Page 66 of Hope and Happiness in Bluebell Wood
‘Because it does. You know I have my issues with . . . How can I put this?’
‘Your belief . . . After what happened, that’s totally understandable.’
‘You know about that?’ I ask, astonished.
We stop walking.
‘Mum, I know about lots of things you think I don’t. Matt and I both do. We’re not blind. You went through a hell of a trauma. Sorry,’ she apologises, looking at the church. ‘No one would blame you for feeling the way you do.’
‘I doubt Callum would see it that way.’
‘You might be surprised.’
‘Anyway,’ I say, seeing Jemima hurrying into the churchyardahead of us, ‘I don’t think we’re the only ones to notice Callum’s many qualities. I wouldn’t want to tread on anyone’s toes.’
Hannah follows my gaze. ‘Who’s that?’ she asks.
‘That’s Jemima, the head teacher of the school.’
‘And you think she has the hots for Callum too?’
I shrug. ‘Possibly, she seems very keen on him.’
‘Right, let’s find out,’ Hannah says, and she sets off before I can stop her.
‘Hello, Ava,’ Jemima says as she sees us approaching. She glances at Hannah.
‘Hi,’ I say, catching up. ‘This is my daughter Hannah; she’s staying with me for Easter. Hannah, this is Jemima.’
‘Pleased to meet you, Hannah,’ Jemima says, shaking Hannah’s hand.
‘And you. You’re obviously a keen churchgoer,’ Hannah says, diving straight in and making me squirm.
‘I like to support our local church,’ Jemima says, smiling. ‘As do most of the village.’
‘I hear from Mum you have a rather fab vicar here,’ Hannah continues. ‘I guess that helps to attract a good crowd.’
‘Yes, Callum is pretty special. He’s always been very good to me.’
‘Jemima is having Callum over for lunch today,’ I tell Hannah.
Hannah opens her eyes wide, but Jemima speaks first: ‘That’s what was supposed to be happening, but my oven has decided to mess around,’ she explains, looking exasperated. ‘It’s just packed up. I can’t get someone to come out and mend it until Tuesday because it’s Easter, so it’s all a bit of a pickle, to be honest. What will poor Callum do?’ she says and I followher gaze to where Callum is standing welcoming worshippers into the church. He’s wearing his full robes and looks incredibly attractive as he smiles at everyone he greets. ‘I’m supposed to be feeding him early so he can go out and do good in the village this afternoon.’
‘Why don’t you both come and eat with us,’ I hear Hannah say while I’m still gazing at Callum. ‘We could put our dinner back so we eat later after Callum has done his thing. Couldn’t we, Mum?’
‘Er, yes, I suppose so,’ I say, swiftly turning back to them both.
‘Goodness, that’s very kind of you, but I wouldn’t want to put you out,’ Jemima replies.
‘Really, it’s no bother, is it, Mum? We already have someone called Lonan coming over, so if you bring your food over after the service we can put it into Mum’s huge oven and we’ll all have a feast together a little later this afternoon. We can let Lonan know we’re going to be eating later – I’m sure he won’t mind.’
‘It’s really is very generous of you,’ Jemima says, looking at me now. ‘If you’re sure, Ava?’
‘The more the merrier. Hannah is a great cook.’ I give Hannah a meaningful look that tells her I know exactly what she’s up to, and she winks slyly back at me. ‘If she thinks she can cope with everyone, then I have every confidence in her.’
It’s a long time since I’ve been to a church on Easter Sunday.
Even though I’ve never been a regular churchgoer, I’d always had a belief in something – I’d never been quite sure what that thing is, only that I felt there has to be more to life than this.
