. ‘Helen, at the back, take this one easy, please – I don’t want a water birth today.’

      The women giggled, and the splashing increased. Next to her, Pam felt the water rising more energetically than usual. She looked at Rose, who was waving her arms angrily, a frown on her face. ’Are you OK, Rose?’

      Rose nodded, without changing her focus, staring into the distance, flapping her arms like a demented flamingo in a new pink swimsuit.

      ‘OK, ladies. To the edge of the pool now. Let’s finish off the session with a butt kick.’

      ‘I could kick his butt,’ Rose muttered to herself. Pam shook her head. She had no idea what Rose meant, but she was certainly thrashing around in the water with added energy.

      ‘I’m exhausted.’ Tess gasped as Kathy declared the session over. ‘I just hope my figure is improving after all this exercise.’

      Della made a snorting sound. ‘Your figure’s perfectly fine, Tess.’

      ‘Alan doesn’t think so.’

      Pam put an arm around Jen as they clambered out of the water. She grinned, recalling Eddie’s purchase of vitamin pills in the wholefood shop. ‘Well, Jen – I bet your Eddie appreciates you as a beautiful woman.’

      Jen pushed wet hair back from her face. ‘Oh, he’s really sweet. He’s so attentive and protective – I feel completely safe with him around. But he’s very respectful of me too.’

      Tess squeezed Jen’s arm as they walked to the changing rooms. ‘You were telling me things were becoming very lovey-dovey last week. Did you stay over at his place?’

      ‘Ah, well, we’ve decided that we’re leaving it until after the wedding.’ Jen stared at the stone flags on the floor, water dripping from her swimsuit.

      ‘He’s such a gentleman.’ Pam grinned. ‘When can we meet him?’

      Della shook water from her face, reaching for a towel. ‘Sounds like he really cares for you, Jen. He’s so respectful.’

      ‘Well, I don’t agree,’ Rose spluttered, her face shining with water above the new pink suit. The four friends stared at her. She stamped her foot. ‘I mean, if he really cared he wouldn’t be able to hold back on the passion. And it’s Jen’s wedding and all she gets is a spreadsheet and a cheap wedding gown and he goes swanning off to Las Vegas with his son. It’s not fair.’ Her eyes were beads, tiny in her wet face. ‘And you didn’t pick the ring, Jen. It wouldn’t surprise me if he didn’t buy it bargain basement. Or perhaps it was the one he gave his first wife.’

      Jen gasped. ‘Eddie loves me with all his heart.’ She frowned at Rose. ‘He is a perfect foil for me. I’m the passionate one, the hot-headed impulsive one, and he is calm, grounding, protective. Really, Rose – you know nothing about him.’

      Rose mumbled, ‘I’m not sure you do, either.’

      The friends were silent. Tess was staring at Rose, amazed. Della’s hands flew to her hips, her expression one of shock. Jen shook her head and gazed down at her feet. There were tears in her eyes.

      Rose put out a hand, touching her friend’s shoulder, and muttered, ‘Sorry, Jen. You’re right – I don’t know Eddie at all. I shouldn’t have said anything – it’ll all be fine.’

      Pam took a deep breath. ‘OK, ladies – we need to move forward, and have some fun. Jen’s getting married and we are celebrating. You’re all invited to my house for supper. We can crack open a bottle or two and talk about Jen’s hen night. When are you all free? How about tomorrow?’

      7

      Pam was still cooking when the first guest rapped at the door. She frowned. ‘They aren’t due until half seven. It’s barely quarter to. Stay there, Elvis – don’t touch the cheese, please. Or the salad – I know how much you like to pilfer.’ She ruffled the fur around his ears and he pushed a wet nose into the palm of her hand. ‘OK, come with me to the door, then.’ She scooped him up and went into the hall. Someone had knocked again. Rose was huddled on the doorstep in a pale pink faux-fur jacket and jeans.

      ‘Hi, Rose. New coat?’

      Rose nodded from the doorstep. ‘I went out over the weekend – I bought myself this jacket and a dress, a swimsuit and some underwear – all in pink. I wanted to cheer myself up – it’s spring, almost. Besides, my name is Rose, not Dullard.’

      ‘This is Elvis. Are you all right with dogs?’

      ‘Fine.’ Rose nodded as she followed Pam through the little lounge and into the kitchen. ‘What a sweet house, Pam. The thing is – I don’t know – this business with Jen. I’m not happy…’

      ‘Red wine OK?’ Pam lifted a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon.

      ‘I don’t usually drink much wine, but OK, I’ll have one glass, Pam.’ Rose took the wine and swallowed a mouthful hastily. ‘You see, I’ve been thinking about things. Since the dinner, since the night we went out. I bought myself some new things. I just wanted to treat myself. I’ve been in the doldrums a bit and I thought it might