Page 25 of Sunny Skies and Summer Kisses

‘He turned up wanting to get back together. Got a bit unpleasant when I told him I didn’t want to. But don’t worry, Dad, he didn’t stay long.’ Anoushka noticed his body tense at the mention of her ex’s name.

‘Good.’ Ollie nodded, his shoulders relaxing as relief washed over his face.

Jimby scratched his head. ‘What? Are you saying his visit here and Kitty being a badass are connected?’ Jimby glanced from Molly to Kitty then to Ollie.

‘Yup. She just lost it on that little weasel– which is why he’ll have been driving like a lunatic,’ said Vi.

‘Yeah, he’ll have been terrified she was after him,’ said Anoushka, making the women giggle.

‘With the killer mutts,’ said Molly.

‘Shame you missed it, fellas; she was pretty spectacular.’ Vi squeezed Kitty’s shoulder, making her friend blush.

‘That right, Kitts?’ Ollie asked, a smile twitching at his mouth.

‘I… well… um… I heard him talking to our Noushka in a really horrible way, and something inside me just flipped.’ Kitty appeared to be as shocked by her reaction as everyone else.

‘Mum was totally amazing. She flew in like a raging whirlwind. I’m in complete awe of her; Damon looked absolutely petrified!’

‘I don’t think that bullying waste of space will be troubling your daughter again, that’s for sure.’ Molly chuckled. ‘Tell you what, why don’t we have a cuppa and we can tell you fellas all about it?’

‘Sounds like a plan. I’m intrigued to hear what happened. And I’m just glad you’re all okay.’ Ollie’s eyes flicked between his daughter and his wife. ‘Where are the rest of the kids, by the way?’

‘Lottie’s having a snooze, and Lucas and Lils are out with friends,’ said Kitty, looking self-conscious.

‘And I think Vi’s mum and dad’ll be okay to hang on to our Pippin for a bit longer while we hear all about this. I reckon it’s not going to be suitable for the delicate ears of a two-year-old,’ said Jimby, grinning as they all made their way into the kitchen. Pippin was the nickname given to Vi and Jimby’s daughter before she was born owing to Vi’s ferocious craving for apples while she was pregnant. And though her real name was Elspeth, Pippin had stuck.

Vi’s eyes flicked to the clock on the wall. ‘I expect she’ll be in the middle of her afternoon nap too.’

‘Right then, I’ll stick the kettle on,’ said Ollie.

* * *

‘Go, Kitty,’said Jimby when they’d finished recounting the details of Damon’s ill-fated visit.

‘I reckon her words’ll be ringing in Damon’s ears for quite some time,’ said Vi, looking at her friend fondly.

Jimby let out a hoot of laughter. ‘She’s fiercer than a lioness guarding her cubs is my little sis. Woe betide anyone who hurts her kids.’

‘Aye, cross her at your peril,’ Molly said with a giggle. ‘I wouldn’t have the balls, that’s for sure.’ She glanced across at Kitty whose blushes had been deepening by the minute.

‘Well, seems Noushka’s right, you are awesome, Kitts.’ Ollie’s eyes were shining with pride. He looked over at Anoushka and gave her a wink before throwing his arm around his wife, kissing her on the cheek. Anoushka didn’t need him to say how it had warmed his heart that Kitty had stood up for her just as she would her own flesh and blood; it was written all over his face.

Kitty looked up at him. ‘I only said what you would’ve said if you’d been here.’

He smiled down at her. ‘That may be so, but I doubt it would’ve had the same impact as it did coming from you; I should imagine it’ll have shocked him to the core.’ He bent to kiss her full on the mouth.

‘Ughh! Purlease! Would you two mind saving that mush for later.’ Molly, who didn’t have a romantic bone in her body, mimed being sick, making everyone laugh.

‘Right then.’ Jimby sat forward in his seat, rubbing his hands together. ‘I can see our Kitty is getting a tad embarrassed about all this attention, so it’s probably a good time to mention the idea I’ve got brewing for the next village fund-raiser.’

17

‘Hells bells, brace yourselves.’ Molly cast a worried glance around the group.

‘Uh-oh, here we go,’ said Vi. ‘Careful what you volunteer yourselves for, folks.’

‘Before, you get started, Jimby, I just want to put it out there, I’ll be remaining fully clothed for whatever it is you’ve got planned. I don’t give a monkey’s what the fundraiser’s for.’ Ollie threw him a warning look.

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