Page 58 of Finding Love in Micklewick Bay

‘What’s this about your disappearing undies?’ asked Brooke, her copper brows drawing together.

Stella quickly relayed the story of how her lingerie had gone missing but decided against mentioning Alex’s involvement. Much as she was still furious with him – not to mention crushingly disappointed – she was reluctant to bad mouth him to their neighbours.

‘I think I might know what’s happened to it,’ Brooke said, all eyes turning to her.

‘You do?’ Stella said.

Brooke nodded, her auburn ponytail swinging. ‘I was out there this morning, just having a cup of coffee in the sun, when I spotted a black Labrador charging around; looked full of mischief. Anyway, next thing I know, it jumps up at the washing line in the garden next to mine, grabs a tea towel and starts running about with it in its mouth. It was having a whale of a time, tearing about.’ She giggled, pressing her hand to her mouth. ‘A couple of minutes later, I heard a man’s voice shouting the name Fred or Ted – something like that. Fred or Ted dropped the towel and shot back inside and that was the last I saw of him. I reckon that’s what probably happened to your silk undies.’

‘You’re kidding me?’ Stella clamped her hand to her mouth.No way!She cringed inside, her stomach twisting in a tight knot as she realised how wrong she’d been. ‘Fred’s the knicker-nicker?’

‘Ey up, what’s this?’ said Florrie’s dad Charlie tuning in. Up to that point, he and his wife Paula had been deep in conversation with Stella’s mum and Rhys.

‘Did I hear right? There’s a knicker-nicking Labrador about?’ asked Paula.

Brooke laughed. ‘Yep. I reckon Stella’s relieved to know her undies haven’t been pinched by some undesirable scrote with dubious intentions. It’s just a mischievous black Lab.’

Stella swallowed, aware of the weight of everyone’s gaze on her.

‘Oops,’ said Jasmine.

Oops indeed.Stella felt dreadful, the accusations she’d hurled at Alex replaying in her mind making her face burn with shame. She rubbed her brow with her fingertips. He’d tried to explain but she’d shot him down, refused to listen. From this vantage point she could see she’d switched into lawyer mode way too easily, and she wasn’t proud of herself for it. She desperately needed to speak to him, but tonight wasn’t the right time. She’d head over to his apartment first thing in the morning before she went for her run, apologise and hope he’d forgive her. But right now, she had an apartment full of guests and she needed to play hostess and put her horrendous mistake out of her mind until the morning. It was going to be easier said than done.

‘Right, time for more pressies,’ said Maggie. She’d clearly picked up on Stella’s concerns and was keen to stop her friend from heading down that particular rabbit hole tonight. ‘There you go, happy apartment warming from Bear and me.’ She smiled kindly, handing over a gift bag.

‘Thank you, guys.’ Stella reached into the bag and carefully lifted out a wooden box bearing The Micklewick Bear Company logo, her spirits lifting instantly. She slid the lid off, revealing one of Maggie’s exquisite keepsake cashmere bears. Her face lit up. ‘Oh, Mags, you shouldn’t have.’ She knew just how much care and attention her friend gave to the construction of her bears, and looking at the detail in this one – whom Maggie had named Sibyl – Stella could see it was no exception, with its studious expression, complete with a pair of half-moon glasses perched on its nose. Smiling, Stella’s eyes ran over the bear, taking in the detail of the courtroom attire which included a carefully constructed knitted replica of a barrister’s wig. Maggie had even included a red brief bag. There was no doubting it would have taken days of Maggie’s busy schedule to make it.

‘Oh, Mags, she’s gorgeous! Thank you so much, you too, Bear. I’ll sit her on my desk so I can see her while I’m working.’

Maggie and Bear beamed back at her. ‘Glad you like her, flower,’ said Maggie.

Lark was next up, smiling broadly as she handed Stella a large, flat parcel. ‘This is from Nate and me.’

Everyone looked on as Stella carefully removed the gift wrap to reveal the photo she’d been enquiring about at Lark’s shop just days earlier. ‘Lark! I thought this had been sold?’

‘When I told you it had gone, it’s because I’d tucked it away for you; I’d noticed how taken you were with it.’ Lark smiled at her.

‘I was! I love it! Thank you.’

With the picture propped against the wall, Florrie handed over the gift from her and Ed. It was an old book detailing the history of some of the oldest buildings in Micklewick Bay, including the warehouse that was now Stella’s home, and the nearby terrace of houses. ‘Wow! Thank you. This is going to look super cool on my coffee table.’

‘Here you go, lass.’ Jack Playforth handed her a gift bag. ‘It’s from my mother and me.’

‘Goodness, I feel so spoilt.’ Stella laughed, taking the bag. ‘Thank you.’ Inside was a large box of chocolates from The Chocolate Cherub Chocolate Shop over in Middleton-le-Moors. ‘Ooh! These are my favourites! Thank you both so much.’

‘Glad you like them, lovey,’ said Jean Davenport, smiling. ‘We didn’t really know what to get you, but Maggie said these were your favourite chocolates so we thought we couldn’t go far wrong with them.’

‘And it’s good to see you like these,’ said Brooke, holding an elegantly wrapped box out to her. She and Marcus had brought a scented candle they sold on their website which was the very same brand as the ones Stella had bought earlier in the week and were currently perfuming the air of the apartment, while Florrie’s parents had brought a pot plant for her balcony, as had Jasmine’s parents.

‘Our Florrie mentioned you were thinking about getting some plants for out there but weren’t certain which ones would be hardy enough to withstand the sea air; these should be ideal,’ Paula said.

‘Thank you all, I really didn’t expect any gifts but you’ve all been so thoughtful,’ Stella said, touched by their kindness.

After a quick tour of her apartment, with everyone suitably impressed, it wasn’t long before her new home was thrumming with chatter and laughter. Talk of the proposed new marina and the identity of the mystery man who’d renovated the warehouse and was apparently ruffling local disreputable businessman Dodgy Dick’s feathers by snapping up property he’d shown an interest in were the most popular topics of discussion. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves as they tucked into the nibbles and sipped their drinks. But Stella found herself struggling to switch off completely, thanks to the little voice that kept tellingher Alex should have been here. The thought that she’d hurt him, accused him, made her stomach clench.

She cast her gaze around at her guests, her eyes alighting on Maggie and Bear. He had a protective arm around his wife’s shoulders, absently bending to kiss her cheek as they chatted away. Maggie glanced up at him, indisputable love in their eyes. Stella felt a squeeze of something that felt uncomfortably like jealousy. It hit her like a bolt out of the blue, she wanted what they had. In the next second, her heart sank like a stone when she realised the only one she wanted that with was Alex.

But she very much doubted he’d want anything to do with her now.

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