‘Where’s Poppy?’ Thom sighed.
‘I tried to calm her, but she’s stormed back to the farm. I gave her my key, so she can get her things. She’s taking the first train back to London.’
Thom put his head in his hands. ‘There isn’t a bad bone in that girl’s body.’
Rita sat at the kitchen table. ‘Actually, whilst you are both here, sit down, please.’
Sennen bit her lip, shooting a worried glance at her brother. ‘This sounds serious.’
Rita looked to Jago; she was still reeling from what had just happened. ‘It is and it isn’t, but it seems an apt time for further revelations and at least this one I am fully party to.’ She took a huge breath. ‘I’m not sugarcoating this, kids: I’m pregnant. Pregnant, with twins.’
Thom’s eyes widened. ‘What the…?’ He looked at Jago, who raised his eyebrows.
‘Guilty as charged.’
‘I knew something was up!’ Sennen exclaimed, rushing to her mum. ‘Shit, Mum… that’s incredible news. I think. Well, if you’re happy, I mean.’
‘I’m at peace with it now.’ Rita smiled weakly.
Thom grabbed Jago’s hand and shook it. ‘Well done, mate.’
Sennen put her hand gently to her mum’s tummy. ‘When are you due?’
‘Not until November. Hilda of course guessed without me even telling her.’
Jago smiled. ‘Makes sense then that she insisted I leave her in the flames and come to you, because you were pregnant.’
Rita burst into tears. ‘Bless Hilda, but sorry you had to hear it from her first.’
‘Mum, don’t cry.’ Thom looked like he wasn’t sure where to put himself.
Sennen’s eyes were brimming, too. ‘I’m just so happy you’re safe after last night… it was so scary.’
‘How is Granny?’ the twins said in unison.
Rita managed a watery smile. ‘She rose from the ashes like a phoenix, clearly, but is in hospital recovering. I don’t know the extent of things, but she is stable and was sleeping when Jago called earlier.’
‘Go, Granny! I want to be just like her when I grow up.’ Sennen clocked the shocked looks bouncing between them. ‘What? Don’t be mean about her.’
‘And you were both so brave.’ Rita sniffed. ‘How doyoutwo think it might have started?’
‘No clue,’ they replied in unison. Thom laughed. ‘Maybe Granny was having a cheeky smoke.’
‘Don’t say that.’ Rita looked concerned. ‘No, it was gone midnight and she’d been tucked up so early with this lingering chest infection.’
‘Yes, it was strange I found her inside the marquee.’ Jago’s forehead crinkled. ‘Hopefully the fire investigator will reveal all.’ He sounded upbeat. ‘Thank God the barn only got a bit scorched. All hands on deck tomorrow; we’ve got a wedding in what… just four days.’
Sennen looked pained. ‘I hadn’t even wanted to think about that. Some of the guests are arriving to stay in the yurts the day before that!’
‘I won’t be able to do much,’ Rita said, dejected.
‘You won’t be doing anything other than resting,’ Jago directed firmly.
‘We will get it all sorted in plenty of time,’ Jago replied confidently. ‘Me and your mum discussed it, Sen. The caterers can use the farmhouse kitchen, and Hilda’s annexe is near enough if we need another oven. I’ve got a huge fridge here if anything needs storing. How many guests are we talking?’
‘Just twenty,’ Sennen said, sounding slightly brighter.
‘Pah. It’ll be a doddle.’ Jago smiled.
