The Year of Taking Chances Read Online Free PDF Page B

‘And I’m definitely not going to do a single press-up or star jump, either.’
    ‘Just say no,’ Caitlin put in, draining her glass. ‘But just say yes to more cocktails. What else have you got?’
    Gemma grinned, pleased that Caitlin seemed to be warming up. Ah, the magic of cocktails. She quickly invented another, this time chucking in apricot brandy, gin, orange juice, ice and some mint
leaves. ‘Oh my Lord, that’s absolutely rank,’ she said, tasting a mouthful. ‘Sorry, Caitlin. I think my career as a mixologist is over.’
    ‘Don’t worry, my career at Cambridge Graphics is also over,’ Caitlin said, raising her glass tipsily. ‘Made redundant two months ago.’
    Ouch. There was such pain in her eyes, Gemma wanted to hug her. She wished she’d made her a better cocktail at least. She grabbed the Christmas cake and cut Caitlin a slice instead, as the
next best thing. It was probably every bit as alcoholic, besides. ‘Have that,’ she said, ‘with my condolences.’
    ‘I kind of wish
my
career at Phoenix-sodding-PR was over,’ Saffron added. ‘I would love to stick two fingers up at my boss and walk out.’ She pulled a face. ‘We’re a right bunch, aren’t we?’
    ‘Balls to it, ladies,’ said Gemma, biting into a mini-sausage roll,’ let’s go into business together. What shall we do? Cake-testers? Chocolate . . . um . . . eaters?’
    ‘Holiday reviewers,’ Saffron suggested.
    ‘Oh yes,’ Caitlin agreed. ‘We could go round checking out all the hotels and beaches, testing the pools and spa facilities . . . ’
    ‘I could definitely manage that,’ Gemma said. ‘
Or
,’ she added, as a brilliant new idea came to her, ‘we could form a girl band. I’m always up for a bit
of karaoke.’
    ‘Good one,’ Saffron laughed. ‘I reckon I know all the dance moves to “Single Ladies”. I knew that would come in handy one day.’
    ‘Fame and fortune guaranteed,’ Gemma said with a grin. Then she leapt up suddenly, her memory jogged. ‘Oh! I forgot the fortune-cookies!’
    She lurched over to the cupboard above the fridge, pulling down the box and ripping open the packaging. ‘Here,’ she said, proffering the contents and taking one herself. ‘Let’s see what the magic fortune-cookies predict for this year. World domination, a stadium tour for our band, or at least a bit of respect from stroppy children, please!’
    Snapping it in half, she unfolded the paper strip inside and read the message inside. ‘Oh,’ she said. ‘“For success today, look first to yourself.”’ She
rolled her eyes. ‘I’m not sure about that.’
She’s just a mum
, Darcey said again in her head, and Gemma looked away. Exactly. She was just a mum. What kind of success
would she ever achieve, except perhaps a clean house and the children handing in their homework on time? ‘What did you two get?’ she asked.
    “Do not trust hapless pub landlords renting out mouldy cottages . . . ” No, not really.’ Saffron squinted at her paper. ‘“Have courage! Mistakes can become
adventures.” Oh God,’ she groaned. ‘Who comes up with this tosh?’
    ‘I like to think it’s an incredibly wise, wrinkled old Chinese man sitting on a golden throne,’ Gemma said. ‘But I reckon it’s probably a soulless computer program. How about you, Caitlin?’
    Caitlin looked uncertain. ‘“Your destiny is within your own grasp,”’ she read. ‘“Take a chance!”’ She pulled a face. ‘I was hoping for
“Tall, dark stranger” or “Lottery win”, or even “Don’t worry, someone else will sort your destiny out for you – take the year off.”’
    ‘Bloody rubbish.’ Gemma took another cookie. ‘I think we must have picked the wrong ones last time, ladies. Try again.’ She snapped a second cookie in half and pulled out
the fortune. ‘This is more like it. “Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were once only walls.”’
    ‘Follow your bliss, eh? Sounds like a