Page 29 of Coming Home to Hope Street

‘Come on, ladies.’ He held out both elbows for them to link their arms through. ‘There’s a pint with my name on. I can hear it calling from the bar.’

As they reached the Hope and Anchor, Livvy took a deep breath. Once she got the first five minutes over, everything would be fine. People might recognise her, mutter under their breath about her tonight, but the next time she visited she’d be old news.

Doug held open the door and she followed Hannah inside.

That last time Livvy had been in the pub, it had been all deep red carpets and velvet curtains, a dark wooden bar, and tables to match. Now it was light and airy, and without anyone smoking, looked clean and fresh. Fruit colours of orange and lemon blended in well with light laminate flooring, the bar all chrome and mirrored. But it still had the feel of a warm local pub, not trying to become a wine bar.

‘It’s so different!’ Livvy told Hannah. ‘I remember it being such a dive. Now, it actually seems quite a pleasant place.’

‘It is.’ Hannah waved to someone behind Livvy and then turned her attention back to her sister. ‘What can I get you? I don’t have a clue what you’d like.’

‘A G&T will be great, thanks.’

‘I’ll get these,’ Doug offered.

They moved nearer to the edge of the room. Livvy kept her back to the wall, almost feeling people staring at her. She had recognised several faces as she’d come in, trying not to catch anyone’s eye.

‘No one’s watching,’ Hannah told her. ‘You don’t have to look at the wall all evening.’

Livvy held out her hand. ‘I’m literally shaking.’

‘Why?’

‘It’s been a while since I’ve been in here, that’s all.’

‘I’m sure it will be a regular place again soon.’ Hannah took their drinks from Doug as he handed them over to her. She passed one to Livvy and held up the other. ‘Cheers, big ears.’

Livvy grinned and clunked her glass with Hannah’s. She felt a warmth rush through her that she hadn’t felt in a long time. Was she actually happy for a change?

She and Hannah chatted while Doug went to talk to a group of his friends.

‘Is that Robin Marriott?’ Livvy asked Hannah, now a little braver and facing out from the wall. ‘I think he had hair the last time I saw him.’

‘Yes. Phoebe says he’s the double of Ross Kemp.’

‘He is, a little.’

‘She has the hots for him, but she won’t say anything.’

‘No!’

Hannah nodded. ‘And the sad thing is the feeling is mutual but neither of them will make a move. They’re justfriends.’ She emphasised the last word. ‘It will happen one day though, I’m certain.’

‘Livvy? Livvy Lockley, is that you?’

Livvy turned to see a pair of twinkling brown eyes and a mop of blond hair, cut short below the ears with a floppy fringe. She vaguely recognised the man’s face, frowning as she trawled her memory for more information.

‘It’s me – Callum Stewart. We were in the same class at Somerley High.’

‘Callum!’ Livvy cried, still not quite sure who he was. ‘How are you?’

‘I’m good, thanks. You?’

‘Yes, yes. Can’t complain.’

‘I haven’t seen you in, what, twenty years? What’ve you been up to?’

‘Oh, this and that,’ Livvy replied. ‘Actually, not much, hence why I came back.’

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