Cosy Nights & Snowball Fights (Little Duck Pond Cafe #36)

CHAPTER NINE

‘My number.’ He smiled. ‘Just in case you want to call me for an update on the shirt stain. We could maybe... discuss it over a birthday drink.’ He shrugged. ‘Tonight, tomorrow night... whenever.’ With that, he turned and headed back to the building.

I stared after him in astonishment.

Maddy nudged me. ‘ Told you he liked you. He’s really nice, Josh. Clever. And good with people as well. Marcus really rates him. Says he’ll go far.’

‘Right,’ I murmured, not really knowing what to say. I was feeling weird inside. And I wasn’t sure if it was because I’d quite liked Josh myself – or because I’d been asked out on a date and the mere idea of that, after everything that had happened, had sent my head into a panicked spin.

‘Maybe it’s a sign that you should get out there again,’ prompted Maddy. ‘Did you like him? Josh?’

I laughed nervously. ‘I mean, yes. He seems... lovely. I liked the fact he didn’t seem too bothered about the coffee stain.’

‘He’s also very easy on the eye.’ She grinned. ‘Don’t tell Jack I said that! Why don’t you call him at the weekend and meet him for that drink?’ She nodded at the business card in my hand.

‘But I don’t even know the guy.’

‘Not yet, maybe. But every relationship starts somewhere.’

‘True.’ My mind was racing along feverishly as I tried to think of reasons why a date with Josh definitely wouldn’t be a good idea. And then I remembered. ‘I can’t at the weekend.’ I shoved the card into my pocket and smiled somewhat triumphantly. ‘My parents are coming to visit.’

‘Oh, right. Are they nice?’

I laughed, amused by such an odd question. ‘Yes, they’re great. I couldn’t wish for a better mum and dad.’

‘No, I’m sure. But not everyone gets on with their folks, do they? I mean, I love Marcus but just the thought of having to share a tiny cottage with him for an entire weekend makes me break out in a sweat.’

‘He does have a very big personality,’ I agreed with a smile.

She nodded. ‘The complete opposite of my real dad. And by that, I mean the man I think of as my real dad. The amazing man who accepted me as his own and loves me just as much as he loves my twin sisters, who are biologically his.’

Hearing a note of sadness in her voice, I glanced at her. ‘You’re lucky. To have two dads.’

She didn’t reply. She was just staring ahead, her lips pressed together. I doubted she’d even heard what I said.

‘Sorry?’ She swung round.

‘I was just saying you’re lucky having two dads who care about you. It’s obvious Marcus thinks the world of you.’

She smiled, although her face was still tinged with emotion. ‘I’m worried about my dad, actually. My real dad. Not Marcus. He fell over the other day when he was out with my mum at the supermarket. In the baked beans aisle. He sprained his wrist.’

‘Oh. Which hand?’

‘The right one.’

‘That’s typical, isn’t it? So he’ll find it hard for a while until it’s healed.’

‘He’s left-handed, actually.’

‘Oh, right.’

She sighed. ‘But that’s not the point. The point is, it’s happened before.’

‘The sprained wrist?’

‘Falling over. He tripped at the garden centre a few weeks ago and fell flat on his face. He had a bloody nose although thankfully it wasn’t broken. Mum and I were teasing him about it, saying he was getting old and doddery. He’s not, by the way. He’s in his fifties. We thought his accident was just a one-off. But now it’s happened again.’

‘Oh, dear. It’s probably nothing to worry about, though.’

‘Maybe.’

‘I remember once I skinned my knees tripping over a wonky paving flag, then I walked slap bang into a post box and bruised my ribs, and the very next day I wrenched my shoulder playing tennis. There was nothing sinister going on there. It was just a coincidence it all happened in the same week.’

She turned to me, looking hopeful. ‘You’re right. What is it they say? Real life is stranger than fiction?’

‘Exactly. I’m sure your dad’s fine.’ I smiled encouragingly. ‘Although he might want to avoid the tinned vegetable aisle for a while.’

‘So you don’t think he should tell his GP about it?’ she asked, my feeble joke not having registered.

I hesitated. ‘Well... only if he’s worried himself. I mean, if it happens again, then maybe. But...’

Maddy nodded. ‘You’re right. I’m worrying about nothing. He’s fine.’ She glanced across. ‘Are you looking forward to seeing your parents?’

I nodded. ‘I really am. We’ve got such a close bond, the three of us. I hated moving away, leaving my friends but especially leaving them.’ I gave Maddy a sheepish look. ‘This is the first time I’ve lived on my own.’

‘There’s nothing wrong with that. I lived at home with my parents and twin sisters until I was in my early twenties and I got the job at the café. Although I guess your... reasons for leaving... were slightly different to mine?’

‘Yes.’ I glanced at her. ‘I’m sorry I’ve been so secretive about everything. It’s just... well, I still find it quite hard to talk about.’

Maddy nodded. ‘Well, just remember I’m here if ever you need a sympathetic ear, okay?’

I felt tears well up at her kindness and I laughed and brushed them away.

‘Do you have brothers and sisters, Laurel? I’ve never asked you that.’

I shook my head. ‘I’m an only one. My mum wasn’t able to have children of her own.’

‘Oh.’ She turned in surprise. ‘So you’re . . .?’

‘Adopted. Yes. I was put into foster care for a year before I was adopted by my lovely parents when I was eleven. My real mother – well, I don’t think of her as my real mother, but you know what I mean...’

‘Your biological mother.’

I nodded. ‘She was a... well, she couldn’t cope with life. I was an accident. I’ve no idea who my biological dad is. And she never knew, either.’

‘I’m so sorry.’

I shook my head, feeling the familiar bitterness rising up in me. But I wasn’t going to let that woman into my thoughts more than I could help it. So I took a breath, fixed on a smile and said cheerily, ‘And then... well, then my dream came true and these wonderful, loving people decided to adopt me. They saved me. They really did.’

‘Wow,’ breathed Maddy. ‘That’s amazing, Laurel.’

‘I know.’ I swallowed, finding myself dangerously on the verge of tears again. ‘I can’t imagine how I’d feel if something happened to either one of them.’

‘That’s the dark side of loving people,’ she murmured. ‘You have this terrible fear you might lose them.’

I glanced at her, seeing the real worry in her face.

‘We’re both so lucky to have great parents,’ I said carefully. ‘And for what it’s worth, I feel sure your dad’s little trip-ups are nothing to worry about.’

‘He’d better be okay.’ She smiled fondly. ‘He’s going to be walking me down the aisle in a few months’ time. I’m relying on him to keep me calm and make sure I don’t burst into hysterical nervous laughter when I spot Jack standing at the altar looking all serious.’

‘Are you that nervous? About getting married?’

She smiled. ‘I thought I would be. But actually, I’m not. I’ve found a man I love who loves me in return, warts and all. He’s seen me at my very worst and he still hasn’t gone fleeing for the hills! It’s taken me a long time to feel completely confident of his love because my silly insecurities kept getting in the way. But now I know we’re meant to be together, Jack and I. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life, which is just as well since we’re tying the knot in December !’ She said the last five words through an excited little shriek and made a terrified face at me.

I smiled, hearing the obvious love in her voice. Once again, I was feeling choked up.

Maddy had found her soulmate in Jack and I was so glad for her.

Not everyone was that lucky . . .

*****

‘Why don’t you come to the meeting of the Pudding Club next Thursday?’ Maddy said, ducking to the open window as I was preparing to drive away, after putting petrol in the car. ‘I promise you’ll love it.’

I knew all about The Pudding Club, of course. It was the talk of Sunnybrook and already popular, even though it had been going for only a month or so. I’d met Annalise, the pudding demonstrator, a few times and she seemed absolutely lovely. But as soon as I’d heard there would be another meeting of the club soon, my mind had immediately started inventing excuses as to why I wouldn’t be able to go along. It seemed to be an automatic reaction these days.

But I’d been intrigued by the whole idea of watching Annalise make these mouth-wateringly delicious puddings and then, even better, getting to sample every single one afterwards. (Everyone said the puddings tasted even better than they looked – and they looked incredible.)

I hesitated, looking doubtfully up at Maddy.

‘It’ll be the last Pudding Club meeting for a while. Annalise is donating a kidney to her grandmother in a few weeks, but she was determined that ‘Pastry Week’ would go ahead as planned.’

‘Pastry Week?’ It sounded delicious.

‘Yes. So she’ll be making things like Bakewell tart and Apple Strudel, and she says she’s got something extra-special up her sleeve to wow everyone.’