Hope Blooms in Tuppenny Bridge (Tuppenny Bridge #5)

Chapter 5

FIVE

‘Well!’ Caroline sank back in her chair and aimed a beaming smile at Noah. ‘That’s half a day gone. Just one afternoon to go and we’re free. What will we do with ourselves?’

Noah had been wondering the same thing. It was the last day of term, and he should have been looking forward to the long summer holidays, but right now he wasn’t sure what to think.

Isobel had jetted off to Portugal yesterday, full of excitement and so happy she’d even bestowed a long and lingering kiss on his lips at the airport.

Her grandmother had eyed them disapprovingly.

‘Don’t make an exhibition of yourselves,’ she’d snapped.

Isobel had winked at him as she pulled away and his heart had leapt. For a moment there she’d looked like her old self—the Isobel he’d first fallen in love with so very long ago—and he’d wanted to grab her and beg her to stay with him.

Then the glint had gone from her eyes replaced by an expression that was far more familiar.

‘Remember what I said. Word travels fast in Tuppenny Bridge. Behave yourself or I’ll know about it.’

The warning was delivered in a low voice, but its meaning was crystal clear. Where, he wondered, had this suspicion come from? He’d never cheated on Isobel, and he never would. Why did she persist in checking up on him and making these threats?

‘You have n-nothing to worry about,’ he said wearily, his hope dying as quickly as it had flared. He would, he acknowledged with despair, be relieved when she stepped onto that plane.

Now he was facing the next fortnight alone and he really wasn’t sure what to think about that. It would be a respite from the constant sniping and the oppressive atmosphere in Peony Cottage, but it would also give him time alone. Too much time. And he knew the way his mind started to work when he was alone for too long in that house.

He loosened his tie a little, already feeling restless. ‘I’m popping out for lunch today,’ he told the school secretary. ‘I won’t be long, though.’

Caroline eyed him sympathetically. ‘Make sure you eat something filling. There’s not a pick on you these days. You work too hard, I reckon.’

‘We all work hard,’ he pointed out. ‘It’s the nature of the job. And don’t worry, I’ll make sure I eat something every bit as hearty as any meal on offer here.’

Heading across Market Square ten minutes later, he took a deep breath, glad to be outdoors in the fresh air. It wasn’t particularly sunny today, but it was reasonably warm. He hoped the weather would be kind for the next few weeks so the children could spend most of their time outdoors. Not, he thought ruefully, that most of them would want to. They were worryingly dependent on their phones and tablets and seemed to prefer sitting indoors staring at screens to exploring the countryside.

Not like in his day. He and Ross had practically had to be bribed to go indoors, he recalled. They’d been lucky to grow up in Lavender House, with those amazing gardens and a maze that was just ripe for some fantastic games, even though they’d been warned repeatedly that the main gardens were for visitors, and they should stay in the private family garden at the side of the house.

Ross might have been younger than Noah, but he was definitely the ringleader. Noah had been supposedly looking after his little brother. In reality, daredevil Ross had led Noah to do all sorts of things he would never have dared do on his own.

Noah smiled to himself, remembering. He missed Ross. Now that his brother was so loved up with Clemmie, as well as being busy with The Arabella Lavender Art Academy, he saw little of him these days. And, of course, Ross seldom visited Peony Cottage. Although maybe he would, now he knew Isobel was away.

It had pained him for years that Ross didn’t like Isobel. Although his brother had never said as much he really hadn’t needed to. It was obvious. Isobel, meanwhile, had shown no hesitation in telling him that she felt the same way about Ross, labelling him spoilt and selfish, and not worthy of their time and attention.

In recent years, Noah had grown to be grateful that Ross avoided Isobel. It made life so much easier all round. Maybe he’d get the chance to catch up with his brother next week, though. He’d like that.

He didn’t even consider Market Café for lunch, heading directly to The Crafty Cook Café where he’d had the foresight to book a table. He knew it would be busy at this time of day and wasn’t leaving anything to chance.

Daisy greeted him with a sparkle in her eyes and his heart lifted at the sight of the dimple in each cheek which always appeared when she smiled. He found them endearing. Round-faced, with large, soulful eyes and shoulder-length dark brown hair, he thought she looked young for her age. He’d been surprised when she’d admitted she was thirty-five, only two years younger than him. He couldn’t deny that the sight of her cheered him up immediately.

‘I’ve reserved table two for you,’ she told him. ‘Nice view of the market square for a change. Take a seat and I’ll be over to take your order in a minute.’

He nodded his thanks and threaded his way through the tables to the one by the window. A quick glance around the room revealed there was currently no one he knew in the café. Well, no one he knew well anyway. A couple of his pupils’ mothers were sitting chatting, cups of coffee in their hands, taking no notice of him. That didn’t worry him. Anyway, he thought as he took a seat and picked up the menu, he’d done nothing wrong. He had nothing to feel guilty about.

It was just…

He sighed inwardly, knowing that he shouldn’t be feeling so wary about visiting a café in his lunch hour. But if Isobel found out, if she got the wrong idea… And she seemed to get the wrong idea so often these days, no matter how much he reassured her that she had nothing to worry about.

Sometimes he seriously wondered if he was giving off signals that he wasn’t aware of. She’d accused him of flirting, of encouraging some of the female members of staff at the school, even a few of the mums. He’d denied it because, as far as he was aware, he’d done no such thing, but he was starting to think maybe it was something he did on a subconscious level.

But then, at other times, he’d see that look in her eyes and he’d wonder… Was she making the whole thing up? Was it just something she used as an excuse to be angry? A stick to beat him with.

He didn’t know any more and when he tried to process his thoughts it gave him a headache. He just went round and round in circles, getting nowhere. All he knew right now was that he was very glad Isobel was in Portugal and he could risk staying for lunch at the café this time instead of just popping in for a quick slice of cake.

Something, he thought, resting his chin in his hand, would have to change, and soon. Things couldn’t go on this way. He couldn’t go on this way. But how could he change what was happening? What was he supposed to do?

‘Have you made your mind up yet?’

He jumped, startled by the voice so close to his ear. Daisy was smiling down at him, but her smile quickly died, replaced with a look of concern.

‘Are you okay?’

There was a strange expression in her cocoa-coloured eyes.

‘Of course. Why shouldn’t I be?’

‘I don’t know. You looked like you had the weight of the world on your shoulders then.’

He managed a laugh. ‘D-did I? Sorry.’

‘No need to apologise to me,’ she assured him. ‘I was just worried about you, that’s all.’

‘You were?’ His voice caught and, to his horror, tears pricked his eyes. Where the hell had they come from? ‘Let’s see what I’m going to eat today.’ He snatched at the menu and studied it intently, hoping she hadn’t noticed his display of emotion.

Daisy pulled out the chair opposite and sat down. ‘Noah, are you all right? Seriously?’

‘Of course I am,’ he said brightly. ‘Just can’t decide what to eat that’s all, and I’ll have to get back to the school before you know it.’ He glanced over at the counter. ‘You have customers.’

She smiled gently. ‘That’s okay. I took Bethany’s advice. I’ve hired Rowan and Tess while they’re on holiday from college. Rowan’s here on Mondays, Tess on Fridays, and both on Wednesdays for market day. We’ll see how it goes. So, you see, I’m all right to spend five minutes making sure my loyal customers are okay. If Rowan needs me, she’ll soon give me a yell.’

He nodded and pretended to read the menu again.

‘I heard Isobel went away yesterday,’ she said.

Noah rolled his eyes. ‘Word gets round here, doesn’t it?’

‘I expect you’ll miss her,’ she said, sounding sympathetic. ‘But cheer up. She’ll be back before you know it.’

‘She will,’ he agreed heavily. ‘What do you recommend?’

She blinked. ‘Sorry?’

‘To eat. What do you recommend?’

‘Oh!’ She shook her head. ‘Depends what you fancy and how hungry you are.’

He realised bleakly that he’d totally lost his appetite. Hardly the sort of thing to say to a café owner when you’d just reserved one of her precious tables, though.

‘As long as I leave room for a slice of cake I’m fine,’ he joked.

‘I’ve baked your favourite,’ she told him with a smile. ‘White chocolate and caramel.’

‘Mm. I’ll look forward to that.’

‘I’ll tell you what’s popular,’ she said suddenly. ‘How about a bacon, brie and cranberry panini? They go down a real treat. Or I can do you a jacket potato if you fancy, with cheese, or chilli, or both if you like. Or you can have it with prawns, or?—’

‘The panini sounds great,’ he said, trying desperately to inject some enthusiasm into his tone. ‘And a coffee please if it’s not too much trouble.’

‘Of course it’s not too much trouble,’ she said, getting to her feet. ‘Latte, was it?’

He nodded and she hurried off to the kitchen. He slotted the menu back into its stand and stared out of the window, wondering what Isobel was doing right now. Lying on the beach in one of her new bikinis he supposed. Not a care in the world.

He had to stop this. He knew it. Yet how could he change things?

Leave her before it’s too late.

He mentally shook his head as the thought he was having with alarming frequency lately returned. He couldn’t do that. He’d made his vows. He’d promised. And she’d be devastated, lost. It was, after all, what she feared most—being alone. Besides, he owed her. He could never fully make it up to her, but he could try. He would never stop trying. He just had to keep a lid on his emotions. Stop giving in to them. Focus. He couldn’t put her through anything else. He just had to be a better man, make her happy, do whatever it took.

Daisy returned, carrying a tray. She put his coffee and panini on the table and gazed down at him. ‘Everything to your satisfaction?’

‘Of course. Thanks, Daisy.’

Her expression softened and she said softly, ‘I get it, you know. Summer holidays start tomorrow and your wife’s away for two weeks. You must be dreading it. Hey, are you going to Dolly’s party on the twenty-seventh?’

He unfolded his napkin carefully, buying himself time to think. ‘I shouldn’t have thought so,’ he said at last. Imagine what Isobel would say if she found out! God, it wouldn’t be worth the hassle, especially as she’d thrown the invitation in the bin the moment it arrived, saying scornfully that hell would freeze over before either she or Noah attended any rubbish fiftieth birthday bash at The White Hart Inn.

‘Oh, but why not? Surely it’s better than sitting at home alone? And Ross will be there, after all.’ She hesitated. ‘And me.’

He looked up quickly, noting the slight flush of pink on her cheeks.

‘I mean, if all else fails I’ll talk to you,’ she said lightly. ‘To be honest, I’d be glad to see you there. I might have lived in Skimmerdale all my life, but I’m still an incomer as far as the Tuppenny Bridgers are concerned, so it would be good to have someone who’s guaranteed to chat with me.’

Something stirred within him, and he dismissed it quickly. She was just being friendly, and he was being ridiculous.

‘Well, maybe I will then,’ he said, not willing to make a solid commitment. ‘I’ll see how I feel nearer the time.’

She shrugged. ‘Fair enough. You know when and where so it’s up to you. Now, tuck in and enjoy. Give me a shout when you’re ready for that cake.’

She winked at him and headed back to the counter and Noah stared at the panini, not even registering it. He was being stupid. Daisy was just a kind-hearted soul who would worry about anyone if she thought they were sad.

But that flush of pink on her cheekbones, and the embarrassed look in her eyes, as if she’d said too much, given herself away…

Oh, God! Was he really that desperate that he’d allow his imagination to play such stupid tricks? This was Daisy. Kind, chatty, always friendly. Definitely not interested in him in that way, and it was a good job because he loved Isobel and he would never, ever let her down again.

It was, he thought, the least he could do for her. The very least.