Page 42 of Autumn at the Willow River Guesthouse
Lily smiled. ‘Maybe you could draw the front cover for me.’
‘Are you really thinking of writing a maths textbook?’ Pete asked.
Lily chuckled. ‘No. Maybe some kind of story. Being back here … I kind of feel like it. In London, I never had time, nor the energy. And I never felt creative enough.’
‘You were engaged to an artist,’ Sarah said. Then, catching a look from Pete, she shrugged. ‘Although perhaps that wasn’t for the best.’
‘I spent half my time listening to his issues and the other half worrying about them,’ she said. ‘And look where it got me. Oh, and by the way, he’s threatening to visit me. He said he’s in trouble.’
Sarah shrugged. ‘Well, perhaps you could see what he has to say. He might have dealt with his issues.’
‘He’s not welcome in our house,’ Pete said, stabbing a roast potato with a little too much intent. ‘No one hurts my little girl and gets to walk straight back into her life.’
Lily gave Pete a pat on the arm. ‘Thanks, Dad.’
‘He’ll never find it anyway,’ Pete said. ‘I have enough trouble myself on that road from Brentwell and I drive it every day.’
‘He’ll have GPS,’ Lily said. ‘Isn’t there some way we could hide the house? Like, hang a camouflage net over the gate or something?’
‘I’ll put up a charm to ward him off,’ Sarah said.
‘Thanks, Mum,’ Lily said with a sigh. ‘Can you put up another one to attract a new boyfriend?’
‘No luck in the pub?’
Lily laughed. ‘Great guys, but not my types.’
‘I thought you were courting young Jimmy Donbury?’ Sarah said, making both Pete and Lily cringe.
‘I went for a pint with him and his mates,’ Lily said. ‘I don’t think he even realised it was a date. And anyway, he’s got a new girlfriend now.’
‘Has he really?’
‘A girl called Martina. One of Victoria Borton’s fans. She showed up at the guesthouse looking for Victoria, and I sent her off to the farmer’s market just to get rid of her. It turns out she’s a trainee farm vet and is transferring down to Brentwell to be closer to Jimmy. You honestly can’t make these things up.’
Sarah clapped her hands together. ‘Well, good luck to them. And you should give yourself a pat on the back for bringing a little happiness into their lives.’
Lily theatrically reached around behind herself, then grimaced. ‘I would, but I think I’d pull a muscle.’
‘Ah, you need some Doreen,’ Sarah said. ‘I got the latest DVD through the post yesterday. ‘Arm and body workout special. We’ll have a go when we get home.’
Lily glanced at Pete, who hid a smile behind a roast potato. ‘Can’t wait.’
21
Drawing Out
Dear Lily,
Thanks for keeping me updated on my mother. It sounds like you’ve become friends with her, so I can only thank you again. I wonder if she ever mentions me? I would like to visit, but I’m worried I’ll be a trigger for her problems. After all, it’s been nearly five years without any contact. She’s my mother, but she’s also a unique person, as you’ve probably figured out. She was never easy to live with. However, if the bridge can be mended, I would like to mend it.
Kind regards,
Michael
Lily felt a little shiver as she read the email over. Even though they had been emailing regularly for the last couple of weeks, it still made her smile the way Michael signed off his emails as though ending a letter. She was surprised he didn’t write the date and his address at the top.
Aside from the picture of the young boy, she had no idea what he looked like. If he cared to check her profile he would see a couple of dozen pictures of her in various situations, some alone, some with work friends, some with Steve. She hadn’t taken the old pictures down, because every time she went to do it, it felt like she was showing a little too much intent, that she really was starting to get feelings for a blank profile picture and a few polite words. And plus, if he thought she was with someone, it would make him talk more freely, not trying to impress her—
