Page 20 of The Winter Bride

Annie could only nod in agreement. Susan was still a fine-looking woman and, like Peggy, she had taken to Tim. He seemed decent and honourable, and was devoted to his two little girls. Their grandmother looked after them while Tim was at work but it would be wonderful for them to have a replacement mother.

On the day of the meal, Eve took over the running of the two shops so Peggy could prepare for the dinner. First she went to the butcher and bought a large piece of sirloin beef, which she cooked in a slow oven for hours so that it would be tender, then she cleaned the cottage from top to bottom, so that by the time the guests were due to arrive it was gleaming and the table had been set as if for royalty. She had made Levi bathe in the tin bath in front of the fire when he finished his day’s work, and she had laid out a starched white shirt and his best trousers for him.

‘Crikey, woman, we ain’t got landed gentry comin’, yer know,’ he teased, and she blushed prettily. Sometimes, in fact more and more of late, he wondered how he would survive without her. He had loved Maggie dearly for all their married life, although there had been times when she had sorely tried him. But Peggy . . . well, she was just Peggy, always there to see to his every need and making no demands, which he had to admit made a welcome change.

‘I just want them to have a nice evening,’ she told him quietly. ‘They’ve both been through so much one way or another. They deserve a little spoiling.’

‘You’ve been through the mill yourself, hinny,’ he answered. ‘And I don’t see anybody waiting on you.’

Peggy shrugged. ‘I like lookin’ after people. Now come on, get that fire lit. It’s gettin’ cold of an evenin’.’

Levi was only too happy to do as he was told, and their guests appeared soon after.

The meal was delicious. Peggy had made a thick vegetable soup to start followed by roast beef with all the trimmings. For dessert they had a cream trifle, one of Levi’s favourites, after which Peggy served coffee.

‘That was the best meal I’ve had since . . .’ Tim flushed. He had been about to say since his wife had died but he quickly corrected himself. ‘Well, in a long time. Thanks, Peggy.’

‘It certainly was,’ Susan agreed patting her lips with her napkin. ‘The trouble is I’m so full I don’t think I can move.’

Both Peggy and Levi had noticed that their guests hadn’t stopped chatting since they’d arrived, and as far as Peggy was concerned, the evening couldn’t have gone any better. She was sure Susan rarely bothered to cook for just herself and she had lost weight, so it was nice to see her tuck in. She had made an effort with her hair and dress too, and Tim had hardly been able to take his eyes off her all evening, much to Peggy’s delight. Everything had gone even better than she had hoped it would.

‘I’d love to return the favour an’ invite you to my place but I’m afraid I ain’t much of a cook,’ Tim apologised.

‘And there’s not room to swing a cat around in my little rooms,’ Susan told them.

They left an hour later with Tim insisting on seeing Susan to her door, and once they’d gone Peggy beamed at Levi.

‘Did you notice ’ow he watched her all evenin’?’ She had refused to let the visitors help with the clearing up and began to carry the dirty pots to the sink ready for washing.

Levi chuckled as he started to help her. ‘Aye, I did, an’ I reckon yer could be right. There’s certainly a spark between ’em.’

He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. Peggy had made an effort with her appearance, too, and he couldn’t help but notice how attractive she looked, although he didn’t want to embarrass her by saying anything.

‘I’m surprised some chap ain’t snapped you up before now an’ all,’ he commented.

Peggy frowned. ‘I don’t want to be snapped up, thank you very much,’ she said primly as she started to wash the pots.

Lifting a towel Levi started to dry them. ‘But yer know, you’re still a young woman, Peggy,’ Levi said. ‘An’ if ever yer felt yer wanted to remarry I’d be more than ’appy to move out.’

Peggy had the urge to smack him. He was as blind as a bat and clearly had no idea that it was him that she loved. But she would never let him know it. He had been her best friend’s husband and she would feel that she was betraying Maggie’s memory.

‘I’m quite happy as I am. Now, can we change the subject, please,’ she said a little peevishly.

Wondering what he had said to upset her Levi fell silent.

When Susan delivered the shop takings to Annie the following afternoon, she looked brighter than she had for some long time. She wondered if it had anything to do with the dinner at Peggy and Levi’s. She didn’t have to wait long to find out.

‘Another good day’s sales,’ Susan told her. ‘People are starting to look for their winter wardrobe so you could perhaps bear that in mind when you next go buying.’

Annie nodded. ‘Right you are. Have you got time for a cup of tea?’

‘It will have to be a quick one,’ Susan said, blushing. ‘Tim said he might pop in to see me after he’s dropped his load off at the yard.’

‘Oh . . . I gather the evening at Peggy’s went well, then?’

‘Oh, it really did,’ Susan said enthusiastically as she sat down at the kitchen table. ‘Peggy cooked us the most delicious meal and Tim walked me home afterwards.’

‘And you got on well, did you?’ Annie asked innocently, as she put the kettle on. It was so nice to see Susan smiling again.