Ben laughed. ‘I love that, Eric.’ He turned to me. ‘I better go get on with the job. See you tomorrow, speed demon.’
Grandpa and I sat at the kitchen table together. I made him pancakes and a pot of tea. As he spread jam on his pancake, he hummed away to himself. This made me suspicious. ‘Why are you so happy?’
He looked up. ‘It’s Christmas, Rachel. Just feeling festive.’
‘Have you been thinking about Dorothy?’
His twinkly blue eyes brightened at the mention of her name. ‘I will see Dorothy again soon.’ He leaned in and whispered, ‘I saw you talking to Ben.’
‘Yes,’ I whispered back.
Grandpa gave me an exaggerated wink. ‘I think he likes you.’
‘He’s just being friendly.’ Inside, my chest felt like it had been taken over by butterflies.
Grandpa gave me the thumbs up before saying, ‘I like him, and it would be useful to have a builder in the family as Robert is useless. All the shelves he put up in my living room are wonky.’
Layla walked into the kitchen carrying Zac on her hip. ‘Morning,’ she said in a happy sing-song voice. ‘How are we all?’ Her black hair was no longer coiled up in a tight bun. It was loose and full of soft waves. She looked fabulous.
‘Wonderful,’ announced Grandpa. ‘How are you? I like the hair. It suits you like that.’
‘Aww thanks, Eric,’ she gushed. ‘Derek is doing well, and he’s texted me this morning. I still can’t believe what we did yesterday, Rachel.’
‘We’re a team. What are your plans today, Layla?’ I asked, before nibbling on a pancake.
‘I’m cleaning up at the pub as they had a private party last night.’ Layla went over to a cupboard to take out Zac’s feeding cup. ‘My friend Trish has said she’ll look after Zac for me.’
‘Is that the Harp Brook Inn?’
‘No,’ said Layla. ‘The Nag’s Head. I used to clean at the Harp Brook Inn but Vanessa… said she didn’t need me anymore.’
I remembered Darren from the café warning me about Vanessa. ‘What’s she like – Vanessa, the landlady?’
Layla stayed with her back to us. ‘A lot of the village listens to her. She… umm… dislikes your brother-in-law.’
‘I had heard that.’
It was the way Layla glanced at me which caught my attention. Her phone in her back pocket began to vibrate which was frustrating. I sensed Layla knew more. The moment was gone as she answered her phone, gave Zac his drink and left the kitchen. I didn’t see her again as Humphrey needed his morning walk.
When I returned, I decided it was time Grandpa and I ventured back into Harp Brook. ‘Do you fancy a drive into town, Grandpa?’
He rose from his chair with a smile on his face. ‘I thought you’d never ask.’
‘I know we have stayed in for a few days. Driving in snow is not one of my strengths and I didn’t want to put us in any danger.’
Humphrey began wagging his tail and looking hopeful at me. ‘I walked you half an hour ago. Be good here and guard the house.’
We managed to drive down the driveway and get into the village. I also managed to park outside the bakery with the café. ‘Wait till I come around to help you out, Grandpa,’ I ordered before getting out of the car. The pavement, despite being gritted, was still a bit tricky and I didn’t want Grandpa to fall.
Once inside the café, I asked Grandpa to go sit down while I got the drinks.
Darren smiled as I approached the counter. ‘Back again?’
‘Pot of tea for two and I think we’ll try two of your toasted tea cakes, please.’
‘Coming right up.’ He turned and began filling up a red teapot with hot water. ‘Not many people are venturing out so it’s nice to see you and your grandfather.’
‘How’s life in Harp Brook?’
