Page 94 of A December to Remember
The North sisters closed in for a hug, three sets of goggles clinking.
“Thank you for offering to be our surrogate,” Simone whispered into Star’s ear. “You’ll never know how much it means to me.”
“I would do anything for you, either of you.”
“For the record, I have no need of your womb,” said Maggie. “But I’d appreciate a babysitter once a week now that you’ve decided to stick around for a while. It would be kind of nice to go out on actual dates with Joe.”
“Done.” Star smiled.
The scent of onions caramelizing in butter filled the kitchen, and when crushed garlic was added to the mix, a new layer of savory filled the space.
“I want to run something by you both,” said Simone.
Maggie narrowed her eyes. “Go on.”
“I’m on sabbatical for a year, and Evette and I thought, since our lease is up in January, maybe we could try and find a place to rent here.”
“In Rowan Thorp?” Maggie exclaimed. “I mean, that would be wonderful! I’d love it if you lived here, but isn’t it a bit quiet here for you London gals?”
“We love London, but we’ve lived there for our entire married life. We’re ready to start a new adventure.”
“Oh my god! This is so amazing! We’ll all be together again! I’m so excited!” Star was shrieking with delight.
“How would it work with Evette’s counseling?” asked Maggie, ever practical.
“If her existing clients want to stay with her, she could offer video appointments and then she could set herself up in practice here for in-person consultations. And if after a year we’ve settledin properly, I guess I’ll look at getting another physiotherapy placement. To be honest, I’m looking forward to helping at the shop and just being around, you know? Being in the present, instead of living on fast-forward. I’ve been so busy chasing the future that I stopped appreciating the here and now, and that included my wife. We need a bit of time to bask in the greatness of our marriage.”
“Sounds like you’ve got it all worked out.” Maggie smiled. “I think it’s a brilliant idea. The only fly in the ointment is thatImight not be able to afford to stay here. How ironic that after all these years of living here without you both, I might be leaving just as you move in.”
“What!” Star exclaimed. “No!”
“Interest from city dwellers wanting to move to the country—no offense, Simone—has pushed rents around here through the roof. I was barely hanging on over at the shop, and that was with the advantage of being a long-term tenant.” Maggie couldn’t help the wobble in her voice.
“Live at Dad’s with me permanently,” Star implored.
“Sweetie, that’s not a long-term solution for either of us, you know that. We need to sell the building; we all need the money, and I need a job. I’m losing my livelihood; I’ve got to move where the work is.”
“Which leads me to my next proposal.” Simone pulled her phone out of her pocket and said in her bossiest voice, “Hello. Yes. I need you to come here now, please.”
She had barely shoved her phone back into her jeans when Duncan walked in, holding a glass of orange juice and a plate with a chef’s club sandwich teetering on top.
“I’m here,” he said, resting his lunch on the worktop. “I was just in the bar getting lunch. Why are you all wearing goggles?Blimey! It’s a bit oniony in here!” His eyes instantly began to stream.
Star handed him a square of kitchen paper.
“Tell them what you told me earlier.” Simone nodded at him.
The paper towel was already soaking, but Duncan struggled bravely on.
“It’s a Hilliard,” he began, “the miniature we found the other day. I just found out this morning. Simone caught me as I was taking the call; she asked me to wait until you were all together.”
“Holy Mary, Mother of God!” Maggie reached for the worktop to steady herself.
“All praise the goddess!” Star trilled.
Simone smiled, pleased. “In light of the fact that our ancestors appear to have hoarded some pretty mint heirlooms over the years, my suggestion is this. We don’t sell the shop. We keep it going. Star, you are homeless and jobless...”
“Thanks for reminding me.”
