Page 26 of The Village Shop for Lonely Hearts

He looked at Amber, who gave him a small nod as if to confirm that it was indeed true.

‘I rang Pete after I talked to you,’ his mum continued. ‘He even wants to pay for the plane ticket over there.’

Thank goodness, thought Josh because he didn’t really have any more spare money to play with. Of course, had he any savings, he would have spent them all on his mum. She deserved this.

Tilly clapped her hands together. ‘Oh, what a splendid idea! I’d come with you if I had a passport.’

‘You can always apply and come with me,’ his mum suggested.

But Grandma Tilly was shaking her head. ‘Oh no. I never enjoyed travelling on planes at the best of times. I couldn’t travel that far.’

Josh was pleased for his mum, but his mind was reeling with the practicalities.

‘I know what you’re thinking,’ she said, looking at him. ‘You’re worried about the shop.’

I’m always worried about the shop, he thought but stayed silent.

‘Well, I’ve got good news on that too,’ his mum continued. ‘Amber has kindly agreed to stay on whilst I’m away.’

Josh was stunned. He looked across at Amber, who was blushing furiously and not making eye contact with anyone.

‘Don’t you want to head on and see your parents?’ he asked, thinking it was too much of a sacrifice. Surely she didn’t want to hang around Cranbridge when she could be making a fresh start in New Zealand?

But his mum beat her to the reply. ‘It’ll be a bit crowded, seeing as I’m hoping to hop on a plane when I’m over in Singapore and go and see them as well! Look, it’s all sorted. I’ll talk to Denise tonight when the time difference is a bit better. Amber’s offered to stay here and keep you both company and then she can leave when I return.’

‘I think it’s a marvellous idea,’ said Grandma Tilly, reaching out to squeeze Amber’s arm.

Josh was trying to think of a downside, but his mind was reeling with the sheer amount of information he’d received in the past five minutes. Not least the fact that his mum was going to Singapore and New Zealand.

‘Well, it seems as if you’ve got it all figured out,’ he finally said.

Mother and son locked eyes once more. He wanted to say more, but there were too many people around.

‘Well, this calls for a proper celebration,’ said Tilly.

‘I agree,’ his mum said. ‘Let’s go to the pub for a drink!’

‘Twice in one week? I’d better change my cardigan.’ Tilly smiled. ‘I can’t wear this old thing. Amber, be a dear and walk me back, would you? I feel a little unsteady after all this excitement.’

‘Of course,’ said Amber.

As they left the shop, Josh thought that his remarkable grandmother was many things but not particularly subtle. But he was grateful for the chance to be alone with his mum for a moment.

‘I’m sorry to land all this on you,’ she told him as soon as it was just the two of them.

‘That’s OK,’ he said. ‘I’ve been trying to get you to go and see Pete for a long time.’

‘I know,’ she said, sighing heavily. ‘I just wasn’t ready, I guess. I needed to know that the damn stuff was gone for good before I could move on. Finally it feels as if I can have a clean break.’ She studied him. ‘You need one too, I think. From me.’

He slumped down on the stool behind the counter. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said, shaking his head. ‘I’ve been so angry these past two years. I didn’t mean to take it out on you.’

‘I’m sorry too,’ she told him, coming over to stand on the other side of the counter. ‘I should have realised that it’s been all about me.’

He shrugged his shoulders. ‘So it should. You were seriously ill.’

‘But we were both grieving,’ she said softly.

There was a pause and the shop was silent for a while.