Jenny felt immensely satisfied. Her intervention really did seem to have helped.
‘With so many youngsters like James,’ Sarah added, ‘it’s a struggle to do anything with them. They’re not interested in anything, a lot of them. James is different, it seems. I can see that now. And I’m glad.’
She put down the mug and glanced at the clock. ‘Oh, dear! I must fly.’
‘I’m so happy it’s working out,’ Jenny said shyly.
‘You’re a very kind, and wise woman,’ Sarah said. ‘Thank you so much for what you’ve done. And, between you and I, I’m not really such an ogre, you know. It’s just a difficult job at times.’
Jenny nodded. ‘I can see that.’
Sarah took a last glance around and added, ‘I do hope your shop does well. You deserve it.’
Jenny smiled with pleasure. ‘Thank you,’ she said.
Chapter Twenty-One
Kat was wonderful. So understanding. So empathetic. No need to go into detail. Straight to the point.
‘You’re having second thoughts?’ she suggested.
‘Well...’ Jenny hesitated. ‘Not exactly. But...’
‘Why don’t you come and stay with us for a few days, Jen? Give yourself a rest, and time to think things over.’
Suddenly it seemed a good idea.
‘I could do with a break,’ she admitted. ‘Things have been getting on top of me a bit. But the shop...’
‘Put a notice on the door,’ Kat said firmly. ‘“Closed for one week”. That will do it.’
She supposed it would. The occasional customer, if serious, would come back. Besides, she had seen other businesses in the area doing the same thing. People had to have holidays. It was the law. And the slack time of year was the sensible time to do it.
‘Ted won’t mind?’
‘Ted? Of course not! Ted will adore having two women to entertain him.’
Jenny smiled. Kat was probably right.
‘I would certainly like to, Kat. I don’t know when, though.’
‘Next week,’ Kat said firmly. ‘Yes?’
‘Yes, all right,’ Jenny said reluctantly, laughing. ‘Next week – somehow!’
***
Kat and Ted lived in quite a smart little new-ish estate. They had only been there a year or two, but it seemed to suit them fine.
‘We’ll not be here forever, of course,’ Kat said, as she pulled into the drive, ‘but it’s convenient for now.’
‘And ideally?’ Jenny said. ‘Eventually?’
‘Oh, a cottage with roses round the door. A paddock for the ponies. A three-car garage for the Bentley, the Maserati and the Range Rover.’
‘So you’ll be here for a little while longer?’
Kat grinned and opened her door. Jenny followed, admiring the pocket-handkerchief sized lawn, complete with thistles and dandelions.
‘I must tell the gardener about that,’ Kat said, seeing Jenny’s interest. ‘When I see him next. He doesn’t like weeding.’
‘That’s Ted, is it?’
‘It’s certainly not me!’
They were busy people, Kat and Ted. Both worked somewhere in the city, though not in the kind of jobs that were ever likely to provide funds for a cottage with roses round the door, or the rest of it.
‘Jenny!’ Ted cried, as they entered the hall. ‘You’ve returned to us.’
‘Not for long, though,’ Kat said firmly.
‘Hello, Ted!’ Jenny said with a smile. ‘How are you?’
‘The same, I think. Just the same. Come and tell me about the frozen North. Should we follow your example? Have you changed your mind? Or what?’
Laughing, Jenny allowed herself to settle into the old atmosphere. They were good friends, Kat and Ted, and good hosts. It was lovely to see them again. Sadly, this was a week when Lucy and her family were away somewhere. But there would be other times to see them. Meanwhile, here she was – here!
That first evening Ted was eager to hear about “the business”, as he called it. Or “the shop”, as Jenny and Kat preferred. Jenny explained the situation, and her current problems.
‘So basically,’ Ted suggested, ‘you’ve probably started up at the wrong time of year? In a place like that – however lovely it is in the summertime – you’re not going to get many customers in the winter months, are you?’
‘I suppose not,’ Jenny agreed reluctantly. ‘I had hoped, though. And I did well in the period leading up to Christmas.’
‘Of course you did! So did M & S, and Tesco. But after Christmas, retailers do tend to suffer. Everyone’s spent up by then.’
Put like that, it was so obviously true.
‘You could close down for the winter months?’ Kat suggested. ‘Do something else – get a job even. Or go abroad.’
‘Oh, I don’t want to do that.’
‘Or,’ Ted said thoughtfully, ‘you could stay right there, right where you are, and see if you can earn yourself some extra income doing something else.’
‘Doing what, though?’
‘I’ll let you know!’ Ted said, laughing.
‘Coffee anyone?’ Kat said. ‘Then you can tell Ted all about Cragley, and me about that lovely man who’s so devoted to you. Will, isn’t it? Has he proposed yet?’
Jenny had been set to talk about Tom and the twins, and how they had all being helping each other. Instead, she told them about Will. That was what Kat wanted to hear, after all. In doing so, she managed not to say she had been fearing a proposal for some time – and didn’t know what she would do about it, if and when it came.
***
Kat returned to the dreaded subject when Ted left them alone together.
‘So tell me about Will,’ she insisted.
Jenny laughed awkwardly. ‘There’s not much more to tell. You’ve met him. He hasn’t changed.’
‘Yes, but are you getting together with him? That’s what I mean.’
‘Oh, I know what you mean, Kat. The truth is ... Well, no. Nothing’s changed in that respect. We’re good friends, and he’s a lovely man.’
‘But?’
‘Oh, Kat! It’s too soon for anything else. We’re not romantically involved, or anything. At least, I’m not. But we might be, in time, I suppose. You know how these things work. You know better than me – all the experience you’ve had!’
‘I have no idea what you mean,’ Kat said, chuckling and fluttering her eyelids. ‘No idea at all.’
‘No, of course you don’t. Now can we please change the subject?’
‘Certainly. It still seems a pity, though,’ Kat added wistfully. ‘I was looking forward to looking for a new hat.’
On one level Jenny was irritated with Kat. She had no right to be poking around so persistently into such private matters. On the other hand … Well, what were friends for? What else could she have expected, especially of Kat?
‘Let’s go into town,’ Kat suggested. ‘Would you like to do that? Do some shopping?’
‘Oh, yes please! I thought you’d never ask.’
Chapter Twenty-Two
She knew now what she must do. She had dillied and dallied for far too long. Lost her way and...
She smiled ruefully. It had taken the break with Kat and Ted for her to see where her future lay. They hadn’t pressed. Not seriously. But somehow being with them, in her old haunts, being out of Cragley, had allowed her to see things more clearly. She had needed the space and time.
Kat had been disappointed that she was leaving.
‘I must go, Kat. Really I must.’
‘Of course you must.’ Kat sighed. ‘And I must go back to work, I suppose. Back to the dreary round.’
‘You don’t mean that.’
‘Don’t I? Perhaps not. But sometimes I do. Then I remember I need to pay for all the retail therapy I undertake.’
Jenny smiled. ‘Come and visit me again, Kat. Both of you, you and Ted. Or come again with Luce. I’d love to see you all again.’
‘I’d like to.
’
‘Any time. In the spring, maybe?’
‘Will there be lambs and daffodils, and things?’ Kat asked wistfully.
‘Lots of them, probably. There’s bound to be.’
‘I’m on my way!’
They hugged one another on the platform. Then Kat was gone. She couldn’t abide farewells, she said, or King’s Cross either.
Jenny smiled after her until she had disappeared into the crowd. Then she got aboard the train.
And now, as the train sped northwards, across the dreary flatlands of middle England, she felt joy and apprehension. She was so glad to be going home – and it was home now. She was happy to be returning to Northumberland, to Cragley, to her home, to her shop. And to the people she knew there. They were her life now.
The shop remained a problem, of course. Or, rather, the poor trade at the moment did. But it would pick up as spring approached. Ted had said it would, and he knew about these things. She knew it, too, of course. But it was good to have it confirmed. In the meantime, until it did pick up, there were things she could do. Ted had given her some ideas about that, too. And she had had some of her own. There was plenty for her to consider, and to try.
It wasn’t really the shop she was apprehensive about now. It was the other side of her life, the side that Kat was so interested in. The people side. She was going to talk to Will. It was time. Past time, probably. She couldn’t leave it up in the air any longer. She just couldn’t. It wasn’t fair to him, apart from anything else. Anyway, her mind was made up now. Dear Will! She sighed and smiled, as she anticipated seeing him again.
Tom, too, she thought reluctantly. And the twins. She hoped James had stuck firmly to his new role and direction. She really did hope so. He was a far better boy than at first she had feared. A good boy, really, even if it had taken her a while to realise it.
And Hannah. She couldn’t wait to see Hannah again, and hear about what she had been doing. She was lovely. She really was.
Then she allowed herself to think of Tom. She was looking forward to seeing him again, too. Of course she was. She liked watching him working in the workshop. She just liked being near him. If only...
Forget it, my girl! She admonished herself sharply. If things had been different, there would have been no James, no Hannah. Besides, how could they have been? As it was, Tom had his life and she had hers. Good lives, too. Both of them. Lives to be thankful for.
They had both known unhappiness, and survived. Now it was up to each of them to make the most of what they had, which was a lot. Plenty. She knew that. She could count her blessings as well as the next person. She wasn’t a silly schoolgirl any longer, if she ever had been. Mum would have been proud of her, and pleased for her. Dad, too, probably, though he had died so young she couldn’t really remember him. Just his smile, and his voice. He would have been pleased for her, too. They both would. She knew that. Well, she hoped they would.
***
Will met her at the station in Berwick. He looked so distinguished, she thought fondly as she approached him. Such a lovely smile, too. He looked so pleased to see her.
‘Will! It’s lovely to see you. Thank you so much for remembering to come for me.’
He laughed and gave her a hug. She brushed his cheek with her lips.
‘How are you?’ he demanded, stepping away to see how much she’d changed, gazing expectantly at her. ‘You decided to come back?’
‘Oh, Will! Of course I did. Cragley is home now, not Dartford.’
‘I’m so glad. The village hasn’t been the same without you.’
‘Of course it has, silly! But thank you so much for coming for me.’
He grabbed her bag. She let him have it, and linked her arm in his.
‘How was the journey?’ he added, as they set off for the car.
‘Wonderful! Do you know, it only took three hours. I can hardly believe it. The length of England in so little time.’
‘So your friends are not really so far away, are they?’
‘Not at all,’ she said, wondering if he’d been worried she wouldn’t return.
They reached the car. Will opened up, stored her bag and saw her inside.
‘For you,’ he said then, handing her a bouquet of flowers.
‘Oh, Will! Thank you so much. They’re lovely. But you shouldn’t. You spend far too much on flowers for me.’
He laughed and threw her a strange look.
She admired the bouquet and turned to lay it on the back seat. ‘ I’ve never thanked you for all the flowers,’ she said, as he started the engine. ‘It’s very sweet of you.’
He chuckled. ‘Well, if that’s a hint … There had to be a first time, I suppose.’ He glanced at her and added, ‘If I’d known they would make you so happy.’
It was her turn to laugh. What a tease!
‘Oh, I like them coming to the door so unexpectedly,’ she said airily. ‘It’s always so deliciously mysterious.’
‘I must remember that. Maybe you can do it by internet. You can do so much that way these days.’
‘I’m sure you can,’ she said, giving him a puzzled glance.
‘Next stop home!’ he said.
‘I can’t wait.’
‘I must leave you,’ Will said, as he dropped her off. ‘I’ve a client to see. A commission.’
‘That’s good.’
He grimaced. ‘There’s things I would rather be doing today.’
‘Priorities, Will. Priorities!’
‘I suppose so.’ He shrugged. Then he looked at her and added, ‘I don’t suppose...?’
‘Not now, Will. Can we talk later? I’m so tired. And I want to get inside.’
‘Sure.’
But he looked so disappointed that she paused. ‘Will?’
He looked at her and said, ‘Jenny, will you...’
‘No, Will.’ She couldn’t help herself now. ‘I’m ever so sorry, but it wouldn’t work.’
He nodded, cleared his throat and said, ‘Sure?’
‘I am, yes. It’s not what I want, and I wouldn’t be right for you anyway.’
It took a moment. But eventually he smiled and said, ‘You should let me be the judge of that.’
Then he turned and walked away.
She was sad for a few moments. But mostly she was relieved. Finally, she had been able to say what she had long dreaded saying, and she knew it was for the best for them both.
Chapter Twenty-Three
It was good to be home. The place still felt lived in, even though she had been away a week. Hannah had been putting the heating on each night, to make sure the house didn’t cool too much. Jenny hoped she would see her before the day ended. She had a gift for her, as well as thanks to deliver.
But she didn’t see anyone that first evening. She had thought Hannah or Tom might have popped round but concluded that they must be busy. She wasn’t too disappointed, though. She really was tired. The travelling and the visiting had worn her out, in a pleasant way. She made herself some scrambled eggs and a pot of tea. Afterwards she had a bath and rolled into bed early. It wasn’t long before sleep came.
The next morning she was up early, ready to make a determined start. Soon after eight she was in the shop, which was cool and still, waiting for her. She began by opening the mail that had accumulated. Nothing terribly interesting. But she was pleased to see a letter of apology from a small company that had supplied vases which she had not ordered, and not sent the candle holders which she had ordered. They were concerned. That was good. She would use them again.
Hannah made a brief appearance, en route to catch the school bus.
‘Nothing happened while you were away,’ she called from the doorway. ‘Everything’s all right. I just wanted to tell you.’
‘Hannah! Come on in.’ Jenny smiled and added, ‘It’s lovely to see you. How are you, dear?’
‘All right.’
‘And Dad and James?’
‘They’re all right.’
‘Come in, Hannah!’
‘Can’t. I have to go now.’
‘Oh, yes. You don’t want to be late. Will you come round when you get home?’
‘I might.’
Hannah turned and stared at the bouquet of flowers Will had given her the day before. ‘Where did you get them?’
Jenny smiled. ‘Like the delivery man usually says, they’re from an admirer. More flowers! They’re lovely, aren’t they?’
Hannah stared at them. ‘I don’t think so,’ she said, shaking her head. ‘He hasn’t had time. You must have brought them with you.’
‘Who hasn’t had time?’
‘It doesn’t matter,’ Hannah said.
‘Will Renfrew gave me them.’
‘Mr. Renfrew?’
‘Yes. When he collected me from the station.’
Hannah studied them a moment longer, without further comment. Then she turned and left, leaving Jenny even more puzzled.
***
Shortly after eleven an elderly lady from the village came in, looking for a birthday card for her grandson.
‘I do have cards, Mrs. Ord,’ Jenny told her, ‘but they’re not proper birthday cards.’
‘How do you mean?’
‘Well, they don’t have “Happy Birthday” messages on them, or the age of the person either.’
‘What good are they, then?’
Jenny smiled. ‘They’re pretty, Mrs. Ord! Isn’t that enough?’
Without touching them, the old lady looked at the cards Jenny placed before her and said, ‘Well, he can’t read anyway. He’s only two. He just likes pictures really.’
‘What sort of pictures?’
‘What have you got?’
Jenny smiled again. Easier to say what she hadn’t got.
‘Tell you what, Mrs. Ord. Why don’t you have a look for yourself? See if you can find anything suitable, while I finish putting the coffee on.’
She busied herself with the coffee maker. Mrs. Ord started looking through the card collection. They were postcards, arts cards. Jenny wondered if she ought to think about bringing in some birthday cards, and other celebration cards as well. She wouldn’t sell a lot but there could be a steady trade.
A Place of Her Own Page 10
