Page 67 of Welcome to Pennycress Inn

Nicola sighed and picked up the salt shaker Laura had left in the middle of the table, turning it over in her hand.

‘It’s always difficult though, isn’t it? When a relationship breaks down. Whether you know it was the right thing to happen or not.’ Laura spooned coffee into two mugs before reaching for the teabags.

‘That’s the problem. I thought we were good together. It was only when I discovered he’d been cheating that I saw him for who he really was.’ Nicola stifled a yawn.

‘Ah, that’s rubbish. I’m sorry.’ Laura carried Vivienne and Nicola’s mugs to the table before going back for hers. ‘My husband and I split up two years ago now, so I can understand a little of what you’re going through.’

‘I still can’t believe it’s happening.’ Nicola wrapped her hands around her mug. ‘You never think it’s going to happen to you, do you? We’re all sold the fairy-tale happy ever after as young girls, then it’s a shock when life doesn’t turn out like that.’

‘You can say that again.’ Laura took a long sip of coffee and bit her lip. Nicola didn’t need to know that life wasn’t full of roses after a break-up either, that even when you thought you’d found The One the second time around, they still let you down. She shook her head. Vivienne and Nicola had come round to see their beloved inn and to tell her more about it, and the least she could do was to focus and stop brooding over Jackson.

‘How did you cope? With your marriage breakdown? I honestly don’t know if I’m coming or going one day to the next and there’s a tiny part of me which wonders whether I’ve done the right thing in kicking him out rather than forgiving him and trying to make it work.’ Nicola replaced the salt shaker on thetable and shook her head. ‘I’m sorry, I’ve only just met you, I shouldn’t be asking you questions like this.’

‘Oh, I don’t mind. It’s refreshing to be able to talk to someone who understands. Umm, that’s a tricky question though.’ Laura shifted on the bench. ‘I had to move in with my parents whilst our house was sold and then I bought this place.’

Nicola nodded.

‘So I guess you could say that it was either the best thing that happened to me or else it pushed me to have a midlife crisis.’ Laura laughed.

‘Ah, this place is definitely the best thing and not a midlife crisis.’ Vivienne tilted her head and smiled. ‘Although, who knows? Maybe it was both, but it’s definitely the best thing too.’

‘I think so.’ Laura turned back to Nicola. ‘How long has it been? Since your relationship ended?’

‘It’s been three months, two weeks and four days since I found out about the affair.’ She looked down into her mug. ‘But only two weeks since I told him to leave.’

‘So it’s all still new to you, then. I’m sorry to hear you’re going through all this.’

‘Thank you, but as Mum here says, I’ll survive.’ Nicola smiled sadly.

‘You will, love. You will.’ Reaching across, Vivienne stroked her daughter’s cheek.

‘Yes, that’s if I can find a job before I’m kicked out of my house for not paying the rent.’

‘I’ve told you I can give you the money.’

Nicola frowned at her mum.

‘Lend it you, then. You shouldn’t be too proud to take help when it’s offered.’

‘Have you lost your job too?’ Laura stirred another spoonful of sugar into her coffee.

‘Unfortunately, yes. My ex was also my boss and, well, I just can’t bring myself to go into the office and see him day in, day out.’ Nicola brought her mug to her lips.

‘I don’t blame you there.’ Laura frowned. ‘What did you do?’

‘Events management. We were only a small team, but we were always busy and our business even won a few awards.’ Nicola lowered her mug to the table, coffee splashing over the rim and pooling on the table. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘Don’t worry.’ Standing up, Laura grabbed a piece of kitchen roll and passed it to Nicola.

‘Thanks.’ She wiped up the spilt coffee before continuing. ‘I enjoyed it and it’s difficult to walk away from something I put so much into, but ultimately I know I just couldn’t carry on working with him, not after the way he’s treated me.’

‘I’m sure something will come up. It sounds as though you’ve had a lot of experience.’ Laura smiled kindly.

‘I’m sure it will. I just need to think positively.’ Nicola looked at Vivienne, who nodded.

Laura sipped her coffee. She wasn’t the only one then. The only one left heartbroken, only she hadn’t been left heartbroken by Harry, it had been the one person she thought would always have her back who had broken her trust – Jackson.

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