Page 58 of Welcome to Pennycress Inn

Opening the car door, Laura stepped out just as Tammy threw her arms around her waist.

‘Auntie Laura! Nana said you were coming.’ Tammy looked up at her, her arms still wrapped tightly round her aunt’s middle.

‘Hi, Tammy.’ Laura laughed as Toby joined the hug. ‘Hiya, Toby. How’s your ankle?’

‘It’s okay. All better now.’ Toby grinned.

‘Oh, that’s good news.’ Untangling herself, Laura walked around to join Jackson on the path.

Covering her mouth with one hand, Tammy stage-whispered to Laura, ‘Apart from on PE days. He tells the teacher it hurts again then and gets to sit out on the bench.’

‘Oi! You promised you wouldn’t tell anyone!’ Toby crossed his arms and pouted.

‘It’s okay, Toby. Auntie Laura won’t tell Mummy or Daddy, will you?’ Tammy skipped through the garden before calling over her shoulder. ‘It’s our little secret, isn’t it, Auntie Laura?’

‘Umm…’ Laura pulled a face, unsure of what to say.

‘What’s this about secrets?’ Jenny appeared in the open doorway and drew Laura in for a hug.

‘She’s going to bring us some chocolate next time she visits.’ Tammy spoke quickly before running past her mum and inside, shortly followed by Toby.

‘Chocolate? Huh? I hope you remember to bring me some too.’ Jenny stepped back and turned to Jackson, her arms outstretched. ‘You did bring him! Jackson! Long time no see. How many years has it been now?’

‘Lovely to see you, Jenny.’ Jackson stepped into her embrace. ‘Too many, that’s for sure.’

‘Too right. Come on through, both of you. Rob’s got the kettle on already.’ Jenny closed the door behind them.

‘Thanks. I’m parched.’ Laura shrugged out of her coat.

‘That’ll be all the wine last night.’ Jackson chuckled.

‘What’s this? You’ve got Laura to go out again? Mingle with people her own age?’ Jenny glanced behind her towards the kitchen door. ‘Don’t tell Mum or Dad I said that, but that’s good if you’re getting out and about again. You spent too much time holed up in here after you and Harry finished.’

Laura swallowed. She could feel the red of self-consciousness crawling across her cheeks. ‘It was just a night at the local pub.’

‘And I was working, so, unfortunately, I wasn’t able to join in the merriment.’ Jackson grinned, seemingly oblivious to how embarrassed Laura felt due to Jenny’s comment. Either that or he wasn’t fazed. Laura couldn’t tell. ‘Is Richie here?’

‘Yep, he’s…’ Jenny turned as Richie walked into the hallway. ‘Here.’

‘Jackson, mate! It’s so good to see you.’ Richie drew Jackson in towards him and patted him on the back before he turned to Laura. ‘And you too, little sis.’

‘Hey.’ Laura hugged Richie back.

‘Laura, Jackson, come on through and stop loitering in the hallway.’ Her mum ushered everyone through into the livingroom. ‘Rob’s just making coffees, unless you want anything stronger, Jackson?’

‘No, I’m good with coffee, thanks.’ Jackson sat down on one of two large cream sofas.

‘And I’m taking it you’re driving, Laura, so coffee for you.’ Her mum smiled as she walked back into the kitchen.

Laura perched on the other sofa away from Jackson, as Richie sat down next to him. She could hear her parents back in the kitchen, pots and pans clattering as they finished off the roast dinner. An empty bouncy chair sat in front of the sofa and an array of toys were strewn across the carpet.

‘Where’ve Tammy and Toby got to?’ Jenny appeared in the doorway, her hands full of cutlery.

‘I think they ran out into the garden.’ Richie shrugged before continuing the conversation he was having with Jackson.

‘You’re kidding? In this weather? They’ll just bring all the mud inside.’ Jenny shook her head before stepping over the toys and making her way to the glass patio doors at the back of the room. Sliding one open, she called out, ‘Toby, Tammy, come on in. I’ve a job for you both.’

‘Me job.’ Ava, Richie’s toddler, poked her head around the corner of the sofa.

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