Page 85 of Coming Home to Hope Street

‘Come here, you great numpty’ – Hannah held out her arms – ‘before I start crying too.’

As they hugged, Livvy clung on to Hannah. She may have cocked up her life for the past twenty years, but for now this was a new beginning for her and Pip.

Chapter Fifty-Three

Two weeks later

In Hope Street, Livvy was waiting on the step with Pip. Hannah had sent her a message seconds ago to say she and Doug were ready.

Livvy smiled at her daughter. Her beautiful, grown-up, sixteen-year-old daughter. She couldn’t be more proud of her as she stood under the light of the lamp, her brown hair in an updo that Phoebe had created for her, a few tendrils hanging down.

Her make-up was super professional – she and Tilly had been practicing all afternoon before finally deciding on the style they were after. Pip looked much more sophisticated than Livvy had ever done at that age, more often than not wanting to be one of the boys rather than wear something feminine.

‘I love this dress, Mum,’ Pip said, waving as she spotted Tilly coming out of number forty-one. Phoebe and Elliott were right behind her. ‘I can’t wait to show everyone when we get to the restaurant.’

Livvy smiled. Their secret was safe for just a few more minutes.

When they were all gathered, everyone squashed into Doug’s truck, Elliott on his mum’s knee for the short journey.

‘Budge over, Pip,’ Elliot said. ‘Just because it’s your birthday doesn’t mean you can have all the room.’

‘Shut up, shorty,’ Tilly teased.

‘Let me get my feet in somewhere,’ Phoebe cried. ‘God, Elliott, you are a heavy lump.’

Roars of laughter followed them as Doug turned out of Hope Street on to the high street.

‘Where are we going?’ Pip asked Livvy.

‘You don’t think we’d let you go out for a meal on your sixteenth birthday,’ Hannah said. ‘It’s tradition that a big birthday is honoured in style. As you’re too young to celebrate in the Hope and Anchor, we thought we’d jazz up the community centre instead.’

‘Really?’ Pip squealed in delight.

They pulled up in the car park seconds later. The building was lit up as much outside as in. There were white and silver balloons everywhere, and two larger ones in the shape of numbers one and six, bobbing up and down over the doorway.

‘Who’s going to be here?’ Pip asked, her eyes wide with delight.

‘Everyone,’ Tilly told her. ‘I’ve had to keep it secret for three whole weeks. Do you know how hard that’s been?’

Pip gave another squeal as she hugged her friend. ‘I had no idea!’

‘No inclination at all?’ Livvy asked.

‘No, Mum, not a clue.’

Livvy grinned at Hannah and they high fived each other. Hannah stepped out of the vehicle, Elliott getting out before his mum.

‘That truck is huge,’ Phoebe said behind her. ‘Help me out of it, Doug. These heels are already killing me.’

Doug gave her an arm to lean on and then in a flurry picked her up in his arms.

‘Put me down, man,’ Phoebe cackled as he marched off with her.

Everyone laughed as they followed them. Livvy pulled Pip back just as they were about to go inside.

‘Are you okay, lovely? I’m sorry that your dad hasn’t sent you anything.’

Hearing nothing from Kieran had disappointed and pleased Livvy in equal measures. Maybe he felt too ashamed to contact Pip now, in case she laid into him again. Pip had told her she’d left him a voice message saying in no uncertain terms how angry she was at what he’d done, and that she didn’t want to see him again. Perhaps he was too embarrassed about lashing out at her, not to mention the money he’d stolen.

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