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Maddie read in silence, and when she looked up, her eyes were blurred with tears. “Oh my God, your granny sounds amazing. You are going to follow her wishes aren’t you?”
“I’ll try, but as I barely know a soul in the town, it may take me some time before the house isfilled with love and laughter. God, that sounds like something you find on one of those home trinkets.”
“What about Airbnb?”
“How do you mean?”
“Well, that would be a good way to get people into the house, and it would give you an income while you figure out what you want to do.”
“Hmm, I’m not sure I like the sound of strangers in the house while I’m there. What if they’re nutters? Or murderers, or rapists…” Kate shuddered.
“You wouldn’t have to share all the house. They could have part, you could have part. Win-win.”
“Maybe…”
“Look, there’s no rush, have a think about it. In the meantime, when can I come and stay?”
Kate laughed. “Any time you like, you know you’re always welcome.”
“How about the weekend after next?”
“Really? You’ll come and visit?”
“Of course I’ll come and visit you. Come here.”
Kate and Maddie attracted bemused looks from other customers as they bent over the table and wrapped their arms around each other.
“Thanks for being there for me,” said Kate, settling herself back in her chair.
“Always, my friend, always.”
*
Maddie walked with Kate to the van to wave her off. She cupped her hands and peered in the back. “Bloody hell, is that all you’ve got to take?”
“Yeah, hardly seems worth hiring a van. I could’ve managed with a Fiat Panda, though the van’s come in handy for my multiple trips to the dump. I’m on first-name terms with the blokes there now.”
“Wow, your new life sounds thrilling.”
Kate gave Maddie a good-natured punch on the arm, then drew her into one last hug.
“I’ll miss you. Be good while I’m gone.”
Maddie laughed. “When am I ever good? Listen, get your Wi-Fi sorted ASAP so we can Face Time. I don’t like the thought of you sat on a bench at all hours.”
“It’s at the top of my to-do list.”
“Good. Now drive carefully. I know how jittery you get after a couple of coffees.”
“Shut up.” Kate smiled at Maddie as she climbed into the van. “See you in a couple of weeks. Love you lots.”
“Love you too.”
Kate pulled out into the busy traffic and headed west.
CHAPTER SEVEN
KATE PACED UPand down the hallway, wringing her hands. It was stupid to be nervous, It was only a takeaway and a few beers, but Bob’s approval mattered. He was her only friend in town and this was the first time she had truly made a place her own. To her untrained eye it looked good, but what if she was mistaken, if her mis-matched furnishings screamed ‘cheap’ rather than ‘eclectic’?
