Free Hopelessly Devoted to Holden Finn by Tilly Tennant

‘How come you decided to do this?’
    Bonnie shrugged, trying to make light of the compliment, but the delight at Paige’s comments evident in her smile. ‘I just fancied a change.’
    ‘The men will be fainting over you,’ Paige said.
    It was the first time Paige had ever talked so openly about the fact that Bonnie was single. Bonnie cautiously wondered whether to take it as a good sign. Perhaps Paige was finally coming to terms with the fact that her father was not coming back, andmaybe she was coming around to the idea that Bonnie deserved a second chance at love… something Bonnie herself was finding it hard to do.
    ‘I don’t know about that,’ Bonnie laughed lightly. ‘I think it will take a lot more than a new hairdo. A year on the exercise bike to lift this saggy bum for a start.’
    ‘Don’t be daft. You look way prettier than loads of my mates’ mums.’
    Bonnie felt herself swell with pride. Was that how Paige really saw her? Maybe she was having some sort of personality crisis and being unusually kind. Either way, it gave Bonnie a feeling of warmth that she hadn’t had for a long time.
    ***
    Dear Holden
    It’s not long until we come and see you now, at least, until my daughter comes to see you. I suppose I’ll be waiting in the flat here, or at the very best outside in the car trying not to embarrass Paige. I dyed my hair. I think it looks nice and Paige seems to like it. Henri would have hated it. I wonder what you’ll think if I do get to meet you…
    Bonnie ran a hand down her hair absently, still slightly surprised by the uncharacteristic sleekness of it. She read the letter through once more, then screwed up the page and threw it into the kitchen bin. The clock showed eleven-thirty and she had another Monday to look forward to again the following day. They came around so quickly she could barely keep up. In six hours she would be up again, yawning and arguing with Paige to get out of bed for school. With a deep sigh, she dumped her mug in the sink and went up to bed.
    ***
    Linda wolf-whistled as Bonnie pulled back the wet hood of her coat. ‘Wow, you look like one hot momma!’
    Bonnie laughed lightly. ‘Steady on.’
    Fred put his head round the door to the stockroom to give them his usual morning reprimand. He stopped in his tracks with his mouth hanging open.
    ‘Bloody hell…’
    ‘Don’t mince your words, Fred,’ Linda said in a wry tone.
    ‘What the hell have you done to your hair, lass?’
    Bonnie frowned. ‘Traditionally, this is where you compliment me on how nice and different I look.’
    ‘I’ll have to go home to get my sunglasses.’ There was almost a grin, but not quite as he uttered his next sentence. ‘Don’t stand too close to the tomatoes today; we might not be able to find you again.’
    ‘Cheeky bugger!’ Bonnie exclaimed.
    Linda cocked an incredulous eyebrow at her boss. ‘I can’t believe you, of all people, are making scathing comments about hair.’
    Fred self-consciously ran a hand over his pate. ‘I don’t know what you mean,’ he grumbled.
    Linda shot a sideways glance at Bonnie, biting back laughter.
    ‘Never mind that now,’ Fred insisted, ‘there’s a shop that needs stocking out here. Get those fridges unlocked.’
    With a quick grin at Linda, Bonnie went to get the keys from the kitchen. The usual early morning knock came from the back door and Linda shuffled over to answer it.
    ‘Morning!’ Max shook the rain from his coat. ‘Kettle on?’
    Linda stepped back to let him in. ‘Not yet but give us a tick.’
    ‘Alright, Max?’ Bonnie stepped from the kitchen, immediately aware of Max’s stare and suddenly feeling herself blush.
    Max shook his head. ‘Sorry… blimey…’
    Linda laughed as she went to put the kettle on. ‘Bonnie, you’d better not put make-up on tomorrow, the blokes round here might not be responsible for their actions.’
    Bonnie slapped her arm playfully as she passed and squeezed into the kitchenette.
    ‘You