The Long Weekend by Clare Lydon

door closed with a satisfying thud and the gravel churned underfoot as the trio headed towards Kat’s green Beetle.
    Geri was looking forward to the day she could justify having a car – maybe when she met the right woman and moved to the suburbs with two cats. She planned to blow a large chunk of her monthly budget on one just like this. She and Kat had taken many day trips in it when they were both single, windows down, music blaring.
    “I love this car, have I mentioned that before?” Geri clambered into the back, banging her head as she did.
    “Once or twice,” Kat said. She clicked the seat back into place, got in and started the engine. “Is it left at the end?”
    “Yep – then just keep going. I found a pub that looks good for lunch, by the way.” Geri leant forward between their two front seats as Kat steered the car out of the drive. It was where Geri seemed to spend most of her life these days, the single friend in the back seat.
    “Good work.” Kat looked left and right as they came to a junction.
    Abby already had both her and Kat’s phones in her lap expectantly and kept glancing downwards to see if the reception had got any better.
    Geri couldn’t quite detect the mood of her host couple this lunchtime but they seemed civil enough for now. She hoped it stayed that way.
    As Kat steered the car down the narrow country lanes, Geri marvelled again that this was England – an England she never saw usually, only ever on TV. But once you escaped the M25 she knew that most of the country was exactly like this – green and pleasant. Fields spilled out before her on either side, hedges and fences guiding their path with grazing animals dotted throughout as if staged.
    Just as Geri was beginning to entertain thoughts about moving to the country and starting a fudge business with a herd of dairy cows and a sexy milkmaid, Kat swerved to avoid a dead animal, swearing loudly.
    “Was that a badger?” Abby asked, her voice rising. She twisted in her seat to get a better look, as did Geri.
    “Think so,” Geri said over her shoulder. “There were a few on the drive here, too.” Geri dropped back into her seat and swallowed – her saliva tasted of fudge. She might have to buy some later.
    “And there was me thinking the country was a safe place for animals.” Abby patted the top of her hair, checking it was still there.
    “Fewer cars than the city, put it that way,” Geri replied.
    “I guess,” Abby mumbled, not really registering the reply. She held up her phone and Geri saw Kat glancing over at her.
    “Anything yet?” Kat asked.
    Abby nodded briskly. “I think I’m getting that file I needed yesterday – finally . I might have to call Nick when we stop – so long as we still have a signal. Honestly, how do people survive here?”
    Geri had a few answers, but thought it best to keep them to herself.
    The trio pulled into the picturesque village five minutes later and Abby was thrilled to have reception – it was the happiest Geri had seen her since they’d arrived. The sun was still shining so Kat and Geri agreed to leave Abby in the car and text her where to meet them for lunch.
    Abby looked like someone had just granted her favourite wish.
    ***
    The village was probably considered more of a town in these parts, but was definitely more village to these two Londoners as they strolled up the High Street. There were a sprinkling of what Geri would class as ‘hippy shops’ selling joss sticks, candles and precious stones, along with moon charts and over-priced jewellery. A book shop, a butcher, a bakery, a few more gift stores and three Chinese takeaways were also visible on a first glance up the main road.
    What’s more, the foodie and home decor revolution hadn’t missed this part of Devon. Right in front of them was a kitchen store with a window display of cool breadbins – since when did breadbins get funky? Next to that was a bathroom store showcasing a selection of wet rooms that nobody