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“Visiting your mum and gran are part of his routine, as was talking to you on the phone. I’m sure he prefers to have you here, though,” Mandy said, kicking her shoes off and tucking her feet under herself as she sat.

Lucie flopped beside her. “I feel bad being away for so long. I didn’t realise how much it had affected him.”

“Your dad is a grown man. You don’t owe him anything, especially not hanging around in a small village like this.”

Hadn’t he just said as much?

“Though the occasional visit might have been good.”

Lucie took a sip of wine, hoping it would cool the guilt simmering in her chest.

She nodded and then steered the conversation elsewhere. “How serious are you about adding a kitchen at the pub?”

“Very. I’ve been doing the pub’s accounts for years, and your dad doesn’t really earn much for himself. He makes sure everyone gets paid, of course.” With a deep breath, she added, “I think he’s stagnating.”

“I just said that to him.”

“Good. He might actually listen to you.”

“I’m sure he listens to you, too, but... I get the feeling he’s afraid of any change.”

“I don’t doubt it. Change has never brought him anything positive.”

Lucie nodded. That much was true. “Probably why you two are still single.”

“Why are you so keen on me and your dad getting together?” Mandy said, her face softening as she lightly shook her head. “I always thought you’d find it a bit odd.”

“Hardly. You’ve practically come as a pair since I was a kid.”

“As I’ve said, I’m sure it’s one-sided, and even if it wasn’t, I refer you back to what I just said about change.”

Lucie took another sip, then sighed.

“What?” Mandy asked gently.

“I’m pretty sure he does feel the same,” Lucie said. “It’s sad. He could have so much happiness ahead of him if he took a chance. You both could.”

“I know. I’m just happy to have him in my life, whatever that looks like.”

“Won’t you talk to him? Tell him how you feel? I think it’s going to have to come from you.”

Mandy grew intensely focused on her. “Even if he did feel the same, that doesn’t mean he’d want a relationship. I don’t want to rock the boat.”

Lucie nodded, then covered a yawn. She understood that. “You two are infuriating, but I’m not interfering.”

“Good. Now, Frances seems nice — and particularly attentive to you.”

“Don’t you start!” Lucie groaned. “Dad said we were acting oddly around each other. Whatever that’s supposed to mean.”

Mandy raised an eyebrow. “You know... that slight awkwardness where neither of you quite knows where to look or what to say. Then when one of you looks away, the other’s watching.”

Lucie’s heart skipped a beat — half in embarrassment, half in excitement. The thought that Frances had been watching her had her in a chokehold.

“What was that stunt you pulled, taking Rose off to leave us alone?”

Mandy smirked. “You’re welcome.”

A laugh slipped from Lucie. She gently nudged Mandy’s leg with her own.