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All eyes were on Allie.
‘Ignore me, I’m just having a moan.’
‘That’s what we are here for,’ said Felicity, tucking her feet underneath and getting comfy on the old battered armchair. ‘Spill.’
Allie’s tone was sulky, ‘It’s the job.’
‘Rory’s job? He’s got a brilliant job,’ said Isla.
Allie pulled an unimpressed face, ‘That’s not in dispute … you’d think he’d be happy, wouldn’t you?’
‘And he’s not?’ asked Jessica.
Allie rolled her eyes, ‘We all know he’s a partner in the family veterinary business. A business that has been built up from scratch by his parents … a steady solid income …’
‘So, what’s the problem?’ interrupted Felicity.
‘Hmm,’ said Allie, ‘I think he kind of feels stifled by his dad’s ways.’
‘I kind of get that …’ said Felicity. ‘A young vet with new ideas, and a dad who’s run the business successfully for years and probably doesn’t see any sort of need for change … it’s a generation thing.’
‘That’s exactly it. Rory just gets a little frustrated and wants to expand … open a second practice, increase the staff … he’s enthusiastic, whereas …’
‘His dad is set in his ways and probably ready for retirement,’ chipped in Jessica.
‘Exactly,’ agreed Allie, ‘I’m just a little cheesed off with having the same conversations and frustrations over and over again. I think he should bide his time and not rock the boat, and as soon as his dad decides to retire he can do whatever he likes.’
‘There’s the old saying: don’t try and fix something that isn’t broken,’ said Polly, topping up everyone’s glass. ‘But if there are any jobs going that might be an excuse to stick around … going back to London is becoming less appealing by the day.’
‘That’s the problem with living in a small village, it’s a beautiful place but most of the businesses are family run, so there are few employment opportunities. I’ve fallen on my feet with the teashop and working alongside Mum, but if it wasn’t for my grandma and her good ideas, goodness knows what career path I’d have ventured down.’
‘So, you fancy sticking around then, Polly?’ said Jessica.
‘I wish, but it’s not that easy, is it? There’s nothing keeping me in London and I’m finding it so difficult to even get an interview … it’s disheartening.’
‘And I didn’t know you were looking for a job, Isla?’ Jessica said, turning the conversation towards Isla, whose eyes widened and locked with Felicity’s.
Felicity shrugged discreetly, she hadn’t told a soul about the conversation between them. Everyone was now looking at Isla.
‘Sorry, have I said something I shouldn’t?’ asked Jessica, clocking the look between them both.
‘What’s going on?’ asked Allie, sitting up straight. ‘Why are you looking for a job?’
Suddenly, Isla was overcome with emotion, all the tension between her and Drew she had been bottling up snapped. She felt enveloped with anguish and it churned her stomach up.
‘It’s just Drew asked me whether there were any jobs going at the school …’
‘He did what?’ Isla stared open-mouthed.
‘The other day, he caught me outside school and asked me,’ elaborated Jessica.
‘How bloody dare he go behind my back like this?’ Isla shook her head in disbelief, she was fuming.
At a loss for words, she gulped back her wine. This behaviour was so out of character for Drew. He would never normally go behind her back like this, but at the minute it was like she didn’t know him at all.
‘Why the need to get a job?’ asked Polly.
‘Your guess is as good as mine. Drew’s got a bee in his bonnet about me wasting money on breakfast and lunches while he’s out working on the farm.’
‘Maybe he’s just panicking with a new baby in the house and doesn’t want to struggle financially,’ added Allie, noticing Isla’s eyes welling with tears.
‘That’s all good and well, but if I do get a job, all I’ll be doing is earning money to pay someone else to look after Angus, and what’s the point in that?’ Isla knew leaving baby Angus with anyone would definitely pull at her heartstrings.
‘I watched a programme recently about a secretive gambler, it all spiralled out of control and his wife hadn’t got a clue about his debts, until the bailiffs turned up,’ said Jessica dramatically.
Isla sat up straight, ‘You don’t think Drew’s gambling, do you?’ she asked alarmed, feeling all panicky inside.
Everyone laughed.
‘Of course not,’ reassured Felicity.
‘He’s on his phone more and more though. You can get those gambling apps, can’t you?’
‘Isla, don’t be daft. Drew isn’t the type to risk everything he has or put his family in any sort of jeopardy.’
In spite of everything, Isla knew that Felicity was right, Drew would never risk his business or their family home. He had been working every hour possible and more than likely this was the reason he’d been so difficult to talk to recently. And with the new baby, he was probably just tired.
‘Maybe Martha is your fairy godmother, turning up when she did,’ smiled Felicity softly. ‘Having her around might help to defuse any tensions.’
‘Let’s hope so,’ answered Isla despondently, but attempting a smile.
‘Anyway, let’s put all this doom and gloom behind us and talk christenings,’ suggested Allie, lightening the mood.
Felicity clapped her hands together joyfully, ‘Have we got a date yet?’
It had been on Isla’s list nearly every week to visit the minister to confirm a date for the christening, but she just hadn’t gotten round to it. ‘Not yet, but I’m on it,’ she said, and her worried expression began to change into a smile. Feeling more joyful, the thought of an afternoon celebrating with all her friends and family lifted her mood. And maybe it was just what Drew needed too, to let his hair down and enjoy himself for a change.
‘We can take care of the catering between us,’ Allie flapped her hand between herself and Felicity, ‘obviously we can have the party at the pub.’
‘And I’ll bake the cake,’ added Felicity.
‘And I can ask the children at school to make some decorations,’ added Jessica.
‘And I’m on hand to help with anything too,’ smiled Polly.
This was just what Isla needed, all her friends rallying around her. They had a way of making her feel better about things.
‘And try not to worry about Drew, it’ll be something and nothing. We are all entitled to off days,’ said Felicity, her gaze drifting towards the second empty bottle of wine.
‘Hopefully … and anyway …’ said Isla, shifting the conversation into a different direction, ‘when are you moving in with Fergus?’
Felicity blushed, ‘Hmm … not just yet.’
‘Why, is there something wrong between you pair?’ said Jessica, leaning forward and grabbing a handful of peanuts from the bowl on the table.
‘No, it’s not that.’
Felicity had mixed feelings about her situation with Fergus. Of course, she wanted to move into Fox Hollow Cottage with Fergus and Esme, she’d fallen in love with them both, but the thought of leaving her mum on her own in the cottage since the death of her grandmother just didn’t sit right with her at the moment. She was torn between her own happiness and that of her mum.
‘It’s too soon for my mum, but I’ll know when the time is right. It’s just … I’m not even sure about moving into Fox Hollow Cottage.’
‘Why? It’s a beautiful place,’ queried Isla.
Felicity pinched the bridge of her nose, ‘I know, but, as much as I love Aggie, I want our own place, just for the three of us.’
‘It’s a difficult one,’ Allie said softly.
Fergus had lived at Fox Hollow Cottage for all of his life and when Esme’s mum had passed away he’d stayed living with his mother, Aggie, who’d supported him through his grief and was very much a hands-on grandmother.
‘Do you think that sounds selfish of me?’
‘No, not at all, you need your own family space,’ answered Polly.
‘Maybe in time you could do a house swap?’ said Jessica in all seriousness. ‘Aggie could move in here, or Rona could move in with her.’
The thought crossed Felicity’s mind for a fleeting moment, but she knew her mum would never move out of Heartwood Cottage. This place was her life and no doubt Aggie felt the same about Fox Hollow Cottage.
‘Do you think there will be room for my gran too?’ giggled Isla, now feeling a little tipsy on wine and forgetting her own troubles for a brief moment. ‘Even though I’m not sure how long she’s going to stay around for this time … your guess is as good as mine, but can you imagine their Friday nights … nights of gin, poker and Tinder.’
Everyone laughed.
‘Living the dream!’ chuckled Allie. ‘I’d actually be quite jealous.’
‘Shh, what’s that noise?’ asked Polly.
‘That’ll be Mum back,’ answered Felicity, amazed at how quickly the time had flown. They heard the sound of the garden gate being opened, followed by the cackle of laughter.
‘Sounds like Gran is with her … and tipsier than us,’ said Isla in a whisper, while straining to hear.
Felicity had not witnessed her mum drunk for as long as she could remember. She often enjoyed a gin and tonic at the pub but was never one for excessive drinking. But it was about time she let her hair down and had some fun with her friends.
The girls heard Rona, Martha and Aggie fall into the hallway still giggling.
‘I’ve got a match,’ squealed Rona. ‘Oh my … he’s got no teeth and looks like he would be better fitted in a police line-up … look!’
‘I told you, you were swiping the wrong way … let’s have a look,’ chuckled Martha. ‘He’s not too bad, maybe a little overweight, bald and probably has his own teeth – well, the ones he has … well worth a date, I say.’
Rona looked horrified as all three of them appeared in the living-room doorway. ‘There’s not a cat-in-hell’s chance.’
‘I’m with Rona,’ laughed Aggie, who sounded relatively sober compared to the other two women.
‘You can’t judge by a photograph. What if he has an amazing personality or is a millionaire in disguise?’ Martha gave Rona a serious look.
‘Mmm,’ said Rona, far from convinced, ‘I don’t mind missing out this time and I really can’t see why any millionaires would need to be on a dating app. Is this what my life has become … is this all I’m destined for?’
The girls supressed their giggles.
‘Sorry, it appears my gran is leading your mum astray,’ Isla said, grinning, while shaking her head in disbelief as Martha stumbled into the living room clutching her phone.
‘We’ve set your mum up on a dating app,’ she informed everyone proudly. ‘And I’ll have you know she already has a match.’ Martha gave a goofy grin and seemed rather pleased with herself.
‘Even though she’s been swiping the wrong way, apparently,’ joined in Aggie, who’d eyed the remaining bottle of wine on the table.
‘I really didn’t have much choice, Martha wouldn’t take no for an answer.’ Rona rolled her eyes in jest.
‘I can believe that,’ laughed Isla.
‘Martha is very persuasive,’ Rona replied, before trying to walk in a straight line towards the kitchen. ‘One for the road,’ she said, returning holding three wine glasses.
‘And I’ll have you know,’ hiccupped Rona, ‘I don’t want a man or need a man. I’m perfectly happy on my own.’ She began to pour the wine while Martha and Aggie squeezed on to the settee.
‘So, what have we missed … anything interesting?’ asked Aggie, looking between the girls.
Isla snagged Felicity’s eye, a look that meant, Don’t mention anything about my argument with Drew.
‘Just general stuff,’ answered Jessica.
‘So how long are you staying for, Polly?’ asked Aggie.
‘However long Felicity and Rona will put up with me for. I’ve nothing to rush back for but I don’t want to outstay my welcome either.’
Felicity gave Polly a warm smile, ‘You’re welcome to stay as long as you want.’
Everyone’s attention was suddenly drawn to Martha’s phone which pinged with a notification.
‘It’s another match!’ she squealed in a drunken stupor. She narrowed her eyes and then they sprang back open. She scrutinised the screen. ‘Not bad … not bad at all,’ she said, twisting the phone to Rona. ‘Let’s message him.’
‘Let’s not,’ replied Rona, making a series of huffing and puffing noises and taking the phone from Martha’s hand.
‘You’re no fun,’ Martha claimed, a little disgruntled.
‘Can you see what I’ve had to put up with all night?’ grinned Aggie. ‘It’s like refereeing children.’
To everyone’s surprise, Rona was quiet, then the corners of her mouth lifted. ‘Oh …’ she exclaimed.
‘Told you,’ exclaimed Martha, in a smug tone. ‘He’s quite dishy.’
Everyone waited in anticipation to hear Rona’s verdict.
