Lavender Lane

by Christina Jones

  ‘Yes, you will.’ Sam beamed fondly at the young man who reminded him so much of David, his friend and his beloved Cicely’s first husband. ‘Put it to good use in the business, that’s all the thanks we need. You deserve it. I know you’ll use it well.’

  ‘There is one proviso,’ Cicely said gravely, ‘and without that I simply won’t allow the cheque to be cleared.’

  ‘What?’ Mitch, knowing his grandmother, grinned. ‘Are you acting on Mum and Dad’s behalf? Do you want me to announce immediate wedding plans too?’

  ‘Of course not!’ Cicely sniffed. ‘You should know me better than that. Oh, I’m sure you and young Jacey will be Mr and Mrs at some stage, but that’s none of my business or anyone else’s. No, I want something much more exciting.’

  The men exchanged mystified glances. Cicely’s eyes were twinkling.

  ‘I want you and young Jacey to use some of that money to put together the best cars the stock circuit has ever seen. I want you both to win everything you possibly can next season – and I want a ringside seat for every race!’

  ‘Oh, Gran!’ Mitch hugged her again. ‘I do love you!’

  Sam stood up and went to fetch glasses from the sideboard.

  ‘We’ll just wait for Luke and Meg to come back from the bank, and then I’ll pour the champagne. This is certainly a day for celebration.’

  As Mitch helped him polish the champagne flutes, Cicely sat back in her chair and closed her eyes.

  Be happy for me, David, she said silently. Sam’s a good man – and I love him with all my heart. But I love you, too, and always will. You made me so very happy, darling – and Sam is making me happy now.

  ‘Gran?’ Mitchell’s voice was close to her ear. ‘Are you OK? Were you asleep?’

  ‘No.’ She smiled, feeling the warmth stealing inside her. ‘I was just having a few words with your grandfather.’

  ‘Oh. And did he have a few words back?’

  Cicely nodded. ‘Oh, yes. He always does.’

  ‘Were they the right ones?’

  She was silent for a minute. He was perceptive, this grandson of hers, far more perceptive than any of them gave him credit for. For all his wild ways, Mitch understood more than anyone.

  ‘Yes, Mitch.’ She smiled gently at him. ‘They were the right ones.’

  ‘I’m glad. Gran.’ He glanced at Sam. ‘I know you’ll both be happy. Luke and Meg have just pulled up outside – we’d better uncork the champers!’

  Cicely bustled out to meet the new arrivals, kissing them both expansively and congratulating them on their engagement.

  She drew Megan aside. ‘Well? How did it go? Did they say yes?’

  ‘To most of it.’ Megan gnawed her lower lip. ‘They’re prepared to back our business plan. Of course, we’ll be stuck with Paul and Judith as minor share-holders. But – and it’s a huge but – I can’t see any way this will release enough money for Mum and Dad to go to Starpoint … and that’s what this is all about, isn’t it? I really thought we’d got it sussed this time. But we still need so much more money!’

  Without a word, Cicely handed Megan her cheque.

  ‘What’s this?’ the girl asked.

  Cicely smiled, her eyes twinkling with laughter.

  ‘An early wedding present, or a retirement gift for your parents – call it what you will, darling, but it’s our contribution – mine and Sam’s – to whatever we hope will be a successful partnership, personal and professional.’

  Glancing at the cheque, Megan gaped at her grandmother with huge eyes.

  ‘But we can’t accept this! This is more money than I’ve ever seen in my life!’

  ‘You can.’ Sam came through from the sitting room and pushed a champagne glass into Megan’s shaking hand. ‘And you will. Cicely and I will be combining our resources from now on. The sale of my assets will mean we can live comfortably for however many years the Good Lord gives us, so this is our insurance for the future. Investing in you youngsters. Now, come on through and introduce us properly to your young man …’

  The afternoon flew by as they were joined by Jacey, and Gran and Granddad Foster.

  Stella and Jim, normally undemonstrative, were so relieved by what Cicely had done that they both hugged her at once.

  ‘Goodness!’ Cicely giggled. ‘I feel quite squiffy. So, let’s have a recap, shall we? Judith will still keep her sticky fingers in Lavender’s pie, albeit in a small way. But Amy and Bob can decamp to Starpoint as soon as they like, and Lavender Lane will shortly belong to four of the nicest young people it has been my privilege to know. And Sally, Matt, and Kimberley are snug in their own house, running their own business. Who says life is rotten?’

  ‘I have in the past.’ Stella smiled sleepily through her champagne. ‘But it’s days like today that make all the sad and unhappy times fall into perspective …’

  Jim grinned at his wife. ‘Don’t let’s have any more of that, Stell. You’re coming over all philosophical! I must admit, though, it’s nice to know we old ’uns haven’t just been turned out to pasture.’ He wagged his head towards the four youngsters. ‘We’ll be around to keep an eye on you, you know, even if your parents aren’t!’

  ‘Jim!’ Stella admonished. ‘They won’t want us interfering!’

  ‘Oh, we will. Gran.’ Megan managed to tear herself away from Luke long enough to plant a kiss on the top of Stella’s head. ‘All the time. We’ll be running to you for advice and help –’

  ‘And food!’ Jacey laughed. ‘Cooking is not my strong point!’

  ‘Done!’ Stella’s eyes gleamed at the thought of feeding four hungry youngsters at the end of a long day. ‘It’ll be just like the old days, when your mother and Judith were younger and invited their friends for meals.’

  ‘Oughtn’t Amy and Bob to be here?’ Jacey wriggled her long legs more comfortably on Mitch’s lap. ‘Shouldn’t they be joining in, too?’

  ‘They were asleep when we called in,’ Meg said. ‘Either side of the fire, books about Devon on their laps, dreaming of country lanes and cream teas.’

  They all laughed, and Cicely sat forward.

  ‘Anyway, we’re having the family get-together on Saturday at The Seven Stars, aren’t we? We’ll have a proper celebration then. We can all share our news and plans for the future – and drink the place dry!’

  ‘That won’t be difficult.’ Sam eyed the empty champagne bottles ruefully. ‘And we’ll have to break the news to Bob and Amy then, anyway, won’t we?’

  Cicely’s forehead puckered. ‘What news?’

  ‘I think,’ Sam said, ‘in all the excitement, it might just have slipped your mind to tell your son that you’re getting married …’

  Chapter Twelve

  Wedding Fever!

  Walking into The Seven Stars was warm and cosy after the sharp shower of evening rain and a blustery wind.

  ‘That was an April shower with a vengeance!’ Matt helped Sally struggle out of her coat. ‘And I thought spring had come at last.’

  Sally laughed. ‘I needed it to wake me up. I never thought running my own business would be so exhausting. I can’t see any of the others – we must be the first. Shall we go and grab our table – or do you fancy a drink first?’

  ‘A drink.’ He steered her towards the bar. ‘It’s ages since we’ve been able to do this. I hope Kim settles down all right with the babysitter. You did leave the number here in case there was a problem?’

  ‘Yes!’ Sally laughed at him. ‘But there won’t be. Kim will be fine. And put your wallet away – this is going to be my treat. I’ve been wanting to do this for as long as I can remember.’ She grinned across at the barman. ‘Two glasses of white wine, please.’

  Matt squeezed her arm. ‘You really are happy, aren’t you?’

  She nodded and handed him his glass, and solemnly they toasted the future.

  Matt leaned forward and kissed the tip of her nose.

  ‘I love you, and I’m very proud of you.’

  Sal
ly returned the kiss. There had been times in their marriage when she would never have dreamed they would be this contented. But now, having distanced themselves from Lavender, from the close confines of the family, they had rekindled their love.

  They were still sitting smiling at each other, fingers linked, when the rest of the party arrived.

  ‘Good heavens!’ Matt exclaimed in mock surprise. ‘Have we invited the whole town?’

  Mitch grinned. ‘The Phillips clan is commandeering the restaurant!’

  Stella emerged from behind Mitch to kiss Sally. ‘Don’t forget the Fosters!’

  ‘With the regrettable absence of dear Paul and Judith, who sadly had a prior engagement …’ Cicely beamed, and everyone laughed.

  Mitch and Megan exchanged glances. They could do without Judith and Paul tonight – they were going to see enough of them in the future.

  Bob looked round his extended family with pride as he raised his glass.

  ‘Here’s to the Phillipses and the Fosters! Have they got a table big enough, do you think?’

  They had. The manager of The Seven Stars ushered them through to the oak-beamed dining room, where four tables had been pushed together and covered with a vast white cloth set with gleaming cutlery and vases of flowers.

  ‘Freesias!’ Amy said in delight. ‘My favourites. They smell so gorgeous with the log fire, don’t they?’

  Bob leaned over, took three pale gold freesias from the vase, and handed them to Amy.

  ‘A corsage, Madam.’

  ‘Cool!’ Jacey said in admiration, gazing at Mitch. ‘I hope you’ll be that romantic when we’re their age!’

  ‘Of course he will.’ Cicely chuckled as they took their places. ‘After all, he’s my grandson. We’re very romantic on our side of the family.’

  ‘We Fosters aren’t so dusty, either,’ Jim said, not wanting to be outdone.

  Amy sat back in her chair, ostensibly studying the menu, but looking at her family with love. It was simply wonderful to have everyone together like this. There was so much laughter, so much happiness. It would be times like this that she’d remember once they were in Devon.

  Bob leaned across. ‘And they’ll all still be here, Amy. In fact, they’ll probably all be with us for so many holidays that we’ll have to draw up a rota!’

  She smiled gratefully. ‘You were reading my mind! Oh, I’m so pleased we’ve got Windwhistle. That we’ll be moving to Starpoint. It’s just that I know I’ll miss them.’

  ‘Of course you will.’ Bob touched her cheek. ‘So will I. But we’ve done a grand job … Look at them!’

  Sally and Matt were laughing together over the menu. Mitch and Jacey, as always, were teasing each other.

  Amy still wasn’t completely at ease with Jacey Brennan, although she had to admit she looked very pretty tonight. Her long blonde hair was secured in a thick single plait, and she’d abandoned her jeans in favour of a dark green velvet dress.

  Mind, she still had faint traces of grease under her pearl-pink fingernails, Amy noticed with a fondness that surprised her. She and Mitch were obviously made for one another …

  And Luke and Megan? Amy’s eyes filled as she watched them. Luke and Megan were like her and Bob all over again. They’d still be madly in love thirty years on, she knew. Their heads were close together, the menu ignored, their glasses of wine untouched.

  ‘It’s still just like a dream,’ Megan was saying softly. ‘I still think I’ll wake up and find none of this has really happened.’

  ‘I know.’ Luke traced patterns on the back of her hand. ‘I’m still in a daze myself. I don’t know if I’m on my head or my heels half the time. Still, I’ve got a definite offer on my flat, the bank have OK’d the business plan, your parents have bought their cottage – we know all those things are real. There’s just one thing left.’

  ‘There is?’ Megan frowned slightly. ‘I can’t think of anything else.’

  ‘It’s this.’ He produced a tiny royal blue velvet box. ‘I promised you a ring. I know we may be having the shortest engagement on record, but I still want you to have this …’

  She opened the box and gasped at the sight of the delicate band of cream and grey seed pearls nestling in the velvet.

  ‘It’s beautiful!’ she breathed. ‘But you can’t afford it. I mean – oh, I don’t want to sound ungrateful – it’s lovely, but …’

  Laughing, Luke dabbed at her tears with a napkin, and as the rest of the family watched, carefully pushed the ring on to her finger.

  ‘Don’t worry, it really didn’t cost very much. It’s just a symbol. Oh, Meg, I love you so much …’

  He kissed her as the rest of the table erupted into a wave of clapping and congratulations. Suddenly everyone was laughing and crying and admiring the ring all at the same time.

  The entire dining room had stopped eating and was watching with interest, and as soon as they realised what was happening, began calling out their best wishes.

  ‘Champagne!’ Sam said. ‘We’ll have to have champagne now. I know we were going to wait until later, but we can’t let this moment pass.’

  Cicely, for once completely overcome, was wiping her eyes.

  ‘It’s not often I can be accused of being lost for words.’ She smiled through the tears. ‘But I honestly don’t know what to say. I can’t ever remember more celebrations in one go. We’ll have to have champagne with the starters, whether it’s proper or not!’

  Bob grinned across the table at her. ‘Since when have you been a stickler for convention, Mother? I’ve known you eat shepherd’s pie for breakfast and cornflakes for supper! Champagne with a starter seems reasonably normal!’

  As they all laughed, champagne was fetched, and flutes, sparkling in the firelight, were raised.

  ‘To Megan and Luke!’ rang the toast through The Seven Stars.

  ‘And have you actually set a date for your wedding?’ Cicely called to them.

  Luke and Megan looked at each other and smiled.

  ‘We were going to tell you tonight. It’s in three weeks’ time – the first Saturday in May,’ Megan announced, then, as her grandmother started laughing, added, ‘What’s the matter, Gran?’

  Cicely shook her head, chuckling.

  ‘So is ours,’ said Sam quietly.

  Lavender Lane had never seen such happy chaos. Amy, hopping around with one shoe on and the other dangling from her hand, was trying to fasten her earrings and Bob’s button-hole at the same time.

  ‘I knew this would never work!’ she exclaimed, dropping her lone shoe in exasperation. ‘Only our family could possibly be having two weddings on the same day!’

  Bob kissed her forehead as she hovered in front of him, still wrestling with the rosebud and fern.

  ‘At least I haven’t got to give away two brides!’ he joked. ‘Thank goodness we managed to talk Mother out of that one!’

  Amy giggled and patted the pin. ‘There, you look perfect.’

  ‘And you look sensational!’ He laughed, admiring her chic suit. ‘Far too young and pretty to be a grandmother – and when you get that hat on you’ll knock everyone for six! I could marry you all over again!’ He folded her close to him. ‘I’m very happy. Very proud. And –’ He paused.

  ‘A teeny bit sad?’ Amy muttered into his shoulder. ‘I know. So many things have changed, haven’t they? Think back to a year ago.’

  He laughed, and kissed her hair.

  ‘We wouldn’t have imagined this in our wildest dreams. Matt and Sally with their own house. Mitch and Jacey living here. Megan marrying Luke. Or my mother marrying anyone! But they’re all happy things, love. Especially …’

  ‘Us!’ Amy said emphatically. ‘That’s the happiest bit of all, really. Windwhistle is ours at last, thanks to Cicely and Sam and our children. In two weeks’ time we’ll be sitting by those French doors, catching glimpses of the sea through the pine trees, never having to worry about another customer or breakdown for the rest of our lives …’

&nb
sp; The words hung between them. The rest of their lives together.

  ‘Mum!’ Mitch burst into the room. ‘Oh, sorry! Didn’t realise you were having a cuddle – everyone seems to be doing it today.’

  ‘It’s OK.’ Bob laughed. ‘What’s the problem?’

  ‘It’s this cravat!’ Mitch produced a crumpled ball of silk. ‘It won’t do what I want it to. I’m used to jeans and sweatshirts – I can’t get to grips with this at all!’

  Amy finished fastening her earrings, reclaimed her errant shoe, and smiled.

  ‘Here, let me. I always used to have to do your school ties, remember?’

  She stood on tiptoe and fastened the cravat, then stepped back with a nod of pride.

  ‘You look wonderful, Mitch. You’ll be the handsomest best man in Appleford’s history. Now, stay here with your dad and have a glass of something while I go and see Meg.’

  Stepping outside into a perfect May morning, Amy paused and lifted her face to the sun. She wanted to savour this moment. For the rest of the day she would be swept along in the mayhem, but now she needed a few moments alone to take stock.

  She wondered how long it would take to adjust to the ambling pace of Devon instead of being jerked awake at ungodly hours to oversee a 24/7 business.

  She smiled to herself. It was a problem she was looking forward to; not that she could actually imagine lounging in bed until mid-morning with breakfast on trays and a sheaf of newspapers.

  There would be things to do – together. Walks, golf, and bowls, which they’d promised themselves they would learn, visits to the cinema, and all those books they had bought and never found time to read …

  She was smiling broadly as she tapped on Megan’s door.

  Sally, beautiful in her matron of honour’s dress of cream and pale green, opened it. Beside her was Kim, wearing a miniature version.

  ‘Just in time!’ Sally grinned at her mother-in-law. ‘You can give the final verdict. But be prepared for a shock –’

  Amy raised her eyebrows. ‘She hasn’t changed her mind?’

  ‘Far from it!’ Sally giggled. ‘But your taxi-driving daughter has become a supermodel!’

  Eagerly Amy stepped into the bedroom, a chaos of clothes and shoes and make-up, and when her eyes fell on her daughter she was stunned into silence.