‘A butterfly cake.’
I had to press my lips together to stifle my amusement.
‘I knew you’d laugh! My grandma used to make them for me when I was little and I’ve been a sucker for them ever since.’
‘I hear you! Seriously, Caleb, Ilovefairy cakes of all varieties. The only downside is they’re not big enough. I need at least two.’
‘Same here. I’ll admit to asking your mam to keep three aside for me. Anyway, I won’t keep you for long as I know you have visitors to talk to but?—’
My phone began ringing and I glanced at the screen and declined the call. ‘It’s my mam. I’ll call her back in a minute.’
‘I thought you’d want to know that I’ve just had the test results back for?—’
My phone rang again and I apologised as I answered it. ‘Hi, Mam, I’m in the middle of something. I’ll call you back in one minute. Bye.’ Hanging up, I asked Caleb to continue.
‘It’s great news. Rowan has a clean bill of health.’
‘That’s fantastic! Thank you so much!’
I felt so relieved that I flung my arms round him and hugged him tightly. It was meant to be a quick hug of gratitude but he wrapped his arms around me too and it felt so good to be held. He smelled amazing – some sort of coconut shampoo blended with possibly a lime shower gel and I closed my eyes for a moment, loving the feel of his cheek against my skin. What would it feel like to have his soft lips pressed against mine? I pictured it in my mind and longed for it in reality. Perhaps…
‘Is this a bad time?’
At the sound of the familiar voice, I released Caleb and stared in shock at the man standing behind him.
‘Laurie?’
43
I felt queasy as I stared at Laurie. Why was he here? It didn’t make sense. He was meant to be in Finland.
‘Hi, I’m Laurie, Grace’s husband,’ he said, offering his hand to Caleb to shake. ‘And you are?’
‘Caleb, friend and tenant.’
‘Good to meet you,’ Laurie said in a tone which suggested meeting Caleb was anything butgood. And had he just introduced himself as my husband? The nerve of him! Ex-husband.Ex.
‘Erm, I’ll catch up with you later, Grace,’ Caleb said.
‘Yeah, sure,’ I said, finally finding my voice, although it sounded croaky and as though it was coming from a distance. ‘Thanks again for letting me know about Rowan.’
He nodded then called for Scampi who was sniffing around nearby, his lead trailing behind him, presumably dropped when Caleb and I hugged.Caleb and I hugged and it felt amazing. But Laurie’s here. Why’s he here?
Caleb picked up Scampi’s lead and headed off up the track.
‘Is there somewhere private we can talk?’ Laurie asked.
‘What about?’ I winced at the impatience in my tone, but I couldn’t help myself. Seeing Laurie had not been on the agenda for today.
‘Grace! I came all this way. I don’t want to argue with you.’
I sighed heavily. ‘The farmhouse. This way.’
I felt like I was floating in a dream – a bad one – as we headed up the track together.
‘Mum!’
I looked up into Maddie’s pale face.
