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“I'm having a day out with Beau tomorrow so I'm not in the shop. I can send you my address?” I propose.
“Sure, I’ll head over now and get started with it.”
“Fab, see you soon!”
When there’s a knock on the door, Beau jumps up. “Can I get the door?” she asks, already racing towards it. I nod and shehauls it open and takes Emily’s hand. “Hi, Emily, look at the card I made.”
“Sorry, she’ll try to keep you here for eternity now.” I laugh, seeing Emily look sheepish.
“I don't mind, she’s a little star,” Emily compliments.
“Drink?” I offer.
“Sure, whatever you’re having.” She laughs as Beau pulls her into the lounge and thrusts her card under Emily’s nose.
“I'm ready to hit the wine.” I smirk, still feeling the sting of Cam's visit earlier.
“Sounds great.” I leave Emily with Beau, who is no doubt boring her with horse information, and pour us both a glass of wine.
“Here we go. Shall we sit outside? It’s probably a bit cooler.” Beau hotfoots it outside, and I chuckle. “She has one speed.”
“You mean fast?” Emily comments. We sit in the back garden and watch as my daughter tires herself out on the trampoline.
“I don't think I ever recall having that much energy,” I groan. Beau is like a buzzing bee.
“Me neither. I love how inquisitive she is, always eager for more of everything.” Emily watches, fascinated, as my little girl pings around inside the trampoline netting.
“She’s a sponge,” I mutter playfully. “It’s cute, and Beau is a dream, but some mornings, the last thing I want is to be asked if frogs have ears at five am,” I drawl, and Emily laughs into her glass.
“How was today? Didn't Keeley stop by?” Emily asks.
“It went well. I think once the store is up and running, we will get into the swing of things.” I shrug around my glass and Emily rests her head back on the chair.
“One hundred percent. We’ll get into a routine, and it’ll be as easy as riding a bike.”
“Or a horse. I signed Beau up today for lessons.”
“Oh, she will love that!” She smiles and turns her face to the last bit of sun. “This is nice. I'm in a flat so the memorial is my garden.” She laughs, which turns into a long sigh.
“You mentioned you’re new to the village. Is it just you, or did you move with anyone?” Her gaze flashes with an emotion I'm used to—hurt.
“Just me, needed to clear my head and get a fresh start.”
“Oh, okay.”
“Fleeing a disgruntled ex.” She frowns through her admission.
“I know all about them, I returned to one.” I scoff.
“Oh no, really!” She sits up. “How's that working out for you?” She pulls a face and waits for me. It’s nice to have a set of ears, ears that aren’t biased.
“Not so great. He dropped by the shop saying he wanted us to be civil and then told me I wasn’t worth it in the same breath.” I shake my head in a silent laugh when I see her jaw drop. “Yeah, I looked like that too.”
“You’re kidding, so he just rocked up and?—”
“Yep, he told me the village is small and we’re likely to bump into each other.”
“True,” Emily concludes.
