What's a Couple Of Bombshells Between Friends?

'I'm finished with Deek ... for good! I've handed in my notice at Compass Travel and I've discussed it with my mum and she's brilliant. She's going to support me and Marie until I find another job.'

Inge says this as we both take our place in our usual corner of Bar Rio, except its not called Bar Rio anymore. Since I've been on holiday they changed Bar Rio and gave it a make over and it's now called Mexicana. I sigh deeply as I slip my handbag to the floor beneath the Adobe hard-wood table. I have this incredible feeling that life's never going to be the same.

'Wow, Inge. I'm sorry to hear that. Gosh a lot's been going on since I left for America.'

'Ye.' Inge smirks cheekily. "It's great to have you back Shaz, bestest pal. Me and JLo missed ya!'

'Ye I bet,' I frown suspiciously at the mention of JLo.

I nod at Inge sheepishly. 'I know. I know. I didn't approve of Deek, ok, but sweetie only 'cos Deek's married ... with five kids ... all steps and stairs' I mutter under my breath. ' You Inge are a gorgeous gal, and you babe I've always believed deserve better ... Someone without dramas.'

Micky comes and takes our order for coffees. And it all seems quite surreal as the whole concept of the pub has changed, yet here is the proprietor and all the usual staff as large as life ... BBC Radio One, over the bar kicks out Kickstarts by Example ... business as usual. Hmm. Life's funny.

I feel quite sad for Inge, as I watch her rummage in her bag for a tissue - Oh no I hope she's not going to cry - It's an end of an era. Over the years I watched Inge try her very best to make it work with Deek. I even helped her by dating Noris. But how can a relationship with a married man work?

'Enough of me Shaz!' Inge suddenly starts up. 'Today is about you and your holiday in USA with Mr Mo Rocco, the sexy Italian!'

'Half Italian.'

'Oh ye,' nodding profusely.

'And half American Indian!' we say in unison. 'Aka, Talks With Goats.' We both fall about giggling.

'So Mrs Talks With Goats, how's the romance going?'

'It's over.'

Inge falls onto the floor. 'Whaassat! Nooo way?'

'Ye,' I say limply.

'You dumped, The Sexy Italian Millionaire from Missouri? says Inge scrambling back onto the bench and rubbing down her scuffed knees.

'It's not him Inge, it's me.'

Inge gives me a wink and we smile ... sadly, yet knowingly.

'Ya can take the girl outta Dundee but ya can't take Dundee outta the girl!'

We sit nodding in agreement for a bit.

'I'm pregnant.'

Shocked silence.

I stare at Inge eyeball to eyeball.

'Me too,' she says.

Much blinking. Long silence ... except here Micky turns up the volume for Kickstarts,

... start to think that it could be fizzling out
Kinda shocked because I never really had any doubts ...

and more shocked staring. Inge sprouts a tear in her left eye which makes her mascara run.

'Inge don't cry. Deek has to leave his wife for you now!'

'Deek who?' says Inge blubbering, 'I'm crying for you, you great loaf. You're gonna be a mama and at your age too. I'm so happy for you Shaz. And we are doing it together as friends, how cool is that?'

Inge actually brightens up.

Mama? Me! Gulp! Flipping men.



PLEASE NOTE: This is the last Inge and Shaz post of this current series (Series One). I am now going to focus on finishing my novel. I am excited about that. I have lots of new material.

There were 33 Inge and Shaz posts in all. I hope you enjoyed them.