Finger Food Read Free

louder than the humming.
    â€˜You all right, dear?’ asked Carmel. ‘Went down the wrong way?’
    â€˜No. Look. Look.’
    Bella was beside herself. She pointed at the page.
    Carmel squinted at it. ‘I see what you mean. That cake looks a bit squashed and undersized – especially for a party.’
    â€˜That’s Yvonne. The woman who … let me go.’
    â€˜She looks smart.’
    â€˜Anyone can look smart in black.’
    â€˜Not everyone. Mrs Green, do you think this lady’s smart?’ Carmel was put out that Bella didn’t agree and wanted back-up.
    Mrs Green looked pleased to be involved and shuffled over. She appeared to recognise the subject matter.
    â€˜It’s that TV channel, isn’t it. Can’t stand it,’ she said very definitely.
    Bella warmed to her. ‘I used to work there. Yvonne’s the bossy old cow in black,’ she said with feeling. This was lost on Carmel who said mildly, ‘Looks well on her, though. Look at that necklace! Bigger than the cake!’
    â€˜So she should look well. Yvonne’s nicked all my programme ideas and made a fortune. Finger Food was my last one. That’s my idea of a low-brow …’ Bella then read out her own stolen words from the paper, outraged.
    â€˜She’s even nicked my description of the title for the pilot.’
    â€˜Which pilot?’ asked Carmel.
    â€˜Why would a pilot want a title as well? Don’t they get paid enough?’ Mrs Green added.
    â€˜A pilot is a try-out television programme,’ explained Bella. ‘The one they’re doing …’ she looked at the paper again. ‘God, it’s today. Today! They’re doing my programme idea today!’
    â€˜Yes, we got that.’ Mrs Green turned back to Bella. ‘Well, it won’t be any good, dear. Those presenters should be shot. I saw one silly girl trying to bone a trout and put her lip gloss on at the same time. Making a right hash of both.’
    â€˜That was my chance,’ said Bella. ‘ Finger Food was my chance to try out as a presenter. I’m sure they would have given me the job if they’d seen me.’ She slumped at the table.
    â€˜Have another little looky at the dress again,’ said Carmel kindly. ‘Wonder who bought that beige number? Wouldn’t it be funny if it was your own mum who bought it and it really was a “nan of the bride’s dress”, like you said? You got any sisters?’
    â€˜No. I’m an only child. Her one great hope,’ replied Bella.
    â€˜Oh. No pressure then.’
    â€˜But …’ Bella felt like talking now. The strain had got to her. ‘My mother had the chance to be a … a  …’ she couldn’t quite say the word.
    â€˜A nan?’ offered Carmel, who had seen all types pass through her tea shop and had a very good sense of when they needed to talk and when they didn’t.
    â€˜Yes, she could have been a “nan”. But being sixteen … it wasn’t done. Well she said it wasn’t done so I had to …’
    â€˜You had to do what, love?’ Carmel asked more intently.
    â€˜Give her away,’ said Bella quietly, looking at her empty saucer. She turned to look at Carmel, her eyes suddenly blazing.
    â€˜And I can’t forgive her. I just can’t.’
    â€˜What about the father?’
    â€˜Ian was … perfect, but my mother, she was … so sure at the time and I was so …’ Bella trailed off.
    â€˜So young,’ Carmel finished for her. ‘No use looking back, though, Bella. Like I said, you never know what’s around the corner.’
    Bella had an urgent need to blow her nose.
    â€˜You’re right,’ she said, but didn’t sound convinced.
    Being out of work was dangerous. At least when she was on the studio floor Bella could block out her sadness with food. Now she had too much time to think