Page 58 of Coming Home to Hope Street

‘Yes but remember one thing…Life’s too short for lost chances. Take it from someone who knows. I knew someone once upon a time.’ Thelma paused, as if she was choosing her words carefully – or even unsure whether to speak them or not. ‘His name was George.’

‘Ah. Was this someone before you met your husband?’

Thelma touched Livvy’s forearm. ‘Let’s just say I made the wrong choice a long while ago and I’ve regretted it ever since. I wish I’d acted differently, lived dangerously, but I didn’t.’

‘What aren’t you telling me, Thelma?’

But the elderly lady shook her head. ‘It doesn’t matter. Just thinking out loud.’

Livvy waited for her to elaborate but she didn’t. Instead Thelma turned to look over the square. It seemed as if the conversation was over, even though it had left a lot of unanswered questions. Still, it was none of her business so she wouldn’t pry. But it was sad all the same.

Livvy had been right after all. Thelma had been lonely in her marriage. Who would have thought? It just goes to show that you can never know exactly what goes on behind a closed door.

On Thursday afternoon, Hannah made her weekly trip to visit her parents’ grave. She wanted to tell her mum how the opening of the book shop had gone, but all that came out was her thoughts about Livvy. She’d been talking to her that morning after popping in to The Book Stop for an hour in between doing some online marketing.

‘Not only have we got Livvy and Pip living in our old house, Mum, we have another guest – Livvy’s fella, Kieran. I hope he doesn’t become a permanent resident, though. I’m not sure I’d like him to stick around, if I’m perfectly honest. Me and Livvy don’t really know each other that well yet, but he doesn’t seem her type. He seems a bit slapdash to me – quite full of himself. Nothing like I’d expect Livvy to want in a man.’ She took a breath. ‘Still, if he makes her happy, then I’m all for it. Although she keeps on insisting he’s only staying for a week, so we’ll see what I say to you next Thursday!’

She sat quietly for a moment, thinking about the past month. Never in a million years had she expected Livvy to come back after so long. She couldn’t even hate her sister for it as it felt so good to see her so much now. In such a short time, they’d integrated into each other’s lives as if there had been no huge gap.

And they had so much to catch-up on, even with her worries about Kieran. Coffee taken in the book shop this week had been a pleasure as she and Livvy would chat, more after she’d finished her shift. Pip had come straight from school on Monday and had a milkshake with Tilly. They seemed to have become good friends, something else that she was pleased about.

‘Pip seems to be settling in, which is good because it means they both might stay around for longer, Mum, even for good. I hope Livvy doesn’t want to move out. As far as I’m concerned, she can stay there as long as she wants.

‘I really do want her in my life, Mum.’

Chapter Thirty-Five

Livvy had decided to go to the Hope and Anchor that Friday. She wanted an escape from Kieran who was being extra attentive towards her, hoping to stay a little longer, no doubt. But she was counting down the hours until he left.

She also wanted to see if Callum would be in there again. She was really looking forward to seeing him if so. He’d popped into The Coffee Stop twice to have coffee that week and she’d had a chat with him on both occasions. He’d hinted he may be calling in the pub, so she was hoping to get more time with him tonight. And at least that would take her mind off Kieran.

Livvy went downstairs to see them both on the settee. Pip had her hand in a bowl of popcorn, on the seat between them. She’d been sulking as Tilly and Elliott had gone to see their dad that weekend. But she was all smiles when Kieran offered to stay in and watch a film with her.

‘You look nice, love,’ Kieran said.

‘Thanks.’ Livvy had raided the vintage stall in the market and found a blue dress that fitted her like a dream, and a pair of navy heels. The dress made her feel flirty, sexy even, and she grinned as she left them to it.

‘See you later,’ she shouted over her shoulder before letting herself out.

Walking towards the Hope and Anchor didn’t feel so frightening now that she’d been in there a couple of times. Her phone beeped a message just as she was getting to the end of the street. It was from Callum.

See you later. Can’t wait.

Livvy grinned. Those butterflies were in her tummy again. She didn’t feel one ounce of guilt either. By the end of the weekend, Kieran would be gone. She didn’t need him anymore, and couldn’t live her life the way her daughter wanted her to. This was a new start for her now.

Inside the pub, she glanced around for her sister. Her eyes landed on Bev, who gave her a friendly smile. Livvy laughed inwardly: she’d changed her tune lately. She wasn’t sure why that was, but she chose to smile back. Maybe Hannah had been right and Bev’s bark was worse than her bite.

Or maybe it was because Bev was sober and might have a go at her later. She hoped not. She didn’t intend on rushing off tonight.

‘Livvy!’ Hannah waved her over.

She made her way through to the corner where Hannah was standing with Doug.

‘Don’t you ever sit down in here?’ she asked. ‘My feet will be killing me by the end of the evening.’

‘Seats are for old people,’ Thelma said as she squeezed past her. ‘Like, me and Alf.’

Livvy turned to see her about to sit at the next table. Thelma raised a glass in salutation, nudging Alf and encouraging him to do the same.

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