Page 22 of The Twilight Garden

Vicky collected her mug from the table and wiped away an invisible spot with her cloth. ‘I’ll bring a pot,’ she said.

Gemma hadn’t even poured her first cup when her email pinged with a reply from Cat.

Hi Gemma,

Everything is going to be okay, and no, you haven’t just made an enormous mistake. (I’m saying that in the most sincere voice I can muster so make sure you read it that way.) But also, OUCH and WHAT??

I mean, the chickens sound kind of cute (the interesting toilet less so), but how on earth can Leo be there? I take it you mean Leo – the waste-of-space ex-husband of yours whom you haven’t seen in ages, thank the lord – because I can’t think of any other Leo it might be. But that is not good, Gemma, not good at all…

I’ve given this a little thought, and, although everything is obviously going to be okay, and no, you haven’t just made an enormous mistake, I feel there is no other option for me but to put operation Nobble Shiny Rachel into place. Just a precautionary measure, but we need you out of there, dear friend. As it happens, when I came in to work on Monday it was to find that Rachel has been asked to ‘sit in’ on some of my meetings with Klein. Abby was exceedingly vague when I asked her why, but Shiny Rachel is not having the benefit of my experience to help her climb the ladder. We all know where that kind of ‘help’ leads. So, long story short, I’d be very happy to give her halo a tiny shove… Mark my words, Gemma, you’ll be back here in no time. Meanwhile, do not give Leo an inch…

Keep your chin up (and your ankle) and keep me posted,

Cat xxx

P.S. Ask Willow what her skincare regime is. I need some serious help.

Gemma almost laughed out loud. She could hear Cat’s voice as clearly as if she was sitting next to her, and how she wished she was. Cat never failed to lift her spirits with her no-nonsense attitude and deliciously wicked sense of humour. She’d never tear down another woman no matter how much she joked about it; she had compassion and loyalty in spades and, despite her words, Gemma knew that would extend to Shiny Rachel as well. Her message was also a reminder to take things a little less seriously though, and with Cat on her side, she felt far more able to cope with whatever Thistledown might throw at her.

True to Vicky’s word, less than half an hour later, the tearoom door tinkled open and a young woman walked through, holding it wide for the elderly lady behind her.

‘Morning, Ashley, love,’ said Vicky. ‘Same as usual, is it?’

The young woman nodded, smiling as she followed the old lady to a table by the window.

‘And how about you, Merryn? Beautiful day, isn’t it?’

Merryn didn’t reply, but began to unbutton her coat instead.

‘So that’s one scone and one Bakewell tart coming right up,’ said Vicky, coming around the counter. ‘And are we having English Breakfast, or would you like Earl Grey today?’

Merryn gave her a look which could curdle milk. Evidently Vicky could read minds, however, because she simply smiled and turned away, busying herself with the order.

Gemma was just wondering whether she should introduce herself or not when Vicky reappeared, carrying a tray laden with tea things.

‘I’ve got a customer here who’d like your help, Merryn,’ said Vicky, beginning to unload the tray. A pot of brown sugar lumps, a pair of tongs, an empty plate and two cups and saucers had all reached the table before Merryn swivelled in her chair, gaze sweeping the tearoom. It stopped when it reached Gemma, surveying her even more intently.

‘I don’t know you,’ she said, identifying Gemma as the only person in the room who could possibly need her help. ‘But I can’t crane my neck round like this. You’ll have to come here if you want to talk to me.’

Gemma struggled to her feet, wincing in pain as she hobbled the short distance to Merryn’s table. ‘Sorry, I’ve twisted my ankle.’ She took a seat and smiled. ‘I’m Gemma,’ she said. ‘It’s nice to meet you.’

The old lady’s eyes narrowed. ‘This is my granddaughter, Ashley.’

Gemma nodded at the shy face which greeted her. ‘Hi, it’s nice to meet you too.’

‘Are you new to the village?’ asked Ashley. ‘Only I don’t think I’ve seen you in here before.’

‘Yes, I’m staying up at Thistledown. With Willow and Rowan?’

‘Are you? That’s very interesting, isn’t it, Nan?’

Merryn frowned. ‘Go and see what’s taking so long with the tart.’

Ashley immediately got to her feet, even though Vicky had only left the table seconds earlier. Merryn could hardly complain that the service was slow. Gemma caught Ashley’s look as she rose and quickly glanced away.

Ashley had barely reached the counter before Merryn tapped the table, leaning in towards Gemma. ‘She doesn’t work… She doesn’t need to – her husband makes pots of money. But between you and me, she thinks she meets me here so that I get out of the house, when really it’s the other way around. She’s not one for joining in with things. I don’t think she can have many friends.’

Merryn’s voice was a little quieter than it had been before, but not so quiet that Ashley wouldn’t hear her words. A little flicker of anger rose in Gemma’s stomach. The young woman might not be all that gregarious, but at least she took the trouble to look after her grandma; many people her age would not.