Page 38 of Welcome to Pennycress Inn

She shook her head slightly. She couldn’t very well admit to them that she’d been dreading them coming. Instead, sheindicated the door through to the kitchen. ‘Do you want to grab a coffee before I give you a tour?’

‘Yes, please. Dad refused to stop at the service station.’ Richie licked his lips.

‘It’s a waste of time and a waste of money stopping at those places. There’s no chance I’m paying a fiver for a coffee I could make at home for a few pence.’ Her dad shook his head.

Laura laughed. That had always been his excuse for not stopping on the way to holiday when they’d been growing up. Nothing had changed.

‘Haven’t I taught you anything?’ Her dad looked pointedly at Richie. ‘Look after the pennies and the pounds…’

‘Will look after themselves,’ Laura and Richie chorused.

‘You did learn a thing or two from me, then?’

‘Yes, we did, but it’s also nice to treat yourself to an admittedly expensive coffee every once in a while, especially when travelling.’ Richie walked across to the kitchen work surface and crossed his arms whilst his dad sat down at the table.

‘Not to worry, I have lots of coffee.’ Laura held up the jar. Maybe this surprise visit wasn’t going to be as bad as she’d thought after all. Everything both Richie and her dad had mentioned so far had been positive.

‘Ooh, is that French toast?’ Richie turned around and picked up the fork lying next to the plate Jackson had brought over for her. Leaning down, he prodded it with the fork before taking a mouthful. ‘Yum, that’s good. Jackson used to make a mean French toast too.’

Nodding, Laura turned to face the window and filled the kettle with water, hoping Richie hadn’t noticed the fierce blush flushing across her cheeks at the mention of Jackson’s name.

‘Do you mind if I have it?’

‘Yep, that’s fine. Go ahead.’ She flicked the kettle on and leaned against the work surface. There went her chance to tasteit, but she couldn’t very well tell him that, no, he couldn’t have any because his best mate had cooked it for her. There would be too many questions. Still, it was the thought that counted and the fact Jackson had thought about her was better than any dish anyone could ever make.

‘I’m sure your mum said something about him living in this village.’ Her dad slipped his glasses off and began cleaning them with the bottom of his top.

‘Umm… that’s right.’ There was that heat again.

‘You said he was next door, didn’t you?’ Richie stabbed another bit of French toast with the fork. ‘I did tell you, Dad. On the way here.’

She looked from the breakfast Jackson had cooked for her to Richie, desperately trying to figure a way out of this line of conversation. Neither she nor Jackson were ready to come clean to Richie yet. Especially as all they’d shared so far was a kiss or three. It wasn’t even as though they’d been on a date. ‘How’s work going?’

‘Work? Oh, you know. It’s going okay.’ Richie tapped the fork against his chin. ‘In fact, I think I might be in line for a promotion.’

‘Another promotion? Didn’t you just get one a couple of months ago?’ Grateful for the change in topic, Laura poured the water, filing up three mugs.

‘Yep.’ Richie grinned before indicating the plate again. ‘But this, this is good. Are you going to offer it on your breakfast menu? Because if you are I think me and Jane might have to pay a visit.’

Laura shrugged. She couldn’t lie to him, but he hadn’t asked if she’d cooked it herself, just whether she was going to serve it. ‘I’ve not got as far as thinking about the breakfast menu yet.’

‘Well, you should. This right here will put you on the map on its own.’ He shovelled another forkful into his mouth.

Placing the steaming mugs of coffee on the table, Laura sat on the bench opposite her dad. Richie had a point, not that she’d actually had the chance to taste it, but if it was as good as it smelt, then she should ask Jackson for the recipe.

‘Lovely, thank you.’ Replacing his glasses on the end of his nose, her dad took a sip before looking over the rim of his mug. ‘Young Harry visited us for tea yesterday.’

Spluttering, Laura wiped the coffee from her chin with the back of her hand. Harry had been round her parents’ house? They’d invited her ex over for tea? And her dad had mentioned it so casually, as if telling her about a neighbour’s cat strolling along the fence or her mum having a hair appointment. ‘You invited my ex-husband round for tea?’

‘Goodness, no. He popped round. Was in the area he said, and your mum felt sorry for him so asked him to stay.’

‘Right, that makes all the difference then.’ Laura raised her eyebrow at him. ‘Why? Just why would Mum invite him in for tea – and what was he doing in the area? He lives on the other side of town.’

‘He’s not living there anymore. He’s in some place in the centre of town now.’ Her dad placed his mug casually down on the table.

‘Oh.’ Laura frowned. What did that information have to do with her? She’d heard from Jenny that he and Dina had split up, so maybe he’d moved out.

‘He was asking after you. He was.’ Her dad took his glasses from his nose again and pointed them at her.

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