“I’m about to fall asleep right here.” Andrea gave a big yawn and stretched her long arms out, nearly knocking Ella off the edge of the couch.
“I’m still putting photos in The Album. Will probably be busy all night but you ladies can go home. Thanks so much.”
Carol was already asleep. Pauline sipped a glass of wine in the corner, eyes half-shut.
Ella peered at her antique pendulum clock and sighed. It faithfully swung from side to side, never giving up. Her vision blurred but she forced her focus back on The Album. Suppose, at one-thirty in the morning, no one was at their best.
The Album in her lap seemed pretty slick, though. Every picture produced a result, even some only a couple of pages. Other photos filled up the whole album.
They never showed death of any of the couples, but you could only assume as the photos revealed an elderly couple and then one of them on their own at the end.
“What happened with Bernice, your first client? Did you phone her yet?”
“No, I still haven’t come up with how to tell her neither of the guys are right for her. And I said I’d be in touch on Monday.”
“Just tell her,” Andrea said.
“It’s not that easy. I have to…hey, I could try Edward or Sheldon—the two male customers who came in. Neither of them had a woman to work with. I was a bit stuck with them—told them to put their details on file until I got in more match options. They understood I’m new—that the business has just started.”
“Sure booming for the first day,” Pauline said with a wink, swirling her wine around her glass as if everything had turned right way up in the world.
Ella wanted to believe it but she had niggling doubts. Ross’s questions he hadn’t voiced went through her mind.
“When did Ross go?” Ella spoke her thoughts.
Pauline shrugged. “Didn’t even know he was here.”
Andrea sat up. “He made a duck for it very fast when he saw how many people you had in your living room.”
“The poor guy.” Pauline sighed. “He is kind of quiet and nerdy. Well, he was at school.”
Ella pursed her lips together. “He doesn’t approve.”
“Of?” Andrea sat up.
“The Album, of course. What else? Well, I suppose the whole business idea.”
“Of course he wouldn’t. His whole life is based on logic and statistics, being a financial analyst at an insurance brokerage.” Pauline nodded.
“Being a financial person didn’t stop Carol from believing in the magic. Even before she’d seen it. Ross saw it as I told you.”
“Yeah, lucky him. He saw the first one.” Carol yawned.
How long had her friend been awake?
“It was nothing special. Well, it didn’t produce the best result for Bernice. Was special for me, though.”
“Maybe seeing The Album spooked him,” Andrea said. “I mean, he didn’t have a build up to it like we did.”
Ella laughed. “Yeah, he did get really agro after that. In fact, he has been acting out of sorts lately. I think he’s under a lot of stress with the house he bought.”
“Do you think he’ll come back to help?” Pauline asked. “Didn’t you say Bernice was impressed you weren’t single?”
“Yip, she was. I don’t know. I should call him, but I don’t feel like listening to his criticisms and strong opinions. I need to sort through my doubts myself.”
“Doubts?” Carol sat up. “What doubts?”
“Aw, it’s nothing.” She dismissed their pointed gazes with a wave.
“What’s up?” Andrea’s expression softened. “Are you thinking you did the wrong thing?”
“No, not at all. I’m having an absolute ball. But I sometimes have these niggles—what if The Album isn’t a hundred percent reliable? What if we’re leading people…?”
“But the books.” Carol’s sleepy expression changed with the lift of her chin and brightened green eyes. “They relayed how people’s lives have been changed.”
“Did you read them?” Pauline asked Carol.
“Every single one.”
“Well, I’ve read through one of them,” Ella said. “There just wasn’t much time with setting up the business in like a month. Even with all your amazing help!”
“Don’t doubt it, El,” Andrea said. “This is your calling.”
“I know.” She smiled wide. “I’ve got a new lease on life. Just wish my guy friend could give me some support on this.”
“Do you want me to call him?” Andrea said.
Ella narrowed her eyes at her friend. “Don’t you dare interfere. What diffs does it make to my life? I have you girls. That’s all that matters.”
Through droopy eyelids, their faces brightened.
“But get on out of here. We need sleep! Or do you want to park here for the night? I have enough sheets and blankets—we’ll all sleep on the floor like we used to as kids.”
They rolled their eyes at her and got up to stretch.
That didn’t go down well.
“Oh, heck, why not?” Carol slumped back down on the couch.
“As long as you make us breakfast.” Pauline raised her cheeks in an attempt at a cheeky smile. “Unless you want me to make my gourmet omelette special.”
“I’ll make breakfast. You’ve all done enough.”
The thought made her want to crawl under her duvet and sleep for days. But she felt good. And grateful. They’d done so much for her. They’d helped her get the whole ball rolling. The ladies were her best friends.
While she set up their makeshift beds, the tired, sick-of-a-long-day part of her felt a little blue. How would she manage without Ross’s support in this? He’d always been there for her when she nearly left her job a few years back due to relationship problems with a colleague. Now, what if she hit a snag in the road? She’d be all on her own.
Too bad. He could be a stubborn mule. Forget him. Revel in the moment.