I nod. ‘Fen was telling me about the artisan craftscommunity in the converted stable block at Brambleberry Manor. Apparently,there’s a ceramics studio there, and she thinks I might be able to share thespace.’
‘We’ll go and see it, shall we?’
‘Yes, please.’ I snuggle into him and kiss his cheek. ‘Whatdid I ever do to deserve a wonderful man like – oh, no.’ I stop dead in mytracks.
‘What’s wrong?’
‘It’s Rosemary,’ I mutter, grabbing his hand and pulling himtowards the stairs. ‘Come on. Let’s go before she sees me. I don’t want ourlovely day ruined.’
He grimaces. ‘I think it’s too late. She’s recognised you.’
‘What?’ I shriek, glancing behind me as we run down thestairs, just in time to see Rosemary mutter something to the little group she’swith, point at me and start marching over with a determined look on her face.
‘Let’s go,’ I murmur. ‘And fast, please.’
‘Okay.’ Aidan takes a firm hold of my hand and practicallypropels me across the car park, his long legs moving at a pace Rosemary couldonly dream of.
In the safety of the car, I burst into slightly hystericallaughter, which only intensifies when I see her emerging from the entrance andhurrying over, beckoning irritably at me.
‘Just drive,’ I mutter, so he does, and frankly, I’ve neverbeen so pleased to be back home.
‘No cake,’ he says, putting on a tragic face.
‘That’s okay. At least I avoided a confrontation.’
‘Er... I wouldn’t be too sure about that,’he says, nipping to the window. ‘I think she’s followed us home.’
‘What?’ I rush to the window and sure enough, I can seeRosemary getting out of her small blue car, parked a little way along thestreet. ‘Oh, hell, I suppose I’m going to have to let her in.’ I shrughelplessly. ‘But she’d better not start haranguing me again, demanding to knowwhere Poppy and Darren are.’
Hearing her footsteps on the path, I open the front doorwith my speech all ready.
‘Rosemary, I’ve still no idea where they are. So pleasedon’t start badgering me to tell you. Because I haven’t got a clue. I reallywish I did, but I – ’ I break off in the middle of the sentence with a frown.The huge smile on Rosemary’s face has made me lose my train of thoughtaltogether.
‘Thank goodness I’ve finally tracked you down, Mackenzie!’she gasps, her hand flat to her chest. She still seems to be out of breath fromchasing me into the car park. Either that or she’s really excited to have foundme. ‘I had no idea where you were living, otherwise I’d have been to see youearlier. I’m so glad I spotted you at the gallery. I’ve never driven so fast inmy life, trying to keep up with you on the way here. But...well, we made it!’
‘We?’ I stare at her in bemusement. ‘You’ve brought yourfriends?’ At least she’s looking jolly this time. So that’s a relief.
She smiles. ‘Well, I suppose youcouldcall her afriend.’ She turns and starts waving madly at the car, shouting, ‘Come on.’
I peer along the street, wondering if perhaps she’s inventedan imaginary friend to take the place of Darren. And then my heart almost jumpsout of my chest.
Poppy?
I stare in amazement as she scrambles out of the car andcomes running along the pavement towards me, forgetting to shut the door in herexcitement.
‘Auntie Enzie!’ she shouts. ‘It’s me! Are you surprised?Grandma Rosemary said you’d be surprised.’
She’s running so fast, she almost misses the gate. Checkingherself just in time, she races down the path – dodging a laughing Rosemary,who steps aside – and hurls herself at me, wrapping her arms around my waistand hugging me tightly.
‘I’m definitely surprised.’ Laughing, I sweep her up into abig hug, my eyes hot with tears as I stare quizzically at Rosemary.
‘Poppy’s been wanting to see you ever since they came back.’Rosemary smiles fondly at her. ‘She was inconsolable when she found out you’dmoved away. And then, of course, we couldn’t find you.’
Just then, Aidan appears at the door and I do theintroductions.
‘Can I see the Christmas decorations?’ Poppy asks himexcitedly. ‘Auntie Enzie has the best decorations and she promised she’d alwayskeep them up for me.’ Her face is serious as she frowns at me. ‘Are they there?In that house?’
I smile at her. ‘They are indeed, my darling. Why don’t yougo in with Aidan and have a look for yourself?’
