Page 40 of Welcome to Pennycress Inn

‘Yes, a big but.’ She leaned against the reception desk and looked at him. ‘They kept bringing up Harry.’

‘That eejit? Why?’ Jackson stood in front of her and took her hands in his.

‘Well, apparently he stopped by my parents’ house because he was “in the area”…’ She curled her fingers around the words ‘in the area’, emphasising how ridiculous an excuse it was. ‘And Mum only went and invited him in for tea!’

Jackson tilted his head. ‘I suppose he’s been in the family for a good number of years. I guess it’s not that easy to just cut someone off completely.’

‘Yes, it is. His family has! I’ve not heard a jot from any of them, didn’t even get a Christmas card. Not that I care, mind you. I just don’t understand why my own family seem to be on his side, that’s all.’

‘They’re not on his side. They support you.’ He rubbed his thumbs against the back of her hands.

‘I’m not so sure. First, Jenny spends ages chatting to him in the supermarket and now this. Mum invited him in for tea. I mean, really?’ She rolled her eyes before meeting his again, her tone becoming sarcastic. ‘Maybe they secretly hope I’ll get back with him – that way they can have him over for tea every night of the week, listen to him droning on about the price of beetroot.’

‘Beetroot?’

‘Long story.’ Laura laughed. ‘Of course they think I’m single too. If they knew?—’

‘If they knew, I think Richie would probably kneecap me.’ Jackson grimaced.

‘Haha, now you’re just being overdramatic.’ Pushing herself away from where she was leaning against the desk, she inched closer to him. ‘I think they’d be pretty pleased. I mean, if they loved Harry, then imagine how they’d feel about me dating you.’

‘I’m definitely not Harry.’ He chuckled.

‘No, definitely not.’ She leaned in, their lips mere millimetres apart.

‘Still, let’s not say anything quite yet. I’d like to enjoy the full use of my legs for a while longer.’

Laura shook her head slightly before their lips touched.

Drawing back, Jackson tucked her hair behind her ears. ‘I was going to ask you if you’re free tomorrow?’

‘Well, I may have to rearrange my diary. You know, what with all the commitments I have with my numerous friends in the village.’

‘Haha. I’ll take that as a yes then. I’m going to The Great Home Show in London and I’ve managed to get my hands on another ticket. I’m hoping to get some inspiration for the home renovations and thought you might enjoy it too?’

‘Ooh yes, I’d love to.’ She looked around her. ‘I might even get some ideas on how to redecorate this hallway.’

‘Great.’ Jackson glanced behind him towards the door. ‘Right, I hate to do this, but as much as I want to spend the evening with you, I need to run over to Billy’s house and take a look at his boiler for him. They’ve got no heating or hot water at all.’

‘If you ever have enough of renovating houses, you could always become a plumber. What with your heroic efforts here last night and now rescuing your brother?’

‘Haha, maybe.’ Jackson gave her a kiss before leaving.

Following him to the front door, Laura watched as he walked down the garden path and smiled as he turned and blew her a kiss before pulling the gate open.

She shut the door and leaned against it, surveying the hallway, a slow grin spreading across her face. Pennycress had had the seal of approval from both her dad and Richie. She wasn’t imagining it, was she?

Pushing herself away from the door, she yawned as she headed into the kitchen and flicked the kettle on. The day had been emotionally and physically exhausting. After coffee and a tour of Pennycress, the three of them had spent the rest of the morning sanding down the bumpy patches of wall filler and in the afternoon they’d helped her tackle the back garden – well, as much as they could anyway before the evening had closed in.

She heaped spoonfuls of hot chocolate powder into her mug before hitting the power button on the old-fashioned radio she’d found at the back of a cupboard in the utility room. As nostalgic music from the nineties filled the room, Laura began to dance, throwing her arms above her head and shimmying around the tables. Her dad had liked the inn. He’d said he was impressed with what she doing here at Pennycress! Maybe everything would turn out all right after all.

20

Sliding their cardboard cups and plates to the edge of the table, Laura pulled out the wallpaper samples she’d collected from a handful of stalls displaying their wares in the vast hall at The Great Home Show. Spreading them out on the table, she looked at them before glancing around her. Twenty or so tables and chairs were positioned in a group at the far end of the exhibition, a variety of food and drink stalls surrounding them. The rest of the hall was crammed full with stalls and demonstration areas covering every aspect of home ownership and refurbishing anyone could ever dream of, from paint to panelling, bathroom fixtures to garden furniture, pipes to nails.

Laura watched as Jackson carried two more drinks back from one of the stalls and smiled. She’d really enjoyed spending the day with him, as well as gathering ideas on what to do with Pennycress.

‘Here we go. I got you a chai latte. I remember you used to love them.’ He placed the cups carefully on the table. ‘If you don’t anymore, I’m happy to swap.’

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