So why did she suddenly feel uneasy?
Chapter Twenty-One
Sweltering summer days surrendered to sultry summer nights as the days seemed to fly on wings and life in Little Pondale resumed a steady pace.
Tom's grandmother, Grace was buried two weeks after the Frog Hill Run and choir practice was resumed shortly after. His grandmother's death had hit Tom hard and Mia hadn't realised quite how devoted he had been to her, despite what Hettie had said. He walked around the village as if in a trance and struggled with his church duties. Everyone helped as best they could and offered comfort as often as needed.
One particularly hot morning, Mia got up very early, just as twilight broke and long before the sun had shown its face. She left Garrick asleep in bed and walked barefoot to the beach. The gentlest breeze tugged at her dress and her hair fell loosely over her shoulders. It would be the perfect morning for a swim – if only she could ever brave it.
A figure suddenly appeared from beneath the glass-like water and she realised it was Tom. He spotted her on the shore and waved and she waited for him to join her on the sand.
'How are you, Tom?' she asked, smiling affectionately.
'Good days and bad. It'll take time to adjust, I know. Everyone has been so kind. It's humbling to know so many people are there for me, especially as the role is usually reversed. I should be comforting them, not the other way around.'
'We all need comfort sometimes, Tom. If there's ever anything I can do, I sincerely hope you'll tell me. And I still owe you for not telling anyone about my near-death experience. Oh God! I'm sorry. That was tactless. So was blaspheming, I suppose. I'm not very good at this as you can tell.' She tried to make a joke of it for want of knowing what else to do.
'Don't worry,' he smiled wanly. 'There's never a right or wrong thing to say at times like these. Just knowing people care is the important thing. And knowing you care means a lot to me, Mia. I don't think you realise how much.' He stepped towards her and took her hand in his. 'Life is short, Mia. My grandmother was a grand old age but she let a lot of life pass her by. My grandfather died when I was young and many years later, Gran had a chance of having love in her life again. But she worried about what people might think and she let it slip out of her hands. She should've spoken out. She should've taken a chance. But instead she lived the rest of her days wondering what might have been and cursing herself for not grasping life by the coat tails.'
'I'm sorry to hear that, Tom. That's such a shame. My mum may have an opportunity at finding love again and I nearly tried to stop her. But someone pointed out to me that I should let her live her life. It's important to take our chances when we can. Even if it risks our hearts being bruised and our pride being trampled underfoot for a time.'
'That's precisely how I feel,' he said, staring deeply into her eyes. 'Mia?'
'Yes, Tom?'
A deep furrow formed between his brows and he licked his lips in a nervous fashion. He shook his head, took a deep breath and the words tumbled out of him so fast that Misa wasn't sure she heard correctly.
'I know you probably don't feel anything for me but I love you, Mia. I really, truly love you.' He pulled her into his arms.
She was so astonished that before she had a chance to stop him, he'd kissed her on the lips.
He let her go just as quickly and the expression on his face was a mixture of jubilation and mortification.
'I am so, so sorry, Mia! I have no idea what came over me. Please, please forgive me.'
He almost looked ready to burst into tears. The poor man was in serious distress.
She forced a comforting smile. 'Don't worry about it, Tom. There's no harm done. You're going through a terrible time. You're not yourself, I know that. Please, let's simply forget it happened. I won't mention it if you don't. It'll be another little secret between us. Just like the secret of Rainbow's End. Okay?'
He let out a long, sad sigh. 'Just like Rainbow's End.' He smiled sheepishly. 'Thank you so much, Mia. And thank you for being so … so understanding. I suppose I'd better go and put some clothes on.' He pointed to his swim shorts and smiled again. 'This means the world to me, Mia. Thank you. I won't forget today.'
He wouldn't be the only one.
Mia wouldn't forget being kissed by a vicar, in a hurry. Especially as it was actually a pleasant experience. Or it would have been if she hadn't had a boyfriend.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Mia didn't tell anyone about the kiss she and Tom had shared and the next time she saw him, after an initial moment of awkwardness, everything had been as it was before, except that he was still obviously grieving over his grandmother, Grace.
The days grew hotter and the nights more sultry and passion seemed to fill the air. Everyone was falling in love, or appeared to be. Everyone except Tom, although if what he had said that day on the beach was true, he was in love. It was simply unrequited. Ella and Justin spent nearly all their free time together now. Garrick seemed to be even more attentive and more passionate with each passing day. Lori and Franklin had now officially become an item, even though she said she was fully aware he would be returning to the States before too long.
Even Hettie had found a 'new friend'. He had heard of the book club, thanks to an on- line group Lori had set up and he travelled from a nearby village to come to the fortnightly meetings. After only two, it was clear, according to Lori, that it was more than reading books that interested him, but everyone was still surprised when Hettie turned up at The Frog and Lily with Fred one evening and told them, with a girlish giggle, that she and Fred were on a date.
Bear was now dating a friend of Alexia's, from the town, fifteen miles away, but Mia hadn't met her yet and Alexia was dating one of the members of Justin's dance troupe while Toby was dating the same man's sister. It all sounded very friendly, but that didn't stop Ella from questioning why Alexia and Toby had suddenly fallen for people they'd known for years. Until Mia pointed out that she had known Garrick for years and they had only recently fallen in love. She didn't add that she'd had a crush on Garrick on and off for most of her life.
There was one other person who now had a girlfriend, so Garrick told Mia early one morning. It was on the day of the Little Pondale Summer Fête.
'I didn't know Jet Cross had a girlfriend, did you?' Garrick asked, putting a shopping tote bag on the kitchen table.
Mia dropped the vase she was washing but thankfully it landed back in the bowl of water with a splash as she spun around to face him. 'A girlfriend? No. I didn't know. Did he tell you that?'
Garrick shook his head. 'No. But I saw them together this morning.'
'What makes you think it was his girlfriend? Did he say it was?' She gripped the edge of the sink with one hand and turned back to stare into the soapy water.
'No. It was when I was on my way back from Little Pond Farm. I went to get eggs, milk and cheese and Franklin served me. When I came back down the drive, I heard a woman laughing and looked back towards the house. Jet was leaving the house with a buxom blonde on his arm.'
'A buxom blonde?' Mia cleared her throat. 'Well that doesn't necessarily mean she's his girlfriend, does it?'
'I suppose not. But from where I was standing, she was certainly behaving like a girlfriend. As I said, she had her arm through his and they were laughing and looking at one another as if they were the best of friends.'
'Perhaps they are. Friends, I mean.'
'I've never seen the woman before. And they looked very friendly. She was even adjusting his shirt collar as they walked towards a gleaming red sportscar. It was early, don't forget. It's only eight, now. She had obviously either spent the night, or she's a very early visitor.'
'Perhaps, like you, she was there to buy provisions.'
Garrick laughed. 'She wasn't dressed like a woman shopping for food. She was dressed like a woman on a date. Perhaps he'll bring her to the Summer Fête. Then you'll see her for yourself and you can decide if she's his girlfriend or not.'
> 'Why should I care if she's his girlfriend? It's none of my concern. He's single. He can have a girlfriend if he wants.'
'Okay. There's no need to bite my head off.'
'Sorry. I'm just feeling tired this morning. It's going to be another scorching day by the feel of it. I'd rather spend the day standing under the shower than go to this Summer Fête.'
Garrick came and slid his arms around her waist. 'The shower sounds pretty good to me.' He kissed her neck but she moved her head away.
'Is something wrong, Mia?' He turned her around to face him. 'You seemed fine when I went out. Now, less than twenty minutes later, you're suddenly feeling tired. This doesn't have anything to do with the fact that Jet may have a girlfriend, does it?'
'No! No, of course it doesn't. I told you. I don't care if he has a girlfriend or not. I'm just surprised no one's mentioned it, that's all. And yes, I'm suddenly feeling tired.' She wrapped her arms around him and held him tight.
'We could always go back to bed for an hour or so,' he said, easing her away and kissing her softly on the lips.
'Yes,' she said. 'Let's do that. I can't think of anything I'd rather do right now than go to bed with the man I love.' And she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him.
She had to do something to get Jet Cross and a buxom blonde out of her head.
Chapter Twenty-Three
'So this is the Annual Summer Fête,' Mia said, as she walked hand in hand with Garrick amongst the stalls and tents surrounding the village pond.
Garrick smiled lovingly down at her. 'That's what it said on the flyer.'
Mia was hoping to see Justin and Ella. She had missed Ella this morning because she and Garrick had gone back to bed and by the time they got up again, Ella had left the cottage. If Jet had a girlfriend, surely Justin would know? And if he knew, he'd tell Ella. Why hadn't Ella mentioned it? Failing that, Lori was meeting Franklin here. Franklin would definitely know. He was staying at Little Pond Farm. He would know who came and went.
Everyone in the village was at the Summer Fête, and that meant Jet would be here somewhere. Jet and possibly his new girlfriend. Mia wasn't sure whether she wanted to see them or not. She'd rather know first from Justin or Franklin. Then at least she could prepare herself.
Prepare herself for what? She was in love with Garrick. She was Garrick's girlfriend. Why was she getting so distressed at the thought of seeing Jet with a woman? It didn't make any sense.
And then she saw him. And he smiled.
And suddenly it did.
It made complete sense.
Yes, she was in love with Garrick.
But she was also, clearly, more than a little in love with Jet.
'Hello, Mia. Hi Garrick,' he said, smiling as he looked Mia in the eye.
He was alone. And Mia breathed a sigh of relief.
Until a beautiful, buxom blonde around Mia's age rushed up and grabbed his hand.
'Jet!' she shrieked. 'There's a fortune-teller. Let's go and get our fortunes told.'
He smiled tenderly and Mia was sure a bone in her ribcage must have broken because something had just pierced her heart.
'It's not really my scene, but fine, if that's what you want, let's do it.'
Was Jet always so easily persuaded? Or was it just this woman's ample charms?
'Oh, sorry,' he said, grinning at Mia as if he knew what she was feeling. 'This is Tiffany. Tiff. This is Mia and her boyfriend, Garrick. Oh, and here comes Mia's mum, Lori and Mia's best friend, Ella. Franklin and Justin, you already know.'
Mia turned to see Lori and Franklin and Ella and Justin just feet away, walking towards them, smiling.
'Hi everyone,' Tiffany said. 'Jet and I were about to go and have our fortunes told. Why don't we all go? Won't that be fun?'
Mia couldn't think of anything worse at that precise moment. Well she could, but she didn't want to think about Jet and Tiffany walking hand in hand along the beach, sharing long, slow kisses, or making mad passionate love in Jet's bed at Little Pond Farm.
'There's a fortune-teller?' Ella queried, grinning at Mia. 'Bloody Nora, yes! I'm definitely up for that. Let's go.'
Before she knew what was happening, Mia was being led towards the fortune-teller's tent.
When Tiffany went in, Mia wanted to ask Jet then and there how long they had been dating, but she stopped herself from doing so and instead, he and Garrick discussed the weather. Surely someone else would ask? But no one did. She tried in vain, to catch Ella's eye and to ask if she knew who Tiffany was, but Ella and Justin were staring into one another's eyes and Lori and Franklin were just as bad.
Once or twice, she stole a glance at Jet and each time she did, he was looking at her with a strange glint in his eyes. Garrick must have noticed because he tightened his arm about Mia's waist.
'Tiffany seems nice,' Garrick finally said.
'She is,' Jet replied, with a grin.
'Have you known her long?'
Before Jet had time to answer Garrick's question, Tiffany came bursting out and screamed at the top of her lungs.
'Jet! Jet! You'll never believe this. The woman said I'll soon be getting engaged! Isn't that wonderful? Can it be true?'
He smiled and shrugged his shoulders. 'If that's what she said, who am I to disagree?'
Tiffany threw her arms around him and hugged him as she screamed with joy, but for someone who was going to propose to his new girlfriend outside a fortune-teller's tent, he didn't seem quite as euphoric about it as Tiffany clearly was.
'You go next,' Ella said, pushing Mia forward.
Mia was grateful to her friend. At least in the tent, no one would see her cry. Or perhaps that was being overly dramatic. At least she wouldn't see Jet propose. She bit back the tears and took a seat.
'I see great fortune for you,' the woman said, peering into a cloudy-looking crystal ball the moment Mia sat down. 'I also see great sadness and a cold wind from the north.'
So the woman gave weather forecasts as well as telling people's fortunes? How bizarre.
'I see love that's black and white and surprising too. I see a man you can't forget, and a woman you want to remember. I see happiness and joy beyond your wildest dreams. I see water and fear and overcoming things that have held you back for so long. But I also see someone who you think you can trust. You can't. Beware! Feelings may not be genuine. Love may not be where you are looking for it. And someone you love will soon walk out of your life. You can't hold them back. Some things are meant to be and some are not. That is all I see. That will be fifteen pounds.'
'Thanks,' Mia said, utterly bewildered. What on earth had that all been about? She paid the woman and got up to leave.
'Wait!' The woman stood up. 'A bell is tolling. It's a beautiful sound but it brings a warning. Never fear. An angel is on your shoulder. Choose love wisely. You could so easily make a mistake. And autumn will bring many changes and many opportunities.'
'Thank you,' Mia said. 'Will that bit cost me extra?'
The woman smiled, but it wasn't an altogether friendly one. 'No. That bit was free. You're a disbeliever, I can tell. But the spirits don't lie. And there's a very powerful spirit surrounding you. A very powerful spirit indeed.'
Mia smiled, pushed open the tent curtain and walked into the blinding sunlight.
'What did she say?' Ella and Lori asked in unison.
'Yes, what did she say?' Jet repeated. Tiffany was nowhere to be seen.
'Well, I'm not getting engaged,' Mia said.
Everyone turned to Garrick as he made a choking sound and his face was as crimson as the tent curtain. He swallowed and fiddled in his pocket.
Jet narrowed his eyes and looked Garrick up and down. 'I wouldn't be so sure,' he said. And he turned and walked away.
Mia stood and watched him go and a cold shiver ran down her spine, despite the searing heat of the day. Her heart wanted her to call his name, but her head wouldn't let her. It seemed the fortune-teller's prophecy was already coming true. And she wished
she hadn't stepped over the threshold of the fortune-teller's tent. Because right now, she'd give anything not to know that Jet Cross wasn't simply walking away. He was walking out of her life.
*End of Part Two: Summer secrets*
Will Jet walk out of Mia's life forever?
And will the rest of the fortune-teller's predictions for Mia come true?
What did the fortune-teller have to say for Ella, Garrick and Lori?
Find out in Part Three: Autumn leaves.
Coming soon.
Coming soon
See my website for details of
The Cottage on Lily Pond Lane –
Part Three: Autumn leaves
A Note from Emily
Thank you for reading this book. A little piece of my heart goes into all of my books and when I send them on their way, I really hope they bring a smile to someone's face. If this book made you smile, or gave you a few pleasant hours of relaxation, I'd love it if you would tell your friends.
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The Cottage on Lily Pond Lane_Part Two_Summer secrets Page 13
