Page 65 of Ask Another Day

Natalie shrugged, and pulled out a lilac envelope from the bucket she always seemed to have with her now.

‘That looks like a pretty letter. Can I see?’

Natalie nodded, and thrust the letter into Rose’s face, narrowly missing her eyes.

‘It was under my bed,’ Natalie explained.

Rose took it, turning it over in her hands. When she traced her fingers over the faint letters on the front, her heart stuttered. She knew what this was.

‘Can I keep this for a bit?’

Holly’s daughter pouted, but Rose was undeterred. ‘I’ll take you for a milkshake at Tony’s?’

Natalie scrunched her face.

‘And a donut?’ Rose added.

The smile was immediate and Natalie’s eyes brightened as she replied with a simple, ‘Deal.’

*

When Holly finished with the delivery, she was relieved to see Rose had gone. Which she knew was ridiculous - she’d been the one who had insisted she came over. But Rose wasn’t telling Holly what she wanted to hear. She needed someone to tell her she was being sensible. To tell her that whatever had been between her and Seb was in the past.

‘Morning,’ Lucy called from the bottom of the stairs.

‘Morning. You’re up early - sleep well?’ Holly asked, pleased for the distraction of chatting with Lucy.

‘I always sleep well here.’

Holly smiled. She would never have thought it, but it had been so nice sharing her home and working with Lucy.

As if she was reading her thoughts, Lucy suddenly added, ‘I’ve really enjoyed living and working here, Holly.’

‘I’ve enjoyed it too–’

Lucy cut her off with a wince, ‘Which is why I hate to have to move out.’

‘Move out? Why?’ Holly grimaced - this was not what she wanted to hear.

‘Well, you’re doing so much better now. You don’t need me anymore.’

Holly took in Lucy’s dishevelled appearance. On any other morning, she would have assumed it was because she’d just woken up and hadn’t done her make up yet, but coupled with what she was saying, she worried it had been the thought of this conversation that was having this effect on her friend.

‘I’d really like it if you stayed,’ Holly said simply, meaning every word.

Lucy ran a hand down her face. ‘Tony is struggling with the cafe. Apparently it isn’t doing so well. He’s asked me to move back in and help him.’

‘What about the divorce papers?’

‘It’s still going ahead, I think. But I’m worried about him. I wish I could stay but I wouldn’t forgive myself if something happened to him.’

Holly moved towards Lucy and when she was in arms reach, she pulled her in for a hug. Initially, Lucy was stiff in her arms, but when Holly kept hold, she relaxed and melted into the embrace. They stayed like that for a few more seconds until Holly released her.

‘You’ve been a life saver for me, and selfishly I would love it if you stayed here. But if this is what you need to do, I understand.’

When Lucy went to go back upstairs, Holly added, ‘But remember. The door is always open.’

Lucy turned and gently nodded her head. As her foot reached the first step, something stopped her.