Page 64 of Welcome to Pennycress Inn

‘And you’re just as bad. Well, not as bad as Mum, but you still don’t understand my decision to end things with him. What with you saying you wouldn’t have to worry about me if I was stillwith him. You said that on the phone when I first moved into the inn.’ She took a deep breath before carrying on. ‘Why can’t you see that he has faults too? And why can’t you all understand that I’m happier now that I’m not married to Harry? I wasn’t happy with him. I was lonely, so lonely, and I know how stupid that sounds because I was with him and now, I’m living on my own, but?—’

‘Laura.’ Stepping forward, Richie drew her in for a hug. ‘I’m sorry if I’ve said anything to make you feel like you’ve made the wrong decision. That was never my intention. I just want you to be happy.’

‘You do?’

‘Yes, of course I do. I admit I liked Harry. I thought he was a good guy, and I had absolutely no idea that you felt so alone when you were with him. I also didn’t have a clue that you thought there was anything going on between him and Dina. If I’d known, I’d have told you to leave him before you did.’

‘Really? Even though you and him always got on so well?’

‘Hey, we didn’t get on that well. Not enough to see you unhappy. You’re my sister, remember, and it’s you I care about. Harry can do one.’ Richie squeezed her before releasing her. ‘Ready to go back in and face the music?’

‘I guess so.’ Just as they reached the door, Jackson peered inside.

‘Everything okay? Are you all right, Laura?’ Holding the door open, his face was full of concern.

Sniffing, Laura nodded. ‘Yes, thanks. I’m fine. I just…’ She shrugged.

‘Good, as long as you’re okay.’ With his hand on the door, Jackson stepped back, letting her and Richie through.

‘Oh, there you are, sweetheart. I’m sorry, we didn’t mean to upset you. It was just a shock, you making accusations like that. Ihadn’t thought you suspected him of any wrongdoing.’ Her mum looked across at her.

‘That’s it now. No more talk of Harry and no more letting him in the house and feeding him.’ Her dad looked pointedly at his wife.

‘Point taken.’ Her mum nodded.

‘Sorry, I shouldn’t have overreacted.’ Laura picked up her bowl again and lowered herself to the floor.

‘No, we shouldn’t have made him feel so welcome here. From now on, this is a Harry-free family.’ Richie spoke firmly.

‘Harry who?’ Jenny laughed.

‘Exactly. And besides, now the fun can really begin. We can start setting you up on dates!’ Richie rubbed his hands together.

‘Ooh, yes. One of my clients is recently divorced and super hot,’ Jenny joined in.

‘Hot, is he?’ Rob raised an eyebrow.

‘For Laura, I mean.’ Jenny rubbed his arm and grinned. ‘He’s definitely not my type, all muscly and brooding…’

Rob crossed his arms and huffed before chuckling.

‘But what do you think? Shall I set you two up? I’m sure he’d love to meet you.’ Jenny pulled out her phone. ‘I think he has a photo on his business page.’

‘Wait. I don’t want to be set up with anyone.’ Laura grimaced. Even if she and Jackson hadn’t been together, the last thing she’d have wanted was to have her siblings arrange blind dates for her. ‘Besides?—’

‘There’s Dave who I play squash with.’ Richie looked at his wife. ‘I think he’d be your type, don’t you think, Jane?’

‘Umm, yes, I think so. He seems a really nice guy.’

‘Stop. Please stop.’ Laura held her hand up and laughed despite how exasperated she felt. Though the fact that Richie was talking about trying to set her up with a friend was a goodsign that he’d be more accepting of her and Jackson than they’d first thought. Maybe they’d been worrying about nothing.

‘I’ve got an idea.’ Tammy stood up and pointed to Laura with one hand and Jackson with the other. ‘I think Auntie Laura and Jackson should marry.’

Leaning forward, Richie burst out laughing. ‘Oh, Tammy, we do love you, but you have some funny ideas.’

‘Well, I think it’s a good idea. Auntie Laura is sad because she doesn’t have a Harry anymore and Jackson is lonely, so I think they should kiss and marry.’ Tammy crossed her arms as a plastic brick fell to the floor from her grasp.

Coughing, Laura felt the slither of cheesecake she’d just put into her mouth go down the wrong way. Managing to swallow, she calmed herself as she felt the heat of a blush flush across her face. Tammy’s words may have been uttered innocently but she couldn’t have read the situation better if she’d tried.

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