'You're going out for sushi?'

Dimity stared at her flatmate in disbelief. She'd been living with her for four years and not once had she seen her go out on a date. Sometimes she thought she had but it turned out to be a book club meeting. She suspected that Hecate engaged in a spot of phone sex or did that webcam thing once in a while. No judging. Whatever got you off in a harmless manner was alright with Dimity. But on a real date? She was sure Hecate hadn't one of those for a long time.

Hecate was wearing a sumptuous leopard print fur collar with her coat, hair swishing gently down her back. Dimity thought she looked fantastic with her hair down. 'It's not real' she snapped acidly as Dimity eyed her from the door.

'Of course. I just can't believe you're going on a date with that model's sister.'

'I prefer to think of Ada someone with a sister that has nothing to do with her and won't be part of the conversation' Hecate sniped back.

'Alright then. Enjoy yourself. No wonder you don't want me to do your hair anymore if you've got the hots for the hairdresser.'

Hecate had decided to keep going back for a luxurious hair wash and blow-dry again. She wasn't sure how obvious she was being but having the sling was a great excuse to keep seeing her. She liked her company. It had been a long time since she had enjoyed someone's company. When Dimity had moved in, they had circled around each other warily for a while. Hecate warned her new housemate that she did not talk in the mornings and would not tolerate being woken up with cheerfulness and the radio. Morgana warmed to her quicker, by way of being bribed with treats and TV. While Hecate didn't approve, she wouldn't stop her stand-offish cat from making friends, she had so few of them.

'Goodbye.'

'Don't do anything I wouldn't do!' Dimity called out.

'That wouldn't leave much' she heard Hecate mutter as she stalked out.

Dimity sniggered and turned to Morgana, lying upside down in her basket.

'Just you and me in front of the box then. Looks like Poirot is on. I love a good murder mystery.'

Morgana chirped happily. Unlike her human, TV was her vice. Dimity had a lap to cuddle on and was liberal with the scraps and happily allowed herself to be taken advantage of.

Hecate arrived right on time and hovered uncertainly around the door. It was the second week out of the sling and she was feeling decidedly delicate but she was determined to go on this date. The first time they'd met outside of the salon hadn't counted, she told herself. It had just been a cup of cardboard coffee from the pretty eggshell blue coffee truck in the market square but it had warmed Hecate right up, along with Ada's company. She thought that was what it had been, anyway.

They'd bumped into each other browsing around the market and Hecate found her heart lift at the sight of a bundled-up Ada in a lilac and pistachio green coat and scarf set, face glowing prettily pink in the chilly air. Ada had lifted her head and sniffed the air delightedly, so like Morgana and exclaimed that spring was right around the corner. Hecate was instantly charmed. Ada had glanced over and noticed the affectionate look on the other woman's face. That was something that Ada had not inspired from someone in a very long time. In case she'd misinterpreted it, Ada skated over it and cheerfully motioned to the nearest stall, stacked with several different types of olives.

'I'm addicted. I get though a box a week' she confessed, scouring for a type she hadn't tried yet. The woman at the stall, a Mrs Tapioca, obviously knew her well and gave out samples freely. Hecate looked at the rows of varying shades of olives and thought that maybe she'd like to try something new. She was naturally attracted to the inky black ones but went for a mix of green and black on Mrs Tapioca's assurance.

She nibbled her way through the box for a week and decided that Ada might have a point. Olives could become addictive.