Roxie returned from the toilet and sat down.
‘Did Joanne order me a low-fat muffin, do you know?’ Roxie asked as she sat down.
‘I’m not sure. She’s still talking to Bridget.’ Lila gestured at the counter where Joanne and her boss were chatting away while Bridget multitasked.
When Joanne came and joined them, she set down three mugs on the table then frowned. ‘No, that’s not right. The pink mug is the decaff.’ She moved the mugs around again then nodded. ‘Bridget said the muffins are just out of the oven so will be about five minutes and Lila, your poached eggs on toast will be the same.’
‘Lovely, thanks.’ Lila glanced across at the counter where Bridget was bustling away, one of her employees at her side. The café was always busy and a successful little business.
‘I did offer to help but she told me to go away.’ Joanne giggled. ‘Probably doesn’t want me asking for overtime.’
‘She thinks a lot of you, doesn’t she?’ Roxie asked.
‘I know. I’m lucky to have such a fab boss.’ Joanne raised her mug. ‘To fab bosses everywhere.’
They clinked mugs, grinning at each other, because Roxie didn’t work outside of the home and Lila was self-employed, so her friends were their own bosses.
‘How did the viewing of Bridget’s cottage go?’ Lila asked Joanne. ‘Ethan said he showed you round.’
‘It’s amazing.’ Joanne’s eyes widened. ‘You should see the garden.’
‘Good?’ Roxie asked.
‘Incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it. The inside of the cottage is a work in progress, but the garden is just perfect as it is. There are fruit trees and raised beds of vegetables and so many flowers in the borders. I could just sit out there for hours and watch the bees and butterflies visiting the garden while listening to the birdsong and enjoying the smell of honeysuckle, lavender and wisteria. My parents would probably want to buy the cottage themselves if they saw it.’
‘Have you spoken to Bridget yet?’ Lila sipped her tea.
‘Yes. We came straight here and waited for her to have her break then we made her an offer.’
‘And?’ Lila and Roxie asked together.
‘She’s considering it.’ Joanne chewed at her bottom lip. ‘We just really want it, but we’re trying not to get our hopes up because we’ll be devastated if someone else offers more. It’s the first place we’ve seen that we really love. And … Max has started talking about how it would be the perfect home to raise children.’
‘That’s so exciting!’ Lila clapped her hands. ‘I hope you get it.’
‘Me too. It’s going to be amazing once the interior work is done. In reality, it’s more than we considered paying but Max is convinced that we can manage it, so … We’ll see.’
Bridget arrived with their food order and set it on the table. She smiled at them all and squeezed Joanne’s shoulder. ‘Can I get you anything else?’
‘No this is wonderful, thanks.’ Joanne smiled at her. ‘Are you sure you don’t need a hand?’
‘It’s your day off, Joanne, so have a bloody rest, won’t you?’ Bridget shook her head. ‘Too generous for her own good, this one.’
‘We think so.’ Roxie nodded.
‘Did she tell you she wants to buy my mum’s old cottage?’
‘She did.’ Roxie’s face had gone very still as if she didn’t want to sway Bridget’s decision.
‘Well … I’m giving the offer very serious consideration.’ Bridget winked. ‘Very serious consideration indeed.’
Lila’s stomach rolled as she imagined how Joanne must be feeling and she reached out and took her hand. Joanne met her gaze but Lila could see that she was uncertain.
‘Oh Joanne, I’m pulling your leg.’ Bridget puffed out her cheeks. ‘Of course I’m going to accept your offer. I just had to speak to my solicitor about fees and all that horrible official stuff. I want you and Max to have the cottage and I know my dear old mum, God rest her soul, would want you to have it too. She’d hate for it to go to strangers and would love the thought of you two enjoying the garden and raising some babies there.’
Joanne pushed her chair back and stood up then threw herself at Bridget. ‘Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!’ When she pulled back, her hair was wild as it had fallen from its bun and stuck out like straw around her flushed cheeks. ‘Oh my god! I need to tell Max.’ She looked around her. ‘I need to tell him now.’
‘Go on then.’ Lila laughed. ‘We’ll drop your things round for you if you don’t make it back here.’
‘Okay! Thank you. You’re the best, Bridget. The absolute best!’
Joanne bolted for the door then froze, ran back and grabbed her muffin, then raced away again, waving at them through the window as she headed for the library.
‘Well, that’s settled then.’ Bridget sniffed and wiped at her eyes before adjusting her apron. ‘I’ve done my good deed for the day. Enjoy your breakfast ladies and shout if you want anything else.’
‘Thanks.’
Lila smiled at Roxie, swallowing hard to stop herself from crying.
‘Nothing like some good news on a Saturday, is there?’ Roxie raised her muffin and took a bite.
‘Definitely not,’ Lila agreed.
‘Oh …’ Roxie put her muffin down and dusted her hands off on a serviette. ‘I forgot to tell you that after I left your place the other day, I saw your double.’
‘My double?’
‘Yes. Outside the library I saw a woman who was your spitting image.’
Lila shifted on her chair.
‘In what way?’ She cradled her mug between her hands, her appetite gone.
‘She had hair the same lovely colour, looked exactly like you from behind and when I saw her face, she was so much like you she could have been a relative of yours.’
‘Oh …’ Lila felt dread coursing through her. ‘That much like me, eh?’
‘Yes. It was only the fact that she was wearing different clothes and didn’t have a baby bump that convinced me she wasn’t you. I mean … take away the pregnancy and stand you two next to each other and I’d be pushed to tell the difference.’
Roxie was clearly surprised at how much the woman had resembled Lila, but for Lila, this was something she didn’t want to hear. Ever.
‘I need to go to the toilet.’
Lila pushed her chair back and stood up slowly then crossed the café on wobbly legs. Why was it that just when everything seemed good, something had to go wrong?
12
Joanne
Joanne ran into the library, desperate to share her news with Max, but as she went through the double doorway, her baggy yoga top snagged on the door handle and she jerked forwards. The muffin she’d been holding flew through the air, sailing past the turnstile gate at the side of the counter. She stared in horror as it hit an elderly gentleman on the head, bounced off and hit his shoulder then landed on the carpeted floor.
He put the hardbacks he was holding on the counter and looked up as if thinking the muffin had fallen from the ceiling. At the same time, Max turned to the door, and seeing Joanne there, smirked then dropped his gaze to the books and started scanning them.
Joanne unhooked her top from the door handle, pushed her hair back behind her ears and strolled into the library as if she’s just arrived and nothing had happened. She passed through the turnstile, head held high, trying not to giggle as she saw the elderly gent pick up the muffin and look around again. He clearly had no idea that it had come from Joanne and she hoped he wouldn’t work it out.
She made her way to the romance section and pretended to browse the shelves while waiting for Max to come and speak to her.
When she felt his breath on her neck and smelt his familiar cologne, she turned to gaze into his dark brown eyes. It didn’t matter how many times she looked at him, she still had butterflies. Max was her boyfriend, he loved her, and they woke every morning in each other’s arms. They were as close as two people could be and she hope
d it would always be that way.
‘So you’re abusing the elderly people of Wisteria Hollow with muffins now, are you?’ His eyes were filled with mischief.
Joanne snorted. ‘I was in a hurry and my top caught on the door.’
‘I like that top. I wish I could have come to yoga with you and watched you in all those bendy poses.’
‘Max!’ She glanced around them. ‘You can’t say things like that when you’re at work.’
‘You’re right. Imagine if someone overheard.’ He took his glasses off and wiped them on the hem of his shirt then put them back on. ‘It doesn’t help that my glasses mist up when I’m near you.’
Joanne smiled but heat filled her cheeks. ‘Really?’
‘You’re very hot, Joanne, don’t you realise?’
He brushed her cheek with his fingers and the flush in her cheeks spread as a familiar heat emanated through her body.
‘I love that you see me like that.’
‘How else would I see you?’
‘You’re the best.’ She grinned at him. ‘Oh … I almost forgot. I have some news.’
‘Good news?’
‘Yes. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been rushing and overarm bowled that rather delicious muffin. Such a waste.’
‘Were you bringing it for me?’
She nodded, although she hadn’t thought that initially when she’d grabbed it at the café, but now realised she’d have left it for Max for his break.
‘Damn shame as it’s in the bin under the counter now.’ He grimaced.
‘I’ll go and get you another one.’
‘You’re my favourite girlfriend.’
‘Don’t tease me like that. I’d better be your only girlfriend.’
‘You are.’
Joanne swayed from side to side as she admired him. He was just gorgeous.
‘So what’s the news?’
‘Oh! Right … well, I was at the café with Lila and Roxie and we were discussing the cottage and I told them how much we love it and want it and how disappointed we’ll be if we don’t get it and …’
‘And?’ Max was clearly tense now. His shoulders and eyebrows had risen and he drummed his fingers against his thighs.
‘Bridget said we can have it.’
‘What?’
Joanne nodded. ‘She has to confirm some things with her solicitor, but she wants to accept our offer. She said something about her mum wanting us to have it and look after her garden and to raise children there.’
‘This is brilliant!’
‘I know!’
He wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her up then swung her around. ‘We have a home, Joanne, a home of our own.’
Joanne laughed and held him tight, delighted by his happiness but terrified he might drop her or let her go as she’d end up flying into one of the shelves.
‘We do, but she does have to confirm it all first. This is the first stage, obviously, but she likes our offer and likes us, so it’s all good.’
Max put her down gently then cupped her face and held her gaze.
‘This is a very good sign, Joanne. I know you’re right to advise caution and I will try not to pin all my hopes on this just in case, but if we had that cottage and that garden, it would be wonderful. We can raise a family there and have parties and read in the garden and … I could even manage, perhaps, to write there.’
‘Of course you could. The snug would make a lovely study and in the fine weather you could write in the garden under the apple trees.’
‘We could have a dog.’ He smiled. ‘Or would you prefer a cat?’
‘I’d like both.’
‘The commute to work is minimal.’ He laughed.
‘It is, and what we save on travelling expenses, we have to spend on the mortgage instead.’ Joanne’s stomach was fizzing so much she felt like she might burst.
‘Thanks for coming to let me know.’
‘Do you think I could have waited until the end of the day to tell you at home?’
‘Probably not.’
They grinned at each other, as excited as little children on Christmas morning, then Max pulled her into a hug. As her face pressed against the crook of his neck, she breathed him in. This man was her friend, her lover and her future. Everything from here on in was about them and their partnership. They would move forwards together in whatever direction that took them, and it felt wonderful to have that security.
‘Shall I pick up some champagne on my way home?’ he asked. ‘Or is it too soon to celebrate?’
Joanne shook her head. ‘I think we can celebrate. Even if it’s a tentative celebration for the cottage, we can still celebrate being in love and the life we have to share together.’
‘Sounds good to me.’ He kissed her hard enough to take her breath away then stepped back and adjusted his glasses. ‘I’d better get back to work but if you do fancy dropping off another muffin later, that would be wonderful. I’m quite peckish now.’
‘I’ll drop another muffin off but only because you’re so lovely.’
‘Thank you. But this time, please don’t hurl it at anyone, will you, or before we know it the village will soon be alive with the rumour that the library ceiling is raining baked goods.’
Joanne sniggered then kissed him quickly before walking away. The romance section of the library had plenty of passion and love within the covers of the books, but she couldn’t believe that any of the stories were as delightful as her own.
13
Lila
‘Joanne, stop eating them or there won’t be any left.’ Lila wiped the sweat from her brow as she stood up. Joanne grinned at her, mouth and hands red from where she’d been picking strawberries then eating most of them. ‘Seriously, Joanne, you’ve eaten more than you’ve picked.’
Almost two weeks had passed since Joanne and Max had their offer on Bridget’s cottage accepted and Joanne hadn’t stopped smiling.
‘I can’t help it.’ Joanne licked her lips. ‘They’re just delicious.’
‘I know that, but you’re not supposed to eat them as they have to be weighed so we can pay for them and we need them for the party tomorrow.’ Roxie shook her head, making her high ponytail sway.
‘Gosh it’s hot, isn’t it?’ Lila blinked behind her sunglasses.
‘Have you drunk enough water?’ Roxie asked.
‘I’ve been trying to.’
‘Well have some more and go and sit down under the tree where we left the cooler.’
‘It’s okay, I want to help you and Joanne.’
‘And we want you to go and sit in the shade and have a drink.’ Roxie folded her arms across her chest, showing that she meant business.
‘Okay, then.’ Lila shrugged. ‘If you insist, but only because I’m responsible for this little one.’ She pressed a hand over her belly, convinced that it was even bigger today than it had been yesterday. The denim maternity shorts she’d put on went under the bump while her pink stretchy vest top went over it and the colour really showed off her shape. Ethan had even said ‘Wow!’ when she’d got dressed that morning and so she’d left the cottage feeling really good about herself. She’d also promised to bring him some strawberries back but if Joanne kept eating them at this rate, Lila was worried there wouldn’t be any left to share with Ethan.
A week tomorrow they were getting married and he intended on taking a week off afterwards to spend with Lila. They weren’t having a honeymoon as such but intended on having some lie-ins and Netflix marathons, making the most of some time alone before two became three.
The strawberry fields were busy and people milled around the rows, carrying baskets and bowls that they filled with the sweetest, ripest fruit. Lila hadn’t tasted one yet, in spite of the fact that her mouth had been watering at the delicious fragrance, because she knew that it was risky to eat unwashed fruit, especially in pregnancy. So while Joanne had been stuffing her face, Lila had sipped water and tried to ignore the urge to pop large, juicy strawberrie
s into her mouth. Roxie had been very organised on their arrival and set their picnic cooler in a shady spot under the tree along with a blanket and some cushions, thus reserving a space for them to sit when they’d finished, and because, as she repeated several times, Lila was pregnant and should rest as soon as she felt the need.
Underneath the shade of the enormous oak tree, Lila kicked off her sandals and spread out the picnic blanket Roxie had packed then sat down and crossed her legs. She removed her sun hat and let the breeze cool her head while she waited for the throbbing in her legs to subside. Carrying the extra weight of the baby was getting harder to manage on her small frame and she wondered how she’d manage another eight to ten weeks. Surely, she’d get to the point where she’d pop? The image was awful so she shook it from her mind and focused instead on getting the picnic organised.
In the cooler were three more bottles of water, reusable bottles that Roxie had filled as part of her fight against plastic waste, and a wonderful selection of foods. Lila set them out in front of her, her mouth watering at the fat green olives, crusty bread, crumbly cheese, mini salmon and broccoli quiches, red grapes, roast chicken slices and selection of olive oil crisps. There was also a pot of clotted cream and an extra bottle of water that Lila assumed was to wash some strawberries so they could have them after the picnic.
When everything was laid out, she waved at Roxie and Joanne and they finished off picking, went and got their baskets weighed, paid for the strawberries then came to join her.
‘This looks amazing, Lila.’ Joanne sat on the blanket and stretched out her long legs.
‘Roxie’s the one we need to thank.’ Lila shaded her eyes to look up at Roxie who was pushing her shoulders back.
‘It’s my pleasure and I’m delighted you’re both pleased with the food.’ She winced.
‘You okay?’ Lila asked.
A Wedding on Sunflower Street: An uplifting story about friendship, love and marriage Page 6
