Page 104 of A Year at Appleyard Farm
‘Blackberry and coconut cream truffles,’ replied Laura.
Freya closed her eyes briefly as she let the sweet melt in her mouth. ‘Well, you’ll have to let me know where you get them from. When the wedding is over, I’m going to pig out on these.’
‘I make them most weeks, so just let me know when you want some. It’s not a problem.’
A dribble of chocolate threatened to escape Freya’s mouth as she swallowed hastily.
‘You make these, did you say…? Oh my God, I have a friend who’s going to love you.’ She licked her lips. ‘She runs a shop which sells gourmet handmade produce among other things. These would be perfect for her.’
Stephen leaned forward. ‘Merry, of course! Why didn’t I think of that? That’s a seriously good idea, Freya. In fact, I’m sure Merry would be keen to stock all the other gorgeous things that Laura makes, I…’ He sat back, catching the expression on Laura’s face. ‘Okay, one thing at a time…sorry, back to the wedding.’
Laura smiled. ‘So, are you happy for me to go ahead, Freya?’ she asked, steering the conversation back on track. ‘If you can give me a couple of days, I can work up some proper designs for your bouquet as well, and then I’ll need to get things finalised. With only two weeks to go, I’ll need that time to plan how and when I’m going to get it all done.’
‘I’m more than happy. You won’t believe how lucky I feel to have found you,’ gushed Freya. She looked as if she was about to say something more but then stopped herself. ‘Are you sure you’re okay with all of this? I know we’re asking a lot of you.’
‘I honestly don’t know,’ Laura admitted. ‘But I do know that I couldn’t have gone on like I was. You’ve given me an opportunity to change my life, and I’ve got to have faith that whatever will be, will be for a reason. And a good one, I’m sure.’
‘Even so, you’ll promise you’ll ask for help if you need it,’ said Freya. ‘Or just to talk, you know, if things get tough.’
‘I will, I promise.’
‘And tomorrow I will metaphorically be holding your hand every step of the way,’ said Stephen, with a glance at Freya. ‘So try not to worry about that. The police will be sympathetic to your feelings I’m sure.’
Laura gave a weak smile. She was tired now, almost overwhelmingly so, and despite Stephen’s assurances, the thought of the following day loomed large.
‘Come on, Stephen, we must go,’ announced Freya. ‘Laura looks exhausted, and I’ve still got a million and one things to do today as well.’ She looked at the table, still covered in piles of paper and foliage. ‘We’ll help you clear up first, though, if you like.’
Laura waved away their suggestion, suddenly longing for her own company. It had been quite a while since she had been with people for such a length of time, and it was exhausting just following the conversation. ‘No, it’s fine. I might have a bit more of a play in any case. I’ll clear it away later.’
Freya came forward to give her a hug. ‘Take care,’ she said afterwards. ‘And thank you.’
Stephen hovered awkwardly by the door. ‘See you tomorrow,’ he said. ‘I’ll pick you up at nine.’ He was about to follow Freya back out into the hallway when he suddenly turned back to her. He made a sign with his hands.
Laura’s eyes widened in surprise. ‘What did you say?’ she asked.
‘Thank you,’ said Stephen, repeating the sign.
She could still see the expression on his face several minutes after she closed the door behind them.
55
‘That’s a pretty serious accusation to make, Mrs Ashcombe.’
Laura could feel her pulse begin to quicken once more. ‘I am aware of that,’ she bit back. ‘I might be deaf, but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with my eyes.’
The two police officers exchanged a look as Laura felt a gentle touch on her arm. She glanced at Stephen, who smiled warmly.
‘From the moment I mentioned our accident to Laura, it was clear that she recognised both the car and its driver,’ he said. ‘And that was before she even knew about the hit and run incident. It’s hardly an accusation.’ He looked between the two men sitting opposite them. ‘You appealed for witnesses to come forward, and we have. Until the day we were run off the road, I didn’t even know Mrs Ashcombe personally, although I am of course aware of the history between her and the Drummond family. The two things are entirely unconnected, however.’
The policeman directly opposite Laura sat back in his chair, looking at her with a frown. ‘And yet the last time you entered this station, it was on a charge of assault.’
Laura hung her head. She could feel Stephen’s eyes on her, but really, what was the point? What was she even doing here? She felt a wave of anger balling in her chest as though it would explode from her at any minute. She drew her legs underneath her, making ready to stand. She needed to get out of here.
The pressure on her arm increased. ‘When was this?’ asked Stephen, as she looked up. She shrugged away his touch.
‘Does it matter?’ she replied. ‘I told you this whole thing was pointless.’ She glared back at the policeman.
‘It probably doesn’t matter, no,’ said Stephen, ‘in that it clearly has nothing to do with the reason we’re here today…But it might help me to understand why it looks as though you’re not being taken seriously. And that actually matters a very great deal.’
