Page 86 of Coming Home to Sturcombe Bay
Lisa found that she could somehow make room for a crème brûlée with raspberry tuile. Cassie chose waffles with summer fruits and clotted cream. “Mmm.” Lisa leaned back in her seat with a contented sigh. “That was good.”
Cassie laughed. “I didn’t think you’d be able to resist.”
She had been careful during the meal to avoid glancing in Liam’s direction — well, apart from the occasional glance. Certainly no more than every five minutes. Mostly.
He was sitting with Debbie and Bill, newly returned from their honeymoon and both looking radiant with happiness. Debbie, usually so shy, was chattering away, her eyes bright, while Bill gazed down at her adoringly.
Liam seemed to be enjoying himself. If she occasionally caught him glancing in her direction, she looked away quickly. The memories that had filled her mind during the wedding service had left her feeling . . . unsettled. Every time she thought the balance between staying and going was tipping firmly in one direction, something would happen to tip it back again.
Chapter Fifteen
The end of the wedding breakfast signalled the time for the younger children to be whisked away home by their families, for the adults to take some time to freshen up, and for some to change into their evening wear.
Several of the rooms on the first floor had been opened for the guests to use. Cassie and Lisa had left their bags and evening dresses in Room 11, as had Julia, Debbie and her mum, and several of the other women. It made for quite a crush, but everyone was happy to work around each other.
Lisa threw herself on the bed. “Oh boy. I’m full up to here.” She indicated her forehead. “I really shouldn’t have had that crème brûlée.”
“Which is why you all but licked the plate.”
Lisa laughed. “It was pretty scrummy. Ah, here’s my little Munchkin!” She bounced up as Shelley came into the room carrying Kyra. Taking the baby, she kissed the top of her head. “Thank you so much, Shelley. You’re a godsend!”
“It’s no trouble, honestly,” the girl assured her. “She was as good as gold. She slept most of the time.”
“Ah, you’re a little angel, aren’t you?” Lisa blew a raspberry on the baby’s forehead, making her gurgle with laughter and kick her feet.
“She’s a good little thing,” Cassie remarked. “You’re lucky she takes after you rather than me!”
“Aren’t I?”
“Don’t get smug,” Cassie warned. “Wait till she gets big enough to argue back.”
“Oh, she’s so pretty,” one of Vicky’s cousins cooed. “She looks just like you.”
“Thanks.” Lisa’s smile glowed with maternal pride. “I’ll give her a quick feed now,” she added to Shelley. “That should keepher happy for a few more hours. We won’t be leaving later than ten.”
“That’s fine.”
She settled in the armchair, Kyra snuggled contentedly in her arms. Cassie sat down at the dressing table to brush her hair and touch up her makeup ready for the evening. “Did Noah go off all right?”
“Yes. I think he was pretty tired, and his granddad has promised he can watchPiratesbefore he goes to bed.”
Cassie laughed. “Dad sure knows how to deal with kids.”
“Just as well, since he’s been teaching them for over forty years!”
They all managed to get changed and ready, weaving around each other as if in a well-choreographed dance.
“Oh, that’s beautiful!” Julia gazed in admiration as Cassie took her dress out of the garment bag she had hung up in the wardrobe. “It’s really your colour.”
“Thanks.” She shook it out, making the long silk-chiffon skirt swirl. She’d bought it on that shopping trip to Exeter, to wear tonight, but then she’d worn it at the charity ball with Dougie.
She’d garnered a lot of compliments that night too. It was a rich emerald green, with a close-fitting bodice which left one shoulder bare. She shimmied into it, and Julia zipped it up for her.
“There. You’ll knock him dead!”
“Who?” Oh lord, did she know?
Julia grinned mischievously. “Whoever you like!”
