Page 8 of Sun, Sea & Strawberry Shortcake
The blue checked shirt seems familiar and a second later Irealise why.
It’s Harry.
Smiling, I start walking with Luna over the green, wonderingwhere Emma is. Maybe he left her with our lovely neighbour, Olive, whoabsolutely dotes on Emma. Then I see my daughter. She’s there, sitting on theknee of the woman on the bench beside Harry.
I stop where I am to watch. I’ve no idea who the woman is,and the sight of Emma looking so relaxed on her knee seems...odd, somehow.
Harry is laughing. He leans over and plants a kiss on Emma’sgolden curls, and Emma reaches for him, holding out her chubby little arms.
The woman draws her into a quick hug before handing her overto Harry, and the pair smile at each other. And as I stand there, thinking thatat any moment Harry is sure to turn and see me, she laughs at something he said– her dark ponytail swinging – and playfully taps his arm.
Harry half-turns, still talking, and I raise my hand andwave. But he doesn’t see me, and instead, he settles back on the bench tocontinue their chat.
I watch in a sort of shocked fascination.
This must be Vivien, who runs the animal shelter...Harry’s friend from university. The woman he’s taking photos for. I’ve nevermet her before and yet my daughter seems so comfortable with her...
I snort at my own paranoia, giving my head a little shake. Vivienmust have called to pick Harry up when he was on his way out with Emma for awalk on the green. So she decided to go with them. It’s not actually a crimefor a woman I’ve never met to have Emma on her knee.
My postnatal hormones have a lot to answer for!
Although thinking about it, I gave birth over eighteenmonths ago, so can I really still use that as an excuse for being in a narkymood?
They’re getting up to go now, Harry settling Emma back intoher pushchair, so I nip back with Luna to lock the café door and start walkingafter them. And after calling Harry’s name three times, finally he turns andsees me.
His face lights up at the sight of me and my stupid fearsmelt away.
He immediately starts introducing me to Vivien, who seemsabsolutely lovely, and we all walk back to the house together, where her car isparked. At one point, waiting to cross the road, Harry slings his arm around meand Vivien smiles and takes hold of the pushchair, leaving us to walk together.And I scold myself for letting my imagination run away with me...and for thinking that my relationship with Harry is anything less than wonderful...
Ruby
CHAPTERFOUR
I’m in high spirits this afternoon, making chocolatemuffins and lemon drizzle cupcakes in the bakery. Hudson and I are setting off onholiday tomorrow and Anita has already requested jokingly that I stop singingaround the place.
‘I can’t believe you’re leaving me in the lurch and swanningoff to Wales.’ She grins as she pulls trays of freshly-baked bread from one ofthe ovens. ‘Although I’m sure Kenzie will be brilliant at stepping in for aweek.’
I grin. ‘She’s so loved up with Aidan, she’s floating on acloud at the moment. She’ll be one very happy replacement. In fact, you mightnot even want me back.’
Anita pretends to weigh this up. ‘Good point.’ She smiles.‘But seriously, I hope you have a fantastic time, Ruby. You really deserve it.You’ve been so great, looking after your mum, but it’s maybe time to thinkabout yourself for once?’
I sigh dreamily. ‘Just me and Hudson. And lots of sun, seaand strawberry shortcake.’
‘Strawberry shortcake?’ She looks at me askance.
I grin. ‘Private joke.’
‘Right.’
‘Oh, there’s Jaz on the green with her puppy.’ I cross tothe window to get a better look. ‘Luna’s absolutely gorgeous, don’t you think?’
‘I do. Except when she’s chewing slippers.’ Anita grins. ‘Itwould be like having a mischievous toddler running around, having to keep aneye on them all the time.’
‘Well, I wouldn’t know about that.’
‘You will one day. And then you won’t know what’s hit you!’
Smiling, I have a sudden vision of Hudson and me, holdingthe hands of the toddler between us, making slow but happy progress togetheracross the village green. It’s actually a really lovely thought. But one stageat a time...
