Page 55 of Hope and Happiness in Bluebell Wood
‘He’s really taken to both you and Merlin,’ Linnet continues. ‘He doesn’t usually like strangers. They mess with his routine, and Robin must have routine.’
I watch Robin rubbing Merlin’s tummy, and Merlin looking with delight back at him as he does so.
‘Merlin really likes him,’ I tell her. ‘I’m just pleased we could help.’
‘You’re very good with Robin. Not everyone understands how to deal with him – he can be a little difficult at times. But you just seem to get him.’
‘My son had a few problems when he was younger,’ I say. Unusually for me, I suddenly feel the need to confide in Linnet. ‘He had a lot of help when he was first at school. We were lucky, the system picked up his learning difficulties very early.’
‘That must be why you get my Robin, then. How is your son now – he’s not here in Bluebell Wood with you, is he?’
‘Oh no, Matt is at university now.’
‘Really? His problems didn’t hold him back academically, then?’
‘Nope, we are incredibly proud of what he has achieved. He’s about to go and work abroad for a year – in New York.’ I try not to think about this too much as I say the words to Linnet. Because every time I do, I feel my anxiety levels skyrocket.
I watch Linnet look with concern over at Robin and I put my hand on her arm. ‘He’ll be fine,’ I say gently. ‘I worried about Matt when he was younger, but he’s grown into a handsome, confident and wonderful young man.’
Linnet puts her hand over mine. ‘Thank you, Ava. That means a lot, really it does.’
‘You get extra help at the school for Robin, though, don’t you?’ I ask, incredibly touched that my words have meant so much to her. ‘That helped my Matt a lot.’
‘We did, but the lady who was assigned to him has moved away from the area, and the council haven’t replaced her with another teaching assistant. I heard you might be helping out at the school,’ Linnet says casually, taking a sip from her mug. ‘I think you’d be amazing. Especially with children like Robin. There’s more of them than you might imagine that need help but don’t get it.’
‘I’ve agreed to bring Merlin into the school, that’s all,’ I tell her, wondering how she had heard this news already. ‘Jemima thinks he might be of some help, so we’re having a one-off trial to begin with when she’s got all the necessary permissions.’
‘Oh, I see.’ Linnet looks disappointed.
To my enormous relief Lonan comes over to us. ‘I’m afraid that I must go now, ladies,’ he says. ‘This was delicious, Ava.’ He lifts his empty mug. ‘You must give me the recipe sometime.’
‘It’s nothing special – from one of Evelyn’s cookery books. That’s the lady who used to live here,’ I explain for Lonan’s benefit.
‘That’s as may be, but it was still superb. It was good to meet you today, Linnet,’ Lonan says, as gracious as ever. ‘I’m so pleased young Robin was returned to you safe and sound.’
‘Thank you so much for your help, Lonan,’ Linnet says coyly. ‘I’m sorry I was in such a state when you saw me earlier.’
‘Completely understandable, dear lady. Any time you need any help you just call, my door is always open. Now I really must be off. I have a deadline that won’t be met if I don’t get on. I bid you farewell, ladies. I shall see you anon, young Robin, and you too, Callum.’
Callum amiably lifts his hand, but Robin just stares at Lonan for a moment before returning his attention to Merlin.
I see Lonan out. ‘Thanks for helping today,’ I say to him as I open the door.
‘Not a problem at all,’ Lonan says, bending his head to fit under the low cottage doorway. ‘It was the least I could do. Luckily you didn’t need the merry band of helpers I’d pulled together. You and Callum had the situation completely under control.’
‘Well, Callum did. I didn’t even know those ruins existed until he told me about them.’
‘Talking of which,’ Lonan says, pausing on the doorstep, ‘Callum’s been telling me all about the house that was originally there – as much as he knows about it, anyway. It all sounds very interesting. I’ll have to do some research on it myself when I have some time.’
‘I’m sure there’s plenty of folk around here who will help you with any questions you might have,’ I say, grinning.
‘Yes, they do seem quite partial to the odd round of gossip.’ Lonan winks at me. ‘And we newcomers seem to be the main topic of their conversations lately.’
‘Yes, indeed,’ I reply, wondering what Lonan might have heard. ‘Well, thanks again. See you soon, I hope.’
I head back indoors, and find Callum now sitting on the floor with Merlin and Robin, and Linnet sitting in one of the armchairs watching them.
‘Callum is telling Robin all about the Romans,’ Linnet says. ‘They’re learning about them at school this term.’
