Chapter 19

19

With the last piece of wallpaper in the bag and the floorboards swept of the worst of the plaster dust, Laura straightened her back and looked at Jackson. ‘Thank you so much for helping with this.’

‘No problem.’ He picked up the bin bag and tied the end. ‘We were just in the nick of time, by the looks of it.’

Grimacing, Laura followed Jackson’s gaze to the front door and, sure enough, she could make out two figures coming up the garden path.

‘I’ll slip out the back and take this with me.’ He lifted the bin bag.

‘Are you sure?’ She glanced between Jackson and the front door.

‘I am. I don’t think we should mention anything about last night’s kiss or us dating to Richie before we know what’s going on, do you?’

‘Umm, you’re probably right.’ Laura followed him through to the kitchen and the back door. Richie hadn’t exactly taken to any of her exes, instead letting his protective big brother side shine through. Apart from Harry, that was. He’d approved of Harry of all people.

The weak tone of the doorbell reached them, and she looked behind her.

Jackson pulled the back door open and took a step outside before turning to her. ‘One thing before I go, though.’

‘What?’ She smiled as she realised what he was referring to and sank into his arms as he drew her close to him, meeting her lips.

The doorbell rang again, and Jackson stepped away, holding his hand up in a wave before he disappeared around the side of the inn.

Retracing her steps back to the front door, Laura touched her lips before swinging it open. ‘Morning!’

‘Hello, little sis. We didn’t wake you when Dad phoned, did we? I know you’re not usually a morning person.’ Richie drew her in for a hug.

‘That was in the past, Richie, lad. Isn’t that right, Laura? You’ll be up at the crack of dawn cooking breakfast from now on, won’t you, sweetheart?’ It was her dad’s turn for a hug.

‘Uh-huh. That’s right. Come on in.’ Laura held the door open as her brother and dad stepped inside.

‘Oh.’ Her dad spoke first as he turned slowly in the middle of the hallway.

‘I know, I know. But I’ve not finished it yet, it still needs sanding and repapering, and it wasn’t particularly planned. I found a patch of crumbling plaster, filled that in and then one thing led to another…’ She spoke quickly, waving her hands around to indicate the patchwork wall.

‘You did this?’ Richie asked.

‘Yep,’ she answered quietly, and braced herself. As the silence dragged on, she looked from Richie to her dad and back again. ‘Like I said, there’s a long way to go and I hadn’t quite realised there’d be this much to fix…’

‘I’m impressed.’ Her dad stepped forward and ran his hand over a patch of dried wall filler. ‘For a first-timer, it’s not a bad job.’

‘You’re impressed?’ She let her jaw drop open.

Her dad nodded. ‘I am. I don’t think even your brother would have taken on a job this size on his own and definitely not Jenny.’

Richie held his hands out, palms outward. ‘Too right, I wouldn’t have. You’ve done a good job.’

‘You wouldn’t?’ Were they being serious? They were actually praising her for the patchwork wall? She pointed to the part of the banister lying on the floor. ‘I think it’s got woodworm too.’

‘Ah, now that’s a shame.’ Her dad walked across to the banister and knelt down on the floor to examine it, before breathing a sigh of relief. ‘It’s not woodworm, sweetheart. Do you see the way it’s splintered? If it was woodworm, it wouldn’t have done that. It’s likely just old age and, judging by the looks of it, someone was quite rough with it.’

‘The twins came round…’ Laura shrugged.

‘Enough said. I bet little Toby was trying to slide down it then. He tried that stunt when me and your mum took the twins to the museum last week.’ Her dad tutted. ‘Nah, that’ll be an easy fix, I should think. It’ll take some work to get it as fancily carved as the rest of it, but a true pro will be able to do it.’

Laura smiled. The two people who she’d thought would criticise her the most had given her nothing but praise since walking through the door. ‘Thank you.’

‘What for?’

She shook her head slightly. She couldn’t very well admit to them that she’d been dreading them coming. Instead, she indicated the door through to the kitchen. ‘Do you want to grab a coffee before I give you a tour?’

‘Yes, please. Dad refused to stop at the service station.’ Richie licked his lips.

‘It’s a waste of time and a waste of money stopping at those places. There’s no chance I’m paying a fiver for a coffee I could make at home for a few pence.’ Her dad shook his head.

Laura laughed. That had always been his excuse for not stopping on the way to holiday when they’d been growing up. Nothing had changed.

‘Haven’t I taught you anything?’ Her dad looked pointedly at Richie. ‘Look after the pennies and the pounds…’

‘Will look after themselves,’ Laura and Richie chorused.

‘You did learn a thing or two from me, then?’

‘Yes, we did, but it’s also nice to treat yourself to an admittedly expensive coffee every once in a while, especially when travelling.’ Richie walked across to the kitchen work surface and crossed his arms whilst his dad sat down at the table.

‘Not to worry, I have lots of coffee.’ Laura held up the jar. Maybe this surprise visit wasn’t going to be as bad as she’d thought after all. Everything both Richie and her dad had mentioned so far had been positive.

‘Ooh, is that French toast?’ Richie turned around and picked up the fork lying next to the plate Jackson had brought over for her. Leaning down, he prodded it with the fork before taking a mouthful. ‘Yum, that’s good. Jackson used to make a mean French toast too.’

Nodding, Laura turned to face the window and filled the kettle with water, hoping Richie hadn’t noticed the fierce blush flushing across her cheeks at the mention of Jackson’s name.

‘Do you mind if I have it?’

‘Yep, that’s fine. Go ahead.’ She flicked the kettle on and leaned against the work surface. There went her chance to taste it, but she couldn’t very well tell him that, no, he couldn’t have any because his best mate had cooked it for her. There would be too many questions. Still, it was the thought that counted and the fact Jackson had thought about her was better than any dish anyone could ever make.

‘I’m sure your mum said something about him living in this village.’ Her dad slipped his glasses off and began cleaning them with the bottom of his top.

‘Umm… that’s right.’ There was that heat again.

‘You said he was next door, didn’t you?’ Richie stabbed another bit of French toast with the fork. ‘I did tell you, Dad. On the way here.’

She looked from the breakfast Jackson had cooked for her to Richie, desperately trying to figure a way out of this line of conversation. Neither she nor Jackson were ready to come clean to Richie yet. Especially as all they’d shared so far was a kiss or three. It wasn’t even as though they’d been on a date. ‘How’s work going?’

‘Work? Oh, you know. It’s going okay.’ Richie tapped the fork against his chin. ‘In fact, I think I might be in line for a promotion.’

‘Another promotion? Didn’t you just get one a couple of months ago?’ Grateful for the change in topic, Laura poured the water, filing up three mugs.

‘Yep.’ Richie grinned before indicating the plate again. ‘But this, this is good. Are you going to offer it on your breakfast menu? Because if you are I think me and Jane might have to pay a visit.’

Laura shrugged. She couldn’t lie to him, but he hadn’t asked if she’d cooked it herself, just whether she was going to serve it. ‘I’ve not got as far as thinking about the breakfast menu yet.’

‘Well, you should. This right here will put you on the map on its own.’ He shovelled another forkful into his mouth.

Placing the steaming mugs of coffee on the table, Laura sat on the bench opposite her dad. Richie had a point, not that she’d actually had the chance to taste it, but if it was as good as it smelt, then she should ask Jackson for the recipe.

‘Lovely, thank you.’ Replacing his glasses on the end of his nose, her dad took a sip before looking over the rim of his mug. ‘Young Harry visited us for tea yesterday.’

Spluttering, Laura wiped the coffee from her chin with the back of her hand. Harry had been round her parents’ house? They’d invited her ex over for tea? And her dad had mentioned it so casually, as if telling her about a neighbour’s cat strolling along the fence or her mum having a hair appointment. ‘You invited my ex-husband round for tea?’

‘Goodness, no. He popped round. Was in the area he said, and your mum felt sorry for him so asked him to stay.’

‘Right, that makes all the difference then.’ Laura raised her eyebrow at him. ‘Why? Just why would Mum invite him in for tea – and what was he doing in the area? He lives on the other side of town.’

‘He’s not living there anymore. He’s in some place in the centre of town now.’ Her dad placed his mug casually down on the table.

‘Oh.’ Laura frowned. What did that information have to do with her? She’d heard from Jenny that he and Dina had split up, so maybe he’d moved out.

‘He was asking after you. He was.’ Her dad took his glasses from his nose again and pointed them at her.

She wasn’t going to ask. She didn’t care what he’d been saying about her or what her parents had told him about what she was up to. He was her past and… hopefully, Jackson might be her future. Although it would be good to know what Harry’s reaction had been. She’d always spoken about opening an inn or a café, her own business, and she’d always got the distinct impression he hadn’t believed she was capable or that she’d really take such a leap of faith. Not that he’d ever said that, but he’d always suggested it could be something they could look into in the future. Never now and never just her. She picked up her mug again, pointedly taking a slow sip of coffee.

‘Your mother told him about your grand plans for this place.’ Her dad began wiping his glasses again, obviously a stubborn mark giving him some trouble.

Despite all of her best intentions, Laura held her breath, willing him to continue. It wasn’t that Harry’s opinion was important to her, more that she was curious as to what he’d said about her buying Pennycress – something which would have been so out of character had she still been with him.

Her dad replaced his glasses once more and picked up his mug, oblivious to his daughter watching his every move.

Laura squirmed on the bench. Ah, she’d just have to ask him. Clearing her throat, she tried to ask in an off-hand, disinterested manner. ‘So, er, what did he say?’

‘When your mother told him?’

‘Yes.’ She nodded. Was he doing this on purpose?

‘He was very surprised. Shocked, I think, was the word your mother used. Apparently, he stuttered.’

‘You weren’t there? You weren’t part of this conversation?’

‘No, I was in the garage at the time and when I came in for tea, they were chatting about the weather and the price of beetroot.’

‘Beetroot?’

‘Oh yes. It’s all these price wars which are happening between the big supermarkets. One reduces the price of something – beetroot in this instance – and so does the other one and the cycle continues until they’re practically giving it away.’

Laura breathed out slowly through her mouth, telling herself to remain calm. ‘Harry was just shocked then. Mum didn’t tell you what he actually said, just that he hadn’t expected me to buy an inn?’

‘Nope. Nothing else to report, I’m afraid.’

‘Okay.’ Laura turned her mug so the words ‘Good Morning!’ which were emblazoned upon the white ceramic in bright green and yellow writing, were facing her. Trying to get that slither of information from her dad had been hard work. And definitely not worth it either.

‘She gave him one of my garibaldis though.’ Her dad frowned. ‘I wish she wouldn’t do that, give them away to any Tom, Dick or Harry.’

‘Good one, Dad.’ Richie chuckled as he pointed the fork at his dad.

Laura rolled her eyes. Her dad always had been fiercely protective of his favourite biscuits. To the point he’d hide them if he knew Jenny was bringing the twins – or the human dustbins as he’d nicknamed them – round. ‘Well, I wish she wouldn’t invite my ex-husband in for tea in the first place. And I wish Jenny wouldn’t spend an eternity talking to him down the supermarket aisles. It’s weird. We’re divorced. We split up two whole years ago and yet I feel as though he’s still part of this family.’

‘I’m sorry you feel that way, but the fact of the matter is he was in our lives for a long time, all our lives, and it’s not as though you split up because he was an awful person or anything. It’s going to take a while for people to adjust.’

Taking a deep breath, Laura reminded herself it wasn’t her dad’s fault. It wasn’t even him who had chosen to spend time with Harry. All the same, she wished he’d stay in her past. She drained the rest of her coffee and stood up. ‘Anyway, that’s enough talk of Harry for the day, thanks. Who wants to come and look around my future ?’

Laura waved as her dad and Richie drove past, the car headlights illuminating the trees lining the street in the dim evening light, Richie sticking his hand out of the window to wave back at her as the car disappeared around the corner. Closing the gate, she walked back up the garden path and rolled her shoulders back as she breathed out a sigh of relief.

‘That bad, hey?’ Jackson’s voice sounded behind her.

‘Where did you spring from?’ Turning, Laura grinned as she waited for Jackson to click the gate shut.

‘I spotted Phil’s car driving past.’ He wrapped his arms around her waist before bringing her in for a kiss.

Sinking into his bear hug, Laura kissed him back before resting her cheek against his shoulder and simply enjoying the feeling of his arms holding her.

‘What did they think of Pennycress?’

Stepping back, she began walking down the path again. ‘They liked it. Or they said they did. They were even impressed with the appalling plastering I’d done in the hallway.’

‘That’s a good thing, surely?’

Laura looked down as she stepped over a wayward lavender stem. ‘Yes, it is. They surprised me, to be honest, with how positive they were. Especially after Toby’s fall, I’d expected Jenny to go back and tell everyone the inn was a dangerous building site.’

‘I’m sensing a “but” here…’ After following her through the front door, Jackson closed it quietly behind them.

‘Yes, a big but.’ She leaned against the reception desk and looked at him. ‘They kept bringing up Harry.’

‘That eejit? Why?’ Jackson stood in front of her and took her hands in his.

‘Well, apparently he stopped by my parents’ house because he was “in the area”…’ She curled her fingers around the words ‘in the area’, emphasising how ridiculous an excuse it was. ‘And Mum only went and invited him in for tea!’

Jackson tilted his head. ‘I suppose he’s been in the family for a good number of years. I guess it’s not that easy to just cut someone off completely.’

‘Yes, it is. His family has! I’ve not heard a jot from any of them, didn’t even get a Christmas card. Not that I care, mind you. I just don’t understand why my own family seem to be on his side, that’s all.’

‘They’re not on his side. They support you.’ He rubbed his thumbs against the back of her hands.

‘I’m not so sure. First, Jenny spends ages chatting to him in the supermarket and now this. Mum invited him in for tea. I mean, really?’ She rolled her eyes before meeting his again, her tone becoming sarcastic. ‘Maybe they secretly hope I’ll get back with him – that way they can have him over for tea every night of the week, listen to him droning on about the price of beetroot.’

‘Beetroot?’

‘Long story.’ Laura laughed. ‘Of course they think I’m single too. If they knew?—’

‘If they knew, I think Richie would probably kneecap me.’ Jackson grimaced.

‘Haha, now you’re just being overdramatic.’ Pushing herself away from where she was leaning against the desk, she inched closer to him. ‘I think they’d be pretty pleased. I mean, if they loved Harry, then imagine how they’d feel about me dating you.’

‘I’m definitely not Harry.’ He chuckled.

‘No, definitely not.’ She leaned in, their lips mere millimetres apart.

‘Still, let’s not say anything quite yet. I’d like to enjoy the full use of my legs for a while longer.’

Laura shook her head slightly before their lips touched.

Drawing back, Jackson tucked her hair behind her ears. ‘I was going to ask you if you’re free tomorrow?’

‘Well, I may have to rearrange my diary. You know, what with all the commitments I have with my numerous friends in the village.’

‘Haha. I’ll take that as a yes then. I’m going to The Great Home Show in London and I’ve managed to get my hands on another ticket. I’m hoping to get some inspiration for the home renovations and thought you might enjoy it too?’

‘Ooh yes, I’d love to.’ She looked around her. ‘I might even get some ideas on how to redecorate this hallway.’

‘Great.’ Jackson glanced behind him towards the door. ‘Right, I hate to do this, but as much as I want to spend the evening with you, I need to run over to Billy’s house and take a look at his boiler for him. They’ve got no heating or hot water at all.’

‘If you ever have enough of renovating houses, you could always become a plumber. What with your heroic efforts here last night and now rescuing your brother?’

‘Haha, maybe.’ Jackson gave her a kiss before leaving.

Following him to the front door, Laura watched as he walked down the garden path and smiled as he turned and blew her a kiss before pulling the gate open.

She shut the door and leaned against it, surveying the hallway, a slow grin spreading across her face. Pennycress had had the seal of approval from both her dad and Richie. She wasn’t imagining it, was she?

Pushing herself away from the door, she yawned as she headed into the kitchen and flicked the kettle on. The day had been emotionally and physically exhausting. After coffee and a tour of Pennycress, the three of them had spent the rest of the morning sanding down the bumpy patches of wall filler and in the afternoon they’d helped her tackle the back garden – well, as much as they could anyway before the evening had closed in.

She heaped spoonfuls of hot chocolate powder into her mug before hitting the power button on the old-fashioned radio she’d found at the back of a cupboard in the utility room. As nostalgic music from the nineties filled the room, Laura began to dance, throwing her arms above her head and shimmying around the tables. Her dad had liked the inn. He’d said he was impressed with what she doing here at Pennycress! Maybe everything would turn out all right after all.