Although she knew she should have felt elated – she’d got the fussiest couple in the history of house-hunting the perfect home; a match made in heaven even – and yet she’d still felt as if her heart had been torn from her. The feeling persisted as she had breakfast and cleared up. She was just about to get on the internet when her phone went. She picked it up. It was Tina. ‘Bells? Sooo sorry to bother you on a Sunday. Are you busy?’ Bella had been going to spend the day on her computer, but Tina sounded in a flap. This was so unlike her. It shocked Bella out of her gloom. She said, ‘Well, not particularly. What’s up?’ ‘My daughter. She’s having a party for the little one and she’s got no one to help her. Her husband’s away and I can’t stay long because I promised Mum I’d take her out. I’ve cancelled the last two times so –’ Bella used Tina’s need for breath as an opportunity to get a word in. This could be just what she needed. ‘I’m happy to help, but what do I know about children’s parties?’ ‘They’re not a specialist skill!
