18. You're My Best Friend

"PRIYA!"

"TEEN! LETTIE!"

Lettie and Tina sprinted up the drive, Priya sprinting from the opposite direction, and the three friends jumped into each other's arms in a big three-way hug.

"Oh, I missed you so much!"

"We missed you so much!"

"How are you?!"

"Good, and you?! You seem rather chipper for someone who spent all of yesterday traveling across continents!" Tina remarked.

"Yes, I'm rather exhausted," Priya chuckled. "Travel will do that to you. But not tired enough to catch up with my two best mates, obviously. I've had my family time - a lot of family time - and now it's girls' time! Overall though, I'm good. You both?"

"Wonderful, especially now you're back," Tina said, grinning and putting her arm around her friend.

"Hello girls," Priya's mum called from the front door of their house.

"Hello Mrs. Patel! Welcome home!"

"Thank you, have a nice time!"

"Thanks!"

With that, the friends were off.

"Mum's already homesick," Priya told them. They had brought a picnic to Hyde Park and sat on blankets on the grass, the perfect place for a long chat and catch-up with friends. "I heard her talking with her sisters before we left, and it sounds like, well, like she'd like to move back." Both of her friends gasped. "She's never really felt at home here, while I was born and raised here. But I'll be going off to university soon, so even if she moves back, maybe I could stay..."

"You think your Mum would be okay with you staying?"

"Maybe, I don't know... I hope so."

"Where would you go?"

"I was looking at a writing program in Glasgow."

"That would be amazing for you!"

Priya grinned. "Yeah, it sounds brilliant. I'll just have to convince Mum." She shrugged. "But tell me about yourselves! I've been so missing the gossip! Let, did any spots open up at Biba?"

Lettie sighed, ready to launch into the story. "Yes, one did. I got an interview but I didn't get the job." She gave a small smile.

"Aww, that's rubbish, I'm so sorry." Priya gave her hand a squeeze.

"Yeah, thanks, I was pretty upset. But I did get a part time position at the fashion stall run by Mary's boyfriend and his mate."

"Oh wonderful! That sounds great for you!"

"Yeah, so far so good!"

"Love it." Priya turned to Tina. "Teen, what about you?"

Tina took a drag of her cigarette. "Still cutting hair in the same old shop - but been browsing for leasing opportunities for my own salon."

"Oooo!"

"Yes, so if you hear of any openings, let me know."

"And," Priya prompted. "What about your new boyfriend?"

"Oh she's been dying to talk your ear off about him," Lettie laughed.

Tina swatted at her before turning back to Priya. "Tim is lovely, we're very happy."

"Good, I'm so glad. You deserve the best, Teen." Priya was well aware of Tina's not-so-nice past relationships.

"Thank you, Darling." Tina smirked. "But I'm not the only one with a boy story." She nudged Lettie.

Priya gasped. "Lettie!"

Lettie rolled her eyes. "I don't."

"Oh that's a load of bollocks and you know it!" Tina swatted at her again.

"Not really."

"You and Brian have been on like ten dates!"

"Three, Teen. Three dates."

"Who's Brian?" Priya raised her eyebrows.

"Tim's mate. He's smart, a talented musician, and absolutely adorable. And he's mad for our Lettie. And she's mad for him!" Tina filled her in.

"Obviously," Priya agreed, chuckling at Lettie's rapidly-blushing cheeks.

"He's a dear." Lettie grinned behind her glass.

"Yes he is," Tina agreed. "Speaking of which, they have another gig tomorrow night. I'm sure Brian mentioned it to you, Lettie."

"Yes, he did."

"Well we should all go, I've been wanting you to come along too, Priya, now you're finally back! If you're not too exhausted from your travel, of course."

"I'd love to go, thank you. Then I can meet your boys." She winked. "What sort of music do they play?"

"Good old rock and roll!"

"Sounds brilliant."

"Wonderful!"

"Now, I think is the perfect time..." Priya reached into her bag. "For gifts! I got you each a little something!" She held up two pairs of dangle earrings. "I got them at a market in Delhi I went to with my cousins."

"Oh, Darling, you're so sweet!"

"Thank you!"

"I have a pair also, see." Priya brushed aside her hair to show off her own pair of earrings.

"Oh, they're lovely!"

"I'm glad you like them."

"We love them!"

Priya smiled and sighed contentedly. "I'm so glad to be home."

"We're so glad you're back too."

Smile was playing at the same pub from the first night. The ladies - all wearing their new dangle earrings from India - ordered some drinks and claimed the corner booth.

"Hello ladies." Before they could sit down, Roger came up behind them, putting an arm around both Tina and Lettie. "So glad to see you this evening. Ready for the show?" Then his eyes fell on Priya. "I don't know you."

"No, you don't."

"Roger, this is our friend Priya," Tina introduced.

"Ah, hello Priya. Why haven't we had the pleasure of meeting before?"

"I was in India visiting family with my mum for the last couple of months," Priya explained.

"Ah, well that explains it. Well I'd love to hear about your travels."

"I bet you would," she said, knowing that he was flirting.

"I'd better go, unfortunately - we'll have to chat later." He winked at Priya. "See you all after the show."

"Bye Roger." And the blond left them.

"He's my other co-worker at the stall in Kensington Market. Be careful with him, he's a notorious flirt," Lettie cautioned.

"Oh, don't worry, I will be."

"Ah, hello ladies!" Freddie appeared, holding Mary's hand, Tim and Brian in tow.

"Shouldn't you be backstage?" Tina asked them. "Roger already headed back there."

"Yeah, we should be, but we had to say hello to you ladies first." Tim pecked her lips. Brian gave Lettie a hug.

"Allow us to introduce our guest of honour: Miss Priya Patel." Lettie gestured across the table towards Priya who waved.

"Your friend who was in India? Lovely to finally meet you," said Tim, shaking her hands.

"And the rock star boyfriends, you as well." Priya shook their hands.

"And I am Freddie, you've probably heard of me." Freddie winked, holding out his hand for Priya to shake as well. "Lovely to meet you, Darling! You know Mary?"

"Yes, we've met before. Nice to see you again." Mary smiled at Priya, sliding into the booth across from her beside Lettie.

"You as well."

"See you all after the show!" Freddie kissed Mary and disappeared backstage with the band, leaving the ladies at the table.

"Lettie, I noticed that you and Brian only hugged," Tina said.

Lettie rolled her eyes. "Of course you did."

"But why?" She sounded confused.

"Maybe not everyone is as public with affection as you are," Priya told Tina.

Lettie was thankful for Priya's intervention. And, thankfully, the band took to the stage then, halting the conversation - at least for now.

So sorry for the delay in updates - I have a lot of stories on the go at once as usual!

Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed! :)