Page 20 of Coming Home to Hope Street

‘You volunteer as well?’ Livvy shook her head. ‘Where do you find the time?’

‘It’s only two hours every Thursday at the community centre. I help to prepare lunch for thirty ravenous pensioners. You should come one day. It’s really great fun.’

The drilling started again next door, which saved Livvy from replying. She wondered whether she was dreaming or not. How had her sister become someone who was investing in a book shop? A shop that was being fitted out no less. She had really struck lucky with Doug. It was a pity she couldn’t say the same about Kieran.

She shook her head to rid herself of the selfish thoughts. Hannah had been alone for many years. She deserved her happiness now, no matter how much it stung.

‘So it will be open for the same hours as the coffee shop?’ she asked after finishing a bite of her sandwich.

‘Yes, but it’s going to take a while for business to build up, and then I’m going to employ a full-time assistant. It’s great that Kate will be here all the time to keep an eye on things, and I’m sure Chloe won’t mind joining in wherever necessary.’

‘Any refills, ladies?’ Chloe asked as she cleared the table beside them.

‘I’m fine, thanks,’ Hannah replied. ‘Livvy?’

‘All good too, thanks. That was delicious.’

‘That’s what we like to hear.’

As Chloe took the tray of dirty dishes into the kitchen, Livvy wondered how anyone so young could run a place like this. It was a hub of activity and the woman in front of her seemed to be working through it with ease. Chloe didn’t seem very old – Livvy assumed early twenties at the most – but she waltzed around behind the counter as if everything was a breeze to do. She wondered if she’d had that amount of confidence when she was that age. Probably not because then she wouldn’t have been run down by Kieran.

She went back to their conversation. ‘What about your job at the hairdressers?’

‘I’ve handed in my notice. I finish next week.’

‘It’s a pity I can’t cut hair.’

‘It is!’ Hannah laughed. ‘Although I’m not sure you and Phoebe working together is a good idea.’

‘Maybe not. I’m looking online for something local. Temporary, that is, something to tide me over.’ Livvy looked at the hole in the wall as Doug popped his head out and then disappeared again. ‘You’ll be in there every day?’

‘For starters, yes.’

‘Can I do anything?’

‘Of course you can.’ Hannah’s face lit up. ‘I’ve picked most of the furniture and shelving, but you can choose some wallpaper and paint colours with me if you like. I have a book full of samples.’

‘I mean, let me work for you. I could even help out in the coffee shop if it wasn’t busy. I’ve worked in a café and a pizza joint. I’m good with people and I’m trustworthy.’

‘Whoa, Liv, slow down.’ Hannah reached across and rested a hand on her arm. ‘Let’s take it a little slower, shall we?’

Livvy played with a bit of salt left on the table. She was getting too excited that everything seemed to be falling into place. Of course, she needed a full-time job really but this would help until she found one.

‘Please, Han,’ she begged. ‘I know I’ve only just come back and I’m pushing my luck, but I think it would be good for both of us. Let me do a trial, for a month.’

The silence that came from Hannah was excruciating, hidden mostly by the chatter of people, the tinkling of spoons on saucers and the coffee machine erupting every few seconds.

‘I’ll think about it.’ Hannah nodded. ‘Plus, I’ll have to check it out with Kate.’

The rest of the lunch seemed to go okay as they kept on neutral territory. Finally, Livvy watched as Hannah spotted Doug and waved over to him.

‘We’re off now.’ She smiled. ‘See you later.’

Doug leaned in to kiss Hannah on the forehead, making Livvy turn away in embarrassment. She couldn’t remember Kieran ever looking at her like that, with so much… intensity. Not even when he was after wheedling more money from her.

But that wasn’t the most depressing thing. Seeing their affection for one another made her realise she’d been living in cloud cuckoo land trying to make a go of things with Kieran.

As well as her sister, had Livvy been missing out on true love for all those years?

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