Page 49 of A Forever Home at Honey Bee Croft

‘I’m worried about that too. I wanted to talk to you about it after the wedding.’

‘We suggested he come back to Portugal with us for a break,’ Dad said, ‘but he wants to be with Lorna.’

‘Did he tell you they want to rent a place together?’

The surprised looks on both their faces answered that.

‘Even before he lost his job, how did he think he’d manage to afford that?’ Mum asked. ‘And how would he cope next time they split up?’

‘I said the same and got an earful as a result. He hates me at the moment.’

‘Oh, I don’t think he hates you, Joel. That’s a very strong word.’

‘Well, if he doesn’t, he’s giving a very good impression of someone who hates me.’

She took my hand in hers, tears pricking her eyes. ‘We shouldn’t have left you to deal with this. I’m so sorry.’

I squeezed her hand. ‘Don’t regret it. You did the right thing for you both, and you did it with our blessing. I don’t actually think the big issue is Chez losing his job. I think falling out with Harry is what’s killing him. Those two have been like brothers for years – just like me and Barney.’

Mum smiled at me. ‘It was lovely what you said about Barney being like a brother to you in your speech. You two have always looked out for each other.’

‘And so have Harry and Chez until now. Harry’s stuck by him through all the difficult times and now, according to Chez, he’s chosen his new girlfriend over Chez who Chez thinks is bad for Harry.’

‘You don’t think it’s jealousy?’ Dad asked.

‘I wondered that at first, but he got on brilliantly with Fern and it only fell apart when Deana moved in.’

There weren’t many guests left in the Rowan Room and I was conscious that the waiting staff were clearing round us so suggested we make a move. Mum wanted to have a rest before the evening do so she and Dad returned to their room and I went to check on Imogen and see whether she was flagging and would benefit from another prompt to relax for a bit.

Cole spotted me as soon as I entered the Juniper Lounge and whisked me away to introduce me to some of his showbiz pals. When Barney had shown me the guest list, I hadn’t known who they all were so I’d gone online, not wanting to look like an idiot if I met them, but now most of those details had gone out of my head. Between introductions, I glanced round the room but there was no sign of Imogen and Darcie. Sophie appeared and whisked her dad away for a family photo which gave me the perfect excuse to slip out and see if Imogen was in the quieter bar, but there was no sign of her there either. I checked my phone but there weren’t any messages so I returned to the Juniper Lounge thinking they might have gone in there via a different entrance and we’d missed each other, but there was no sign of them.

I knew I shouldn’t worry – there were only wedding guests in the hotel and there was no way they’d have wandered off outside – but a feeling of panic was welling up inside me. I phoned Darcie but there was no answer. I phoned Fizz and then Phoebe but both their numbers went to voicemail.

I walked past the snug again, too busy searching for them to look where I was going, and I collided with someone.

‘Oh God, I’m so sorry,’ I said.

A brunette in an orange dress was crouched down retrieving the contents of her handbag which I must have knocked flyingfrom her hands. Mortified, I knelt down and grabbed a lipstick which had rolled away. We both reached for her room key at the same time and our hands touched. I felt a spark of electricity and, as she looked up into my eyes, I gasped. It was the brunette from the garden centre.

‘You were right about the teriyaki and the salmon,’ she said, smiling widely, her eyes sparkling. ‘Did your friend like her flowers?’

‘Yes, she… Erm… They were…’ I shook my head, bemused. ‘I’m stunned to see you here, but you don’t look surprised to see me.’

We both stood up, but didn’t take our eyes from each other.

‘I saw you earlier and recognised you. Joel, is it?’

I nodded, lost for words once more.

‘I’m Poppy,’ she said. ‘And it’s not just your fault we collided. I wasn’t looking where I was going either.’

‘I was looking for someone and I…’ Why couldn’t I seem to finish a sentence?

‘Your daughter?’ she asked.

‘Yes, but how…?’

‘I saw you together earlier. She’s in the toilets with her friend. A guest knocked into them and spilt your daughter’s blackcurrant drink down her dress. She was a bit upset but I took her into the loos and got the stain out. They’re drying it under the hand dryer.’

---