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‘Erm… so my lease on the Reading flat runs out at the end of next month,’ Sennen replied far too loudly.

‘Ssh!’ Rita put her hand to her forehead. ‘The twins are having their morning nap in the other room.’

‘Sorry, sorry. Can I sneak in and see them?’ Sennen smiled cheekily.

‘No,’ Hilda and Rita hissed in unison.

Sennen joined Hilda at the table. ‘Alright. Calm down. So… yes, what was I saying… um… I’m arranging a wedding in Devon at the end of November and then my next one is Valentine’s Day, down here, in the barn, err… if that’s OK, of course…’

‘So, you want to move back down here and take over my barn whenever you need it, basically?’ Rita shook her head playfully and took a tentative sip from her steaming tea.

‘Basically, yes.’ Sennen smirked once more.

Hilda raised a brow and remained deadpan. ‘Well, I guess that means I’ll be having to give up on the toy boys now too, if you’re sleeping upstairs in my annexe, that is.’ She sucked so hard on her vape Rita feared she might inhale it whole.

Sennen reddened. ‘Granny!’

Rita shook her head. ‘I’ll pay you rent, Mum, and will, of course, help out with the retreats and the twins, as much as I can. It’s just… well… nothing is keeping me in Berkshire anymore but… well… maybe something is keeping me here.’

Hilda gave her a slow, knowing look. ‘Mm. At your age, that “something” usually comes wearing trousers with a “Mister” in front of its name.’ Sennen gave a nervous laugh. ‘Well, um… at the moment… it really doesn’t… but I do think I belong here more than I realised. Weddings by Sennen is getting such a good reputation, and with it now being affiliated with the Seahaven Bay Retreat as a venue, it’s a win-win all round.’

Rita nodded. ‘What about Zenya? I offered the annexe to her when you left, but…’

Hilda snorted. ‘How many times has that girl said no to a comfortable bed? For some insane reason, she’d rather sleep under canvas.’

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Zenya’s voice floated in as she pushed it open. ‘Hello, only me. Should my ears be burning?’

‘Oops.’ Hilda peered over her spectacles. ‘Careful, we say “tent” three times and she appears.’

Rita frowned. ‘Hi, Zen, we were just discussing Sennen moving back down here, and I know I mentioned the annexe to you and…’

‘Actually… I’ve just come to tell you some exciting news.’ Zenya beamed.

‘Ooh, I like the sound of this already.’ Rita beamed back.

‘Yes, premises in the harbour, with a flat above, have come up. I’ve been looking for a place for Priya’s reflexology business and… well… I might be moving in there… with her…’

Rita reached for the bowl of sugar lumps in front of her and plopped two into her mug. A tiny concession to her new life as a full-time toddler mummy. ‘That’s marvellous, Zen. You were lucky to find something. Properties are like gold dust down here.’

‘Yes, it was the wine shop. Too much competition from the supermarkets now, evidently.’

‘Tea?’ Sennen offered, jumping up to put the kettle on.

‘You know she only likes nettles in hers.’ Hilda smirked.

Zenya smiled sweetly. ‘Actually, they sting less than you, so it’s a safer option.’

Hilda’s lips twitched.

Zenya sat down. ‘Yes please, Sen. I’ll have a ginger and lemon if there are any.’

Hilda cleared her throat. ‘Well, good on you, Zenya, on all counts. I couldn’t contemplate sipping on either nettles or a furry cup myself, but I’m happy if you’re happy.’

Zenya was for once speechless, and Sennen shook her head in disbelief.

Rita sighed deeply. ‘Hilda, what are you like.’

Hilda threw up her hands. ‘Honestly, you lot! I’m at that age where I don’t give a flying fig what anyone thinks. Too old for polite faffing, too tired for subtlety, and quite frankly, if your crazy mother-in-law fancies doing or saying something foolish on a Monday afternoon, so be it! Life’s too short to worry about raised eyebrows or whispers. You can all tut; I’ll be laughing all the way to the eternal playground!’