Page 32 of The Christmas Fayre on Holly Field

The thought sent a tingle down her spine. Not because she might ask him such a personal thing, but because he might stay. And Harriet was forced to admit that she did want to get to know Owen better. The question was – how much better?

Chapter 8

‘It’s gorgeous, Sara, bach,’ Ginny said, as Sara did a twirl for her grandmother.

Harriet looked on with pride. Sara looked lovely and the dress fitted her perfectly. Harriet’s heart had been in her mouth yesterday, wondering what her daughter would think of it.

Sara had returned from her trip to Dolgellau with Catrin not in the best of moods. She had complained to Harriet that she’d seen lots of things she’d wanted to buy, if only she’d had the money.

What she didn’t say, and what Harriet had found out later when she’d phoned Kelly to thank her for taking Sara with her, was that Catrin hadn’t been allowed to buy anything either. Certainly nothing for Darlene’s party, which Catrin had also been invited to because she was in the same class as the birthday girl. According to Kelly, Catrin already had something suitable to wear and Kelly wasn’t prepared to shell out for another outfit.A woman after my own heart, Harriet had thought. However, Harriet hadn’t had much option other than to buy something for Sara, because most of Sara’s clothes no longer fitted her.

‘Take it off now,’ Ginny instructed. ‘You don’t want to get gravy down it, do you?’

Sara looked horrified at the thought. ‘Can you undo me, Mam?’ She presented her back to Harriet for her to undo the buttons, then reluctantly wriggled out of it.

Harriet folded it carefully and placed it back in the box, along with the bag, which Ginny had also admired. ‘Why don’t you find Grandad and Bobby?’ she suggested, knowing that her mam would want to finish making Sunday lunch without Sara under her feet.

Harriet waited until Sara left, then started to count. She got to three before Ginny spoke.

‘How much did that set you back? I thought you were trying to save money?’

‘I am,’ Harriet said. ‘Twenty-five pounds.’

‘And the rest,’ her mam said. ‘That’s a designer dress, that is.’ She jerked her head at the box.

Harriet knew: she had googled it and had been astonished when she’d seen how much it cost new. ‘Honest, itwastwenty-five pounds, cross my heart and hope to die,’ Harriet said, wondering why she subconsciously reverted to acting Sara’s age when she was in her parents’ presence. ‘Don’t tell Sara, but I bought it from a boot sale. She thinks I ordered it online. Admittedly, I took a gamble, but she loves it, so it paid off. I got loads of stuff for Bobby, too – a coat, T-shirts, jogging bottoms and a hoodie. Some of it looks like it’s hardly been worn.’

‘That dress does look brand new,’ Ginny agreed. ‘Good for you. Did you go to the one in Foxmore? I heard it’s really popular.’

‘It is! I can’t believe I haven’t been there before now. It was busy and there were loads of stalls. I’ll definitely be going back.’ She stole a slice of beef, dancing back as her mum slapped at her hand.

‘There’ll be none left for lunch at this rate,’ Ginny warned.

‘Get off, Mam. You always cook loads.’ She put her arm around her mam’s shoulders and gave her a squeeze.

‘I’ve never been to a boot sale,’ Ginny said, patting Harriet’s hand. ‘I’ve never fancied it. What made you decide to go?’

Warmth invaded Harriet’s chest as an image of Owen swam into her mind, and she could feel a flush spreading up her neck and into her face. ‘Mind if I open a window? It’s a bit stuffy in here with the oven on and all the cooker rings full blast.’

‘Go ahead.’

Harriet opened the window and took a breath of cool air.

‘Well?’ Ginny was waiting for an answer. ‘You do know you can ask us if you’re struggling, don’t you?’

Since Declan had buggered off, her parents hadn’t been backward in coming forward when it came to offers of help, both physically (in terms of childcare) and financially. And although Harriet had been immensely grateful and had taken them up on the babysitting front (although she was careful not to abuse it), she had refused all offers of financial assistance. They were retired now, and even though they both had decent pensions, they weren’t rolling in money. They had already paid their dues by raising her and Simon, and Harriet didn’t think it fair for them to have to support her at her age.

‘I know, Mam, but I can manage. And now I’ve discovered the joys of boot sales, I can manage even better. Owen—’ She stopped.

‘What were you going to say? And who is Owen? Is he a friend of Bobby’s?’

‘No, Granny, he’s Mammy’s friend,’ Bobby said, and Harriet slowly closed her eyes, then opened them again.

Trust her son to come into the kitchen at such an inopportune moment.

Ginny raised her eyebrows. ‘Is he?’ she said, her voice full of meaning. She looked at Harriet, and her eyebrows rose higher when she saw the blush spreading across her cheeks. ‘Tell me more.’

‘What do you want, Bobby? A drink?’ Harriet asked, stalling for time to formulate what she was going to say.

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