Page 77 of Sun, Sea & Strawberry Shortcake
He laughs. ‘Not that old chestnut.’
‘No, really. Bee and Jodie made it specially for you. It’sin a doggy bag.’
‘You know what? I’m hungry, but not for that.’
I wind my arms around his neck. ‘Sounds promising.’
‘Actually, I’ve got another surprise for you?’
‘Oh? What’s that?’
He smiles that lazy smile that always makes me melt insideand sets my heart drumming a little faster. ‘The girls have gone home, so wehave this amazing house all to ourselves for a whole twenty-four hours.’
‘What?’ I squeak excitedly. ‘You mean we’ve got a pool and acinema and a choice of four huge bedrooms and a gorgeous kitchen and the mostamazing view from every single room?’
‘Only the best for you, my love. So...where do you want to start?’
I press my finger to my lips as if I’m thinking hard. ‘Ithink we should explore the bedrooms first, don’t you?’ Standing up, I take hishand and with a smile of wicked intent, lead him out of the cinema room and upthe stairs.
‘Alone at last,’ says Hudson, slapping my bottom and makingme squeal. ‘All this and strawberry shortcake, too. Now, get on that bed, woman,and let’s start making up for lost time...’
Jaz
Epilogue
Six weeks have passed since fire broke out at the caféand while I still haven’t quite forgiven myself, the devastation I felt overHarry’s betrayal has rather overshadowed everything else.
It’s four o’clock on the last Sunday in July, and a group ofus have gathered for the unveiling of the newly-revamped Little Duck Pond Café,including a dozen of our regular customers, excited to see the changes.
Harry insisted on coming with me, bringing Emma and Luna,and I’m glad. I want it to work and so does Harry. We’re both making a realeffort to get our relationship back on track.
I wish it didn’t feel so awkward, though – a bit like we’rewalking on eggshells all the time. Harry seems terrified of saying the wrongthing and I can’t seem to relax and be myself with him the way I used to.
The spectre of Vivien still haunts me.
I want to forget what happened, and sometimes – when we’relaughing at something Luna’s done or getting Emma settled at night – I almostdo, and I feel as if it’s just a matter of time and I’ll definitely get there.
But at other times, it still feels much too raw...
‘Okay, everyone,’ announces Ellie, pushing open the cafédoor. ‘So what do you think?’
We all follow her inside, and I join in with the oohs andaahs, genuinely bowled over by the fresh new look. The last time I saw thekitchen, it was a blackened mess. But now it’s brand new and gleaming, likesomething from an interiors magazine.
Harry goes out on the green with Luna on her lead and Emmain her pushchair, and a feeling of relief washes through me. I can relax nowand chat to my friends.
Ellie and Fen are behind the counter, serving tea and Fen’shome-made sponge cake, full of sweet, juicy local strawberries and freshwhipped cream, and I sit at a table in the window with the girls – Katja,Madison, Primrose, Anita, Ruby and Kenzie.
‘So I finally got my necklace back!’ announces Madison,patting it fondly. ‘That evil witch, Joanna, has got good taste, I’ll give herthat.’
‘I still can’t believe she thought she could get away withit,’ marvels Katja. ‘I mean, what sort of a mind dreams up a wicked plan likethat, scaring Bee and Jodie away so she could steal Bee’s rightfulinheritance?’
‘Someone who’s deep in debt and desperate,’ says Ruby. ‘Shephoned Hudson and confessed everything. Apparently, the thing she said abouther parents being wealthy was a complete lie. She’s mortgaged to the eyeballsand that gorgeous townhouse is being repossessed. She’s been living above hermeans for years and I guess when Mitch told her about Emerald’s plan to pass onher estate, it was too good an opportunity to miss.’
Madison frowns. ‘She probably had visions of lording it overthe charity committee and syphoning off cash at the same time. But of course,there was one thing standing in her way. And that was Bee.’
‘I really feel for poor little Jodie,’ says Kenzie.‘Abduction is a serious offence.’
Anita nods. ‘I wonder what will happen to Joanna?’
