Page 17 of Welcome to Pennycress Inn

‘I shouldn’t think one sheep is worth his time. Besides, as stern as Miss Cooke can be with us villagers, she’s a different person when it comes to animals and she figured Claudette has made the escape and deserves to live her life out someplace she won’t end up on someone’s plate.’ Jackson shrugged.

‘Fair enough.’ Laura smiled at Eden as the young girl walked up to her uncle with the daisy chain she’d made draping from her hands.

‘Look, Uncle Jackson. Do you like it?’

‘Aw, that looks lovely, Eden.’ Jackson grinned as he looked down. ‘Do you want me to help you put it around your neck? You could wear it as a necklace.’

‘No, it’s for you. You wear it, Uncle Jackson.’ Eden stood on her tiptoes as Jackson bent down, allowing her to hang it around his neck.

‘Thank you. I love it.’ Straightening his back, he high-fived Eden.

‘You’ll wear it at work today?’ she checked.

‘I will indeed. I’m sure it’ll make my customers very happy.’

‘All day?’

‘All day.’ Jackson held out his hand before looking back at Laura. ‘On which note, we should get going, as Eden is coming to help me at the pub until her mummy picks her up in a few minutes. See you later.’

‘That sounds fun. See you later.’ Laura waved before watching as Eden took Jackson’s hand, unable to turn away. Jackson must have said something funny to his niece as Edenlooked up at him, her uncontrollable giggle filling the air. Laura smiled. She didn’t think she’d ever seen anything sweeter. He’d make an amazing dad one day.

Sighing heavily, she forced herself to spin on her heels and head back to her garden. Why had that thought even popped into her mind?

9

Placing her mug of steaming coffee on the kitchen table, Laura sank onto the wooden bench. After spending the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon gardening, muscles she didn’t even realise she possessed ached. She rolled her shoulders back before picking up her mug and wrapping her hands around the hot ceramic. Thanks to Jackson fixing the washing machine last night, she’d managed to get the throws and cushion covers from the sitting room washed today too. It actually felt as though she was getting things organised, taking a step closer to being able to open.

Just as she savoured the last sip of coffee, the doorbell rang, letting out its feeble tune. That’s one thing she’d forgotten to do today – buy batteries. She’d have to remember to write it on the list.

Standing up, she made her way to the door, raking her fingers through her hair before she pulled it open.

‘Surprise, sis! I hope you don’t mind, but we were heading down to Rob’s parents and the twins were desperate to see you, so we thought we’d pop by.’ Without waiting for an invitation, Jenny bustled into the hallway and drew her in for a hug.

‘Hi.’ Laura spoke into Jenny’s pale pink cashmere jumper as she watched the twins, Tammy and Toby, run up the garden path, slowly followed by Rob. She was sure Rob’s parents lived in Stratford-upon-Avon, at least an hour away from Meadowfield by any route they could have taken to reach there.

Jenny unwrapped her arms and stepped away from the embrace before turning slowly on the spot and looking around. ‘This is the famous Pennycress Inn, then?’

‘This is Pennycress.’ Laura jumped out of the way as Tammy and Toby barged past her, their eyes on each other and seemingly in the middle of a very serious game of tag.

‘Hello, Laura. Lovely to see you and your new place.’ Rob hugged her quickly around the shoulders. ‘We won’t stay long because my parents are expecting us for dinner, but Jenny was desperate to come and see how you were getting along.’

Ha, she’d known they must have taken a special detour.

Laura nodded. ‘No worries. Are you staying at your parents’ for the weekend?’

‘No, we’re not.’ Jenny grinned as Laura closed the door behind them. ‘The twins are. Rob’s booked us a nice weekend away, haven’t you, Rob? Down in Bourton-on-the-Water. I can’t wait.’

‘Oh, that’ll be lovely then.’ Laura smiled. Her sister worked so hard on her business and looking after the kids and house – not that she ever made it look hard. No, she was like a swan gliding across the surface of the water, she made everything look easy. Anyway, however hard she worked or didn’t, she deserved a night away.

‘It’s an anniversary treat. Our big one, ten years.’ She looked down at her shoes. ‘Are we doing shoes on or off?’

Laura looked across to where the twins were sliding down the banister, their trainers firmly attached to their feet. ‘Shoes on is fine. I’m so sorry, I completely forgot about your anniversary.I’ve not even got you a card. Or anything.’ How could it have slipped her mind? She’d been so focused on the inn, on her problems, that she’d completely forgotten about what was going on in her sister’s life, her family’s lives. How was she supposed to juggle it all? Business and family? Jenny could. She had her business and two kids and still managed to keep up with what everyone else was doing. Laura though, she just couldn’t do anything right at the moment.

‘Don’t worry about it, sis.’ Jenny walked further inside. ‘Shall we get the kettle on? I’m parched.’

‘Yes, of course. We can have a coffee before I show you around. Come on through to the kitchen.’ Holding her hand out, Laura indicated the way. ‘I still can’t believe I forgot to even text to congratulate you.’

‘I’m sure it’s a date in your diary you’d rather forget at the moment.’ Rob looked at her sympathetically before doubling over as Jenny elbowed him in the ribs. ‘Ouch!’

---