Free Hubble Bubble by Christina Jones Page B

there tonight to findpeople already installed, went back to the hospital to see if there was a temporary B&B in town, and your GP was there in the reception area. We got talking and well, here I am.’
    ‘So I see,’ Mitzi nodded, feeling mightily relieved. ‘And now I really must go.’
    ‘And I must feed our paying guest as he was expecting an evening meal at his previous digs,’ Lobelia preened herself, pulling down the remnants of her shrunken cardigan. She beamed at Shay as she trotted towards the kitchen. ‘Of course, supper isn’t included normally, but on your first night we’d like to offer something a bit special. I can do you a nice fish-paste sandwich and a pickled cucumber.’
    Mitzi tried not to laugh as Shay attempted to wear an expression of brave enthusiasm as he followed Lobelia.
    ‘And,’ Lob’s voice echoed from the chill depths of the Bandings’s icebox kitchen, ‘as a welcome to your new home treat I can give you two slices of bread with your sandwich.’
    ‘Bugger,’ Lavender muttered as she opened the front door for Mitzi. ‘Bang goes my bloody breakfast.’
    Back in her own house, Mitzi was enveloped by the warmth and comfort and cosiness. Poor, poor Shay.
    Doll and Lu were sitting on the hearthrug with Richard and Judy, and they all looked up expectantly. Giving them a quick résumé of why Shay was next door and being aware of Lu’s eyes sparkling, Mitzi held her hands out to the fire. ‘So, that’s the Heath Ledger myth scotched. So much for Granny Westward’s wishes coming true.’
    ‘Oh, I don’t know—’ Lulu stroked Richard and Judy ‘— I think it’s pretty cool, actually. Not the real thing, but as near as damn it. And you never know – oh, there’s the door again. Maybe he’s come back?’
    ‘And maybe he hasn’t,’ Doll scrambled to her feet. ‘I’ll go – I need the loo anyway.’
    Warm again, Mitzi curled herself into the cushiony sofa and closed her eyes. She still felt rather floaty.

    ‘Christ!’
    Lulu’s shout made her jump. Opening her eyes, she blinked at the doorway. Doll, looking stunned, was standing just in front of Brett, who was hovering in the hallway wearing what appeared to be a black leather catsuit.
    ‘Brett!’ Mitzi scrambled to her feet. She still felt rather strange. ‘Lovely to see you – um – Doll didn’t say you were coming over.’
    Brett smiled, looking very self-conscious. With a jolt, Mitzi realised that the black leather catsuit was actually tight black jeans and a leather jacket. He looked like the Milk Tray Man. Which was very odd as Brett’s non-postman’s-uniform wardrobe had consisted of beige chinos and even beiger polo shirts for as long as she’d known him.
    ‘No – well, I thought that she may have had a little bit too much to drink to be able to drive, so I walked over so that I could drive her back …’ He frowned. ‘It was really weird, you know. I’d gone to bed, was asleep – and I had this really vivid dream that she needed me. I woke up, and just had to see her. Had to come over and get her …’
    ‘But you’ve never collected her before, ever,’ Lu sniggered. ‘And why on earth are you wearing those pervy clothes?’
    Brett, looking bemused, shook his head. ‘Dunno, really. I haven’t worn these for years, not since I gave up my motorbike – they seemed to fall out of my wardrobe and it was so urgent that I got here I didn’t bother to look for anything else. They seemed to suit my mood …’ He smiled gently at Doll. ‘Anyway, darling, are you ready?’
    ‘Darling? Blimey!’ Lu looked at Mitzi. ‘What did she wish for? Impromptu romance … Wow. This is scary stuff …’
    ‘Shush,’ Mitzi hissed. ‘Whatever the reason, we don’t want to spoil it. Doll love, you’d better get along home now … no, Lu and I will clear up in the morning … Off you pop. Both of you.’
    Doll, still looking shell-shocked, allowed a solicitousBrett to help her on with her coat. The fact