The Long Weekend Read Online Free Page A

A38.
    In the back, Geri folded her leather jacket on the seat beside her.
    “Nice jacket by the way – very lady-killer.”
    “That’s the idea.” Geri smiled, smoothing out her jeans with both palms. “It was salmon with pea shoots, crème fraiche and mint, pureed till it tasted odd and piped into posh bread. At least they’re trying.”
    “Got to be better than my sandwich, which just tasted of fridge. I know it comes chilled, but I want it to taste of something other than chilled.”
    “Does chilled have a taste?” Geri asked.
    “Yes, motorway services sandwiches.” Tash turned back to face front.
    “I told her to make her own before we left, because this happens every time.” Laura flicked her eyes up to the mirror as she gave Geri a grin.
    “We should so open a sandwich shop in motorway services that actually sells tasty stuff. We’d make a mint.” It was a comment Tash made on practically every journey. “Besides, I wasn’t making sandwiches today. We’re on holiday and we’re childless.”
    Geri leant forward and put one hand on the shoulder of the driver’s seat, the other on the shoulder of the passenger’s seat.
    “Well, I only had one person to buy for and it was shit – they always are. The wine, however – that was tasty. As was the Double Decker I got to go with it.” Geri grinned, showing a wonky front tooth.
    “You’ve had wine!” Tash pouted. “I want wine.”
    Laura patted her leg then checked her lights were on low as she turned left onto a smaller country road.
    “We’ll get you some – not long now,” Laura said.
    Tash squeezed her leg back.
    “So what’s going on with you two anyway? How are the kiddies?” Geri was still hanging in the space between the two.
    “Shouldn’t we be asking you that question?” Laura smirked at Geri via her mirror.
    “Yes, very droll.” Geri’s look could best be described as withering.
    “They’re good – with Simon this weekend,” Tash said. “And nothing’s going on with us, we live in Essex, remember?” She turned her head to Gimpy, who made a face and slumped into the back seat.
    “Don’t think London’s one long party.” Geri said. “It’s just more expensive.”
    “You not still seeing that girl?” Laura asked.
    “Which one?”
    “Which one?” Tash laughed.
    “Well I was kinda seeing a blonde at one point, but that didn’t work out. Then there was the Aussie too.”
    “The Aussie – Kelly?” Laura said.
    “Yep, Kelly,” Geri nodded. “Nope, it kinda fizzled out after a few dates. She was a bit young….”
    “I rest my case,” Laura said.
    “How old?” Tash asked.
    Geri licked her lips. “Twenty-seven.”
    “Oh my God, 27! I remember 27. I got engaged at 27.” Tash shuddered before twisting to face Geri. “What do 27 year olds talk about?”
    Geri rubbed her eyes. “I wasn’t worried about the talking.” A yawn. “But she did keep talking about music I’d never heard of. I mean, I’m not even out of touch. Plus, being Aussie, there was a big cultural gap. She’d never seen half the shows I talked about and she just kept wanting to go out. It got wearing.”
    “27 year olds will do that,” Tash said.
    “Yeah well, I kept up for a bit, then…” Geri puffed out her cheeks, grinning. “Still, who knows what awaits in Devon? Maybe I’ll meet a hot surfer chick and move here. I’ve always quite fancied living in the country.”
    “I’m sure they have criminals here too,” Tash said. “You could be like the village bobby. Or the village Gimp.” She laughed heartily at her joke, as Laura joined in too.
    Geri ran her fingers through her hair and rolled her eyes silently in the back.
    “Ha ha, you two. You know, we’re going to have words about my nickname this weekend.”
    Tash turned again, wide-eyed. “You want it changed to something like Gimpy The Great?”
    “Or just plain Geri would be fine.”
    “You’d miss it when it was gone.” Laura pulled up at a junction. The red