Page 66 of Welcome to Pennycress Inn

‘Laura…’

‘Don’t. Just don’t. Just let me drive.’ She reached over and turned the stereo on, turning the volume up until she couldn’t hear him anymore. She just needed to get home, back to Pennycress. That’s all she wanted right now.

29

Ignoring the dainty tune of the doorbell, Laura folded over the sandpaper in her hand and scrubbed at the floorboards, trying to rid them of the sticky residue of wallpaper. She’d lost count of the number of times Jackson had come to the door today and how many times she’d ignored the doorbell, the knocking and him pleading through the letter box to open up. How many more times would it take until he got the hint that she didn’t want to talk to him? Hadn’t the car journey home told him all he needed to know?

She scrubbed a little harder against the floorboards. That had been the longest two hours of her life. After a few minutes of having the music up eardrum-piercingly loud, he’d stopped trying to defend his actions and had let her drive in peace, so why couldn’t he let her live in peace too?

Laura wiped the back of her hand across her cheeks as more tears sprung. She should have known it was all too good to be true. She should have realised that if they had been meant to be together, then they would have got together years ago. She’d been stupid, so stupid, to tell him she’d loved him. What had she been thinking?

She hadn’t. It had been the wine that had been doing the talking. Well, never again. She sniffed. Not that she’d be going into the pub again anyway, so at least the chance of her getting tipsy any time soon was limited. She slapped her forehead. The darts team. What was she supposed to do about that? She’d just have to drop out, that’s what.

The doorbell rang again, and she took a deep breath, ready to tell Jackson to leave her alone.

‘Laura, are you there, dear? It’s Vivienne and my daughter, Nicola.’

It was Vivienne! She’d been ignoring Vivienne. Hurrying to the front door, she pulled it open. ‘Hi, Vivienne. I’m so sorry. I thought you were someone else.’ Why had she said that?

‘Ah, don’t worry, dear. I’ve been having a few people call round to try to get me to let them redo my driveway.’ She reached out and laid her hand on Laura’s forearm. ‘I don’t even have a driveway. I don’t blame you for ignoring the doorbell.’

Laura smiled. ‘You would have thought that would be the first thing they’d notice.’

‘You would think so, wouldn’t you? Seemingly not.’ Vivienne indicated the woman standing next to her. ‘This is my daughter, Nicola. Nicola, this is the lovely Laura I was telling you about, the new owner of the wonderful Pennycress.’

‘Hi, nice to meet you.’ Nicola pushed her glasses further up her nose before holding her hand up in greeting. Her warm smile was the spitting image of her mum’s and her eyes the same deep hazel, which complimented her dark hair beautifully.

‘Great to meet you too.’ Laura smiled.

‘I’m sorry. I hope you don’t mind us popping round now? If you’re busy, we can come back another day. You just mentioned about me visiting and…’

‘Of course. Come on in. Thank you for coming round.’ Standing back, Laura held the door open. Maybe the distractionof Vivienne and her daughter visiting would help keep her mind off Jackson and the hurt he’d caused her.

Stepping inside, Vivienne paused and looked around. ‘You’re busy. We can come back another time.’

‘No, it’s fine. Please excuse the mess. This DIY malarky is all new to me.’ She grimaced as she indicated the banister still lying in pieces on the floor against the wall, embarrassed that she hadn’t tidied it better. ‘And I have someone coming in a couple of days to take a look at the banister.’

‘It looks as though you’re doing a fine job. Better than I ever could.’ Vivienne ran the palm of her hand over the wall. ‘I told Mr Yates that this wall needed replastering years ago. I’m sorry he didn’t repair it before you bought the place.’

‘It’s not your fault. I should have noticed that things needed fixing.’ Laura placed the cloth on the reception desk and stood next to Vivienne and Nicola as they surveyed the wall. ‘I wasn’t really sure what I was supposed to be looking out for and, well, I fell in love with the inn regardless.’

Vivienne chuckled and looked across at her daughter. ‘What did I tell you, Nicola? I told you the old girl was in good hands.’

Laura grinned. ‘Thanks. Sorry, I’ve forgotten my manners. Would you both like a drink?’

‘I’d love a tea if you have one, please?’ Vivienne smiled as she made her way through to the kitchen.

‘Would you like one too, Nicola?’ Laura stood aside, letting them both go through before her.

‘Have you got any coffee, please? I’ve been up all night packing.’

‘Oh, I have coffee.’ Laura grinned. ‘Are you moving?’

‘Not quite. I’ve been packing up my ex-partner’s clothes and belongings.’ Nicola sat down on the bench at the kitchen table.

‘Sorry to hear that.’ Laura filled the kettle up.

‘Don’t be. She’s better off without him.’ Vivienne sank onto the bench opposite her daughter. ‘Sorry, love, but you are. He was never any good for you.’

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