Page 31 of Forgive Not Forget
Tom shrugged.
“Hi, Anna. It was great! I had cookery today,” Abigail answered, opening the Tupperware she was holding. “Would you like a biscuit?”
“I don’t mind if I do. Thanks, Abi.” Anna reached in and extracted a perfectly shaped shortbread biscuit. She took a bite, surprised by how good it was. “Mm, that’s tasty! And with a hint of lemon, my favourite.”
They walked along the path back up the high street to Abbey House. Anna noticed that Tom turned his head away as they passed Gloria’s tearoom.
“Do you think Katherine would like one of my biscuits?” Abigail asked as they approached the driveway.
“I’m sure she would. If she doesn’t, can I have hers?”
“Of course. You can have another if you want. I need to save one for Mum. When will she be here? Do you know where she’s gone?”
Anna wasn’t about to elaborate on Laura’s whereabouts if she hadn’t told the children herself. “I’m sure she’ll be here in an hour or two. Then we can all have dinner together,” she said, placing her key in the front door.
“What is for dinner?” Abigail asked as they stepped into the hallway.
“Shepherd’s pie,” Katherine answered as she crossed the hall to welcome them. “I hope you all like it.”
“It’s Tom’s favourite,” Abigail replied, earning her a shove in the shoulder from Tom.
“No, it isn’t. Pizza’s my favourite.”
“Well, we’ll remember that for next time, won’t we, Anna?” Katherine replied, widening her eyes at her fiancée before leaving the room.
“Indeed we will. Just pop your shoes, bags, and coats by the door so you don’t forget them.” Anna knew full well this went against the rules of putting all outdoor wear and accessories away in the enormous cupboard under the stairs. Anna had been quite surprised the first time she had seen it. It wasn’t far off the size of her bedroom in the old house. “Let’s get the kettle on and make some tea to go with those biscuits, shall we? Come through to the kitchen.”
Awestruck at her surrounding and not looking where she was going, Abigail nearly tripped over herself.
Anna looked down at her. “Don’t feel like you have to take it all in now. I’ll give you the full tour shortly.”
The smile that washed over Abigail’s face told her she was as excited to see the house as Anna had been when she’d first arrived. It wasn’t every day you were allowed to see inside such a house.
“Can I watch television?” Tom asked as Anna led them through the sitting room to the kitchen.
“Do you not have any homework to do?”
“No,” Tom replied flatly.
“The remote is on the table. Would you like tea or something else to drink?”
“No, thanks,” Tom replied, collapsing onto one of the enormous sofas.
Anna led Abigail through to the kitchen where Katherine was already filling the kettle at the sink.
Abigail spotted Virginia outside on the patio and ran to the glass door. Her appearance attracted Virginia to the door, and she opened her mouth in a silent meow to those on the inside.
“Can I let her in?” Abigail asked in a high-pitched squeal of excitement.
“Of course,” Katherine replied. “She doth command it.”
Taking a stool at the island, Anna watched as Virginia entered and brushed herself against her new friend. To Virginia, Abigail was just another person that she could boss about. Whilst Abigail was entertained, Anna took the opportunity to discuss the latest graffiti.
“Did you speak to the police?” she asked Katherine.
“Yes, and I emailed the photographs you took,” Katherine confirmed, as she placed her best Denby teapot on the island.
“Did they have anything to say?”
