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Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door and went inside, holding her breath as she looked around, daring to hope that she might find her old friend inside.
Chapter4
Ellie
The walls of the shop were painted dark blue while features like the cornicing and the woodwork were painted gold. Old-fashioned lanterns hung from fixtures on the walls, creating a warm glow inside the shop. It smelt of incense and furniture polish, a pleasant aroma that reminded Ellie of how Darcie’s bedroom used to smell. Darcie had loved burning incense sticks and using essential oils, much to her father’s irritation because he’d been convinced that she’d burn the house down one day. It was amazing how powerful scents could be, casting you back in time to when you’d first smelt them. Ellie remembered then that Darcie had also worn a leather jacket with tassels on the arms that she doused in patchouli oil and suede knee-high boots with leggings. Even back then, when many people had been wearing whatever was in fashion, Darcie had been happy to be herself and to wear what she liked. She’d been fiercely independent and comfortable in her own skin and that was a wonderful thing to have as a woman, especially as a teenager, because it was hard to be confident in yourself when you were being bombarded with images of what the media considered perfection. Ellie knew that it was far worse now than it had been when they were growing up because today’s teenagers had no escape from the media; it could reach them via their televisions, computers and smart phones, as well as at school, college and via their peers. Ellie had seen it with her own children and done what she could to protect them from it and to help them to understand what mattered and what didn’t, but it was still an ongoing battle and some days she worried that it would continue to get worse.
She wandered around the shop, brushing a hand over the rails of clothes, feeling the soft buttery leather of jackets and coats, then the prickly textures of sequinned dresses and blouses and the cool, smooth denim of worn jeans.
At the far end of the shop was a squishy red leather sofa and to either side of that were changing rooms. The counter was at the rear of the shop next to a door with a sign that saidStaff Only. Behind the counter were shelves adorned with hats, sunglasses and fascinators in a range of colours and styles then to the right of the counter was a shelving unit of shoes, trainers and boots. There was plenty to look at and Ellie knew her daughter would love it, being a vintage magpie as she was.
The door next to the counter opened and a woman emerged carrying a steaming mug and a paperback. She looked up and gasped when she saw Ellie.
‘Goodness! I didn’t hear you come in. I’m so sorry. Let me put these down.’ She set the mug and the book down then came out from behind the counter. ‘Can I help you with anything?’ she asked.
Ellie smiled. ‘Hello, Darcie.’
Darcie’s light-brown brows knitted above her nose then recognition dawned on her face and she smiled. ‘Ellie!’
Darcie opened her arms and swept Ellie into a hug. When she finally released her, they were both laughing and Ellie found that her vision had blurred so she swiped at her eyes with the back of her hand.
‘Ellie, it’s so good to see you.’
‘You too.’
‘Are you back to sort your aunt’s cottage?’
‘I am.’
‘Are you going to put it up for sale?’
‘Actually, I’m here to move in.’
‘What?’ Darcie clapped her hands and her numerous silver rings glinted under the shop lights. ‘Really?’
Ellie nodded. ‘See, it’s a long story, but I got divorced recently and we sold the family home so I’ve come back to live here.’
‘That’s amazing,’ Darcie said. ‘Sorry, not the divorce bit, I’m very sorry to hear that, but the rest of it. Wow! Gosh it’s been years. Did you come back for the funeral?’
‘I did.’
‘I’m so sorry I didn’t make it. I had the flu and I was holed up in bed for two weeks. I felt dreadful.’
‘That’s OK. Completely understandable. To be honest, there were so many people there that I might not have noticed anyway. It was a hectic and emotional day and then it was over and I had to get back to Watford for an appointment. Finding out that Aunt Iris left the cottage to me was overwhelming. I wasn’t sure what to do with it for a while but then, with having nowhere else to go and loving the village so much, I decided that I might as well come back and live here for a bit. Perhaps permanently.’
‘I’m so happy to hear that. We have years to catch up on, don’t we?’ Darcie grinned and Ellie had to blink hard to clear her vision again. ‘Do you fancy a cuppa?’
‘Well… I don’t want to disturb you.’ Ellie looked around at the quiet shop.
‘Honey, it’s early on a Saturday. It will be quiet for hours yet. That’s why I brought my book.’ Darcie gestured at the counter. ‘The advantage of being my own boss is that I can give myself an hour off when I feel like it.’
‘Go on then, I’d love a cuppa.’
‘Fabulous! Take a seat or have a browse and I’ll be back in a bit.’ Darcie touched Ellie’s arm and gazed at her for a long moment as if she couldn’t believe she’d come back, then she gave a brief nod and disappeared through the door behind the counter.
Ellie sauntered over to the sofa and sank onto the comfortable seat, feeling it squish up around her like a hug. Darcie had seemed so pleased to see her and it was a wonderful feeling. Moving back to Sunflower Street could prove to be one of the best decisions she’d ever made.
Chapter5
