by Sarah Hope
AS SHE WALKED BACK out into the pub lounge, Molly made her way towards the open doors leading to the garden. Stepping outside, she blinked. The sun was bright after the dim lights inside. Taking a deep breath, she could smell the unmistakable sweet aroma of freesias and lavender mixed together into some beautiful perfume. The garden was laid to lawn, sporadic flower beds springing from the green of the grass between old-style wooden pub tables. A river ran past the side of the garden where ducks emerged from the reeds, quacking around the tables looking for scraps before heading back to immerse themselves into the cool water.
Holding her hand up, Molly spotted Richie sat at a table by the river and waved before making her way over. ‘It’s beautiful here.’
‘It is, isn’t it? I thought you’d like it. I sometimes come here if I manage to get a lunch break or after a particularly difficult shift, just being this close to nature helps me to put things into perspective.’
‘I can imagine it would.’ Slipping onto the bench opposite him, Molly picked up her orange juice and took a sip. ‘Thank you.’
‘You’re welcome.’ Shuffling in his seat, Richie laid his hands on the table in front of him. ‘So, I need to tell you something.’
‘Okay, that sounds ominous.’
‘No, not really. Well, I hope not anyway.’ He cleared his throat. ‘You know I said that I was falling for you?’
Trying to keep her eyes focused on his, Molly dismissed the heat quickly rising to her face and nodded. He’d made a mistake. He wasn’t falling for her at all. This was some elaborate break-up date. She’d had it once before, instead of the usual text or phone call to end a relationship, which, yes, wasn’t the ‘right’ thing to do but was definitely a fairly kind route leaving the dumped to break down in the safety of their own home, a guy she had been dating, had taken her for dinner when he’d got back off of a holiday and dumped her then. She shivered, she still remembered it, the awkward conversation over dinner. Her, happy to see him but aware of some underlying tension. Him, obviously trying to be a gentleman by paying for the meal and drinks. Afterwards, he’d suggested a walk around the village and by then she’d been quite certain what had been coming and, just as she had begun to suspect, he’d ‘let her down gently’. She understood why he, and now Richie, thought they were being kind but she’d much much rather a text or at worst a difficult conversation over the phone.
‘You okay?’
Molly nodded. She could already feel the tears welling up in her eyes and he hadn’t said anything yet. It was just that, unlike, when she’d been dumped this way before, she actually had real feelings for Richie. If she was honest, she’d already had visions bouncing around in her head about how they’d tell the children about their relationship, their first holiday together as a proper family, even him proposing. She shook her head; it was daft; she knew it was. She was daft. She’d let herself get way too involved emotionally way too quickly. She’d just felt such a powerful connection with him. Placing her hands in her lap, she laced her fingers together tightly.
Running his fingers through his hair again, he tilted his head. ‘I’m just going to come out with it.’
Closing her eyes, Molly nodded. Here we go.
‘I think we could have a real future together.’
Nodding, Molly bit her bottom lip. ‘I understand... what? Sorry, what did you say?’
A nervous throaty laugh escaped Richie’s mouth. ‘I said I can see a future with you. Ever since we met, I’ve felt different, I’ve felt as though I could picture a future with you.’ Sitting back, he looked out to the river and then back at Molly. ‘I’m sorry. It’s too soon. I know it is. I shouldn’t have said anything.’
‘No. No, it’s fine.’ Placing her hands on the table in front of her, she waited until Richie had slipped his into hers. They laced their fingers together, Richie’s a little sweaty from nerves. ‘I feel the same. I feel as though I can picture a future with you too. I really can.’
Laughing, Richie leant forward, their lips meeting. ‘Thank goodness for that! I really thought you were going to think I was completely crazy to feel that way in such a short space of time.’
‘Maybe. But we can be crazy together.’ Laughing, Molly kissed him again, a little stronger, a little more passionate this time.
Chapter Twenty
‘Molly, there’s someone here for you, love.’ Walking into the back kitchen, Gladys shut the door behind her. ‘It’s Diane, Richie’s ex. She seems quite upset. Shall I tell her you’re busy?’
‘Diane?’ Placing the bottle of milk back down on the work surface, Molly frowned. What did she want now? Was she going to spread more lies? Well, it wouldn’t work. She knew Richie was telling her the truth. Plus, he had good reasons not to want to get back with her. It made no sense. ‘No, it’s okay. I’ll see her. I’ll just take these out.’
‘Here, I’ll do that. I’ll send her through then, shall I?’ Taking the tray, Gladys turned and went back to the Knit and Natter group.
Great, she’d just been trying to help one of the new people get to grips with knit one, pearl one and now Diane was demanding to see her. She shook her head, she knew she didn’t have to worry about the knitters, Gladys, Susan and Lucy were more than capable of looking after the newbies, but, still, Diane knew the shop was open and when she’d come in she would have seen the group going on. Instead of walking away, she’d made the choice to barge in, probably just to spin more of her lies.
Seeing the door open, Molly took a deep breath. She could handle Diane. ‘Hi, Diane.’
‘Hello, Molly. I’m so sorry to bother you, especially when you’re working, but I just didn’t know what else to do. I needed to speak to you and I really don’t think it can wait.’
Nodding slowly, Molly took in the dishevelled hair and the wonky sunglasses. It really did look as though she was upset. Properly, this time, not like she was last time. Molly knew she’d been playing a game, lying, last time, but this time she looked genuinely upset. She shook her head, she’d thought Diane had been genuine the last time too. Crossing her arms, Molly stared at her. ‘I don’t have anything to say to you.’
‘Molly, please listen.’ Stepping forward, Diane placed her hand on Molly’s arm.
Backing away from her touch, Molly shook her head. ‘No, I’m sorry. I don’t have the time today.’
Diane looked down at the floor before sliding her sunglasses to the top of her head, revealing her eyes, eyeshadow smudged and mascara running. ‘You know I’m not in a relationship with Richie, don’t you?’
Molly nodded.
‘I’m sorry for misleading you, I was desperate and didn’t know what to say to get you to listen.’
‘Well, I listened, but your plan didn’t work. Me and Richie are still together.’ Why on earth had she lied to her?
‘I know.’
How did she know? Had she been spying on them again? ‘Look, I don’t understand what you want from me? And to be honest, I don’t want any part of it. If your plan is to try to break us up by pretending to be having a relationship with him again, it’s not going to work. He’s told me how you both split up, he’s told me how you cheated on him. So whatever you’ve got to say won’t work.’
Looking towards the table and back to Molly, Diane pointed to a chair. ‘Do you mind if I sit down?’
Shrugging, Molly stayed standing.
Slipping into a chair and placing her sunglasses on the table, Diane clasped her hands in front of her. ‘I realise I’m probably not very welcome here. In the village, I mean. I know how much everyone likes Richie and cares about him, and I know what I did to him in the past was inexcusable. I regret it every day. I really do.’
‘That’s something then.’
Unclasping her hands, Diane began fiddling with her sunglasses.
‘I don’t mean to be rude, but why are you are?’ That was a lie, she did mean to be rude. Diane had almost destroyed her relationship with Richie. Molly really wasn’t in the mood to be fr
iendly to her.
Shuffling in her seat, Diane looked at her. ‘I understand why you’re so hostile towards me, I would be too if it was the other way around. I really would. I’m here because I need to speak to you mother to mother. I’m worried about my daughter, Marissa. She’s fourteen, right at that difficult age when life seems impossibly hard.’
Molly nodded. Yes, life could be difficult for teenagers, but what did that have to do with her? Marissa had seemed perfectly happy yesterday, not that she was about to tell Diane that their daughters were friends. She didn’t want her spying on Lauren as well.
‘There’s no easy way to say this, to ask this, but Marissa’s been struggling a lot recently with the split between me and her father.’
‘It can be difficult.’
‘I know it sounds silly, because, as you probably know, Richie and I split up years ago but I think it’s her age or something. She’s been questioning me and getting upset over the fact that her dad and I aren’t together anymore.’
It didn’t sound silly. It was completely plausible. Ellis, in particular, kept going through phases asking why she and Trevor couldn’t get back together again, and he was remarried. So she did understand. ‘I do understand, but I still don’t know how that affects me?’
Laying her sunglasses back on the table, Diane looked straight at Molly. ‘Richie and I have been spending some time together discussing Marissa, and there’s a connection between us still. Marissa has moved in with him now and we’ve been spending even more time together as a family again.’
‘Sorry?’ A connection? Was she being serious?
‘A connection. Between myself and Richie. I really think we could make another go of it. Be a family again. Provide that family life and stability for Marissa at this difficult time.’
Molly frowned. She knew Richie had been talking to Diane about Marissa’s living arrangements but from what he’d said she was certain there wasn’t any connection felt on his part.
‘He’s probably not told you we’ve been spending some time together.’
‘He’s told me.’
Diane nodded slowly. ‘Of course. Well, I’m sure he’s not mentioned about wanting to get back with me to you, but I definitely feel a connection and if you weren’t on the scene...’
Biting down on her bottom lip, Molly tried to suppress the red fiery feeling of anger rising from the pit of her stomach. Diane really thought she could spin another web of lies and Molly would drop Richie? Richie didn’t want to get back with Diane. Molly was sure of that. She was positive. ‘I think you should go.’
‘Okay, but please do have a think about what I’ve said. Please, if you can, step back and let us put our family back together. For Marissa’s sake. She really does need us both there for her. I’m sure you look at your children and feel the same?’
Closing her eyes, she chuckled to herself. No, she really didn’t feel that way. Yes, the ‘happy, perfect family’ with both parents did seem ideal, but she and Trevor could never have provided that for Lauren and Ellis. They would have grown up in a household of arguments. That wouldn’t have been better for them than this. Two happy homes were always going to better than one unhappy home. She really did believe that. And she also believed that Richie and Diane would never be able to provide that ideal for Marissa together. Not from what Richie had told her. Opening her eyes again, Molly walked towards the kitchen door and held it open. ‘Please leave.’
Nodding, Diane pushed her chair back and stood up. ‘I will, but please, think about what I’ve said.’
Letting go of the door, Molly watched as it swung shut before running her fingers through her hair. She would not let Diane ruin this. Not for her, and not for Richie. Richie didn’t want to get back with Diane and he wouldn’t. Not after how she had treated him. Richie wanted the best for Marissa. She knew that. And him and Diane getting back together wouldn’t be the best for any of them. Least of all for Marissa.
Chapter Twenty One
‘Mum, Ellis is asking for you upstairs.’ Letting the door to the flat bang shut behind her, Lauren walked behind the counter towards her mum, oblivious to the resounding slam of the door.
‘Thank you. Hope to see you again soon.’ Smiling at the customer in front of her, Molly handed the bag of ribbons the silver-haired lady had just purchased over the counter to her before turning to Lauren. ‘The shop’s still open. You know I have to stay down here. Can you ask him to come to me, please?’
‘I really think you should go up. He’s on the phone to Dad and he’s getting pretty upset.’
Molly bit down on her bottom lip, Trevor normally rang the kids in the evenings when he got back from work. She looked across at the lone customer in the shop, a yummy mummy pushing a toddler in a buggy whilst having a baby strapped to her front.
‘It’s cool. I’ll serve.’ Sidling up to her, Lauren placed her hands over the till, gently laying her fingers across the keys.
‘You’ve never used a till before.’
‘I have. Gladys showed me once when you were getting a delivery in and she’d stepped in to help.’
‘Oh, right.’ Of course, Bramble Patch had been uncharacteristically busy the weekend after the village fete and Gladys had popped in just as a delivery truck had pulled up. She glanced at Lauren and nodded slowly. ‘Okay. Any problems though, shout me. Any problems.’
‘Uh-huh.’ Nodding, Lauren blew a bubble with the gum in her mouth.
Looking back at Lauren as she pushed the door to the flat open, Molly nodded. Lauren could handle the till. Molly had only been less than a year older when she’d got her first job at the local corner shop.
WALKING QUIETLY UP the stairs, Molly tilted her head and listened. She couldn’t hear anything. Maybe the call had finished.
Walking across the hallway, she pushed Ellis’ bedroom door open. He wasn’t in there. Making her way to the living room. Molly peered in. Curled up on the sofa, Ellis had used cushions to barricade himself in the corner. ‘Ellis, sweetheart, are you okay?’
Shuffling himself further back into the sofa cushions behind him, Ellis dipped his head into his lap.
Lowering herself onto the sofa next to him, Molly held her arm open. ‘Come here, sweetie.’ Waiting for him to sidle up to her, she wrapped her arm around him. Pulling him closer and kissing him on the top of the head. ‘Do you want to tell me why you’re upset?’
Keeping his eyes down, Ellis shook his head.
‘Okay.’ Staring ahead, Molly looked at the TV screen as a bright green mouse chased a yellow cat. ‘Did Daddy call you?’
Ellis shook his head. ‘I rang him.’
‘Okay.’
‘He said he’s sorry that Jessica called me what she did.’
Molly nodded. Maybe she should have given Trevor more credit. Not in a million years had she thought he’d apologise. Yes, it should be Jessica saying sorry to Ellis, but, still. ‘That’s good then. Why has it made you upset?’
‘He said he will pick us up early on Friday because he’s got a half-day at work.’
Molly nodded. As the children had become older, Trevor tended to change arrangements through them rather than speaking to her and actually checking to see if it was okay with her. She shook her head. After all these years she should have got used to the way he was. It would never cross his mind that she might have something arranged. ‘That will be nice then.’
Pushing himself up, Ellis looked at his mum. ‘I don’t want to go. I don’t want to go to Daddy and Jessica’s.’
‘Why not, sweetheart? Why don’t you want to go?’
‘Because I don’t. I don’t want to see Jessica again and I don’t want to see Ruby again. She’ll just get me into trouble again and then Daddy and Jessica will hate me even more. I don’t want to. I don’t have to, do I?’
Twisting around to face him, Molly held his hands in hers. ‘Daddy and Jessica love you. Jessica only said what she did because she didn’t know what had happened and it was in the heat of the
moment. Like I explained before, we all say things we don’t mean sometimes, don’t we? It’s like when you and Lauren have an argument, you sometimes tell her you wished she wasn’t born, don’t you? And you don’t mean it, you just say it because you’re cross. You love her really, and she loves you, and you both know that, don’t you?’
‘That’s different.’
‘How is it different?’
‘Because Lauren is my sister and we’re supposed to fight.’
Molly nodded her head. ‘Yes, but it’s the same kind of thing.’
‘No, it’s not. Jessica has never liked me, she’s always treated me and Lauren differently to how she treats Ruby. I don’t want to go.’
‘Let’s see how you feel nearer the time, shall we?’ As much as she didn’t want to make Ellis go, as much as she’d love to have them both at home with her all of the time, she knew it would be best for Ellis to go as normal. If he didn’t go this time, he’d only build it up more in his head and it would be even harder to go the next time.
‘I mean it, Mum. I don’t want to go ever again. She hates me, and I hate her too. Why couldn’t you and Daddy have stayed together? Why can’t you get back with him now? I hate you not being together. I hate having a step-mum.’
Turning to face him, Molly wiped the tears streaming down his cheeks. What was she supposed to say to him? How was she supposed to make it right? ‘It will all be okay. When you see Jessica again on Friday, you’ll see everything is back to normal.’
‘No. No, I’m not going.’ Flinging his cushion barrier from the sofa, Ellis jumped up, his voice hiccupping with tears. ‘I hate it. I hate my life. You don’t understand. You always say you understand, but you don’t. When you were my age, Nanna and Grandpa were together. You didn’t have to go from home to home and have to get to know a complete stranger who tried to be your mum.’
