Deasil Street6.4

James was passing by the window when he noticed something moving behind the row of dying plants in the front yard. Thinking it was a dog, he continued watching for an owner but was startled when a human stood up and made a run for it.

He rushed out of the house and down the road after the figure, but they were too fast for him.

He stopped to catch his breath, watching them go out of sight. He felt quite proud of himself really, for seeing off a burglar while they were in such poor financial shape.

One night, Bernice didn’t find a man but met an amazing woman who she couldn’t stop talking to.

She invited her back for coffee, but found herself unsure and a little uncomfortable. Bernice was sure the woman was flirting with her. In theory she didn’t mind, but it was a new experience for her, and she wasn’t sure what to do.

Flustered, she decided to be bold and see if her hunch was correct.

Gracie did like her, and kissed her back. But she explained to Bernice one night stands weren’t really her thing, and though she thought earlier she could go through with it she’d rather just hang out until daybreak.

Bernice wasn’t sure if she was relieved or disappointed.

After talking for hours, the two of them did manage to get a bit of sleep.

After Gracie had left Bernice went straight over to see her best friend Teresa. She was totally out of her depth, and needed someone to tell her what she was thinking.

Teresa points out she hasn’t experimented much, living such a boring, insular life while she’d been caring 24/7 for her parents. She should relax and just see where this was headed.

Teresa could still feel that old pie churning about inside her. Maybe she had kept those leftovers a bit longer than she ought… but money was so tight!

Teresa was glad she could help someone else, she had no idea how to help herself. She and Warren were being careful with money by cutting down on their food budget… which meant eating leftovers they ought to have thrown away

Megan had sensibly stuck to some ice-cream she’d found at the back of the freezer. While Teresa recovered on the sofa, she quietly let her mum know she knew about finances, and gave her some of her ideas for some quick money-making schemes.

When she and her dad hung out at the library, it wasn’t stories she was reading. It was tomes on personal finances and editorials on the financial market, spending habits and current trends.

Though their organic veg and wine had been bang on trend, the disease that killed the plants meant they ought to move on quickly.

Entertainment was what was big now. With her know-how and the rise of social media they could make James a star. Use his musical talents.

Though ignoring her at the time, the next day James’ playing draws Teresa into his room to watch. She starts to wonder. Perhaps Megan was on to something.