Page 80 of A Fresh Start at Bramble Cottage
“An actress?” Vicky felt as if her smile was cemented in place. “How did he meet her?”
“She was down here filming a part in that detective series — you know, the one with that guy who was inEastEnders.”
Vicky thought back, but she couldn’t remember whether she’d ever seen it. She could probably look it up on the internet — if she was feeling really masochistic. “What happened?” she asked.
Her friend’s gentle face darkened. “Just a month before the wedding she got offered a part in some American soap series —Mandate, I think it was called, about politicians and all their shenanigans.”
“And she went for it?” Well, that would explain why he had been so contemptuous when he had thought she was just a city girl who couldn’t wait to cash in on her inheritance and hightail it back to London as soon as possible.
“She was off the next day — just like that! Tom must have been pretty cut up about it,” Debbie mused. “Though he’s never said anything. But he’s hardly dated anyone since.”
“Oh . . .”
At that moment there was a rush of customers, so Vicky finished her coffee and waved Debbie a cheerful goodbye, making her escape before she gave herself away.
So — a stunning actress who had broken his heart. Whom he still carried a torch for, if he had rarely dated since then. Which in a way made him almost as inaccessible as if he had been married.
She walked slowly up the hill — she didn’t want to risk catching up with Tom. At Brenda’s shop, she popped in to pick up some milk and a newspaper. Brenda was as excited as Debbie over the news about the sketches.
“It’ll certainly help pay Beth’s university fees. Thank you so much for what you’ve done.”
Vicky smiled. “We don’t know yet how much it might sell for, if at all,” she warned. “Best keep your fingers crossed.”
“I will — both hands!” She chuckled as she held them up. “What about Arthur — is he going to sell his?”
Vicky shook her head. “I spoke to his son about it, and he said to let him keep it. He’s arranged to send money to pay for the carer. He’s coming over to visit as soon as his doctor gives him the all-clear to fly.”
“That’s good.” She waved aside Vicky’s card as she went to pay. “On the house.”
Vicky laughed. “You won’t stay in business long that way!”
“It’s today’s special offer.” Brenda smiled awkwardly. “To be honest, I’ve been feeling a bit guilty about Arthur. He’s lived just round the corner from us all my life, and I hadn’t thought he might need a bit more help.”
“Don’t beat yourself up over it — he’s very independent. You should have heard how he grumbled about having a carer. It was only when his son insisted that he gave in.” Vicky tucked her shopping into her bag. “Well, goodbye then.”
“Goodbye — see you soon.”
* * *
“Donna said she’d swap the Friday with me.”
Vicky smiled to herself. Lisa had warned her that arranging the staff shifts could be the most complicated part of her new job. “That’s okay, Kerry — I’ll switch the rota around.”
“Thanks. Oh, by the way, the Donaldsons in room twenty-four asked for a seven o’clock wake-up tomorrow — they’re going to drive down to the Eden Project, and want to make a full day of it.”
“Okay — I expect they’ll want an early breakfast too...”
“Hi.” A light tap on the door, and Lisa appeared, a tiny pink bundle in a baby-sling on her chest. “Can I come in?”
“Of course!” Vicky laughed. “It’s still your office. And you’ve brought the baby.”
Lisa’s face was warm with maternal pride. “Do you want to hold her?”
“Can I?”
“Even Ollie says it’s quite safe. Kyra — meet your Auntie Vicky.” She lifted the baby out of the sling and laid her carefully in Vicky’s arms.
“Oh, she’s gorgeous.” Vicky gazed down at the delicate pink face topped by a curl of dark hair, then dipped her head and sniffed. “Mmm — that baby smell.”
