‘You okay?’ She slid her arms around his waist and buried her face in his back, breathing in his wonderful scent and enjoying the feel of his hard body against hers.
‘Yeah. As long as you don’t think I’m a wimp for being bullied by your chicken.’
He turned in her arms and hugged her back.
‘I think you’re amazing, Dane.’
His eyes lit up as he smiled at her. ‘Well that feeling is mutual.’
‘Do you fancy getting out for a bit? Perhaps go to the café?’
‘Sure, why not? But first I need that eggsamination you promised me.’
‘I promised you one did I?’
He nodded, then pulled her closer.
16
Allie
‘Right, love, why don’t you take a long hot bath?’ Allie had loaded the dishwasher and she switched it on. ‘Everything’s done here and you look like you need to relax.’
‘That sounds like a wonderful idea, Mum. What about you? Do you and Chris have plans today?’
‘I think Chris wanted to spend some time sorting the garden out but I said I’ll spend a few hours at the café. Jordan’s opening up but I’d better be there to help him in case we have a lunchtime rush.’
‘On a Bank Holiday?’
Allie nodded. ‘Might get some people passing through as well as the local regulars. The café has been doing really well.’
‘I’m so happy for you, Mum. You know… with how things have worked out with the café and with Chris. He’s a keeper.’
‘I heard that!’ Chris called from outside.
‘It was all good.’
‘Thank you!’
Allie smiled. To have her daughter and Chris in the same house on a sunny morning was wonderful. It had been a long time since Mandy had been in Heatherlea and Allie hoped that she might stay for a bit. She wanted Mandy to go back to her London and to her career, of course, but not just yet.
‘I think I will take that bath.’
‘There’s some jasmine bubble bath in the cupboard and it smells divine. Help yourself.’
‘Thanks, Mum.’
Allie hugged her daughter tight, hoping that Mandy knew how special she was and that one idiotic man wouldn’t taint her views of herself and of love. Allie knew how it was to have a man break her heart, but then Chris had come along and helped her to heal. She hoped Mandy would heal too and one day, perhaps learn to trust again.
17
Dawn
Dawn reached the end of her street again and slowed down. It had been a busy morning and had certainly turned out differently than she could have imagined. She’d thought to have a nice walk then get back to bed, even to the sofa and grab more sleep, but fate had apparently had other plans for her.
Fate? She shook her head. Sometimes she thought it was fate, sometimes she believed she made her own luck. But that poor cat had certainly not seen the car that had squished it coming.
She swerved to avoid the dark patch where the cat had been, and paused.
What was that sound?
Meowing? Faint but there nonetheless.
She looked around. Nothing on the road or the street. She pushed the brake on the pram down then walked towards the long grass just off the pavement. She moved it aside and peered under the hedge. And her heart broke, because there, in what looked like some kind of nest, were two small kittens.
The mewled pitifully, sending Dawn’s maternal instincts soaring. The cat she’d found must have been their mother and they’d lost her. How would they manage? They probably wouldn’t. They were moving around but they looked so small and lost. They wanted their mum.
Dawn knew she couldn’t leave them there, so she leant forwards and gently picked them both up. They cried out so she tucked them into her loose T-shirt, making a kind of hammock out of the front, then she kicked off the brake on the pram and slowly walked towards home, pushing the pram with one hand with cradling the kittens with the other.
Goodness only knew what Rick would say when he found out what she’d been up to that morning, but some days were like this. Unpredictable. Unexpected. And as far as Dawn was concerned, she had been in the right place at the right time as far as the kittens were concerned.
Outside the front door she pushed down the brake on the pram again then knocked gently, not wanting to have to try to search in her bag for her key.
The door opened and Rick smiled at her. ‘Morning walkies, eh? You should have woken me.’
‘You were out cold and I wanted you to get more sleep.’
‘Well come on in and you can grab a nap while I give the children breakfast.’
‘Ok. But, Rick…’
He was already lifting the pram over the front doorstep.
‘Yeah?’
‘I… I have something to tell you.’
‘It’s okay,’ he said from inside, ‘Camilla told me about the cat. Trust you to feel the need to move it.’
‘I couldn’t exactly leave it there, could I? And how did Camilla tell you?’
‘I’m here, Dawnie.’
Camilla came down the stairs just as Dawn stepped inside.
‘Oh, hi. What’re you? Why did you…’
‘I came to ask you something but you weren’t back so Rick made me tea.’
‘I also offered her breakfast but apparently the thought of my cooking made her sick.’
‘You were sick again?’ Dawn winced. ‘I hope it’s not a bug.’
‘Yeah, me too.’ Camilla’s eyes widened and she shook her head a fraction, just enough to let Dawn know that she had something she wanted to speak to her about. ‘Why’s your T-shirt moving?’ Camilla gestured at Dawn’s belly.
‘That’s what I was trying to explain to Rick. On my way back, I heard a noise in the bushes and found these two.’ She opened her T-shirt to show her husband and Camilla.
‘Oh my goodness!’ Camilla lifted one of the tiny kittens and held it to her chest. ‘How sweet.’
‘You found them where?’ Rick asked.
‘Under the hedge at the end of the street.’
‘Probably feral and crawling with fleas then.’ Rick grimaced and Camilla immediately held the kitten away from her body.
‘Maybe but I couldn’t leave them there. And what if they’re not wild and the mother was somebody’s pet that went missing?’ Dawn asked.
‘We’d better take them to Tom so he can check them over,’ Rick said. ‘They look about seven weeks old, possibly eight.’
‘So that means they still need milk, doesn’t it?’ Dawn smoothed the soft gently domed head of the kitten she was holding.
‘I’m no cat expert but possibly.’ Rick scratched his head. ‘Let me grab a box from the garage for them and we can give Tom a ring.’
Ten minutes later, the kittens were sleeping, curled up together on a soft wool blanket that Rick had tucked into the box. They’d seemed exhausted and she wondered if they’d been up all night waiting for their mother. Rick had taken them through to the kitchen and put the box in the corner away from drafts. Thankfully, they hadn’t seemed to have fleas when Rick had checked them over but she knew Tom would need to see them to give them a proper examination.
‘Don’t disturb them, mind.’ Dawn whispered to Laura and James as they sat in front of the box watching the kittens. Her children had come downstairs to find their mother and auntie cradling the orphaned kittens and immediately asked if they could keep them.
Rick had stepped in to say that they were too young to be pets yet and that they weren’t to get attached. As if that was going to happen. Dawn was already smitten herself, imagining that the two cats would make a lovely addition to their family. After all, they had the guinea pig family out in the garden, so why not adopt two family cats as well?
‘I’ll take them back to the surgery, shall I, and see what Tom thinks?’ Camilla asked as she peered over Laura and James’s heads at the kittens.
‘I’ll come with you.’ Dawn nodded, deciding that she�
�d just as well be there for that too. ‘I need to feed Alison first though.’
‘No problem.’
‘Dawn, I’ll take them and you can stay here and rest,’ Rick said.
‘Really?’ Dawn looked at their three children in turn. ‘I would but I’m not sure I’ll be able to relax until I know that the kittens are okay. It’s so sad that they were orphaned like that.’
Camilla nodded then a sob escaped her and she buried her face in her hands.
‘Camilla?’ Dawn reached out and squeezed her sister’s shoulder. It wasn’t like Camilla to show emotion. She’d been a bit softer since she’d got together with Tom, for certain, but bursting into tears?
‘It’s just… they lost their mum.’
‘I know…’ Dawn rubbed Camilla’s shoulder and made a face at Rick. ‘We’ll look after them, don’t you worry.’
Camilla nodded. ‘Sorry. I don’t know what’s got into me.’ She met Dawn’s eyes and her cheeks flushed.
Dawn felt her mouth drop open as realization washed over her.
Pale.
Vomiting.
Emotional.
Oh Camilla…
18
Camilla
Camilla and Dawn had taken the kittens to the surgery and Tom had checked them over then declared that they seemed fit and well. He’d said he could keep them in for a few days for observation, as they were still a bit young to be away from their mother, and that he had some weaning milk he could make up for them, as well as some kitten food. Camilla had then made her excuses to leave with Dawn, stating that they’d agreed to meet Allie at the café for an hour but she’d promised not to be long.
Truth be told, she needed to be away from Tom while she did what she needed to do. The small box with the blue writing was still tucked into her waistband and she pressed a hand to it, feeling its reassuring presence.
‘Camilla, do you want to talk about it?’
‘About what?’
Dawn put a hand in front of Camilla to stop her, then glanced around them but the tree-lined street was quiet.
‘About the way you’ve been feeling. The nausea. The emotional reactions that are not exactly characteristic of you, no offence, sis.”
Camilla met her sister’s green eyes and the emotion Dawn had referred to surged within her again.
‘Not really.’ She bit the inside of her cheek. ‘I can’t.’
Dawn squeezed her shoulder. ‘You can, you know? I love you and I’m here for you.’
Camilla nodded and Dawn pulled her into a hug. She rocked her gently, as she would one of her children and Camilla had to take slow deep breaths to stop herself from crying. Dawn rubbed her back then paused and Camilla realized that her sister had brushed her hand over the box stuffed into the back of her jeans.
‘Camilla?’
‘Yes?’
‘Are you wearing a wire?’
‘What?’ In spite of her distress, Camilla snorted at the question.
Dawn leant back and smiled at her. ‘You know, like on reality TV shows where they have the electronic pack or whatever it is stuffed into their trousers or the back of their dress.’
‘It’s not a wire and we’re not on TV.’
‘Thank goodness for that!’ Dawn laughed.
Camilla reached under her shirt and pulled out the box, then watched as understanding filled Dawn’s face.
‘I took it from your bathroom. I was looking for tablets for my headache and I saw this and thought it might be a good idea to try it. Or to do it, or whatever…’
‘So you do think you could be…’ Dawn let the unfinished question hang in the air.
‘I’m not sure. I mean… it’s a long shot but I don’t feel right and if it’s not that then it could be something else.’
‘Like what?’ Dawn frowned.
‘I don’t know. Like early menopause or… cancer or some other horrid illness I suppose.’
Dawn shook her head. ‘I know you and I’ve been in your shoes, just about, and I’m pretty certain that you’re pregnant.’
‘Oh god!’ Camilla gasped. ‘Don’t say that! Don’t say those words! I’m not ready for this. I don’t think I ever will be.’
‘Look, there’s no point stressing about it until you know for sure. Worst case scenario, it’s some sort of bug that will pass in a few days.’
‘That’s the worst-case scenario? What’s the best case?’
‘I’m going to be an auntie!’ Dawn hugged her tight and Camilla exhaled shakily. ‘This is a good thing, sweetheart. Try not to worry. Now let’s go get a drink at the café and you can pee on that stick.’
‘Okay. Not words I expected to hear today, but I’ll try to go with the flow.’
‘The flow!’ Dawn giggled. ‘Yes you need to pop the test stick under the flow. Sorry. This is a serious matter.’
‘Indeed it is. But I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.’
Camilla let Dawn take her hand and lead her towards her destiny.
Whatever that might be…
19
Honey
‘MMM. This is so good.’ Honey took another bite of the fresh buttery croissant and chewed. Neither of them had fancied eggs following Henifer Aniston’s attack.
‘We worked up quite an appetite didn’t we?’ Dane grinned at her across the table that was next to the front window of The Cosy Cottage Café.
‘We certainly did, you especially what with all that running away from Henifer Aniston.’
Dane shook his head. ‘That wasn’t what I meant.’
‘I know. I’m teasing you.’ Honey reached out and stroked his hand where it rested on the table next to his mug of coffee.
‘I’m actually quite upset that she doesn’t seem to like me.’ Dane licked a finger then dabbed at some croissant crumbs on his plate and put them into his mouth. ‘I mean… how are we going to manage if I can’t help with the chickens?’
‘We’ll manage, Dane. I’ve been taking care of them alone for some time.’
Dane frowned.
‘What is it?’
‘I don’t want you doing everything alone, Honey. We’re partners and I want us to share the responsibility of running the home and looking after the animals.’
Honey slid her hand into his. He really was a good man and she felt very lucky to have him in her life.
‘I’m sure we’ll work it out. Perhaps once Henifer gets to know you, she’ll be less… aggressive.’
‘I hope so.’
Dane raised her hand and kissed it.
‘Breakfast all right?’ Allie asked as she appeared at their table.
‘Lovely, thanks. The croissants were perfect.’
Allie smiled. ‘Good. At least I got something right.’
‘What do you mean?’ Honey asked.
Allie looked around at the other customers in the café then pulled out a chair and sat down.
‘I’ve tried to help Mandy since she came home in that awful state but I can’t help feeling as though I failed her in some way.’
‘You haven’t failed her.’ Honey looked at Allie’s hands where they sat on the table, wringing a tea towel between them. ‘You’re a great mum.’
Allie grimaced. ‘I wonder if I am though. Didn’t I make her strong enough to deal with whatever life might throw at her? Could I have made her more resilient and less inclined to fall for someone who would shred her confidence? It could be that I didn’t compensate for Roger’s death enough and that left her needing something, craving something from a man that made her vulnerable.’
Honey shook her head. Allie had briefly filled them in on Mandy’s situation when they’d arrived at the café. ‘Allie, Roger’s death was not your fault and you have done everything you could to show your children that they are loved and supported. Look at how happy Jordan is. Mandy is just going through what many people do. Lots of us have our hearts broken along the way.’
‘I know that’s true.’ Allie smiled. ‘It’s hard being a mum. I j
ust want to wrap them up in a soft blanket like I did when they were babies and protect them from the world.’
‘Well you can’t do that,’ Dane said. ‘But you are there for them and your love and support is more than a lot of children get from their parents, believe me.’
‘He’s right, Allie. You can’t protect them from life but you can be there to help ease them over the hurdles.’
‘Thank you.’ Allie stood up. ‘You’re both very kind. More coffee?’
‘That would be lovely.’
20
Allie
Allie was trying to focus on making coffees for Honey and Dane but her thoughts were firmly planted at home with her daughter. Mandy would come through this and hopefully go on to have a great life but if Allie had been able to have her way, she’d protect Mandy from any upset at all. That was the difficult thing with parenting; your children grew up and you couldn’t protect them from life and love; you had to let them make their own mistakes.
After all, hadn’t her own parents worried about her over the years? Her mother had told her that they’d had to bite their tongues hundreds of times to avoid interfering in Allie’s life. But when they’d felt compelled to try to advise her, Allie had often brushed their concerns away, convinced that she was following the right path. It was surely natural to rebel against whatever your parents thought was for the best…
She picked up the coffees and was about to take them over to Honey and Dane when the door opened and Dawn and Camilla entered. The sisters were so alike that it sometimes made her do a double take. With their dark hair, pale skin and those clear green eyes, they were like Elizabeth Taylor in her heyday.
‘Hi Allie!’ Dawn waved but Camilla scanned the café before following her sister over to the counter.
‘Hello both. How are you now?’
A Wedding at The Cosy Cottage Café: A delightful romantic comedy to make you smile this summer Page 6
