Page 39 of Winter Nights at the Bay Bookshop
As I switched off the light and closed the door, Lily’s face drifted into my mind and a feeling of warmth enveloped me. I pictured her empathetic expression when she caught me crying earlier, how she’d discreetly drifted away after making sure I was all right, how she’d checked I was okay again before saying goodbye, and the email she’d sent me.
When I’d applied for the job at Bay Books, I’d been worried about the history between Lily and me but all I could think about now was what a future with her might look like, and it was an incredibly appealing prospect.
21
LILY
Dad’s operation on Thursday went well. As it didn’t take place until late in the afternoon, he was kept in overnight and Mum left college early on Friday to collect him from the hospital. I’d nipped in after work on Friday and again yesterday but only for fleeting visits as he was woozy on painkillers. Mum had messaged me this afternoon to say he was a lot brighter and looking forward to a Sunday roast at teatime.
Arriving back at Everdene, I’d expected to see my sister’s car on the drive ready for her week of looking after Dad, but was surprised to also see her husband’s. Cory must have decided to drive across as well. Couldn’t say I blamed him as Mum’s Sunday roasts were legendary.
Kadence had evidently seen me pulling onto the drive as she dashed out of the house, arms outstretched for a hug. ‘I’ve missed you.’
‘Not as much as I’ve missed you,’ I responded. ‘And I see Cory’s joined us too.’
‘He said he’s going to miss me this week and wants to cling on to me for as long as he can. But in the next breath, he said he was gagging for one of Mum’s infamous roasts and, from the way he was salivating, I think the roasts are the real pull and I’m the afterthought.’
‘I’m going to dump my bag and have a quick change,’ I said, heading towards Green Gables. ‘I’ll be ten minutes.’
‘Five.’
‘Seven,’ I said, laughing as I waved a temporary goodbye.
Everyone was in the lounge when I’d changed. Cory hugged me and I was pleased to see some colour back in Dad’s cheeks.
‘I’ve got about fifteen minutes before I need to disappear into the kitchen,’ Mum said, smiling at Kadence and Cory. ‘Plenty of time for you to tell Lily about your house move.’
‘You’re moving?’ I asked, surprised. Their York apartment overlooked the River Ouse and was perfectly positioned for an active social life with only being a short walk to the shops, bars and restaurants.
‘We felt it was time for a change,’ Kadence said, handing me the sales particulars for an old detached house with a large garden in a village near York.
‘As soon as we saw it, we fell in love with it,’ Cory said. ‘We put our apartment on the market the following day and got an asking price offer the day after.’
‘Wow! That was speedy.’ I flicked through the details and felt a little pang of envy. The city-centre lifestyle had never appealed to me but a property like this with views across open countryside made my heart sing. It was similar to properties Wes and I had found and admired online.
‘It’s gorgeous. I’m guessing you won’t be in before Christmas.’
Kadence shook her head. ‘Just a bit too tight so we’re aiming for the end of January.’
‘Congratulations. I’ll look forward to visiting.’ I handed back the sales particulars. ‘I can see why you fell in love with it but I’m surprised you were even looking. You love city-centre living.’
‘We do,’ Kadence agreed, ‘but we won’t be able to sustain that lifestyle from late spring next year because…’
She passed me something else and I squealed as I looked down at a baby scan photo. ‘You’re pregnant!’
‘Fourteen weeks,’ Kadence confirmed.
I launched myself at my sister for another hug and gave Cory one too. ‘Congratulations to you both. Fourteen weeks would make it a…’ I scrunched up my face, trying to do the maths.
‘May baby,’ Cory said. ‘Seventeenth.’
‘That’s amazing news. Which explains the house move and also why you’re here today, Cory.’
I discovered that they’d told Mum and Dad their news as soon as they arrived and Mum wanted to see my reaction. Hendrix would be the last to know but Kadence and Cory were going to FaceTime him after we’d eaten as he’d be home from work by then and we’d all get the big news on the same day.
When Mum headed into the kitchen, I went to help her. It was lovely seeing her so excited about the news of her first grandchild. She and Dad would be incredible grandparents.
With the vegetables bubbling on the hob, Mum rested her back against the worktop and sipped on a glass of wine. ‘Are you okay?’ she asked, her voice soft.
