Page 48 of The Winter Bride

They spent the next hour chatting and once Nancy and Adam had been tucked into bed, Peggy and Annie set off to visit Susan and Tim.

‘I hope they won’t mind us calling so late,’ Annie fretted as they headed past St Nicholas Church towards Attleborough Road.

‘They’ll be as chuffed to see you as we are.’ Peggy tucked her arm through Annie’s and glanced nervously from side to side as they moved through the dark streets. They still hadn’t found the murderer and Peggy would never have dreamt of going out on her own after dark.

Susan and Tim were as delighted to see them as Peggy and Levi had been, and Susan insisted on showing Annie the shop ledgers. ‘I can hardly keep up with demand,’ Susan chuckled.

Annie was envious. ‘I wish I was doing this well in London,’ she admitted.

Susan tutted. ‘Hark at you being all impatient. Just remember it took a while for us to get established when we opened here. Give it time and it will happen. Oh, and by the way, I should tell you I’ve had Reggie in the shop a few times trying to get your address. Don’t worry, I just tell him we keep in touch with you through Marie’s address. The last thing you need is him coming there and hassling you.’

A shiver ran up Annie’s spine at the mention of his name. He was certainly someone that she hadn’t missed since moving away.

‘Oh, and I don’t know if Peggy’s had time to tell you but the circus is here so we’ve had a visit from Barney and Mercy. They’ve just found out they’re going to have a baby.’

‘How lovely.’ Annie was thrilled for them, although again she couldn’t help but feel a little envious. Susan and Tim were clearly happy together, and Peggy and Levi seemed to be very content as well. There was also Marie and John, who were clearly devoted to each other, so it felt like everyone had someone special in their life except her.

‘But what about you?’ Susan asked as if she could read Annie’s mind. ‘Is there anyone who’s caught your eye yet?’

‘I had Monty,’ Annie pointed out, flushing.

Susan shook her head. ‘I know you did but he’s gone now, God bless his soul, and you’re still a beautiful young woman. He wouldn’t have wanted you to stay alone for the rest of your life.’

‘But I’ve got Adam and Nancy and the shop to think about,’ Annie blustered.

‘Of course you have, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have someone special to love.’ Seeing Annie was getting upset, she changed the subject. ‘Anyway, I thought perhaps you might take Adam and Nancy along to the circus. I’m sure they’d love it and you could see Barney and Mercy?’

‘That’s a good idea, actually,’ Annie agreed. ‘I could take them on Sunday afternoon.’

‘I’ll have to ask Tim if we can come with you with our girls,’ Susan said. She already loved her stepdaughters as if they were her own.

For the next hour, they caught up on each other’s news, until Peggy yawned and insisted it was time for bed.

‘Well, they certainly seem happy enough,’ Annie commented as she and Peggy set off for home.

‘Oh, they’re still on honeymoon,’ Peggy chuckled. ‘Tim can’t keep ’is eyes off ’er, which is just as it should be.’

‘I couldn’t help but notice that you and Levi seem to be getting on remarkably well too,’ Annie teased.

Peggy was glad the darkness hid her blushes. Annie still hadn’t given up hope of them getting together one day, but only time would tell.

On Sunday afternoon Annie set off with Nancy and Adam. They called for Susan, Tim and their girls on the way, and walked to the circus. Nancy was bubbling with excitement; she’d never been to a circus and could hardly wait. She was sixteen now but seemed much younger thanks to being incarcerated in the workhouse for most of her life. She was a constant joy to Annie as well as being an invaluable help and she’d never regretted taking her home.

It was a beautiful afternoon and Annie began to relax a little. She’d spent an uncomfortable hour with the Taylor-Lloyds that morning when she had taken Adam to visit them. Her mother-in-law had treated her with disdain, but Annie had expected that. She’d never treated her any differently and Annie couldn’t see anything changing now.

‘It’s a poor lookout when a grandmother can only see her only grandchild when his mother sees fit to visit,’ Mrs Taylor-Lloyd had said coldly. ‘And why we can’t have your address is beyond me. At least then we could visit you and take Adam out.’

Annie had remained tight-lipped and used the excuse that she was still looking for more suitable premises, which hadn’t gone down at all well, and she’d been glad when she could make her escape. The visit had been made even worse by the fact that Reggie had been there, hanging on her every word. Just the sight of him made her skin crawl and she could hardly bear to even speak to him.

However, now she pushed it from her mind and as they approached the big top along with a crowd of other people queuing for tickets, Barney came out of the enormous tent and spotted them.

‘What a lovely surprise.’ He rushed over to them and gave Annie and Susan a hug. ‘Come along with me, you shall have ringside seats today.’

Annie tried to ignore the glares of the people waiting as Barney hurried them past and once inside, he led them to the best seats in the house.

‘I’m goin’ to see the girl that sells the toffee apples an’ sweets,’ he told them happily. ‘An’ she’ll ’ave instructions to give yer all as much as yer can eat on the ’ouse. I’ll go an’ find Mercy an’ all, to tell ’er you’re ’ere. She’ll be so pleased to see yer. You’ll see ’er up on the trapeze soon, but not fer much longer. Now we’re expectin’ a baby, I don’t want her swingin’ about up there fer long.’

As he shot away, Nancy and Tim’s two girls stared about the big top with wonder on their faces. Adam was still a little young to understand where they were, but he’d picked up on the happy mood and was in fine spirits. The afternoon that followed was magical and they were sad when the show was over.