April 29, 2011

disgusted. She turned on her heel and left the supermarket. Why were people so cruel? Just because Katherine wasn’t the nicest, didn’t mean everyone else had to behave the same, now did it?

To Martha’s astonishment, when she got home, Katherine was standing at her front door with a huge bouquet.

“Katherine!” she said in total shock. “What are you doing here? Are you OK? Is your husband OK? And your kids?”

“They’re all fine,” Katherine said, in a weak, shaky voice. “They’re at my mum’s. It’s you I wanted to see.”

“Why? What’s the matter?”

“You were so kind yesterday, you and Len. Without you both, I don’t know what I’d have done.”

“I only did what any neighbour would do,” Martha said, brushing it aside.

“But I was awful to you!” Katherine said. “When I think back – to be honest, I don’t know how you spoke to me at all. Never mind helped so much yesterday.”

“Are you OK?” Martha asked, noticing how pale and shaken Katherine was.

“It’s been a shock,” she replied. “And that’s why I’m here. To give you these flowers and say sorry. You know why I was so down on you? I think I was jealous. You’ve got Len, you’re such a great couple and your kids are so well-mannered! Whereas my fella hasn’t got out of bed in months, everything I do at home is wrong, and it was his drinking and smoking in bed yesterday that caused it all…”

Martha reached out and gave her a big, comforting hug.

“You have me, now,” she said. “And no matter what the problems you’re facing, I know that everything is better with a good neighbour to chat to and a nice cup of tea. So let’s put the past behind us and…”

“And hope the next royal wedding

And now, a full thirty years on, Princess Di’s tall, handsome son was getting married to the love of his life, Kate Middleton.

Thirty years. Had it really been thirty years, Martha wondered, since she and Len first moved into the Crescent? They were like part of the furniture now.

Len had retired of course, but by then he was a wealthy man having built up his window cleaning business to a highly lucrative operation, now headed up by their son Freddie. Not only that, but Martha and Len’s daughter had recently qualified as a doctor, working hard for the NHS. Martha thought she’d burst with pride at what fine people her kids had grown into.

But today was a day to celebrate love. Prince William and Kate were such a sweet couple and, as was now a bit of a tradition, Martha was hosting a little royal wedding drinks party, to watch the service on TV.

There was a ring at the door and Len went to answer it. Next thing, in beamed Katherine, glamorous as ever, with Emma beside her, both laden with bottles of champagne and a hamper from Fortnum’s.

“Hey, what’s all this then?” Len asked, slipping an arm around his wife. “I know this royal wedding shindig is women only, but I might have to invite myself!”

“You shouldn’t have gone to so much expense,” Martha said, mortified.

“Nonsense,” said Katherine, briskly, opening up a big bottle of Bollinger. “This is a celebration. Come on, grab a glass.” “To the happy couple,” Martha smiled. “No, actually,” Katherine twinkled. “Here’s to another royal wedding, a long time ago, when for the first time in my life, I learned what it was to have a true friend.”

Len, Martha, Katherine and Emma all clinked glasses.

“Here’s to true friends.”

The Women of Primrose Square delves into various life stories as Francesca embarks on a new journey through life. Heart-rending and humorous in equal measure, this story will stay with you long after you read the final chapter. Out now, £6.55 PB, Zaffre.

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