Layla nodded. ‘Vanessa was upset. Ryan told me she could see herself becoming the next Mrs Baxter.’
‘Maddie must have found out somehow.’
‘That’s the odd bit. Maddie spends all her time in the house. She’s never seen in the town.’
‘Weird. If you knew my sister before Frank, you’d know she was the life and soul of her old community.’
Layla fiddled with her gold chain. ‘Please can you keep me out of this? I don’t have a job after Christmas, and I know Frank can make people’s lives a misery.’
‘I promise you, Layla, I will make it clear that you were not a part of this.’ I reached across and gently squeezed her hand. ‘We are going to get you sorted. I promise.’
Layla smiled. ‘Thanks. I am still grateful to you for everything you have done for me. What will you do?’
‘I think we will get Christmas out of the way on Friday and then when Maddie and Frank return after, I will speak to Maddie.’
‘About Christmas…’ Layla said, squirming in her seat. ‘Zac’s still young and he doesn’t understand what’s going on, so I am not getting him any presents. I know it sounds cruel, but I don’t have much money and…’
‘I understand. Don’t worry. Grandpa, and I would like to get little Zac a gift. Is there a toy he wants?’
Layla’s face brightened. ‘There is a toy car garage in the charity shop which I know Zac would love. It’s ten pounds and is in great condition.’
‘I’ll go into town in a bit and go buy it. Do you fancy coming with me?’
‘I’d love to, but I also need to drop some keys off at a cottage I have been cleaning. The owner is putting it up for rent after Christmas.’
After, I made breakfast sandwiches for everyone, including Ben and Tom, who were both full of festive cheer. When everyone was talking in the kitchen about their favourite Christmas song, Ben pulled me through the construction sheet for a quick kiss. ‘Hello,’ he whispered. ‘I like your breakfast sandwich although I think mine is going to be better.’
‘Fighting talk,’ I said, with a cheeky wink.
‘One day you will have to stay over and try one.’ He arched his eyebrows suggestively and we both laughed.
After ordering Aunty Bev to keep a close eye on Grandpa, Humphrey, and little Zac, I took Layla into town.
The little Fisher Price garage was perfect for Zac. It was colourful, had lights which flashed, music, a car wash, a huge ramp to a car park on the roof and a few little cars. I also bought some wrapping paper and tags.
While Layla went into the pharmacy, I popped into Kay’s gift shop. Kay wasn’t working. I was served by a teenage girl who helped me pick out some earrings for Layla. She deserved a little Christmas gift.
Back in the car, Layla gave me directions to the little cottage which was coming up for rent. It was called ‘The Duck House’ and was on the grounds of a farm. I parked the car on the road, and we trudged up to the main farmhouse.
‘Do you not fancy renting somewhere like this, Layla?’
She shook her head. ‘Living on a farm is not for me. What about you? I can see you living here. Wait till you see The Duck House.’
As the old farmer came out to meet us, Layla pointed to the tiny blue cottage sat apart from the rest of the farm. It was like someone had taken it out of a toy box and placed it in a field. My heartbeat quickened.
‘In the summer I let it out,’ explained the farmer, ‘but in the winter I struggle to find someone to rent it. The Duck House has one bedroom, a shower room, a galley kitchen, and a small living area downstairs.’
‘When would you need it for the summer?’ I asked the farmer.
He scratched his head. ‘Start of May.’
Layla gave me a nudge. ‘It’s better than a London flat with a leaky roof.’
The thought of returning to London made my heart sink. I didn’t want to leave Harp Brook and now that I knew Maddie’s marriage was in trouble, the urge to stay closer was even stronger. My landlord had sent me several apologetic emails about the leaking roof, and it still wasn’t fixed. I could rent The Duck House for a few months to get myself on my feet and see what happened. I saw Olivia’s notebook in my mind. Maybe this was the big life change I needed? Maybe my life in London had died when Olivia passed away?
Mum’s face appeared in my mind. There would undoubtedly be a new family WhatsApp chat created about me.
We walked over to The Duck House. It was tiny inside, but it was perfect.
