Page 48 of A Forever Home at Honey Bee Croft

‘It does sound ideal, but I don’t know if I can face starting over again where I don’t know anyone.’

‘But you do know people. Amber and Barney have invited you to their wedding, shown you round their farm, and you’ve spent an evening making wedding favours with some of Amber’s bridesmaids who you said were all really welcoming and already felt like friends. So not only would you have a home and dream job on offer, you’d have the start of a new friendship group too.’

I appreciated him not pointing out that my only friends in Winchcote were my elderly neighbours and that, beyond that, my friendship circle was his family – wonderful people with whom I’d stay in touch no matter where I lived.

‘You know what your mum always said,’ he added, his tone teasing.

‘I know, but this is huge. On a scary scale of one to ten, this is a twenty.’

‘At least it’s not a thirty,’ he joked, but then his expression turned serious. ‘I’m worried about you, Pops. I worry that you’re lonely and that, when your dad’s gone, you’ll be even lonelier and I wish I lived closer so I could be there for you and help ease that pain.’

Tears pricked my eyes and I swallowed down the lump in my throat. ‘That’s not your job anymore.’

‘Maybe not as your husband, but we started as and always will be friends, and friends are there for each other. You deserve to live a life that makes you happy, especially after you’ve spent seven years so far caring for your parents. And it sounds to me as though that life could be waiting for you right here in Yorkshire.’

As he spoke, a ball of excitement began building in my stomach. I didn’t want to be lonely anymore and, as I’d said to Amber, despite being on my own at Whisperwood Farmhouse I hadn’t felt lonely for a single minute. Could this be the place I was meant to be? Could this beautiful place be where I came to heal and start over with a new business, new friends, new life? I thought of Joel. New love?

17

JOEL

Cole’s advice about acting had been great. Can’t say it was a BAFTA-winning performance but playing a part – a slicker, more confident version of me – did the trick and my best man speech went down well. I was relieved when I could sit down and take a large gulp or two of alcohol to steady my nerves.

There was a traditional top table so I was at the end with Natasha next to me and Cole beside her. Cole shook my hand, congratulating me on a great speech and I thanked him for his helpful advice.

The food was delicious, and the conversation flowed but I felt a wave of despair every time I looked across to the table where Mum and Dad were sitting with Chez and Imogen. Imogen had been asked if she wanted to sit with me, her grandparents or the other bridesmaids and she’d chosen her grandparents because she didn’t see them very often, which I thought was lovely of her and which had delighted Mum and Dad. Tim, Levi and their partners were also on the table, and everyone seemed to be having a good time except Chez who, from what I could see, was making minimal effort to join in the conversation and maximum effort to keep his wine topped up.

I decided I’d join them for coffee. Our table was first to be served so I excused myself, picked up my drink and slice of wedding cake and made my way across the room. Chez caught my eye as I approached, grabbed his glass of red wine and a bottle and walked off before I could reach the table. If he continued drinking at his current rate, he’d be steaming drunk by the time Lorna arrived this evening and I couldn’t imagine her being impressed by that. I watched him leave the room, frustrated by his immaturity and rudeness.

I plonked myself down on Chez’s vacated chair and Imogen clambered onto my lap for a cuddle.

‘Did you enjoy your food?’ I asked her.

‘It was yummy.’ She nuzzled into my neck, yawning.

‘Are you tired?’

‘Yes.’

‘Do you want a sleep?’

‘No. I don’t want to miss anything.’

‘There’s nothing to miss now. We’ll eat the cake then move into the bar so they can get the room ready for tonight. Then it’s just chatting and drinking until the disco starts in two hours. So if you do want a nap, now’s a good time. Cloud’s in the room waiting for you.’

‘I’m okay.’

‘Say if you change your mind. You want to be fresh for your special dance.’

Coffees finished, Tim, Levi and their fiancées went through to the bar. Imogen was so quiet that I wondered if she’d fallen asleep on me but she perked up when Darcie joined us and asked if she wanted to get a drink of juice.

‘Stay in one of the bars, please,’ I told them. ‘If you want to go anywhere else, can you message me?’

Darcie promised and left holding Imogen’s hand.

‘How was Chester?’ I asked Mum and Dad once the girls had gone. ‘He looked miserable each time I looked over.’

Mum slowly shook her head. ‘He’s not in a good place right now. We’re worried he might be at the start of a decline.’

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