Chapter 11

11

‘I’m sorry. How much?’ Laura placed her hand against the wall for support as the pest control specialist looked up from the floor where he’d been surveying the pieces of banister. She knew she should be grateful to have finally managed to get someone round to take a look, but after charging an extortionate call-out fee because he’d travelled half an hour from where he was based, the quote was ridiculous.

Standing up, the man rubbed his beard, leaving splinters of wood in the brown fuzz, and repeated the amount. ‘Sorry, that’s just how much it’s going to cost. These things are complex and there’s no easy fix. Of course, you can call in someone else, get another quote.’

Laura sighed. As if it were that easy. She was beginning to think Pennycress was cursed, the number of people she’d rung for help with the washing machine, and now this. ‘Thanks. I’ll get back to you soon.’

‘Okay, suit yourself. I wouldn’t leave it too late, though. You don’t want it spreading through the rest of the house.’ He took a last look at the staircase before leaving, nodding at Laura on his way out.

Closing the door firmly behind him, Laura placed her forehead on the stained-glass window in the door. Maybe she’d underestimated just how expensive this whole thing was going to be. Her dad and brother had been right. She should have let them look around, or at least paid for a proper survey, but, no, she’d known best, she’d wanted to go it alone. And, of course, because she’d been trying to save money she’d only opted for the survey the mortgage company had to complete.

Lifting her head up again, she let it fall back to the cool glass. Maybe she could just stay like this? Just stand here and forget it all. Forget about the stupid woodworm, forget about the strange atmosphere which seemed to follow her around whenever she ventured into the village centre, forget all the dirty looks Ms Taunton had given her – what was going on there, anyway? Was there something going on between her and Jackson? The estate agent wanted there to be, clearly, but were her feelings reciprocated?

‘Argh.’ She closed her eyes tightly. Why did it matter? It wasn’t anything to do with her. In the slightest. Jackson could get into a relationship with whoever he wanted. Even if it was with the haughty Ms Taunton who couldn’t crack a smile for anyone.

Ha, but she did for Jackson, didn’t she? So that proved her theory – Ms Taunton did hold a special place in her heart for Jackson. A tiny little slither only occupied by people she deigned worthy enough to smile at.

But was he into her too? Laura tried to think back to how he had acted around her in the pub earlier. She’d hadn’t been able to hear what they were saying, but she’d seen their body language. She’d been leaning towards him. Heck, Laura was pretty sure the woman would have been right up sitting on that bar if she could have. But him, what had his body language towards Ms Taunton shown? Had there been any hints at how he felt?

Stop. Laura, stop.

Lifting her forehead from the window, she walked into the guests’ sitting room and flopped onto the sofa, drawing one of the floral cushions onto her lap. She wasn’t thirteen with a huge crush on her brother’s best friend anymore. Heck, she’d been married! And she was a grown adult. The stupid teenage crush was long since dead.

And it wasn’t as though she hadn’t seen Jackson since they were teenagers. She had. They’d spent many a family Christmas dinner and summer BBQ together. Plus, her mum’s monthly roasts up until recently, and she’d never questioned her feelings towards him like she was doing now.

Pulling the cushion down, she placed it on the far side of the couch. She knew what the problem was, and it wasn’t because that long-buried crush had suddenly resurfaced. No. It was because he was the only human being in Meadowfield who looked at her without scowling.

Yes, that’s what it was. Her emotions were just playing with her.

Her phone pinged, and she grabbed it. Maybe it was Jackson thanking her again for giving his card back. After all, he had been called away before they’d a real chance to talk.

Oh, Jenny.

Hi, sis. Just thought I’d let you know that we’re out of A&E and Toby is fine. His ankle isn’t broken, thank goodness! It’s just a bad sprain xxx

That was great news. Laura nodded. She should have been thinking of Toby instead of trying to decipher her stupid feelings. She tapped back quickly.

What a relief! So glad it’s not broken and I’m so sorry that it happened here xxx

Not your fault. The twins shouldn’t have been playing on the stairs or sliding down the banister. They know better xxx

Still, I feel awful. You’ll have to come round again. I didn’t even show you around properly xxx

Yes, definitely. Think we’ll wait until it’s not so much of a health hazard, though! Haha xxx

A health hazard? Is that what Jenny and Rob thought of Pennycress? If they thought it was a health hazard, what would her paying guests think?

It’s not a health hazard. Just rotten luck and rotten wood…

Laura deleted her words. Yes, it was rotten, both wood and luck, but it had still happened. Toby had fallen, and it was because the banister had woodworm. If the same thing had happened to a guest, she’d have been sued, wouldn’t she?

She tried again.

Okay. Hope it doesn’t spoil your weekend away xxx

Laura held her phone against her chin as she awaited a reply. Did Jenny blame her? She’d said it was just bad luck, but after the comment about her keeping the twins away, did she blame her?

We’ll stay with the twins tonight to make sure Toby’s all right, then we’ll go in the morning. Still one night away :) xxx

And that made her feel even worse. Jenny and Rob were supposed to be spending the weekend celebrating their anniversary.

Keep me posted as to how he is and hope you have a great night away xxx

Thanks, sis xxxx

Great. That was it then. She’d ruined Jenny and Rob’s weekend getaway and she had a hallway which, between the rotten banister and the crumbling plaster on the walls, was barely holding itself upright. Perfect.

A clatter of metal sounded from the hallway. Post! Her first post here at the inn. Laura stood up and went to investigate.

She’d been right. The noise had been the letter box. She checked the time on her watch. It was a bit late for the post, wasn’t it? Bending down, she retrieved the flyer from the doormat. It wasn’t a letter, after all. No wonder it was so late, it would have just been someone walking past who had delivered it.

Turning it over in her hand, Laura frowned. It was an invitation. An invitation to a village meeting. And it was for tonight. She groaned. After the day she’d had, the last thing she wanted was to drag herself out in the cold again, find the village hall and go and sit with a bunch of strangers who she was pretty certain hated her.

Yuck.

But if she didn’t go, she’d become even more ostracised. And looking at it a different way, this might just be perfect timing. She could go and show her face, maybe even try to contribute to whatever was being discussed – what did a small place like Meadowfield have to discuss, or plan anyway? And if she came across as friendly and happy, then maybe, just maybe, it would show people what she could bring to village life.

Yes. She had to go. However much it filled her with dread just thinking about walking into a hall full of the people who had been less than welcoming, she needed to do it. But first she needed to brush her hair and slap a bit of make-up on. Oh, and make sure she didn’t have more ivy stuck to her.