Their father gave an amused snort. ‘I would if they did more to help around the place.’
‘We all know you’re just as happy to have them back again, Gareth Torel, so don’t waste your time pretending otherwise.’
‘I can’t get much past you, Lindy. Can I?’
‘I hope not.’ She narrowed her eyes at him, but Lettie saw the amusement in them. She loved that her parents were still close. Somany of her friends’ parents had divorced and she couldn’t imagine how it must feel to have to split your time between two households, especially if the divorce had been a difficult one.
Lindy winked at Lettie. ‘I’ve got more bread in the toaster, so you can help yourself to the last couple of pieces in the toast rack.’
Before Lettie had a chance to take one, Zac reached out and took the last two pieces, dropping them triumphantly onto his side plate.
It was something he had liked to do when they were growing up, knowing it would irritate her. ‘I don’t think so.’ Lettie snatched one back and began buttering it, ignoring his protests.
‘Don’t fight with your sister,’ their father said. ‘We’re not used to the pair of you bickering like a couple of teenagers any more.’
Lettie thought back to the old days before she and Zac left home to follow their careers. It must have seemed strange for their parents to go from four of them living in the large farmhouse down to just the pair of them.
Pushing away any guilty feelings, Lettie picked up the large blue-and-white teapot her mother always used and poured the two of them mugs of tea. ‘You want another one, Mum?’
Her mother shook her head. ‘I’m fine for now thanks, love.’
Lettie watched her mother for a few seconds. She might be in her early fifties, but she was still youthful, probably because she was fit from helping out on the farm in all weathers over the years. She knew her mother had initially found the transition from fashion model to farmer’s wife very difficult, especially as the two worlds were poles apart. Lettie recalled asking her mother about it and had been cheered to hear her say it had all been worth it and that she had already grown tired of modelling when she had met and fallen in love with Gareth. Hearing her mother speak of her years in fashion had deterred Lettie from wanting to do the sameand instead she’d forged a career brand-building for the fashion house where she ended up finding work.
She realised her father seemed preoccupied. ‘Something wrong, Dad?’
He looked at her but didn’t reply.
Lettie caught a strange glance being passed between her parents. There was something going on – she was certain of it. But what?
Her mother wasn’t eating and Lettie presumed she must have finished hers earlier. At least she hoped that was the case and that nothing was the matter. Studying her mother’s face, Lettie couldn’t help suspecting that something was amiss. She would ask her about it later when the two of them were alone. Aware her mother was waiting for them to eat their breakfast, and deciding that her parents would tell her and Zac whatever was on their minds when they were ready, Lettie began eating her food.
‘This is delicious, as always, Mum.’ Her mother’s food was always the best. It didn’t matter how many cafés or restaurants she had visited in England, she had yet to sample a tastier cooked breakfast or roast dinner than those made by her mother. She supposed it was almost three decades of practice that helped, or maybe it was simply that her mother had the knack of cooking delicious food. ‘It’s good to be enjoying home-cooked food again,’ she said, almost to herself.
‘It is,’ Zac agreed in between mouthfuls. ‘You’re the best cook ever, Mum. It’s good to be home.’
‘Aww, thank you.’ Lindy ruffled their hair and sighed happily.
Lettie was glad she had come home after her mother had mentioned it was about time she visited the farm again. She had planned to return to the island a few months before but then her relationship with Scott had deteriorated and she hadn’t wanted her parents to see her looking strained and miserable. Instead she hadfocused on her work as an assistant to one of the upcoming designers, which kept her busy. Anyway, she had told herself, her parents were always on the farm so there was no urgency to rush back to the island. Her mother had never mentioned about her coming home before and Lettie wasn’t sure why she was insistent this time. Was it because she simply missed her and Zac? Maybe it was because Lettie usually made plans to return as soon as the weather improved? Either way, she was happy she had listened.
‘It doesn’t matter how amazing some of the places are that I visit for work, nothing will ever beat Hollyhock Farm for me,’ Zac said, a dreamy expression on his face.
‘It’s true,’ Lettie insisted. ‘There’s something special about being here where everything is familiar.’
Again her father gave her mother a strange look.
Unable to wait a moment longer, Lettie lowered her cutlery and set it neatly on her plate. ‘What’s up with you both?’
‘What do you mean?’ her mother said, sounding suspiciously guilty.
‘I’ve seen you giving each other meaningful glances,’ Lettie said, shooting a questioning look at Zac in case he had some idea why the atmosphere was so odd this morning. ‘And that’s why I’m asking you.’
‘I hadn’t noticed anything.’ Zac frowned. ‘But now I’m worried there’s something wrong.’
‘Lindy, I think the time has come,’ their father said. ‘You’d better take a seat.’
Lettie realised her mouth had gone dry and anxiously took a mouthful of her tea. She wished they would hurry up and let Zac and her in on whatever was going on.
As soon as their mother was seated next to their father, she gave him a nod.
