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That didn’t change as Hugo turned and the village sign came into view.
I was terrified to go back to Cavendish House. I didn’t know how I would be received by anyone, despite Helena’s stream of excited text messages. I hadn’t spoken to anyone other than her and Henry. Hugo had done his best to reassure me, but it didn’t necessarily make it better.
Our few days in London had been quite the bubble of the two of us, and I wasn’t completely sure how we would adjust to having a much more public relationship. I was nervous about it all, and I hoped more than anything that the adjustment would be easy.
I was risking everything I knew for Hugo.
Funnily enough, that scared me the least.
Of all of this, I was certain that he would be the one who would pick up the pieces of whatever went wrong. He would be there for me no matter what, and that made this just a bit easier to navigate.
The ornate gates that lead to Cavendish House opened in front of us, and I drew in a deep breath.
“It’ll be fine,” Hugo said, reaching over and squeezing my knee. “You know it will be.”
I squeaked.
He laughed, and he removed his hand to change the gear down as the house came into view.
Everyone was standing outside.
Talk about a welcoming committee.
“I’m going to throw up,” I whispered.
“No, you’re not. You’re still the same person who was here two weeks ago.” Hugo parked the car and looked at me. “Besides, I can bet Grandma is already on her way over here.”
Oh, God.
I opened the car door and got out. As he’d said, Evelyn was almost in line with the car, and I hesitated.
“Where have you been?” she demanded, tapping my arm with her stick. “You missed my birthday party!”
“I’m sorry,” I said, trying to avoid her half-hearted attack. “I did buy you a present!”
“Forgot the wine glass, though!”
“That was his job!” I pointed at Hugo.
She turned on him and glared. “I knew it was you. It’s always you.”
Hugo froze.
Evelyn looked back at me and smiled. “I missed you.”
“I missed you, too,” I replied honestly.
She pulled me into a warm hug that made me want to cry. We really had bonded during my original time here, and I hadn’t realised just how much I’d truly missed her until now.
“Grandma, move over!” Helena grabbed me from behind and put her chin on my shoulder. “I knew you’d come back.”
I laughed as Henry joined the pile on and I was sandwiched between the two younger Devon siblings. “I’m glad someone did.” I glanced at Hugo, and he dipped his head to hide a smile.
“Let her breathe,” George said, approaching. He smiled at me in such a warm, fatherly way that almost all my nerves disappeared. “It’s good to see you, my dear. I hope Hugo hasn’t given you food poisoning yet.”
“Not yet, but I think he’s biding his time,” I replied. “It’s good to see you, too.”
Anna stepped up beside him, and Hugo wrapped his arm around my waist.
