Chapter Twenty-Six
It was Angus’s birthday in November, a month before Libby’s. She couldn’t believe that they were turning thirty-five. Six months had gone by since Luca and Jules had left them. Libby wondered whether the rose-tinted glasses through which their exes saw each other were beginning to fade. She had heard reports of arguments from a mutual friend, and had been secretly pleased at the news. Apparently Jules was keen to move back to London now that Angus was out of her house, but Luca was reluctant. On Sunday they met up for a birthday lunch in Angus’s local pub. After their meal they settled down to read the papers by a roaring log fire. Izzy was playing happily with her toys on the sofa next to Libby.
‘So, I had my final review on Friday…’ Libby said. She hadn’t told him that it was happening earlier than expected. ‘I didn’t get offered a place.’
‘Oh Libby, why didn’t you tell me?’ Angus said.
‘I knew I was seeing you today… It’s hardly come as a surprise.’
‘So you aren’t too disappointed?’ Angus asked.
‘No, not really. There are many more deserving people than me. Do you know I am actually quite relieved? Law isn’t the career for me, but at least this time I can truly say I stuck at it for once. I didn’t give up when the going got tough.’
‘I know you didn’t and I’m so proud of you for that,’ Angus said. This praise from her oldest friend and occasional toughest critic meant an awful lot to Libby.
‘Thanks Angus.’
‘So what next?’
‘I’ve decided to go ahead with the bed and breakfast business. I’ve got a meeting scheduled for December with the bank and I’m going to get the ball rolling.’
‘It does sound like a fantastic idea. Imagine if you found somewhere like Acorn Cottage – wouldn’t that be amazing?’
‘Exactly. Living in the countryside, in the peace and quiet… maybe on the coast somewhere.’
‘You could keep Izzy at home with you.’
‘Until she starts at school, and even then I could make sure I was there to pick her up every day. I would see so much more of her than I’ve been able to at Digby and Edwards.’ She took a deep breath, nervous to ask the question that had been at the forefront of her mind. ‘Are you still interested in being involved?’
Angus paused for a moment. ‘I’ve been thinking about it myself recently, wondering if you were still scheming away. I think I’d love to be involved. Are you sure you want me?’
‘Definitely sure. You’d bring so much to the table on top of your investment. You’d be completely invaluable to me.’
They spent the rest of the afternoon back at Libby’s flat. She showed him all her research and her proposed business plan. Her legal background gave her an impressive starting point; she had drawn up a contract that would protect their separate investments and assets should their circumstances change in the future. They went through the portfolio of potential properties that Libby had compiled, and they brainstormed and hatched plans for the kind of business they would like it to be.
Libby felt energised and excited about the future. She was thrilled that Angus was interested in coming on board. He said he could relocate to the bed and breakfast if there was space for him to have a studio, at least while the business was getting started. He was only renting his flat by the river, so there was no long-term commitment there. He was extremely flexible, and Libby had nothing stopping her from relocating apart from the sale of her flat. He accompanied her to the meeting with her bank manager and they began to discuss the necessary paperwork. Suddenly it all felt very real.
Angus and Libby went their separate ways for the festive season, ready to start their business plans in earnest in the new year. They both headed to their respective homes: Angus back to Middlesex to the Lockhart family home, Libby and Izzy to Kent. Libby parked the car outside the front of the house. The front door was decorated with a festive wreath. The door opened and John and Miriam came out to greet her.
‘Hello, darling, how was the journey?’ Miriam asked. ‘And how is my darling granddaughter?’ She waved at Izzy who was sitting in her car seat, tears streaming down her face. ‘Oh dear! Not looking too happy! Happy Christmas, little one!’
‘Izzy’s upset that we’ve stopped moving. She loves motion and has taken to crying each time we stop at the traffic lights – which makes travelling anywhere very peaceful, as you can imagine!’ Libby laughed as she picked her daughter up, kissing her on the cheek.
‘Let me help you with all these bags,’ John said. ‘Miriam, you go inside and rest; we will sort this out.’
‘I won’t touch anything, I promise, I’ll be good!’ laughed Miriam. John had clearly taken his role as her nurse very seriously.
Later on they were all seated at the kitchen table with steaming cups of tea and huge chunks of coffee cake when a loud commotion at the door signalled the arrival of Helen and Henry. They had been on yet another mini-break, this time to the Christmas markets in Berlin, and were laden with even more bags and presents. After kissing everyone hello and settling themselves down at the table, Helen announced that she had some news. Libby and Miriam waited on tenterhooks for her to tell them, though the beaming grin from ear to ear had given them some idea as to what might be about to come.
‘I’m pregnant!’ said Helen. ‘And Henry and I are getting married!’
‘What?’ shrieked Libby. ‘Oh mygod! Congratulations!’
‘You’re pregnant?’ said Miriam. ‘And engaged? How absolutely wonderful, darling! I can’t believe it!’
‘Congratulations,’ said John, smiling with delight. ‘My goodness me! I’d better see if I can find a bottle of champagne.’
‘Miriam, can I please ask your permission to have your daughter’s hand in marriage?’ Henry asked. ‘I realise it is a little late—’
