Maddie placed her face in her hands. ‘Wow, that was surreal.’
I rubbed Maddie’s shoulder. ‘You have now got what you always wanted – a secret family WhatsApp family group chat titled,Maddie needs our help ASAP!’
Once we’d stopped laughing, and we gathered our thoughts, I turned to Maddie. ‘So, what happens now?’
She smiled. ‘That’s what we need to talk about.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Frank and I signed a prenup. I get this place in the event of a separation. This place was always going to be mine. Frank didn’t want me getting my hands on his empire. I did worry about that as I was the one who had the affair and ended the marriage, but Frank has confirmed via his lawyer this place is mine.’
‘Wow, Maddie, what are you going to do with it?’
Her eyes sparkled. ‘How about we make our business idea happen? Let’s turn part of this place into a café or restaurant. You and me, Rachel. Like we discussed in Greece all those years ago. Your amazing culinary skills and my business management brain. What do you think?’
CHAPTERFORTY-TWO
Mum facetimed me late in the evening. I was in bed reading the final chapter in Olivia’s notebook. Mum had been drinking as she was swaying on a stool and her golden Christmas hat looked wonky.
‘What the hell has happened to Maddie?’ Mum said, shaking her head with disapproval. ‘I think she’s having a crisis or some sort of mental breakdown. Who in their right mind would cheat on Frank Baxter and get pregnant to some–’
‘You mean have a baby with someone who she truly loves?’
My mother scowled down the phone. ‘Don’t be so ridiculous, Rachel. I would have expected that sort of silly behaviour from you but not from Maddie. She was my perfect child.’
Something snapped inside of me. I’d spent years allowing Mum to talk to me in this way. It was time to cut myself free. ‘Mum, I’m leaving London next week and I am moving down here. I have also met someone.’
‘Oh, I see.’ She looked surprised. ‘I take it you have got a new job.’
‘I’m starting my new career. I am going to be setting up a new café.’
Mum let out a groan. ‘Rachel, we’ve talked about this.’
I cleared my throat and found my old voice. ‘Mum, I am tired of you talking to me like you have zero respect for me and thinking you have some say on the direction of my life. I am thirty-two years of age, and I am taking back control. Goodbye, Mum.’ I hung up and opened WhatsApp. On the family group chats I went into each one and did something I should have done a long time ago.
Rachel Reid has left the group.
I then video called Connor and Kate who I knew would still be awake at their respective Christmas gatherings. Connor was wearing the Christmas jumper his nana knitted him years ago, which she forced him to wear every year, even though it was now a few sizes too small. The one with the words – ‘I am Santa’s Little Helper’ emblazoned across the front.
Kate’s gold Christmas cracker hat was wonky, and she flashed us a tipsy smile.
‘Happy Christmas,’ we all chorused.
After Connor had told us about his family Christmas and Kate had showed us all the knitting related gifts her family had bought her, they listened to me tell them about everything that had happened here in Harp Brook.
‘Wow,’ exclaimed Connor, ‘you have been naughty in Harp Brook. Olivia would be proud of you.’
Kate rubbed her eyes with shock. ‘It was all fake then. Your sister and Frank?’
I nodded. ‘It was all an arrangement. I was gobsmacked.’
‘So, you’re leaving us?’ Connor asked, referring to my move to Harp Brook.
‘I am but we’re not far away at all.’
He grinned. ‘That’s the best news. You deserve some happiness.’
Kate nodded. ‘I agree. Are we invited down for New Year’s Eve?’
