Page 75 of Welcome to Pennycress Inn

Taking a shuddery breath, Laura’s eyes darted from Jackson to her brother and back again. Richie had no idea what his best mate was about to tell him.

‘No. Thanks, but no. This is something I’ve got to say.’ He turned to Ruth and Phil. ‘I love your daughter. I’m in love with Laura. We didn’t plan this, but it’s the way I feel and the way she felt too, until I messed things up.’

Laura dropped her counter, the small yellow piece of plastic clipping the coffee table the loudest sound in the suddenly silent room.

‘This is a joke, right?’ Richie stood up slowly, shifting Ava in his arms. ‘Laura’s not in love with you, mate. She’s just had her heart broken by some idiot.’

‘That idiot is me.’ Jackson spoke quietly but clearly. ‘And for that, I’m truly sorry.’

‘Laura, that’s not true, is it? You and Jackson?’ Richie looked from his sister to his best mate and back again.

Laura’s mouth turned dry. He’d really told them. He’d told her family, Richie, that he loved her. That meant he did, didn’t it? He wouldn’t have said that, said anything, if he wasn’t sure how he felt. All the mistrust and worry about whether something was going on between him and Evie melted away. Him telling her family as he just had was all the confirmation she needed – he did love her. He loved her! Taking a deep breath in, Laura nodded, her voice a whisper. ‘It’s true.’

‘But…’ Richie shook his head, trying to clear the confusion. ‘How long have you been seeing each other?’

‘Just since she moved here, but I’ve felt this way about her for years.’

‘No, you?—’

‘I have too.’ Standing up, Laura cleared her throat. ‘I love him, and I have for years, too.’

‘You still love me?’ Jackson locked eyes with her.

‘I still love you.’ The room, her family, faded into the background as she walked the few steps towards him and sank into his arms, feeling his lips on her forehead. She’d almost lost him. She’d almost let what Harry had done cloud her judgement but now she was sure. She was more sure than she ever had been that Jackson was telling her the truth. ‘I love you.’

‘Laura, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have chickened out on telling everyone.’ Jackson cupped her cheeks and leaned down, their lips meeting.

‘Eurgh!’ Tammy’s voice shattered the silence, the moment passing.

Pulling away from him, Laura looked around the room and, as if Tammy’s voice had broken the spell, she blinked as her family gathered around them. She could feel her heart racing as she waited with bated breath for her family to react. She swallowed and reached for Jackson’s hand, gripping his clammy palm with her own. This was the moment of truth, the moment they’d both been dreading.

‘At least we know you’ll look after her, Jackson, love.’ Her mum pulled Jackson towards her and kissed him on the cheek before turning to Laura. ‘And I don’t doubt you’ll look after him, too.’

‘I can’t believe you two are together! This is crazy!’ Jenny held her hands against her cheeks before drawing them both into a hug.

Laura nodded as her dad, Jane and Rob congratulated them until the only person left was Richie. She met his eyes. ‘This wasn’t planned.’

‘No, it really wasn’t. I’m sorry, mate, but I can’t lie to you, to myself, to anyone any longer.’ Jackson shifted position.

Turning, Richie handed Ava to Jane before looking at them both and shaking his head slowly.

‘I really will look after her, Richie.’ Jackson’s voice was firm.

Sighing loudly, Richie ran the palm of his hand over his face. ‘I don’t know what to say… apart from this is going to take some getting used to.’

‘I get that.’ Jackson nodded.

But then, stepping forward, Richie wrapped his arms around them, Laura with one arm and Jackson with the other, beforereleasing them. He pointed at Jackson. ‘But if youevermake her eat cookie dough ice cream again, we’ll be having words.’

‘Cookie dough ice cream?’ Jackson frowned.

‘It doesn’t matter.’ Laura laughed and hugged her brother again. ‘Thanks, Richie. Your blessing means so much to me, to us both.’

EPILOGUE

‘Do you think the rain will hold off?’ Laura looked up at the clouds as she placed Vivienne’s famous fruit cake on the trestle table beneath the gazebo. Up until now, this year’s May had been all sunshine and warmth. Trust her to choose the only day this month which was forecast to rain, to officially open Pennycress Inn.

‘Oh yes. The sun will shine down on you today. I can feel it.’ The older woman smiled as she placed the hummus next to the carrot sticks.

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