‘Oh, Alison, what are we going to do?’ She looked beneath the hood of the pram at her tiny daughter and Alison blinked her grey eyes, as if she was giving the matter some serious consideration. ‘I can’t really do much about it can I, as I have you with me and I don’t want to go back yet, because if I do, then I’ll wake everyone up. We’ll have to come up with an alternative plan.’
She put the brake on the pram, then looked around. She spotted a long stick in the grass that edged the pavement. After she’d picked it up, she gingerly poked at the black shape. It moved with a squelch and she grimaced. Not good, not good at all. No sign of life there. The poor thing must have crawled from the road, or been struck with such a force that it had ended up on the pavement. With a flick of her wrist, she moved the shape across to the grass. At least it was out of the way and if anyone came along, they wouldn’t step on it. Hopefully, no one else would even see it.
That would have to do for now.
‘Come on then, Alison. Let’s go see Auntie Honey and ask what she thinks we should do.’
Honey’s house was the closest and she hoped that her friend would probably be up doing yoga or feeding her chickens, so she’d head there first.
She clicked off the pram brake then walked in the direction of Honey’s cottage. The day hadn’t exactly got off to the positive start she’d expected, but that was life, and if she could spare someone from the upset of seeing what she just had, then that was what she would do.
7
Camilla
‘How about we do something special today?’ Tom asked as he poured boiling water into the teapot and swirled it around.
‘Like what?’ Camilla carried the plate of toast to the table then sat down. The French doors were open and outside, HP was sniffing around the decking. Mild spring air drifted into the kitchen, carrying the heavenly scents of sweetpeas and the sharp floral aroma of lavender from Tom’s pots. Camilla stifled a yawn, not wanting to put a dampener on Tom’s plans. The previous day, with the Easter party at the café, as well as taking care of Laura and James until the evening, had been tiring and she’d imagined a relaxing day with Tom and HP at his cottage, possibly with a pub lunch at The Red Fox then an afternoon nap.
Tom brought the teapot and mugs to the table and sat opposite her.
‘We could go somewhere. Perhaps for a walk at a park or—’
‘Aren’t you supposed to be on call?’
Camilla spread some of Allie’s homemade strawberry jam onto a piece of toast. The sweet fruity conserve was like summer in a jar, and this morning, the smell of the strawberries seemed to be stronger than usual.
‘I am but I wasn’t thinking of going too far. It’s just nice to get out and about sometimes. And it is a bank holiday.’
‘And you feel that you should be doing something?’
He smiled and his soft brown eyes crinkled at the corners.
‘We don’t have to.’
‘I like the idea, but let’s have breakfast and shower first then decide what to do.’
Tom glanced at the clock on the kitchen wall. ‘It is still early, I guess.’
Breakfast eaten, washed down with three mugs of tea, dishwasher loaded and switched on, Camilla headed upstairs for a shower. She loved being at Tom’s cottage, with the personal touches like the paintings by local artists — including Honey — and neutral rugs and furnishings, with the scents of his washing powder and shower gel that hung about his towels and bathroom, and with the whisper of his aftershave in the bedroom. It all combined to make her realize how much she cared about him and how far they’d come as a couple. She’d been so keen to stay single before she’d met Tom, convinced that she’d never meet a man who would change that. Years of her mother ranting about her father — who’d walked out when Camilla and Dawn were children, leaving their mother to struggle alone — had made Camilla harden her heart to love. Then Tom had come to the village with HP and bit-by-bit, they’d both stolen her heart.
Life was so different to how she’d once thought it would be and her father’s return to Heatherlea in the autumn, followed by his reunion with her mother, had been a big part of that. Laurence Beaumont was now happily living with his ex wife and had morphed from the fun-loving party guy Camilla had been brought up to believe he was, into a loving partner and doting grandfather. The best thing about it all for Camilla was seeing her mum and Dawn so happy at his return. It was as if he’d never been away and yet… the past could never be undone or forgotten. She shrugged. Perhaps it was meant to be that way so that when he came back to Heatherlea, his relationship with his family would be all the better for it.
Camilla had maintained her independence by keeping her cottage while Tom had his, but they spent most nights together. She still experienced moments of fear, when she’d worry that Tom might change his mind about her and that he’d walk away, but they were becoming less frequent the more time they spent together. Tom had won her trust and confidence in a way no man ever had done before and she hoped with all her heart that nothing would spoil their relationship.
When they’d first become close, she’d found out that Tom was still married — although he’d been separated from his wife for some time — and it thrown her into a sea of doubt about their relationship. But the divorce had been finalized just after Christmas, his ex was heavily pregnant by her new partner at the time, and Tom had reassured Camilla that his marriage had been over long ago in every way except on paper.
She walked into the bathroom and caught sight of her reflection in the mirrored cabinet above the sink. Her face was so pale, and were those dark shadows under her eyes? Perhaps yesterday had worn her out more than she’d realized. Nothing a long hot shower and a coat of concealer wouldn’t sort out.
She opened the cubicle door and turned on the shower then undressed while the water heated up. Camilla never liked to get straight under the spray, as being chilled wasn’t something she enjoyed. Tom said a quick blast under the cold water was invigorating but she couldn’t agree with that at all. Once the cubicle was nice and steamy, she opened the door, stepped in and let the hot water wash her thoughts away.
‘Camilla?’
Tom was standing outside the shower cubicle when Camilla opened the door. He opened up a large fluffy towel and she stepped into it, smiling as he wrapped it around her then hugged her tight.
‘Mmmm. That’s lovely, thank you.’
‘Can’t have you getting cold, can we?’
He lifted the corner of the towel and gently wiped her face.
‘I was thinking that we could just take it easy this morning if you like, then perhaps head out later. What do you think? You look a bit peaky and I hope you’re not coming down with something.’
‘So do I. If I am, it’s likely something Laura and James passed on to me.’
‘Well perhaps you’ll feel better later. Do you need me to go and get some paracetamol or something?’
Camilla took in the baggy grey lounge pants that sat on his slim hips and the soft white surf brand T-shirt that emphasized his broad shoulders and muscular arms. His light brown hair was still sleep-mussed and he needed a shave. He’d never looked better.
‘No, I’m fine, really. I probably need a strong coffee and a read. That’ll sort me out.’
Tom nodded then planted a kiss on the top of her short damp hair.
‘Okay, beautiful, as long as you’re sure. Think I’ll jump in the shower.’
Camilla walked to the door as he turned the shower on, then she turned back, unable to resist admiring his lean frame as he shed his clothes.
Yes, a day lounging around at home with her man sounded pretty perfect, and as for going out later, well they could see how they felt after lunch.
8
Allie
Allie was stuffing clothes into the washing machine when she heard footsteps on the stairs. She turned to Chris and he mouthed, I’ll be in the garden.
This was it then.
Mandy was coming d
ownstairs and Allie would finally find out what had gone wrong.
‘Morning, Mum.’
Allie stood up as Mandy entered the kitchen. ‘Morning, love. Cup of tea?’
Mandy nodded then shuffled to the table where she sat down and pulled Allie’s spare dressing gown around Allie’s borrowed pyjamas. Mandy had arrived with just the clothes she was wearing, so Allie had quickly rooted through her things last night to find some garments that would fit her rather slimmed-down daughter.
‘Something to eat?’ Allie poured milk into two mugs and carried them to the table then went back for the teapot.
‘I couldn’t face a thing.’
‘Are you sure? You need to keep your strength up.’
‘Maybe later.’
Allie poured tea into the mugs then passed one to Mandy.
‘Thanks.’ Mandy raised her puffy red eyes to meet Allie’s. ‘Sorry, Mum, I didn’t mean to be any trouble.’
‘You’ve never been any trouble, love. Just the opposite, in fact. You’re so strong and independent that sometimes I wonder if you need me at all. But I’m very proud of you and all that you’ve achieved.’
Mandy smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes. She wrapped her hands around her mug then raised it to her lips and sipped her drink.
‘That’s good tea.’
‘Earl Grey, just how you like it. You do still like it with a splash of skimmed milk don’t you?’
‘I do. It’s good to be home, Mum, even if this isn’t the home I grew up in.’
‘You always have a place with me. Wherever I am.’
Allie sipped her own tea, wishing her palpitations would stop. Her heart was thrumming so hard, she wondered if it was going to burst through her chest and fly off through the open door. She meant what she’d said; Mandy would always have a place with her but she hoped for Mandy’s sake that this man, whoever he was, wouldn’t ruin the life Mandy had worked so hard to build. The life that she loved and always spoke about so enthusiastically whenever Allie rang her. Mandy was always getting up early for a meeting or dashing off to another author lunch or book launch. She raved about the latest bestseller to climb the charts — something that author Chris completely understood — and she had dreams of climbing the ladder in publishing; she had such ambitious plans. So many plans. But now… it seemed as though one man might have ruined all of that.
‘I’ll be okay, Mum. I just need some time to… compose myself, I guess.’
Mandy moved her neck from side to side as if trying to loosen the knots that had formed there.
‘Do you feel ready to talk me about it yet?’
‘I do.’ Mandy drained her mug. ‘But can I have another mug of tea first, please?’
‘Of course you can.’
‘And actually, perhaps a piece of toast.’
‘I have some blueberry muffins that I made yesterday.’
‘Your blueberry muffins? Now, Mum, you know I can’t resist those.’
Allie set about making more tea then placed a fresh mug and a muffin in front of Mandy. When she sat down again, her stomach was clenched and her mouth dry. She knew she wouldn’t be able to eat a morsel until she knew what had happened to her daughter and if it could be sorted, but she’d be glad to see Mandy get some food inside her.
Motherhood was a rollercoaster indeed, and with such love came an open chasm of vulnerability. She’d felt that way the first time she’d held Mandy in her arms and gazed at her perfect tiny features and the soft downy head. The same had happened when she’d held Jordan for the first time too. She’d known she’d do anything for the pair of them, anything at all, and that if anything or anyone ever hurt them, she would become a tigress ready to protect her offspring.
That time had come and she was trying hard not to growl or sharpen her claws…
9
Dawn
Dawn pushed the pram up Honey’s path then put the brake on and knocked on the door. It was still early and the bedroom curtains were closed, so she hoped she wasn’t about to wake Honey and Dane up because she knew Dane needed to rest on his days off. Not that he had many days off according to Honey because he was always doing schoolwork.
Dawn knew how it was to have a busy partner. Rick had worked in the City until last autumn, and most nights, because of the commute as well as long hours, he hadn’t got home until after the children had gone to bed. It had been difficult, especially when Dawn got pregnant with Alison. But things had come to a head and Rick had admitted to feeling that he needed to make a big change in his life, and him quitting his City job to work from home was the best decision they had ever made. Yes, money was tighter, especially with three children but they managed and were all happier for it.
She knocked the door again, knowing that now she was here she’d just as well wait until Honey got up, because going back home for what she needed would mean waking her family and then she’d have to explain to Rick what she’d found. The children might overhear and the situation would become a lot worse than it already was.
And it really was bad enough.
Her stomach lurched. She had no idea how she was going to explain it.
The door opened a crack and Dane peered out.
‘Good morning, Dane.’
‘Dawn?’ he opened the door wider and squinted at her. ‘Is something wrong?’
‘No… no, nothing’s wrong,’ she replied automatically. ‘Well, actually something’s wrong but it’s nothing to worry about. Well… it is, but I’ll deal with it.’
‘Okay…’ He frowned at her and she realized that she sounded absolutely bonkers. Here she was, bright and early on a Bank Holiday Monday, with her newborn baby in her pram, knocking on her friend’s door because she didn’t want to go home and wake her family.
‘Look… could I come in? I promise I won’t be long but I need something.’
‘You do?’
‘Yes. From the shed.’
‘From the shed?’
He rubbed his eyes and a wave of sympathy washed over Dawn. It seemed like she actually had woken him up. In fact, he was wearing a pink and purple T-shirt that was riding up his belly and pinching his upper arms.
‘Are you wearing one of Honey’s T-shirts?’ she asked.
He looked down at himself and tugged at the hem but it bounced back up, revealing his flat stomach. Dawn made a point of turning her head and gazing at the Bay tree that stood in a pot next to the door.
‘So I am!’ He laughed. ‘Must’ve pulled it on by mistake.’
‘I’m so sorry if I woke you.’
‘It’s fine. I wasn’t actually sleeping… Anyway, uh, come on in.’
Dane stepped out and helped her lift the pram up the step and into the hallway.
‘I’ll just call Honey.’ He nodded at the stairs.
‘Thanks. And… uh… sorry. If I’d had a choice, I wouldn’t have disturbed you.’
‘No problem.’
Dawn watched as he climbed the stairs two at a time, wondering what it was about him that didn’t look right and then she realized. He was wearing white pyjama bottoms with pink hearts printed on them, and they also had to belong to Honey. She winced as she realized that she actually had disturbed them and Dane had grabbed the first items of clothing he could find.
Alison murmured in her pram, so Dawn leant forwards and checked on her. Big grey eyes blinked up at her then the tiny mouth contorted and Alison let out a squawk. She was hungry. Again. Already. Dawn lifted her from the pram then carried her through to the lounge and got comfy on the sofa. She knew Honey wouldn’t mind and it would be better than subjecting Honey and Dane to Alison’s full dawn chorus of I’m starving, mother, feed me quick!
As Alison fed, Dawn relaxed on the comfortable old sofa and gazed at her surroundings. Honey had a lovely home and although a lot of the furniture had belonged to her aunt, and she’d kept it when she’d inherited the cottage, she had also made it her own. Honey was a talented artist who also made sculptures and other crafts, a
nd she’d made Alison a pretty unicorn ornament to celebrate her arrival. It was then that Camilla had recognized the design of the unicorn and they’d found out that Honey was, in fact, behind Purple Hen designs. She’d been quiet about it in her typically unassuming and modest way. However, she’d then admitted that she was doing quite well and had more orders coming in than she could keep up with. Camilla had agreed to take over her accounts to free up some of her time and Dawn had been thinking that once Alison was a bit older, she might be able to help out too, even if it was just driving deliveries around for Honey.
It was an idea for the future anyway, and Dawn wasn’t in any rush to see her youngest daughter grow up. She knew how quickly they became independent and she wanted to make the most of having Alison as a baby, because she didn’t think they’d try for another. Three children kept them busy enough. As well as the guinea pigs, of course.
‘Hello, Dawnie.’
Honey entered the room, her face bright with youth and happiness and her pretty bobbed hair – in shades of blue, pink, purple and silver – pushed behind her ears. The tiny stud in her nose twinkled in the light as she came to sit by Dawn.
‘Hi Honey, so sorry to wake you. I was hoping to get in and out quickly but Alison had other ideas.’
‘Awww, is she feeding?’ Honey sat next to Dawn and gazed at the baby.
‘Yes. She’s always feeding! My boobs are like balloons because I have so much milk. I saw the health visitor on Friday and she said I have enough milk for five babies and a rice pudding.’
Honey wrinkled her nose. ‘Not sure I’d fancy a breast milk rice pudding.’
‘Me either, but she did make me giggle.’
‘Is everything all right though?’ Honey’s expression changed to one of concern. ‘I mean… not that it’s not great to see you but I’m a bit surprised to see you so early.’
A Wedding at The Cosy Cottage Café: A delightful romantic comedy to make you smile this summer Page 3
