Free Streetwise by Roberta Kray Page A

curiosity had made her wonder what Chris’s business was up there, but she hadn’t asked and he hadn’t said. It was probably for the best. What she didn’t know, she couldn’t tell.
    It had been the early hours of the morning before they’d got back to London. He’d been chattier on the return journey and the time had passed quickly. She guessed that the meeting, whatever it had been about, had gone well. She’d also had the feeling that Chris had wanted to say something to her, but hadn’t quite been able to find the words. He’d begin, glance at her, and then change his mind.
    Ava stretched out her arms and yawned. It was over a week now since she’d started the job and she had managed to get through it without incurring any damage, major or minor, to the precious Merc. The hours, as predicted, varied widely, but this didn’t bother her. It wasn’t as if she had a rich social life to fit in around her work. She hadn’t had a date since splitting up with Alec – not that she’d wanted one – and the recent highlight of her social calendar had been a drink with her dad in the Fox.
    Eventually, with reluctance, Ava pulled back the covers and slipped into her dressing gown. As she went through to the living room, she rubbed at her eyes with the heels of her hands. She peered at the clock on the wall: twenty past eleven. Tash, who was sitting at the table, attaching pink feathers to one of her latest creations, looked up and grinned.
    ‘So, you dirty stop-out, where did you get to last night? It must have been one hell of a party.’
    ‘Manchester,’ Ava said.
    ‘Wow. That’s different. Was it good?’
    ‘Not exactly. I had to drive Chris Street up there.’ Ava walked on through to the kitchen where she switched the kettle on. She felt tired and sluggish, in need of a caffeine boost to wake her up properly. Grabbing a mug from the draining board, she shovelled in two teaspoons of coffee. ‘You want one?’ she called back over her shoulder.
    Tash joined her in the kitchen, leaning against the door jamb. ‘Yeah, go on then. So what’s so important you had to go all the way to Manchester?’
    ‘I didn’t ask.’
    ‘Mm, probably wise. So how’s it going? You think he’s going to keep you on?’
    Ava poured hot water into the mugs and got the milk out of the fridge. ‘God, I hope so. I can’t afford to lose this job. I’ve done the trial week and he hasn’t said anything one way or the other. I don’t want to ask in case… well, if it is bad news I’d rather not hear it.’
    ‘It won’t be,’ Tash said, forever the optimist. She paused and then added, ‘Are you doing anything this afternoon?’
    ‘No, nothing planned, although the sofa’s looking pretty attractive right now. I’ll probably just crash, have a lazy day.’
    ‘Do you fancy coming to an exhibition with me? It’s at that Beast place so it’s not far to go. It’s from three to five and there are cocktails too.’
    Ava pulled a face, remembering her last experience at the gallery. ‘Not really. Since when did you have an interest in stuffed animals?’
    ‘I don’t, but I’ve always reckoned it’s a sin to turn down the offer of free drinks. Besides, there’ll be a lot of rich, fashionable people there. I might be able to make some contacts, do a bit of social networking. Lydia gave me a ticket. It’s a plus one but I don’t have anyone to go with. Hannah’s at work and I don’t really want to go on my own.’
    ‘Who’s Lydia?’
    ‘She works there, at Beast. Just sales and that. She comes into the Fox sometimes. That’s how I got to know her.’
    ‘Well, you won’t be on your own then.’
    ‘But she’ll be working, won’t she? She won’t have time to talk to me.’ Tash flashed one of her brightest smiles. ‘Oh, come on,’ she wheedled. ‘
Please.
It’s only for a couple of hours and you never know, it might even be fun.’
    ‘You reckon?’
    Tash gave a sigh. ‘Ava Gold,’ she said. ‘You’re