Love Heart Lane
Love Heart Lane
Christie Barlow
Preorder the brand new romantic comedy from bestselling author Christie BarlowWelcome to Love Heart Lane…When Flick Simons returns to the small village of Heartcross she only expected to stay for a few days. The white-washed cottages of Love Heart Lane might be her home, but the place holds too many painful memories, and of one man in particular – Fergus Campbell.When a winter storm sweeps in, the only bridge connecting the village to the main land is swept away! As the villagers pull together, Flick finds herself welcomed back by the friends she once left behind. And as the snow begins to melt, maybe there is a chance that Fergus’s heart will thaw too…
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First published in Great Britain by HarperImpulse 2019
Copyright © Christie Barlow 2019
Cover illustrations © Shutterstock.com (http://www.Shutterstock.com)
Cover design © HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 2019
Christie Barlow asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
A catalogue copy of this book is available from the British Library.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins.
Source ISBN: 9780008319700
Ebook Edition © January 2019 ISBN: 9780008319694
Version: 2018-11-02
Table of Contents
Cover (#uf5a1fcbc-0849-5b4b-88cd-31e2d9fe6166)
Title Page (#u0ab6839e-d5e8-5ff6-800f-386ada056d8c)
Copyright (#udafcc4ca-192c-5a3a-b5d8-2d256a164ff2)
Dedication (#u1af99518-f043-59e1-9c47-1f8a274a7b63)
Chapter 1 (#u00c0da9b-ebe2-51ac-8757-10a0bf1fb523)
Chapter 2 (#u158dd3db-fe5c-5e80-bcef-60b47ef17a17)
Chapter 3 (#u51a7917d-6763-57d4-a31f-ff9828f26d8f)
Chapter 4 (#u0fbb1063-43be-5939-bbdd-2145778f88a3)
Chapter 5 (#u4523ffac-c9b2-5683-a0db-0d3be2baa5cb)
Chapter 6 (#uc355a0c8-44a1-503a-b476-8d09e574d6db)
Chapter 7 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 8 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 9 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 10 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 11 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 12 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 13 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 14 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 15 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 16 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 17 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 18 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 19 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 20 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 21 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 22 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 23 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 24 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 25 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 26 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 27 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 28 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 29 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 30 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 31 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 32 (#litres_trial_promo)
A Letter From Christie (#litres_trial_promo)
Acknowledgements (#litres_trial_promo)
About the Author (#litres_trial_promo)
About HarperImpulse (#litres_trial_promo)
About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)
For Roo, Mop, Missy & Mo,
It’s the circle of life.
It’s not negotiable.
Where’s my woodland outfit?
Operation Miaow.
Walnut Wendy.
Thank you all for the best week of summer 2018!
Chapter 1 (#u611af9e5-bfbf-5454-8ff9-f925684e032b)
Staring out of the window, Felicity Simons sat nervously at her boss’s desk. As she admired the view across the city of London, she wasn’t in any doubt that this was the best seat in the building.
It was only a few seconds later that she spotted her boss through the glass walls of the office, her size-eight figure tottering along the plush red carpet on her high heels, wearing the usual well-tailored suit with distinctive buttons that oozed designer brand. Her crimson blouse matched the colour of her nails and made Felicity feel unrelentingly beige in her dowdy brown tunic and scuffed patent shoes.
Eleanor Ramsbottom had arrived at Little Browns department store six months ago, and Felicity had always felt inferior in her boss’s company, knowing from the outset that there was no chance they’d ever hit it off. After sixty years of steady trade, the store had landed itself in financial difficulty and Eleanor, the daughter of a rich businessman, had rescued the store from closing. At the time everyone had been grateful, all the staff thankful that their jobs had been saved – until they’d had to work under Eleanor Ramsbottom, who lacked warmth, compassion and basic people skills.
The second Eleanor glided into the room Felicity bristled. She was aware that she was forcing a smile, putting on a happy face, but she needed this conversation to go in her favour. Under the desk, Felicity had her fingers firmly crossed. She watched as Eleanor pulled out a chair and shuffled some papers into a neat pile before finally settling down at the desk. Clasping her hands in front of her, she stared towards Felicity.
‘My secretary said you needed to see me urgently. It must be urgent to want to see me at 5 p.m. on a Friday night, have you no home to go to?’ Eleanor asked, as she flicked a glance towards the clock on the wall.
Felicity took a breath, knowing home was exactly where she didn’t want to be, because right at this moment in time Adrian would be moving out. They’d lived together for six months, but Felicity had known within hours of him moving into her flat that she’d made a huge mistake.
Initially, Felicity had been swept away on a tide of passion – Adrian was overwhelmingly sexy, after all – but the second she found herself picking up his dirty laundry despite the washing basket being within reaching distance, the lust had worn off and real life had smacked her right between the eyes.
‘I would like … if at all possible…’ She paused. ‘…Some time off.’ Felicity was relieved to finally get the words out in the open.
‘You don’t see me to book time off.’ Eleanor’s manner was curt. ‘You know what to do, fill in your request form and pass it to your team leader and I will authorise it within due course, after I’ve checked the chart.’
Eleanor was always about the charts.
‘Unfortunately, that’s not possible; I would like two weeks off from Monday.’ Felicity was thankful her voice was steady because inside she felt all jittery and even more so when Eleanor released a long, shuddering sound underneath her breath. Felicity could already feel the disapproving tension in the room. She watched Eleanor slouch back in her chair, twisting her wedding ring round and round before letting out a half laugh then fixing a serious expression back on to her face.
‘For a second there, I could have sworn you asked for two weeks off from Monday, and with it being Friday afternoon … not to mention the January sales, one of the store’s busiest times, where we need every hand on deck to reach our targets, and that includes yours, Felicity – both hands.’
Felicity shifted uncomfortably in her seat. ‘I wouldn’t ask … but…’
‘The implication … leaving us in the lurch.’ Eleanor was a trifle short. ‘What’s so important you need time off at such short notice?’
Felicity swallowed the lump in her throat and hoped the tears wouldn’t cascade down her face. ‘My grandmother has passed away and I need to go home, to my family.’
As conversation stoppers go, this one threw Eleanor for a second.
‘I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important and I have enough annual leave for two weeks,’ added Felicity quickly.
‘I’m sorry to hear your sad news,’ Eleanor finally offered, keeping her gaze fixed on Felicity. There was a veil of politeness, covering up disappointment at the loss of potential drama.
‘Thank you,’ replied Felicity.
‘Where is home?’ That was the first personal question Eleanor had ever asked Felicity.
‘The Scottish Highlands,’ replied Felicity taken aback. ‘A little village called Heartcross.’
Eleanor sighed and made a vague despairing gesture with her hand. ‘If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to call and we will see you back here two weeks on Monday.’ There was nothing in Eleanor’s tone that offered any real compassion; her face was expressionless. Felicity watched Eleanor stand up, a clear indication this conversation was over and that this was her cue to leave.
Felicity forced her lips into a smile and couldn’t get out of the office fast enough. She grabbed her coat from her locker and paused only briefly on the steps outside the department store. The sign illuminating ‘Little Browns,’ had once held a special place in her heart. A family-run business that had cared, this store had given her a chance and provided her with an opportunity. She’d worked here for nearly the last eight years after arriving in London on a whim, ready for a change from village life. She’d had grand ideas of seeking her fortune, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, looking for adventure. But things hadn’t been easy. She’d left Heartcross under a cloud and had spent much of her time in London trying to block out the past, especially Fergus. But it was always there. He was always there in the back of her mind.
Recently, when things had changed at work and Eleanor Ramsbottom had arrived on the scene, the days had become even less enjoyable and now Felicity was questioning what she was actually doing here. She found herself thinking about home more and more, and how she’d distanced herself from that life. She came to realise that she missed Heartcross, the good friends she’d left behind and of course, her mum and her gran.
Feeling glum and seriously hankering after a gin and tonic, she turned and weaved in and out of the masses of people who were powering up the busy high street towards the tube station. Felicity dug her hands deep in the pockets of her coat and fought back the tears of sadness as a pang of guilt hit her hard. As she jumped onto the packed tube and headed towards her flat, thoughts of Heartcross were still very much on her mind; memories of the small bustling village in the Scottish Highlands where she’d grown up, the place she had wanted to escape from, suddenly enveloped her and gave her an overwhelming feeling of comfort and belonging.
In the last eight years Felicity had been home on numerous occasions, but they were always fleeting visits with excuses that she couldn’t take time off work. And that’s exactly what they were – excuses. She knew the real reason why she couldn’t spend time there, but now she felt things were changing.
Felicity had fallen out of love with her job and her man, if she’d ever been in love with him at all, and even though she had friends in London, she didn’t have friends like the ones she’d had in Heartcross … solid friends that would have your back, look out for you no matter what.
Why hadn’t she gone home for Christmas? As the tube rumbled on, the conversation with her mum played on Felicity’s mind.
‘Please come home soon, your grandmother’s health is deteriorating, she misses you Flick, and I do too.’
‘Mum, I live in London, it’s difficult to get time off. Do you know how far away Scotland is?’
It was five hundred and eighty-six miles to be precise and ten hours in the car, not including toilet stops. In the last few weeks the weather had been unpredictable, planes and trains had been cancelled due to severe weather conditions and more snow was predicted soon.
But her mother’s words played on her mind now. ‘Your grandmother won’t be around forever, Felicity.’ And, of course, her mother, Rona Simons, had been right. Bonnie Stewart had passed away at the age of eighty a little over a week later.
Felicity held on tightly to the aluminium pole in the tube carriage and watched the stations whizz by. This journey was never one she relished, especially during rush hour on a Friday when the tube was packed to the rafters with everyone jostling for their own little space. Life had seemed so exciting when she’d first arrived in the big smoke, but now she was tired of the busy pace of life.
Finally, Felicity jumped off the tube at Leicester Square and pushed her way in the direction of one of the side streets towards The Chatty Banker pub. She pushed open the outer door and saw her friend Polly behind the bar, thoroughly at home with all the regulars. She was leaning against the pump, all her usual confidence on display.
‘Felicity! I didn’t expect to see you tonight.’ Polly glanced sideways and beamed towards her friend; she was invincibly cheerful as ever but Felicity thought she looked exhausted.
‘I’m hungry, don’t feel like cooking and could murder a double gin… and when your good friend is the manager of such a good establishment, then it’s a no brainer.’
‘You can’t say fairer than that,’ smiled Polly, immediately sliding a glass towards Felicity who balanced on the bar stool in front of her.
‘Are you okay? You’re looking tired.’
‘I’m all right, I’ve just been run off my feet today … no rest for the wicked.’
‘And you are very wicked.’ Felicity smiled.
‘How was New Year? I thought you and Adrian would be in.’
New Year’s Eve was overrated where Felicity was concerned. As far back as she could remember there had been nothing special about that date, and she’d automatically blocked out the last New Year she’d spent at Heartcross, eight years ago. It still pained her to remember the look on Fergus’s face, the pleading tone in his voice begging her not to leave as she’d turned and walked away, shutting the cab door behind her. Felicity had never forgotten that night, but as time went on, she’d regretted it more and more. She drew her glass towards her and drained the contents of it slowly.
Polly narrowed her eyes at Felicity. ‘Bad day?’
Where do I start? Felicity thought to herself blowing out a breath. ‘You could say that. Adrian and I weren’t around New Year’s Eve, because that’s when I decided we were no longer a “we”.’ She shifted the glass to one side to make room for her elbows on the bar. ‘As we speak he should be moving out of the flat.’
At first, she’d thought he was shocked when she’d asked him to leave, but then he’d retaliated and had the audacity to tell her she wasn’t all that. Felicity had fought the desire to argue with him – after all, what was the point? Adrian’s expectations of their relationship had differed greatly to hers, and he had basically treated her like his mother, not his girlfriend. Now she just wanted her own space back.
‘Oh Flick, what happened?’
‘I just realised he wasn’t the one for me.’
‘You’ll be fine,’ reassured Polly in a soft tone. ‘There are heaps of nice men you could go out with.’
‘I think I’ll give it a miss for a while,’ said Felicity, with tears welling up in her eyes. ‘But that’s not all, Pol. I’ve been the worst daughter in the world,’ Felicity said as sadness overwhelmed her. Her heart sank, and her shoulders heaved, ‘My grandmother has passed away, and I didn’t get to say goodbye.’
Without hesitation, Polly reached across the bar and squeezed her friend’s hand. ‘I’m so sorry to hear that,’ she said in a soft soothing tone.
Without warning the tears rolled down Felicity’s cheek. She felt ashamed that she’d been selfish and put her own self-importance and feelings before her mum’s and now she truly regretted it.
Felicity thought back to her life at Heartcross and memories of her grandmother flooded her mind; the times they’d spent together in the family teashop and the love they’d shared. Bonnie Stewart had lived her whole life in the Scottish Highlands, and sadness flooded Felicity’s veins again as she remembered the way her grandmother’s cheeks had dimpled with her smile, the way she’d planted noisy kisses on the top of her head and the way she’d always smelled of scrumptious baking.
Heartcross village was a tranquil place off the beaten track, surrounded by majestic mountains, heather-wreathed glens and beautiful waterfalls – place untouched by time. Bonnie’s heart-warming traditional stone cottage was snuggled away next to the trim necklace of whitewash houses on Love Heart Lane and had become the hub of the community when she’d turned her front living room into a tearoom over fifty-five years ago. The place had welcomed villagers and passing ramblers walking in the area, and working in ‘Bonnie’s Teashop’ alongside her grandmother still held happy memories for Felicity. Again, she was beginning to question why she’d been so eager to leave it all behind.
‘I should have made more of an effort,’ Felicity said to Polly regretfully. ‘I thought she’d be around forever, but time runs away, and now … and now…’ Felicity couldn’t finish her sentence, her heart was breaking so badly.
‘Flick, you need to go home,’ Polly said gently as she comforted her friend.
Felicity nodded, ‘I know, I am … I leave first thing tomorrow, flying to Inverness … it should only take an hour and half.’ The guilt ricocheted through her body again. She had only ever been an hour and half away by plane so why the fleeting visits home? She knew exactly why – Fergus.
‘How long are you going for?’
‘Two weeks,’ answered Felicity, dabbing her eyes with the back of her hand. ‘I’ll be fine,’ she said, pasting on a smile, but deep down she knew it wasn’t fine.
Taking a second to compose herself, she scanned the menu and ordered a bowl of chips before checking her phone. No word from Adrian but what was she expecting, a farewell text?
Just at that moment a gust of air rushed in as the pub door swung open and to Felicity’s shock, in walked Adrian with a girl she didn’t recognise by his side. His eyes widened the second he set eyes on Felicity and he turned towards the girl, speaking to her briefly, before she nodded and disappeared towards the far end of the pub.
Felicity couldn’t help feeling a little miffed. ‘Moved on already?’ she asked, knowing it was none of her business.
There was an uncomfortable silence before Adrian shrugged sheepishly. ‘Just a friend from work.’
‘Yeah right.’ The words were out before Felicity could stop them.
He appeared indignant. ‘And you care because?’
‘It’s fine, I’m sure you need a friend right now,’ she reasserted herself quickly.
He nodded and Felicity felt the sudden urge to extract herself from this situation. ‘While you’re here, can I have the keys?’ She held out her hand while Adrian dug into his pocket and placed the bunch of keys into her hand.
‘Take care of yourself,’ he said, before turning and walking away to join the girl.
‘Goodbye Adrian,’ she managed, before twisting back on her stool towards Polly. ‘I think I’ll give the food a miss, I just want to go home.’
‘Are you sure?’
Felicity was absolutely sure. Her appetite had diminished further and even though she knew it had been over with Adrian for a while she still didn’t need to watch him have dinner with another woman, friend or no friend.
Polly lifted up the hatch to the bar and walked towards Felicity, her arms open wide, waiting to swathe her in the biggest hug.
‘You have a safe trip and call me when you arrive,’ she insisted, hugging her hard. ‘I’ll see you in a couple of weeks … and make sure you FaceTime me.’
‘I will,’ Felicity promised, pressing a kiss to Polly’s cheek before walking out of the pub towards the tube station.
It was time to go back to Scotland and set aside her personal hang ups to support her mum at such a sad time. At the time she’d thought she’d left with an air of elegant sophistication, but it was only recently she had begun to realise the hurt she’d left behind.
She knew arriving back at Heartcross wouldn’t be easy. In fact, it would be the hardest thing she’d ever done.
Chapter 2 (#u611af9e5-bfbf-5454-8ff9-f925684e032b)
At the airport, the buildings were still shrouded in Christmas decorations and the ten-foot tree sparkled in all its glory. The morning was cold, freezing in fact, with temperatures dropping to minus one, and Felicity had wrapped up warm. Pulling down her unflattering woolly hat over her ears, and with the cold biting the tip of her nose, she wandered towards the glass revolving doors and stood inside Heathrow airport. She was wearing tights as well as socks, two jumpers and a thermal vest. She knew that once the plane landed in Inverness the temperature would be even colder than in London.
After skimming the departures board, she was thankful the flight was on time. She checked in at the desk, then made her way to the lounge area and purchased a skinny latte alongside a ham salad baguette; her appetite was back and finally her fierce hunger was satisfied. Last night, when she’d arrived home Felicity hadn’t felt much like eating. Instead, she’d poured a large glass of wine and soaked in a hot bubble bath. All of Adrian’s belongings had disappeared, and for the first time ever, he’d managed to pick up his dirty underwear off the floor. She was thankful he’d gone; he just hadn’t been her happy ever after.
She’d soaked in the bath for over an hour, until the water was barely warm, her mind whirling. When she’d got out, she’d telephoned her mum to let her know what time she’d be arriving, but there had been no answer. It was more than likely her mum was over at The Grouse and Haggis, the local pub situated in the middle of the village which offered a warm welcome to all with its flagstone floors, wooden pews and roaring log fires. It was the hub of the community, especially during the harsh winter months. The locals all huddled together after work, sharing stories, while sampling the local ales and whiskies. Without fail Hamish would play his fiddle, adding to the good-humoured atmosphere. The pub was run by Meredith and Fraser Macdonald and their daughter Allie had been Felicity’s best friend from school before she’d moved to London.
Up until their early twenties the two girls had been as thick as thieves, and Allie had been the kind of friend that Felicity could always be herself with. But Felicity knew she’d let Allie down. She sighed to herself, feeling glum. Allie had every right to be mad with her. Felicity had never confided in her that she planned to leave for the big city. Looking back now, she knew her actions had been underhand, but at the time she’d known that Allie would have tried to talk her out of it. And after everything that had happened with Fergus, Felicity had needed to escape with minimum fuss. She knew on her return she’d have many bridges to build and even though Felicity had made friends in London, nothing had come close to the bond she’d had with Allie. She missed her and their friendship and hoped things were fixable between them.
Finally, trying to shrug off the guilt, Felicity had packed her suitcase and snuggled inside her grey fleecy PJs, determined to get a good night’s sleep to be fresh and ready for her trip back to Scotland.
The airport was busy and while waiting for her flight to be announced Felicity buried her head in a book, but after reading the same sentence over and over she realised she wasn’t concentrating at all; her mind was on other matters. Lifting her head, she watched a young couple gently chastise their son who was running around leaving a trail of crisps behind him. He hovered in front of Felicity and lifted his blue eyes to meet hers. He was adorable and by her reckoning must have been around three years old. He offered her a crisp with a cheeky smile. Felicity hesitated for a millisecond before accepting. ‘Why thank you, young man,’ she said with gratitude before his expression knotted with concentration and he ran off with his arms stretched out wide pretending to be an aeroplane. The parents’ annoyance now softened as he giggled.
Watching that tiny boy, Felicity felt another pang of sadness. If only things had been different, she thought, blinking away the sudden tears that sprang from nowhere. The pain of the past still twisted in her stomach, and the fear of seeing Fergus again never went away, but over time she’d learnt to cope as best she could. With her heart thumping anxiously in her chest, Felicity shut her eyes briefly, trying to compose herself. As she calmed herself, a voice over the tannoy announced her flight and within seconds a surge of passengers stood up and began to make their way towards the gate clutching their passports and boarding cards. Felicity took in a breath and glanced towards the window. Outside, the sky had darkened and threatened snow. This was it, she thought to herself. She had no idea how people were going to react to her homecoming. All she could do now was hope for the best. Feeling anxious, she squeezed out a wobbly smile at the small boy who was now standing in the queue, grasping his mother’s hand and pointing towards the aircraft they were just about to board through the window.
Felicity’s chest heaved, and she couldn’t bear to think about it anymore. Keep breathing, she told herself, there’s no turning back. It’s time to go home.
Chapter 3 (#u611af9e5-bfbf-5454-8ff9-f925684e032b)
‘Where to?’ asked the taxi driver after he’d placed Felicity’s suitcase in the boot of the cab and climbed behind the wheel.
‘Heartcross,’ replied Felicity, pulling the gloves from her hands and resting them on her lap.
The driver turned and looked over his shoulder. ‘Heartcross? The track will be treacherous over the bridge and these flakes are falling fast.’
The moment Felicity had stepped off the plane she’d known this might be a problem. ‘I kind of gathered that may be the case. How close can you get me?’
The driver raised a sceptical eyebrow. ‘Maybe just before the bridge? I don’t want to be stranded.’
‘As close as you can then,’ Felicity replied, knowing she was in for a short trek up the track in severe weather conditions.
Heartcross was separated from the local town of Glensheil by a Grade II listed bridge that had arched over the River Heart for nearly two hundred years. The only way into the centre of the village was by a steep, mountainous track, approximately half a mile long. In the summer it was the most beautiful track to walk along, easily accessible by foot and four-wheel drives, but it was trickier in winter when the snow hit. The village was compact, home to approximately two hundred cottages, but with every amenity you might need.
Fifteen minutes later the cab began to crawl along, the wipers moving frantically and the wheels finding it difficult to turn in the snow. ‘This is about far as I can get you,’ the driver said, pulling the cab to a halt and climbing out to retrieve Felicity’s suitcase from the boot of the car.
Reluctantly, Felicity opened the door and shivered before paying the driver and taking the case from him.
She watched enviously as he clambered back into the warmth of his cab and slowly began to manoeuvre the car in the snow, the wheels spinning momentarily before they regained traction. The taxi driver appeared almost sympathetic as he wound down his window. ‘You’ll need to get a shifty on up that track, otherwise you’ll be stranded.’
Felicity nodded, clutching the handle of her suitcase tight. No sooner had the car’s icy tracks imprinted on the road, they were covered by a fresh onslaught of snow. Felicity knew it would be impossible to drag the wheels of her suitcase up the path in the snow for over half a mile and it was too heavy to carry. There was only one thing for it. She sighed as she abandoned the case under a tree before she began trudging through the snow.
Huddled deep inside her parka, Felicity clutched her handbag and raised a gloved hand to shield her eyes from the oversized snow confetti flying towards her. She’d prepared for the drop in temperature but as the ferocity of the snow stung her face she bowed her head and kept walking.
Twenty minutes later the blizzard was so strong the path of footprints she’d followed for a short while were already covered and the familiar sight of Love Heart Lane had nearly been erased. Her fingers and face stung but she allowed herself to be shoved along by the wind and snowstorm.
Finally, she reached the row of whitewashed cottages and heaved a huge sigh of relief when she noticed she’d nearly arrived home, at Heartwood Cottage. Even in the bleak mid-winter, the cottage looked as if it had come straight out of a fairy tale. On the solid oak door there was a heart carved in the middle, whittled by Felicity’s grandad on the day he’d moved in with his newly beloved wife Bonnie. It was a cosy dwelling and in the summer its hedges and oak beamed porch were entwined with pink clematis.
There wasn’t a soul in sight as Felicity slugged up the path towards the door. She stopped for a second and stared at Bonnie’s Teashop, thinking fleetingly that it seemed a little run down, until she remembered she was standing in a middle of a snowstorm and the flakes were blurring her vision.
She twisted the knob on the front door and was thankful it opened. Grateful to leave the blizzard behind, Felicity stamped her feet on the mat outside and closed the door behind her.
‘Mum, are you home?’ Felicity shouted up the hallway, peeling the sodden gloves from her bitterly cold hands and hanging her coat over the banister. ‘It’s only me.’
Felicity heard movement and startled eyes peered around the door of the living room. ‘Felicity? Oh my! It is you … come here!’ Rona hurried up the hallway with her arms flung wide open and Felicity fell into them. The familiarity and warmth of the hug brought fresh tears to Felicity’s eyes and she suddenly realised how much she had missed her mum, this place. She was glad to be home.
‘I can’t believe you’re here.’ Rona pulled away and held both of her daughter’s hands, kissing her cheeks, as she too shed a tear. ‘You don’t know how happy I am to see you … you’re freezing … let me get you a warm drink.’
Felicity wasn’t about to argue, she was frozen to the core. She followed her mum into the living room and took another moment to cast her gaze around. This time she was more certain that something had changed. Everything suddenly seemed so tired at Heartwood Cottage … so tattered. Even the curtains were hanging off the rail and there weren’t any blooms in sight. Back in the day, Rona would always display flowers in the front window, every week without fail.
‘How have you got here? The weather warnings are severe, surely no car could cross the bridge?’ Rona’s eyes were wide as she plumped up the cushions so Felicity could sit down.
‘The cab couldn’t cross the bridge, it was too treacherous. I had to walk the next half mile.’
‘Oh my, you should have rung, I could have sent Drew down with the tractor to fetch you.’
‘Mum, the mobile signal is virtually nothing.’ Felicity glanced at her phone. ‘See … no service.’ She held the phone up.
‘And where’s your suitcase?’ Rona gave a puzzled look all around.
‘I couldn’t drag it through the snow. I abandoned it under a tree … this side of the bridge though.’
‘It can’t stay there, you’ll never find it again. This snow is going to fall all night, maybe for the next few days. Ring the farm. The number is by the phone,’ Rona insisted, before poking the embers of the fire. Felicity hesitated and felt a wave of uneasiness pass through her.
‘Go on, the phone is where it’s always been,’ Rona continued brightly and shooed Felicity out into the hallway.
Foxglove Farm was owned by Isla and Drew Allaway. Felicity had known them all her life, and they had all once been the best of friends. Isla and Drew were childhood sweethearts who had married and took over the farm from Drew’s dad when his wife had sadly passed away. Even though over the years Felicity had taken short trips back home, she’d not seen or spoken to either Isla or Drew in all that time. She had no clue how they were going to react to her homecoming.
Hesitantly, she picked up the olive-green phone and began to dial the number. As soon as the phone connected it only took two rings before it was picked up. ‘Hello, Foxglove Farm.’ Even after all this time she instantly recognised Drew’s voice.
Felicity took a deep breath, ‘Hi Drew … it’s me … Felicity.’
There was a short pause on the other end of the line. ‘Flick!… Welcome home! It’s been a while.’
He sounded pleased to hear from her which was a relief. ‘Yes, it has. How are you?’
‘Good thanks, we are all good. But I’m sorry to hear the sad news about your grandmother.’
‘Thanks Drew … me too.’ There was a slight pause.
‘What can I do for you? Rona’s okay for wood, isn’t she?’ he asked with concern. ‘She doesn’t want to be stranded for warmth in this weather.’
‘I’m not sure … wait there … Mum!’ bellowed Felicity from the hallway. ‘Are you okay for wood?’
Immediately Rona appeared in the doorway. ‘That’s nearly the last of the logs on the fire. With everything … I’ve not had much time to re-stock. It’s all been quite difficult.’
‘Drew, are you okay to bring some logs up?’
‘Yes, of course … and what was it we can do for you?’
For a second, Felicity had forgotten why she was ringing. ‘My suitcase … it’s my case. It’s stranded by the bridge at the bottom of the track … under the tree. The wheels wouldn’t turn in the snow and it was too heavy to lift. Mum thought you might…’
‘Don’t worry, I’ll come now Felicity,’ he responded valiantly, ‘before it’s buried forever. Well, until the snow thaws anyway.’ He gave a small chuckle.
‘Thanks Drew,’ she said, before hanging up and joining her mum back in the living room.
‘I’ve made tea … help yourself,’ said Rona, ‘and have a flapjack.’ She pointed to the plate on the coffee table. ‘We always had a slice of flapjack at this time, most days.’ Her voice suddenly wavered and Felicity felt a pang of sadness as her mother glanced towards the empty rocking chair which displayed her grandmother’s hand-crocheted, multi-coloured blanket draped over the back of it.
Felicity instantly felt guilty for not being around to help her mum during her grandmother’s illness. The tiredness and grief in her mum’s eyes were apparent.
Out of every inch of Felicity’s body poured the memories of her grandmother, magical moments she’d never forget. She could still remember the hours she’d spent in the teashop at the weekend mirroring her grandmother while she helped to bake all the delicious cakes and scones.
‘I’m so sorry, Mum, for not coming home at Christmas,’ Felicity said, genuinely remorseful.
‘It’s not that easy to just up and leave your job, especially working in the department store. It must be one of the busiest times of the year. And how is Adrian? I thought I might finally get to meet him.’
Felicity exhaled. ‘It’s over Mum … we’ve finished. He’s moved out.’
‘Oh Felicity, why didn’t you say?’ Rona’s voice was earnest.
‘Because it was my choice. Honestly, he just wasn’t my happy ever after … that’s all there is to it.’
Rona gave Felicity a knowing look.
‘Mum, don’t give me that look,’ she exclaimed.
‘You do know you’re going to have to face your happy ever after at some point.’
Felicity protested. ‘I don’t know what you mean.’
But she knew exactly who her mum was talking about … Fergus.
She and Fergus had made plans, they’d promised each other they’d be together forever. Felicity had thought their love was unbreakable until tragedy had struck… twice. Then Felicity had convinced herself she’d never be enough for him, and she’d upped and left for London, breaking his heart as well as her own.
She took a second to remember their first kiss. Her knees had actually trembled like in the movies and goose bumps had prickled over every inch of her skin. She remembered the feeling like it had only happened yesterday. Felicity knew that being back for two whole weeks, she was bound to bump into Fergus at some point. She wasn’t sure how he was going to react to seeing her after all this time or how she was going to feel.
Hearing the drone of the tractor outside, Felicity thankfully abandoned her train of thought. She shifted to the edge of the settee and flicked a glance out of the window. There was Drew waiting outside. He noticed her and gave her a quick wave above his head as Felicity stood up.
‘I’ve brought your old snow boots in from the shed, you’ll need them out there on a day like today.’
‘Thanks Mum.’
Felicity thrust her feet into her old boots and slipped her arms into her coat. ‘I won’t be long,’ she said, closing the cottage door behind her.
Since her arrival, the snow hadn’t given up for a second and already Love Heart Lane was covered in a thick blanket, inches deep. Felicity had barely seen snow in London – the odd flurry here and there, but nothing that ever stuck.
But Heartcross was used to this kind of weather, they were prepared. The route into the village would be restricted and depending on the snowfall some vehicles might find it difficult to climb the half mile track but when they knew the bad weather was coming the delivery drivers always doubled up on supplies.
Felicity pulled open the door of the tractor to be greeted Drew’s huge beam. ‘Hi Flick, jump in. It’s great to see you.’
Drew hadn’t changed a bit. His blond tight corkscrew curls were still as springy as the last time she’d set eyes on him.
‘How are you?’ asked Felicity. ‘And Isla?’
Drew started the engine, and the tractor began to move through the snow with ease.
‘She’s fed up, but not long to go now until the baby’s arrival.’
Felicity swung a glance towards Drew. ‘Baby?’
‘Aye, a baby brother for Finn, due in the next few weeks.’
Felicity had had no idea. ‘Congratulations!’ She was genuinely chuffed for them both. The pair had been inseparable since high school and had married at the age of nineteen at the small church in Heartcross. Their wedding had been beautiful, and all they’d ever wanted was to be together, a family.
‘We are all ready for the little fellow, but this weather is a worry if Isla goes into labour. I can see her arriving at the hospital in this tractor—’ he gave a small chuckle ‘—and she won’t be best pleased about that.’
Felicity smiled. ‘Any names?’
‘Angus,’ said Drew proudly, ‘after my father.’
‘Great name.’
‘How’s the big city?’ he asked, changing the subject while carefully steering the tractor down the steep slope towards the bridge.
‘Not how it used to be.’ The words were out of Felicity’s mouth before she could stop them.
He snagged her eye. ‘Everything okay? That doesn’t sound good.’
‘It’s just work, I’m not as enthusiastic about it as I once was.’
‘I know that feeling. If you need a shoulder, Isla’s going nowhere. She’s always been a good listener,’ he offered with a smile, halting the tractor. ‘She’d love to see you. How long are you around for?’
‘A couple of weeks.’
‘In fact,’ he said, opening the door and jumping to the ground, ‘come back with me now to the farm. I need to load up Rona’s wood – say hello to Isla and then I’ll give you a lift back.’
Felicity thought about it for a second. It had been eight years since she’d set foot on Foxglove Farm. The very last time was the night she’d upped and left.
‘Yes, you know, I will. It will be great to see Isla.’
‘She’s missed you, you know … but understands you’ve had a lot to deal with. Now where’s this suitcase of yours?’
‘Just there, under the tree,’ answered Felicity, her thoughts turning to Isla. She’d missed Isla too, and all of a sudden she felt a tiny pang. True friendship was hard to find and Felicity knew she had a great deal of apologising to do. Of course in London she’d hung out with people, and she socialised with many work colleagues from the department store – but her only real friend was Polly from the pub. And no one had come close to the friendship she’d once shared with her two oldest friends Isla and Allie. They’d always been a close-knit group until Felicity had decided she needed to escape the pressures of a small village, spread her wings and escape into the world beyond Heartcross.
The snow crunched under Drew’s boots as he quickly retrieved the suitcase and threw it into the tractor before turning around and driving the short journey back to Foxglove Farm.
‘So, were you prepared for this weather?’ asked Felicity, holding onto her seat as they bounced along the snowy rocky track.
‘We knew it was coming but didn’t expect it to descend so quickly and it’s here for the foreseeable. Apparently, according to the predictions, this is going to be the worst snowfall we’ve had in twenty years.’ Drew cocked an eyebrow.
Felicity hadn’t realised this when she’d jumped on the flight from London, and she suddenly panicked. ‘Has the village already made provisions?’
‘The last trucks came over the bridge this morning and stocked up Hamish’s shop. It may be a few days before they can get through again.’
‘How is Hamish?’
Hamish and his wife Ava had owned the village shop for as long as Felicity could remember. They were lovely down-to-earth people in their mid-sixties, who had never set foot outside of Scotland. Felicity had fond memories of them both. After school her grandmother used to give her a handful of pennies – the local shop always had the best collection of penny chews, and Hamish would often throw in extras for Felicity. But two years ago, Ava had passed away, leaving Hamish completely devastated and struggling to cope without the woman he’d loved for all those years by his side. The village community had rallied around him, helping to keep the shop running until he was back on his feet.
‘He’s doing okay now. It took him a while but recently he’s joined numerous clubs in the village from the ramblers, which keeps him fit, to playing bowls.’
‘Good for him.’
‘He’ll be happy to see you. He always had a soft spot for you. Everyone in the village was deeply saddened by your grandmother’s death. The village is definitely not the same.’ His voice faltered. ‘She was always kind to me. As a wee kid, I used the shortcut at the back of your house on the way to school and your grandmother was always waiting at the garden gate with a sausage roll or a slice of homemade cake for my lunch box. She was an absolute gem. It’s a shame to see the teashop close after all this time though. Isla used to love to escape there for a slice of cake and a cup of tea on the way back from the village.’
Felicity swung round towards Drew. ‘What do you mean, the teashop has closed?’ Surely Drew had got that wrong.
‘Have I said something out of turn?’ asked a surprised Drew. ‘Didn’t you know?’
Felicity shook her head. ‘Mum hasn’t said a thing, well, not to me anyway.’ She felt sad that the teashop hadn’t been open and perplexed as to why she hadn’t been told. ‘How long?’
‘I’d say a good six months. It’s been difficult since your grandmother became ill. Your mum couldn’t keep everything going.’
Felicity’s eyes became glazed with a layer of glassy tears. She brushed them away with her glove. Why hadn’t her mum told her how difficult things had become? ‘I didn’t know Drew, I really didn’t.’
‘Allie thought you may be back sooner to give a hand, but then we all realised it’s not that easy when you have your own job to do and a life in London.’
Felicity nodded, but no words came out. Why hadn’t she come back at Christmas? But in her heart of hearts she knew why – that time of year was always too painful for her.
‘Working in a department store it’s always busy in the lead up to Christmas and then there’s the sales.’ Felicity knew she was saying the right things, but it didn’t sit right with her. Deep down, she knew she’d let her mum down and wished she could turn back time.
Drew nodded, ‘Here we are, Foxglove Farm. It’s been a while since you’ve seen this place.’
‘Too long,’ Felicity whispered under her breath, looking out of the windscreen at the swirling storm of white that was being battered away by the wipers. The usual sight of the farmhouse was nearly hidden by the snow that now swirled densely.
‘What on earth?’ A sudden movement in the bottom field caught Drew’s eye. Felicity shot a look towards Drew, then followed his gaze.
And suddenly, there he was in the distance, waving his arms frantically towards the tractor. Fergus. Felicity’s breath caught in her throat as she recognised him instantly, her heart pounding faster against her chest. She’d never anticipated that he would be here, at the farm, and she had no idea how he was going to react to seeing her for the first time in eight years. This wasn’t how she’d planned it out in her head.
Drew flounced out of the tractor leaving the engine running, bellowing to Felicity to follow him. Before she had time to think she trailed Drew through the blanket of snow, her legs trembling. Snowflakes pelted against her face as she struggled to keep up with him.
‘Drew … I need help.’ Fergus Campbell’s voice was fraught. ‘The Shetland is stranded in the icy water.’
Drew stopped for a second to assess the situation, raking his wet hands through his hair. The pony was struggling to climb up the bank of the river. Each time it tried it slipped back down into the water.
‘We need a rope … wait there, and I’ll bring the tractor back down,’ he cried, turning and striding back past Felicity quickly. ‘You stay with Fergus,’ he instructed with authority.
Fergus hadn’t spotted Felicity yet but it was only a matter of time. Felicity felt anxious, the past dominating her mind. As she moved closer, she could see the panic-stricken face of Fergus, and her nerves jumped all together in every direction. She’d no idea how Fergus was going to react to her arrival back in Heartcross but any second now she was about to find out.
Felicity looked nervously in his direction, and finally Fergus met her gaze. For a split second he narrowed his eyes and remained silent.
She swallowed. ‘Hi Fergus.’ As much as Felicity didn’t want her voice to sound shaky, she faltered.
Fergus just stared at her, then gritted his teeth. There was no welcoming smile, more of a ‘What are you doing here’ grimace.
Felicity felt her cheeks colour fast and that was down to the look on Fergus’s face, not the cold white flakes stinging her face.
‘Well, you crop up in the most unexpected places,’ he said gruffly.
Felicity flinched at his words. She’d dreaded this moment and didn’t know what to say as she swallowed a lump in her throat. The snowflakes continued to pelt against her frozen cheeks, clinging to her eyelashes forcing her eyes into a squint.
‘And don’t look at me like that; what did you expect, that you’d be welcomed back with open arms?’
The tension between them could be cut with a knife.
Felicity felt wretched. She’d not prepared for this meeting and had thought she’d at least have a couple of days to catch up with Allie and Isla first and gauge how the land lay.
‘It doesn’t have to be like this,’ said Felicity, knowing it wasn’t going to be easy.
‘So, you’re finally back then? How long has it been?’ His dark brows sloped downwards in a serious expression and the playful smile she once knew had drawn into a hard line across his face.
Feeling a tug at her heart, Felicity felt shameful. Fergus was a decent man and she knew she hadn’t been fair to him. He’d needed her, but she hadn’t been able to cope. Call it self-preservation but the only person she could concentrate on at the time was herself. She’d been young, but she’d treated him badly, and he had every right to speak to her this way even though it saddened her that it had come to this.
‘Eight years,’ she said regretfully.
Fergus’s hazel eyes didn’t look any different from all those years ago, and she could still sense a sadness in them. He stood and raked the snow from his swooping fringe that revealed the kind face Felicity had once loved to kiss. He was handsome all right, but his character was also beautiful on the inside. He was slim yet muscular and his face almost symmetrical with his sharp jawline and chiselled cheekbones. She felt a pang in her heart and wished she could turn back time.
To Felicity’s relief, the icy silence was interrupted by the drone of the tractor making its way back through the snow towards them.
Once at the river bank, Drew jumped out, leaving the engine running. In his hands he grasped a rope.
‘I’m not sure how we’re going to do this?’ Drew shouted down the bank, the blizzard now coming down thick and fast.
Fergus looked between him and the Shetland. ‘I’m not sure how close I can get.’
The river ran along the bottom of Foxglove Farm’s boundary. Felicity remembered many hot summers swinging on the rope swing with Isla and Allie, all of them without a care in the world. The banks had been alive with nestling ducks taking advantage of the tall reeds providing shade but today everywhere was stripped bare. The river had an eerie feeling about it, and was wider than she ever remembered, flowing swift and strong.
Drew threw the rope down the bank towards Fergus who gradually began making his way into the water. The Shetland pony was now wedged against an old oak tree that must have fallen into the water after a storm.
Felicity shivered at the very thought of the icy coldness of the water against Fergus’s skin.
‘I’m going to tie this end to the tractor mate, keep hold of the rope and we’ll pull you out.’
Fergus nodded, taking in the instructions as he stumbled into the fast-flowing freezing water, which was now attempting to knock him off his feet. Suddenly he lost his footing, the water gushing over his head. Without thinking, Felicity let out a scream. She watched on in horror, her heart banging against her chest willing Fergus to reappear, her brain now in full panic.
‘There he is,’ she exhaled with relief, pointing to where Fergus reappeared above the water line. The river was bashing against his body, as his head went underneath the water for a second time.
Drew cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted with all his might. ‘FERGUS!’ He turned to Felicity. ‘I’ll have to go in after him.’
‘Wait … look!’ She pointed.
Fergus’ limbs moved slowly through the water as he managed to claw himself back up and grasp on to the fallen tree strewn across the water. Felicity gasped in relief to see he’d managed to get himself upright. The river was flowing around his thighs, swirling around his stomach and splashing into his face as he waded towards the Shetland which was now within grabbing distance.
‘The water is too fast … I can’t … I can’t…’ His voice petered out as he slipped again under the fast-flowing water.
Felicity’s heart was in her mouth. ‘Please let him be okay,’ she whispered to herself as she saw Fergus fight to get to his feet once more, his exhausted but strong arms powering through the water.
They both watched in anticipation as Fergus looped the end of the rope and tied it securely.
‘Throw it,’ instructed Drew.
Fergus flicked a quick glance over towards Drew before taking a deep breath. He focused his gaze and threw the rope successfully over the little pony’s head.
‘Yes!’ Drew shouted, triumphantly punching the air. ‘Keep hold of the rope,’ he shouted down the bank before turning towards Felicity. ‘Can you remember how to drive the tractor?’
Felicity thought for a second. There had been many summers she’d helped out at the farm. ‘Yes, I think I do.’
‘You jump in and drive it slowly, and I mean slowly. I’m going down to the water,’ Drew continued, beginning to clamber down the bank.
The snow wasn’t slowing down, and thick flakes pelted against their cheeks, clinging to their eyelashes and hair. Even though Felicity was frozen to her core it was nothing compared to what Fergus must be suffering right that very second in the freezing cold river.
Climbing into the tractor, she was relieved to have shelter from the flakes. She started driving the tractor slowly.
She could hear Drew yelling behind her and opened the door quickly to make sure everything was okay. He was back on the top of the bank and gave her the thumbs up. She continued to drive forward. She’d no clue what was going on behind her but then suddenly Drew was at the side of the vehicle banging on the window. Immediately, Felicity came to a stop and turned off the engine.
‘They’re out.’ The look of relief on Drew’s face said it all. ‘But we need to get Fergus back to the farmhouse ASAP. I’m going to take the pony over to the stable block, but I need you to drive him back. He needs to get out of those wet clothes and get warmed up. His body temperature has dropped considerably.’
Just as Drew was talking, the passenger door opened, and an exhausted Fergus wearily climbed into the tractor and slumped into the seat. He was soaked to the bone, his head bent low, his lips blue and he couldn’t stop shivering.
Felicity’s heart began to race as she took him in. She knew this didn’t look good.
‘Felicity,’ Drew said in a stern tone. ‘He needs to get out of those clothes, wrap him in blankets and put him in front of the fire. He needs a warm drink and make sure he can swallow properly. Any concerns, ring the emergency services.’
Felicity nodded, taking in every instruction even though she knew in this weather there was no ambulance getting over the bridge and up the track into Heartcross today.
Her gaze slid to Fergus again. No matter the distance and time that was between them, Felicity’s attraction towards him had never wavered. His eyes, his skin and his toned muscles still made her pulse race and as much as they had their differences, Felicity didn’t like seeing him like this. She felt worried and knew there was every possibility his condition could worsen. They didn’t speak as Felicity ploughed the tractor through the snow and pulled up outside the farmhouse.
Almost immediately the solid oak door swung open and a very pregnant Isla was standing in the doorway. Felicity jumped down from the tractor while Isla did a double take.
‘Felicity, is that you? It is!’ Isla swooped out of the doorway.
‘Isla, we need to get Fergus inside quick. He’s been in the river.’
Isla stopped in her tracks and glanced towards the passenger side. ‘The river?’ she questioned. ‘In this weather?’
‘A Shetland was stranded in the water. We’ve just rescued it. Drew’s seeing the pony into the stable.’
Fighting against the snow that was still falling heavily to the ground Isla flung open the tractor door with vigour. Taking one look at Fergus, she assessed the situation, knowing that the circumstances were serious, and began to coax Fergus down from the tractor, his body limp and shivering.
Felicity felt heartbroken and hated seeing him like this. He’d put himself in danger and was now paying the price. She knew they needed to act fast so he didn’t deteriorate any more.
‘Can you speak?’ Felicity asked softly.
His words were slurred and his teeth were chattering, ‘I’m freezing,’ he managed to say.
‘He’s not in a good way,’ Isla quickly observed. ‘Help me get him inside.’
Felicity didn’t hesitate and hurling his arms over each one of their shoulders, they helped carry Fergus into the farmhouse.
The second they were inside, Felicity supported his weight, while Isla skinned the sodden shoes and socks from his feet before leading him into the kitchen.
With the welcoming heat from the Aga and the log fire roaring, the kitchen was toasty warm. ‘Peel those clothes off him now,’ instructed Isla, ‘while I grab some towels, blankets and some of Drew’s clothes.’
Felicity hesitated, her face heated.
‘Now Felicity—’ Isla’s tone was firm ‘—time is precious, and it’s not as though you haven’t seen it all before.’ With that, she hurried out of the kitchen.
Inside her head, Felicity gave herself a talking to. Isla was right, there was no time to lose.
‘Is that okay … Fergus?’
With his teeth still chattering he just nodded and Felicity guided him to the rug in front of the fire. He continued to shiver and didn’t object to Felicity helping him out of his clothes, but he avoided eye contact with her at all costs. As she stripped off his damp clothes the familiarity was all too much for Felicity. She gently touched a body that she’d spent time loving but now, he was a distant stranger. She ran her hand over the scar on his shoulder and for a second, he allowed her a moment’s eye contact before quickly looking away.
Suddenly, it hit her hard how much she’d missed him, and a twinge of sadness ricocheted through her body. He was still overwhelmingly sexy, and she knew the second she set eyes on him she was still attracted to him. But there was no going back. She knew from past conversations with her mum that Fergus had moved on and had a family of his own now. These feelings for him were ones she needed to curb for the two weeks she was back home in Heartcross, for everyone’s sake. Fergus and Felicity had a past, as childhood sweethearts who had made plans and dreams. But that was over now.
Felicity sighed inside. What was the point in raking up the past? It wasn’t going to help either of them.
Isla returned a few minutes later, armed with blankets and a set of Drew’s clothes, and while Felicity held a towel around Fergus’s waist Isla quickly began to dress him then draped the blankets over his shoulders. Once he was safely in the old battered armchair in front of the fire she put the kettle on the hotplate of the Aga.
‘He needs warm sweet tea.’
Felicity perched on the edge of the small coffee table next to him and automatically placed her hand lightly on his knee. His eyes skimmed hers for a split second. ‘Are you feeling any better?’ she asked, trying to keep her voice bright.
Fergus looked up as Isla placed a steaming mug of tea in his hand and one in Felicity’s too. ‘Drink this slowly,’ she said to Fergus. ‘There’s a couple of sugars in that.’
He nodded and took small sips.
Isla turned back towards Felicity. ‘I’ll finally say my hellos,’ she said, with her arms open wide. Felicity stood up and hugged her as best she could with Isla’s heavily pregnant stomach in the way.
‘Good grief, you’re sodden too,’ she said, pulling away quickly. ‘Do you need a change of clothes?’
‘Honestly, I’m fine. Don’t worry about me,’ Felicity said, not wanting to make a fuss. ‘I’ll sit here and get warm by the fire. And congratulations! Look at you, all blooming. I believe it’s any minute now for this little one to make an appearance.’
Isla patted her stomach. ‘Blooming fed up. I’m more than ready for this wee one to come out now, and me, you and Allie, we need a proper catch up. I’m so glad you’re home.’ Isla pulled Felicity in for another quick hug.
Felicity felt relieved there was no awkwardness between her and Isla. It was like they’d never been apart. Isla had always been the calm friend, the voice of reason. She always saw the good in everyone and Felicity was thankful she’d welcomed her back with open arms.
Then, her thoughts turned to Allie. She knew it might not be as easy to build bridges with her. Allie was without a doubt the friend with lots of character, the feisty friend, who could hold a grudge until the cows came home … stubborn beyond belief. But even though the three of them had had their spats over the years they’d always stuck by each other no matter what … until Felicity had left the village. It was safe to say Felicity felt nervous at the thought of catching up with Allie.
‘How will Allie feel about that?’ asked Felicity, with a worried expression etched on her face.
Isla took a moment to answer. ‘I won’t try to hide the fact she was mad when you left without telling her. In fact, imagine one of those cartoon characters with steam shooting out of their ears, stomping around … I’m only joking,’ laughed Isla seeing the look of horror on Felicity’s face then taking a swift glance towards Fergus suddenly realising he’d been the reason Felicity had fled so suddenly in the first place. ‘But we know her from old, she’ll be fine,’ she quickly added, giving Felicity a knowing look with a tilt of the head towards Fergus.
Isla knew the heartache and devastation that Fergus had gone through after the tragedy; she and Drew had been left to pick up the pieces. But Felicity had no idea the effect her leaving had had on Fergus. Isla and Drew had never seen him so low, and he’d been lost without Felicity.
Fergus coughed and they both spun around towards him.
‘How’re you doing, Fergus?’ Isla asked, tentatively.
‘I’m okay, I’m just starting to feel a little normal again.’ They both noticed his teeth had finally stopped chattering and it was also a good sign that Fergus’s speech was normal, the colour of his lips gradually returning to a pinkish colour.
‘Is there anything I can get you?’ Isla asked, but before Fergus could answer Drew bounded through the kitchen door, stripping off his own wet coat from his back.
‘How are you?’ Drew placed a hand on his mate’s shoulder.
‘I’m doing okay, the cold was just a bit of a shock.’
‘He looks surprisingly good compared to the way he looked about ten minutes ago,’ Isla added, looking between Drew and Fergus.
‘There was a split second I didn’t think we’d get the pony out of there – or you for that matter.’
‘How is the pony?’ asked Isla placing the biscuit barrel on the table. ‘You need sugar,’ she said to Fergus passing him a biscuit before turning back towards Drew.
‘I’ve dried her off, put the heat lamps on in the barn and buckled on two fleece coats to warm her up, but with her thick coat we shouldn’t have any problems. She’s got plenty of hay. I’ll check on her again after I’ve taken Flick home and picked up Finn.’
‘Or you could stay for tea,’ suggested Isla, looking at Felicity. ‘There’s last night’s leftover curry and Finn would love to meet you.’
Felicity swallowed and shot a quick look over at Fergus, who wasn’t forthcoming with any encouragement – but why would he be? She was probably the last person he wanted to spend any time with.
‘I’d love to, but I’ve only just arrived home and Mum will be expecting me and the logs.’
‘The logs!’ Drew threw his hands up the air. ‘I’ve forgotten the logs with everything. I’ll load them up now and get you home to Rona.’
‘Thanks Drew, I’ll come and help. We’ll do it in half the time.’
‘If you’re sure?’
As Felicity stood to leave, she hovered at the side of Fergus. Her mind was in complete overdrive. She knew there was unfinished business between them, but this wasn’t the right time to bring any of it up.
‘Fergus…’ Felicity took a breath. ‘Can I come and see you?’ Feeling the emotion rise up inside her, she swallowed hard. Fergus didn’t look up but stared into the fire with the blankets still firmly wrapped around his shoulders. His features had suddenly become expressive. Disapproval was etched into every line, but he didn’t respond, leaving Isla and Drew exchanging uncomfortable looks.
Felicity’s lower lip quivered as she followed Isla into the hallway. As soon as they were out of ear shot of Fergus, Isla spoke. ‘He’ll come round, it’s just the shock of seeing you again,’ she said softly, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.
Felicity tried for a smile; the sad thing was that deep down she knew Fergus was still hurting. She was still hurting too. At one time Fergus would have given her the world but now he could barely make eye contact with her. She’d thrown away everything.
‘I hope so Isla, I really hope so.’
Chapter 4 (#u611af9e5-bfbf-5454-8ff9-f925684e032b)
Back at the cottage the fire was nearly out when Drew and Felicity arrived. Fighting against the blizzard outside, Drew kindly loaded all the wood into the log shed and hauled in a huge basket of wood and placed it by the fire.
‘This should keep you going until morning,’ he said, bending down and poking the embers of the fire before throwing a few more logs into the grate. Within no time at all the fire was thankfully roaring once more.
Rona was more than thankful to Drew and offered him a cup of tea and slice of cake which he was grateful for.
‘Meredith has invited everyone over to the pub tonight for chilli. Are you and Isla going?’ asked Rona turning towards Drew.
‘It’s the first I’ve heard of it but if it’s an open invitation I’m not one to pass up on Meredith’s chilli, and I think it will do Isla good to get out for a while.’
‘Yes, it’s an open invitation. I think she thought everyone would have had quite a day of it with the weather and wouldn’t feel much like cooking.’
‘And she is right, we were having leftover curry. God love that woman, always thinking of others. I’ll pick up Finn from his friend’s and we’ll see you over the pub in about an hour,’ he said, finishing his tea and cake before pulling on his coat that had been warming on the armchair in front of the fire.
‘Good, good,’ said Rona, showing Drew to the front door after Felicity thanked him for rescuing her suitcase and bringing her home.
While she could still hear Rona chatting away to Drew, Felicity wandered through to the kitchen and placed the kettle on the hotplate of the Aga. The sound of the constant dripping from the tap caught her attention but however hard she tried she couldn’t get it to stop. Taking a look around the room she noticed that the place not only seemed tired, but the room felt quite chilly too. She placed her hand on the radiator. It was stone cold and she shivered. The only heat was coming from the Aga. She wandered over to the pantry and opened up the door, astonished to find the shelves near enough bare, when they’d always been packed to the brim with baking ingredients for the teashop cakes.
Felicity could still hear her mum and Drew talking so unlocked the duck-egg coloured door next to the pantry which led into the teashop. She switched on the light and stood and stared.
Drew had been right; this place looked like it hadn’t been in use for a while. Everywhere seemed worn, tired and washed out. Felicity brushed her hand over the counter and a mushroom of dust danced before her eyes. The whole place seemed so lifeless, so colourless. Even the shabby chic coloured bunting that criss-crossed the ceiling looked drab; it had definitely seen better days.
Felicity walked past all the chairs neatly pushed underneath the tables towards the front of the shop. She could visualise her grandmother standing in the front window smoothing down her white pinny before waving madly at her as she walked home from school along Love Heart Lane. Every night, without fail she’d waited in the window at the same time.
Felicity couldn’t help but wonder what had happened here and began to feel guilty and confused. How did she not know the shop had closed? This was her mum’s livelihood.
Through the window Felicity watched Drew climb into his tractor and wave goodbye to Rona as he drove off back home towards Foxglove Farm. The rest of the lane was silent. The line of houses on Love Heart Lane looked like a picturesque snowy Christmas card, with some of the cottages in complete darkness while others were lit up. There was a romantic feel about the place.
Felicity watched Rory, who lived opposite, as he stood in the middle of his living room hugging a mug. She and Rory had grown up together in the village and like everyone else in Heartcross, they had once been good friends. Rory had always known from an early age that he wanted to be a vet. His parents Stuart and Alana Scott ran the veterinary surgery in the village, and Rory was now in partnership with them.
Felicity heard a noise behind her and spun round as Rona appeared by her side. ‘I wondered where you’d got to.’
‘Mum, what’s happened to this place? Why didn’t you tell me the teashop wasn’t up and running?’
The teashop was a place where Felicity had spent most of her free time as a young girl, especially in the school holidays. She’d worked alongside her mum and grandmother helping to bake the scrumptious cakes Bonnie was famously known for, and when she was in her teens she’d waited tables. Early mornings had always been Felicity’s favourite time. The mouth-watering aromas that had drifted from Bonnie’s kitchen were a great start to the day. Before school, Felicity had always helped to arrange the home-baked pastries and cakes in the open counter and on the numerous glass-domed cake stands in exchange for her daily gingerbread man that she took to school without fail.
Most weekends this small teashop would be jam-packed with passing ramblers who’d trek through the mountainous terrain of Heartcross and sample the delicious delights of Bonnie Stewart’s baking. Her grandmother had opened the tearoom on a whim. Her cottage was the last stop on Love Heart Lane before the hikers ventured on the three-hour rocky trek to reach the summit of Heartcross Mountain. It was a great last stop to fuel the body and grab a cuppa and of course use the bathroom facilities.
As Rona pondered the answer to the question a look of pain crossed her face. ‘It’s not been that easy, Felicity.’ Her voice was low and shaky taking Felicity by surprise. Her mum had always been a tower of strength and seeing the look on her mother’s face, she felt numb, an entire stock of emotions running through her body. ‘What do you mean?’ she asked hesitantly.
‘I tried my best,’ said Rona, holding on to the last trace of pride.
Felicity’s heart sank.
‘I couldn’t do everything.’
Feeling wretched, Felicity blinked back the tears that brimmed in her eyes. The business her grandmother had worked so hard for lay in ruins. What had her grandmother thought? The teashop closed, her hopes and dreams dashed. Felicity swallowed hard. She’d never thought in a million years that this place would close. Add in the factor that her mum was clearly struggling, and Felicity felt shaken by it all.
‘I tried to keep things afloat but everything just spiralled out of control. It all got a bit too much for me.’
The comfortingly familiar life and beloved teashop had folded around Rona and Felicity had been none the wiser. She was devastated that she’d been caught up in her own little world and never realised how bad things had got back home. This place had been the heart of the community for decades, and this was a hurdle that they needed to get over. This place couldn’t stay shut. In deep thought, Felicity linked her arm through her mum’s and turned to slowly walk back into the kitchen of the cottage.
‘I’ll make us a hot drink and bring it through. You go and sit down.’
Rona nodded and settled down on the wingback chair in front of the fire. As soon as the drinks were made Felicity slid herself on to the battered old chesterfield.
‘How long has the shop been closed?’
Rona looked up at her daughter. ‘About eight months.’ She let out a breath. ‘Everything seemed to all go wrong at once.’
‘You mean with Grandma being ill.’
Rona nodded. ‘That was the start of it, but not just that, there was this place too. Everything seemed to break at once. The boiler packed up, the tap’s beginning to leak and looking after your grandma full time meant I couldn’t juggle the shop.’ The tone to her voice was sad.
Felicity sat back and digested this information, ‘Did you get any help with Grandma?’
Rona shook her head and took a sip of her drink. ‘No, all those years ago we’d made a pact; when the time came, she never ever wanted to go into a home. I promised I would care for her until the very end and that’s what I did. She dedicated her life to looking after me, looking after us when you were growing up. I couldn’t even afford my own house after your father died, there was no life insurance or any spare cash. We’d always lived here with Mum and after putting a roof over our heads all this time it wasn’t a big ask. I kept my promise.’
A small tear slid down Rona’s face. ‘I miss her so much. And there’s still so much to sort out, her clothes and belongings, but I just can’t face it all at the minute.’
‘I can help with all that while I’m here.’
Rona smiled with appreciation towards her daughter.
‘Mum, I’m so sorry.’ Felicity was heartbroken and surprised to discover how hard things had become for her mum.
‘It’s not your fault, you have your own life, and your grandmother wouldn’t have wanted you to come home just for her.’
Felicity knew her life hadn’t been all that in the past year. She could have come home at any time to help and felt disappointed in herself that she hadn’t supported her mother more.
‘And the boiler, is that fixed? It does seem awfully cold in the cottage.’
Rona regretfully shook her head, ‘Unfortunately, with the teashop being shut I’ve lost my income and just didn’t have the money to get it fixed. Any savings I had, I used them to get by … to live on for the last eight months.’
Felicity stared at her mum. She couldn’t believe for all this time she had been struggling by herself. ‘How are you heating the water?’
‘With the kettle. I’ve been boiling the water on the Aga to have a wash. It’s going to be all right,’ Rona quickly added with a wan smile.
Felicity’s eyes widened; she couldn’t believe her mum was living like this. Twelve months ago, this cottage had been spick and span, everything gleamed, and the teashop had been packed to the brim with customers, and now everything had changed in such a short space of time.
‘Why didn’t you ask for help, surely Drew would have taken a look at the boiler for you?’
‘I don’t like to bother people and anyway he’s got enough on his plate with the new baby on the way.’
‘Mum, you wouldn’t be bothering them. They’d be upset knowing you’ve been living like this; they would never ever see you in a pickle and without a proper source of heat, especially in the winter months.’
Rona sipped her drink. She was a proud, strong, independent woman and had always been in control, but things had begun to slip when Bonnie had become ill.
‘There’s also Rory – and even Fergus wouldn’t see you struggling surely.’
Now it was Rona’s turn to stare at her daughter. ‘That’s the first time I’ve heard you mention his name in a long time,’ she said in astonishment.
Felicity had avoided saying Fergus’s name out loud for years; the memories were too painful, and she thought if she pretended he didn’t exist it would all go away, but of course it was never going to go away. It was always going to be there.
Felicity exhaled. ‘I’ve seen him.’
Taking Rona by surprise she sat up straight. ‘You’ve seen Fergus? When? Where?’
‘Today, up at the farm. One of Drew’s Shetlands was stranded in the river. Fergus went in after it and Drew and I helped to rescue them.’
‘In this weather? He’d catch his death.’
‘He nearly did.’ The pang of worry was still firmly in the pit of her stomach.
‘How is he?’
‘He’s okay now,’ answered Felicity, thinking of a cold Fergus shivering out of control.
‘And how did that go down … seeing you?’
Felicity sighed. ‘Difficult, he wasn’t over the moon to see me, which of course is understandable.’
‘Did you talk?’
Felicity shook her head. ‘Not really, it wasn’t the time or the place, but I will. And anyway—’ she attempted to change the subject ‘—what are we going to do about this boiler? We can’t go on boiling kettles on the Aga.’
Rona sighed. ‘There’s a quote on the dresser, but it’s over a thousand pounds for a new one.’
Felicity stood up and wandered over to the stack of papers piled up and stared down at the quote. ‘Mum, let me help. I can pay this.’
‘That’s very kind of you but…’
‘But nothing, I insist. I’ve a little saved up with all the extra work over Christmas and there’s no way I’m going back to London leaving you here with no hot water or heat.’ Felicity flicked a glance towards the living-room clock – it was now past five o’clock. ‘I’ll give them a ring first thing in the morning.’
Rona blinked back her tears and her face brightened. ‘Thank you.’
‘You don’t need to thank me and please talk to me in the future. Let me know if you need help.’
Rona nodded. ‘I will, I promise.’ She got to her feet and enveloped her daughter in a hug. ‘It’s good to have you home, even if it’s only for a little while.’
Felicity felt the love and warmth from her mother as she wrapped her arms tightly around her. She made a promise to herself there and then that she would come home more and ring as often as possible.
‘What time do we need to be at the pub?’ asked Felicity, releasing herself from her mother’s arms and suddenly feeling ravenous.
‘Anytime now,’ answered Rona, looking towards the window. The snow was still coming down thick and fast. ‘Everyone will be there, you know.’ Rona held her daughter’s gaze and Felicity nodded her understanding.
‘Might as well get it over with.’
‘How are you feeling?’
‘A little apprehensive. I know it sounds daft but maybe a little scared of seeing Allie again … I caught up with Isla this afternoon, she was lovely to me. It was like I’d never been away. But I’m not sure how Allie is going to react. She took it badly when I left … and she’s not as forgiving as Isla.’
‘And there’s Aggie too.’ Rona cocked an eyebrow.
Every time Felicity had come back to the village for a brief visit she’d tried not to think about bumping into Aggie but she knew it was going to happen sooner rather than later and it was something she wasn’t looking forward to.
Aggie Campbell was Fergus’s mother, and he lived with her in Fox Hollow Cottage, just at the bottom of Love Heart Lane. Aggie was without a doubt a kind woman, but she had strong opinions, especially when it came to her only son whom she doted on.
‘I know.’
‘And it’s more than likely Fergus will be there. If he’s okay after today.’
Every time Felicity thought of Fergus she felt a tremor of emotion that she couldn’t quite place. She closed her eyes for a split second, the image of him and his soft smile firmly on her mind. If she closed her eyes tight enough she could still feel his strong arms around her and his woody, manly smell as she snuggled into his chest all those years ago. There was a time she’d thought Fergus would always be by her side, every step of the way, growing old together – but she’d messed that up. She gave herself a little shake. All that was in the past. She needed to accept that.
‘It will be okay, you know. I’m sure there will be a time when you can be civil together.’
Felicity really hoped so. She’d never admitted it to anyone before but there were times when she suffered bouts of depression, wondering what her life would have been like if she’d stayed in Heartcross. Would she and Fergus still be together? Would they have gotten over the heartache? Would she have been enough for him? She would never know the answers to those questions. In fact, she’d cried a lot in London, pretending to be perfectly happy, creating a new existence that was basically a pretence.
Of course there had been good times but once the initial excitement and adventure had worn off she’d wanted to go back home on numerous occasions. However, her pride had always stopped her. She’d suffered for her actions and seeing the look Fergus had given her today, it was clear he’d suffered too. She knew him from old and he was still hurting. Over time, Felicity had learnt to block out her deep sadness, but seeing Fergus again, she knew the feelings she’d once had for him were still very much there.
Chapter 5 (#u611af9e5-bfbf-5454-8ff9-f925684e032b)
After stamping her snowy boots on the mat outside, Felicity’s nervousness peaked the second she walked through the door of The Grouse and Haggis, the pub owned by Meredith and Fraser, Allie’s parents. This was the first time she’d stepped inside the pub for a very long time but it was exactly how she remembered it. The oak beams ran right across the low ceiling, the private alcoves were still plumped with bright-coloured cushions and the log fire roared.
Huge aluminium pots of chilli and baskets of crusty bread lay on a long trestle table stretched out at the side of the bar ready to feed the hungry villagers.
‘How’re you feeling?’ Rona whispered under her breath.
‘Nervous,’ mumbled Felicity locking eyes with Meredith who was serving Heather the postmistress with a drink.
Immediately, Meredith hitched a smile on her face and scuttled around the bar with her arms flung open wide, hugging Felicity like she was a long lost relative. ‘Felicity … Felicity, my dear girl, it’s great to have you home. It’s been too long.’ If anyone hadn’t spotted Felicity walking into the pub, they certainly knew of her arrival now – she felt like the whole pub was looking her way. Felicity was very fond of Meredith and Fraser; in fact, they used to call her their second daughter. As children, Felicity and Allie had been inseparable and even through their teenage years they had been as thick as thieves.
Felicity pulled gently away from Meredith’s hug to find Fraser now standing next to his wife. ‘Welcome home, Felicity, let me get you a drink. What would you like?’ he asked.
‘Thanks Fraser, a gin and tonic please, and for you, Mum?’ Felicity turned towards her mum.
Meredith touched Rona’s arm. ‘The usual?’ She smiled and Rona simply nodded.
‘Wait until Allie sees you, she’s just collecting the wood from the shed to keep these fires going. She’ll be back in in a minute.’
Felicity felt a little uneasy watching Meredith and Fraser disappear back behind the bar. Meredith seemed unaware of the possible friction between Allie and herself or maybe she’d just forgotten over time.
‘Why don’t you go out the back and catch up with her?’ Meredith suggested, passing the drinks over the bar.
Felicity hesitated and looked towards her mum. She’d no clue how Allie was going to react to her homecoming but she knew she was going to have to face her at some point. Maybe it would be better to slip out the back to see Allie for the first time without a group of lookers watching their every move. ‘Are you going to be okay?’ Felicity asked her mum.
‘Why wouldn’t I be okay? I’ve been drinking in this pub on my own for as long as I can remember,’ she said, with a small chuckle. ‘You go and see Allie, see how the land lies … try and put things right.’
Fraser nodded towards the oak door at the far end of the pub. ‘You know the way.’
Feeling apprehensive, Felicity clutched her drink and weaved her way through the villagers. The pub was full to the brim and despite the bad snowfall everyone seemed in good spirits. Felicity spotted Hamish from the village shop who tilted his flat cap and gave her a wave, and then she noticed Rory slipping in through the side door. As soon as he spotted her he stopped dead in his tracks. ‘Hey, Flick!’ He flashed her a grin. ‘You’re home! Welcome back.’
Rory hadn’t changed a bit. He was slim, clean shaven and his dark hair with a hint of auburn was still styled in the same way. His pale blue eyes glinted back at her.
‘I am indeed! How are you?’
‘Me … I’m good, same old, same old … working hard as usual. I’m sorry to hear about Bonnie.’ He quickly gave his condolences before carrying on, telling Felicity that all was good in the land of animals except for the snowy weather that was forecast for the next few days.
‘Have you seen Allie yet?’ he asked.
‘I’m just going through to the back now,’ Felicity answered, feeling her heart thump a little faster.
Rory must have noticed the uneasy look on Felicity’s face. ‘Don’t worry … we both know her bark’s worse than her bite. She’s actually missed you, you know.’
‘How would you know?’ Felicity narrowed her eyes at him.
‘Because we’ve talked about it … and she still talks about you a lot.’
‘We?’
Rory gave Felicity a grin.
‘You and Allie are together?’
He nodded. ‘Yes, just under twelve months now.’
Elated by the thought of them being together, Felicity couldn’t help but give Rory a quick hug. As teenagers, Felicity had teased Allie that they would make the perfect couple, but Rory had gone off to university while Allie had stayed in Heartcross working alongside her parents in the pub.
‘I always said you were made for each other.’ She grinned.
‘You did, that.’ Rory touched Felicity’s arm tentatively before spotting his parents at the bar.
Taking a deep breath, Felicity turned the wrought iron ring of the pub’s oak back door and stooped her head under the low frame, stepping down the stone steps into the pub’s living quarters. She could hear footsteps from the backyard and spotted Allie lugging wood in from the shed, placing the logs in large wicker baskets. The last time she’d seen Allie was the night she’d left Heartcross. Felicity truly regretted cutting out everyone from her life, but it had been the only way she could cope at the time. Standing there, she suddenly yearned for her old friendship. A friendship that had stood the test of time until she’d taken herself off to London.
Felicity took a deep breath before speaking. ‘Hey,’ she said softly, causing Allie to jump and spin round. ‘I didn’t mean to startle you.’
For a brief moment, Allie just stared at her which left Felicity unsure of what to say next.
‘You okay?’ added Felicity quickly.
‘I didn’t expect to see you … it’s been a while,’ Allie answered as she carried on throwing logs in to the basket and looked away.
Felicity walked towards her and leant against the door frame.
‘I’m back to see Mum after Grandma…’ Felicity’s voice faltered.
‘I’m sorry about Bonnie, we all are. Everyone really misses her.’ Allie’s tone was sincere and she softened for a moment.
‘Thanks, it’s a difficult time, especially for Mum.’
Feeling emotional, tears welled up in Felicity’s eyes and there was a distinctive wobble in her voice. They both stared at each other for a moment in an awkward silence.
Felicity was hoping that Allie would step forward with her arms open wide, but it wasn’t forthcoming. She knew she’d treated her friend appallingly in the past but she hadn’t been thinking about anyone else when she’d left Heartcross. Only about protecting herself.
‘Allie…’ Felicity took a breath. ‘I’m—’
‘Let’s not do this now,’ Allie interrupted. ‘There’s a pub full of hungry people, and I really need to help Mum behind the bar.’
Felicity nodded. ‘Soon?’
‘Soon.’
Allie carried one of the baskets of logs and Felicity grabbed the other before following Allie back through the oak door and into the pub. ‘Rory just told me you’re together. I always said you were a match made in heaven,’ said Felicity, trying to lighten the mood and make conversation.
Allie hitched a small smile on her face but didn’t say a word. Felicity could still feel a frosty tension between them. Allie wasn’t as forgiving as Isla.
‘You do make the perfect couple,’ Felicity continued.
They placed the wicker baskets on each side of the log fire. ‘Yes, we do. We all used to say the same about you and Fergus.’ Allie’s tone was curt.
Felicity did her best not to let it upset her, but she knew Allie was never going to be a pushover and let her back in like Isla.
‘I’ve seen Isla too … I didn’t realise she had another baby on the way.’ Felicity tried to soften the conversation.
‘Well and truly on the way, in fact it could arrive at any time,’ answered Allie, swooping up the empty glasses from the nearby table but not catching her eye.
Felicity swallowed and took a deep breath. ‘Isla’s suggested maybe we have a proper catch up … that’s if you’re free?’
Allie thought for a second. ‘We’ll see… tomorrow is my night off,’ she replied, giving Felicity a glimmer of hope.
Felicity watched as Allie spotted Rory and smiled before disappearing back behind the bar to serve the customers.
‘So, how is life in the big city? Single, married…?’ probed Rory as Felicity stood next to him at the bar.
Felicity let out a breath. ‘Very much single.’
‘Really?’ His eyes widened.
‘I know it’s hard to believe,’ joked Felicity, ‘but really.’
‘How’s the job?’ Rory perched on the stool and Felicity sat next to him.
‘That’s not going brilliant either,’ she admitted. ‘It’s all doom and gloom in the life of Felicity Simons.’
‘Really? Your mum seems to think everything is hunky dory, working so hard that you couldn’t even have time off over Christmas.’
Instantly Felicity felt guilty once more. ‘That’s what I’d like her to think.’ She took a swooping glance over towards her mum who was chatting away to Rory’s parents, Stuart and Alana, at the other end of the bar.
‘The department store where I work has been sold to a company that has new ideas and seems more interested in making money than any sort of decent customer service. Let’s just say I don’t exactly gel with the new boss.’
‘One of those “let’s stamp my mark and change everything” types?’ asked Rory. ‘What do you think you are going to do about it?’
‘I’ve absolutely no idea,’ she sighed. ‘Going into work these days has had all the fun squeezed out of it. Time for a change I suppose … but I need to work out what that change is. How’s life at the practice?’ asked Felicity, taking a swig of her drink.
‘Good, really good. How long are you around for?’
‘A couple of weeks.’
‘Plenty of time to catch up then,’ he said, touching her gently on the shoulder.
Felicity had always liked Rory. He was such a kind-hearted person, always there with a smile on his face – someone who would do anything for anyone. She took a moment to think about Fergus. Allie had a good man in Rory and she knew that she’d always had a good man in Fergus. If only…
Starting to feel peckish, Felicity glanced over her shoulder and noticed a queue forming at the end of the long trestle table. At that very moment, Allie rang the bell behind the bar and shouted, ‘Help yourself to food!’
Within seconds, the lids of the aluminium pots were removed and the villagers began to spoon vast amounts of good wholesome food into their bowls.
Rona was near the front of queue. She made her way over to Felicity, offering her a bowl of chilli that Felicity gladly took from her mum’s hand.
By now, Rory had joined Allie and they were chatting with some of the other locals who were staring out of the window to the white street. The snow was still falling thick and fast. Felicity sat by the window and watched the flakes as she ate the delicious food. There was something very romantic about the first fall of snow.
She remembered a time when she had been woken up by the sound of a thud on her window pane. Thinking that a bird had flown into her window, she’d jumped out of bed only to find that snow had fallen through the night, and there standing in her garden was Fergus grinning up at her. He’d built the biggest snowman she’d ever set eyes on and was throwing snowballs at her window. They’d spent the day sledging on Heartcross Hill along with the rest of the villagers. It had been such fun and that was when she’d realised how strongly she was attracted to him. He was her ideal man and she’d fallen hook, line and sinker for Fergus Campbell.
‘Penny for them?’ asked Rona, who sat down next to Felicity and took a fleeting glance outside at the freshly fallen snow.
‘Ah, it’s nothing,’ Felicity replied, although she didn’t sound convincing. She didn’t want to admit how she’d messed up her life by running away to the big smoke, but sitting in the pub for the first time in a long time she realised she missed the familiarity of this place and the people who lived here.
She knew her time in London was nearly up and that she was falling out of love with the place. It had served a purpose at a time she needed it most but now she needed to make some tough decisions about her job and her life.
Rona didn’t press her daughter. She took the hint and changed the subject, but not before saying, ‘You know where I am if you want to talk.’
‘Thanks Mum,’ Felicity said, taking a sip of her drink.
Considering the number of villagers standing around, they were all relatively quiet while eating their food.
Felicity felt a slight draught as the pub door swung open. She didn’t realise she’d let out a long shuddering sigh, until Rona looked up. ‘You okay?’
Felicity didn’t answer and Rona followed her daughter’s gaze. Aggie Campbell had just walked into the pub.
Aggie hadn’t changed a bit over the years. A thin woman, around five foot five, she had a slim build and long dark hair. She was dressed casually in jeans, a tweed jacket with a neck scarf, and she stamped her snow boots on the mat and took off her gloves before rubbing her hands together. Both Fraser and Meredith shouted a warm welcome over the bar to her.
Felicity knew her mum’s relationship had suffered with Aggie when she’d ran from the village. Before that, they’d been good friends and often enjoyed nights out with each other. Aggie had even worked at the teashop when Rona and Bonnie had been short staffed. But then Felicity had broken her son’s heart and everything had changed. Afterwards, their friendship had become very strained knowing the pain each of their offspring was suffering.
The second Aggie’s eyes met Felicity’s, they narrowed, and she stopped dead in her tracks. This was a moment Felicity hadn’t been looking forward to and, feeling anxious, she shifted her bowl to make room for her elbows on the table and waited to see what would happen next. Her heart was thumping fast and she wondered frantically how she could make herself invisible, but it was too late. She could see Aggie walking over in their direction.
‘Well, you’re back then?’ Aggie coughed, bringing her hand to her chest. She tried to compose herself and wiped her mouth with a tissue.
Felicity looked up at Aggie who was now standing at the side of the table, her expression revealing exactly how she was feeling.
‘Aggie, we don’t want any trouble. We are just grabbing some food like everyone else in the village.’ Rona’s tone was firm.
Felicity shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
Aggie coughed some more before attempting to speak again. ‘I hope you have the good grace to stay away from Fergus while you’re here.’
There was no sign of the friendly woman Felicity had once known. There’d been a time when Felicity would have considered Aggie a good friend, another mother figure in her life. Whilst Felicity had been with Fergus, she’d spent many a Sunday afternoon curled up on Aggie’s sofa watching films after enjoying a huge roast dinner cooked by Aggie alongside a mouth-watering dessert. But once they’d split, Aggie had changed towards Felicity in a heartbeat, the relationship they once had completely evaporated. The last time Felicity had seen Aggie had been the night she’d left Heartcross, Fergus sobbing in her arms, screaming at the taxi for Felicity to stay. But Felicity had left, leaving a devastated Fergus standing on Love Heart Lane, his heart breaking and hers too.
Felicity knew Aggie had good reason to be cold and was obviously determined that Felicity should still suffer for her actions all those years ago.
Thankfully, Felicity and Rona didn’t have a chance to respond.
‘Grandma, Grandma,’ an excited voice squealed. ‘Have you seen the snow?’ Esme appeared in the pub with a woman that Felicity had never seen before.
Aggie coughed again before she spun round to see her granddaughter running towards her. She opened her arms wide before the little girl launched herself at Aggie who spun her around a couple of times while she giggled. Placing her feet firmly back on the floor Aggie kissed the girl on both cheeks then grasped her hands.
‘Let’s get you something to eat and you know what, with all this snow still falling there will be no school tomorrow which means…’
‘We can build the biggest snowman ever!’ the girl shrieked.
Felicity watched Aggie wander over towards the food table still chatting away to her granddaughter and felt a tug at her heart. The little girl standing in front of her with a string of russet freckles scattered across her nose and those big brown eyes must be Fergus’s daughter.
‘Is that…’
‘Yes, that’s Esme,’ said Rona, squeezing her daughter’s hand.
All Felicity could do was stare at the beautiful little girl. Of course, she knew Esme existed and that Fergus was now a proud dad, but over the years she’d tried not to think about it. Esme must be around six years old now, and Felicity could still remember the night her mum had telephoned her in London to tell her the news that Fergus was expecting a child. Her heart felt as though it had been stabbed, it hurt that much. And although it had been her choice to leave Heartcross, she’d never thought that Fergus would move on so quickly. For her it had still been way too soon.
Felicity hadn’t asked her mum for details. In fact, she told her mum that she didn’t want any more updates from Heartcross, and that was when she’d cut herself off from everyone here.
She knew it wasn’t going to be easy coming back. As she finished her drink she spotted Isla and Drew who’d slipped in through the back door and tried to fix a smile on her face. Isla was clutching the hand of a handsome little boy, similar in age to Esme. The second he saw Esme he ran off towards her. Drew weaved his way to the bar leaving Isla to have a look around, and when she spotted Felicity and Rona sitting at the table in the window, she smiled and made her way over.
‘Drew said you’d be here … do you mind if we join you?’
‘Be my guest,’ answered Felicity, gesturing to the empty chair. She watched Isla slump into it.
‘I’ll be glad to get this little mite out, I feel like a barrel.’
Rona smiled. ‘Then the fun really begins.’
‘How’s things?’ Isla tactfully nodded her head towards Allie.
‘A little frosty but I did mention about getting together very soon.’
‘And…’
‘And she didn’t say no.’
‘That’s a start. I’ll catch up with her in a minute and see when she’s free, but with this weather I’m not sure I’m up to waddling very far. Maybe you could both come over to the farm? I’ll get Finn into bed early and cook us something nice to eat.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Absolutely.’
‘Sounds like a plan,’ said Felicity who also didn’t want to venture out too far in this weather.
Drew appeared back at the table with a smile and handed a drink to Isla. ‘Shall I get us some food?’
‘That would be lovely.’ Isla smiled up at him, not wanting to put any more weight on her feet just yet. Drew gave his wife a quick peck on the top of her head then disappeared off towards the table of food.
There was some sort of commotion going on in the far corner of the pub and raised voices could be heard. Rona strained her neck to see what was going on, before standing up and making her way over to the group of villagers that were huddled in the corner. Hamish was trying to calm things down and looked very official standing there with his pen poised against a clipboard.
‘That all looks very serious,’ commented Felicity to Isla. ‘What’s going on?’
‘Urgent meeting, because of the snow. There’s no deliveries scheduled now for a few more days and the bad weather has come early, taking everyone by surprise.’
Felicity knew the delivery trucks into Heartcross ran like clockwork, and everyone relied on them. Usually even in the bleakest mid-winters everything ran smoothly but for a meeting to be held, there must be real concerns.
‘But Heartcross is used to this kind of weather and is usually prepared,’ said Felicity, still looking in the direction of Hamish.
‘Usually, but we all thought we had a couple more days until the weather turned. Hamish had upped the grocery delivery to the shop but with this severe snowfall no more trucks will be able to get through until the snow thaws,’ said Isla with concern.
Drew appeared by Isla’s side and handed her a bowl. ‘Here, eat this.’
‘Thanks. How’s Hamish getting on over there? Have you listened in?’ asked Isla, seeing even more villagers gathering around.
‘Hamish is making it pretty clear he can’t just sell the produce on the shelves to one person, and that it needs to be distributed fairly to each household until the delivery trucks can get through. But people are concerned and they’re arguing amongst themselves, that’s why I’ve escaped for a second … taking a breather.’
‘Any news on the school?’ asked Isla, noticing Jessica, Finn’s teacher, chatting to Rory.
Felicity looked up, Jessica was the woman who’d brought Esme into the pub.
‘Not only is Jessica stranded in the village due to the weather, she’s just announced the school is closed until further notice. She’s had to rent a room with Julia at the B&B. There’s no way she can drive her car down the track and over the bridge.’ Drew placed his hand in the small of his wife’s back. ‘Which means Finn is going to be home from tomorrow but I promise I’ll help out as much as I can.’
There was no hiding Isla’s sigh, she barely had the energy to put on her own socks never mind entertain a six-year-old.
‘Normally, I wouldn’t mind. I enjoy him being home but it’s just a little tiring at the moment waiting for this one to make an appearance.’ She patted her stomach and felt a kick. ‘He’s being a little live wire tonight.’
‘I can help out while I’m here. I had visions of me working in the teashop to pass some time but…’
‘Give your mum some time, it’s been difficult,’ interrupted Isla. ‘And thank you, I’d love to see as much of you as possible whilst your back.’ Isla smiled at Felicity, meaning every word.
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of Hamish raising his voice, ‘If anyone would like to volunteer…’ He looked hopefully at the crowd of people.
No one answered.
‘You can’t all stand here demanding to know how I’ll allocate my produce when no one is willing to help.’ He sounded exasperated.
Felicity stood up and wandered over to the crowd. ‘What is it you need Hamish?’
‘I need another pair of hands. Firstly, we need to concentrate on the perishable goods and make sure it doesn’t go to waste and then we need to come up with a plan for the rest of the stock.’
Felicity determinedly stepped forward. ‘I’ll help you with that, no problem.’ Felicity knew that with her own experience at work, she could easily scan through the stock lists and share out the food as fairly as possible. ‘I’ve got time on my hands while I’m home.’
Hamish’s face lit up. ‘Felicity Simons, are you serious?’
‘Deadly serious.’
‘You are a gem.’ He beamed, looking like a huge weight had lifted from his shoulders.
‘What time do you want me in the morning?’
‘Eight o’clock?’
‘Eight o’clock it is.’ She smiled at Hamish before noticing the proud smile on her mum’s face. ‘Can I make a small suggestion?’
‘Of course,’ answered Hamish, waiting to hear what Felicity had to say.
‘Priority food maybe needs to go to the care home first, the elderly.’
‘Indeed, we can draw up a list and hopefully the next truck will be able to get through as soon as the snow thaws.’
Everyone agreed, and Felicity joined Isla back at the table.
‘Look at you,’ grinned Isla as Felicity sat back down opposite her. ‘Back in Heartcross two minutes and taking control. Hamish will never want to let you go if you can keep that lot in order.’
‘Well, someone had to step in. Otherwise those perishable goods would be even more perishable by the time they sorted themselves out.’
Isla tried to laugh but her face paled. She clutched her stomach before letting out a tiny groan.
‘What is it?’
‘How are you at delivering babies?’ She sucked in a breath and grimaced.
Instantly, Felicity felt her eyes well up with tears and swallowed down the lump in her throat. Her body surged with emotions she’d managed to keep locked away for a very long time, taking her by complete surprise. The guilt always hit first, wondering if she could have done something different – was the miscarriage down to her, could she have done anything else? The sense of loss never left her.
Isla noticed the colour had drained from Felicity’s face.
‘Oh my gosh, Flick, I’m so sorry, I really wasn’t thinking,’ said Isla, immediately reaching over the table and squeezing her hand.
‘It’s okay, really it is,’ Felicity replied, her voice shaky. ‘Shall I get Drew or even Rory?’
‘Rory … he’s a vet!’ Isla laughed, trying to lighten the mood but still clutching her stomach tightly.
‘It’s got to be the same difference, delivery of a baby or a lamb,’ smiled Felicity.
‘Luckily for everyone it’s those Braxton Hicks, nothing to worry about. I’m sorry Flick, I really didn’t mean to upset you.’
‘I know you didn’t. And I can’t hide myself away from every pregnant woman I see,’ said Felicity, even though she knew for a very long time she hadn’t been able to even look at a pregnant woman.
‘Are you going to try and talk to Fergus while you’re back?’
‘Aggie’s already warned me off him.’
Isla rolled her eyes, ‘She’s been under the weather recently; she’s got this cough that she can’t shift so her mood is probably not the best, but you know Aggie from old … her bark’s worse than her bite. Your reasons for leaving were about you. You were grieving and had to do what you needed to do. No one should judge you for it.’
Felicity was grateful that Isla understood.
‘Aggie doesn’t see it like that.’
‘She didn’t like to see her boy hurt but it still doesn’t give her the right to treat you with a lack of respect. You both went through a difficult time. Time moves on, people move on.’
‘Fergus has moved on,’ added Felicity, glancing in Esme’s direction.
Isla followed her gaze. ‘She’s a wonderful little girl, beautiful inside and out. You’ll like her.’
‘Fergus can’t even bear to look at me.’
‘He will, give it time. It’s the first time he’s set eyes on you since then. Even though I do know you’ve sneaked back a few times without seeing any of us.’ Isla tutted playfully.
‘I am sorry about that,’ said Felicity regretfully.
‘It’s okay, honestly it is. There were a few people that were hurt when you upped and left including me and Allie but we knew why. We knew you needed space, we just didn’t think it would be eight years of space.’
‘Time drifted on but I don’t think Allie will be as forgiving as you.’ Felicity blew out a breath and glanced in her direction. She was standing by the bar laughing with Rory but caught her eye for a split second.
‘We both know Allie from old, strong willed, stubborn but whatever she says, she’s missed you like crazy. We all have. Grief is real and however long you needed, your crazy friends are still here. She’ll come round …we haven’t gone anywhere.’
For a time, Felicity’s life had descended into complete darkness. It had taken awhile but she had come a long way over the last eight years. Felicity’s eyes glistened with tears as she felt an overwhelming feeling of love and belonging for her old village. She smiled across the table at her friend knowing that she had missed this place more than she wanted to admit. Everything felt right and familiar.
‘Promise me one thing, Isla.’
‘Go on,’ Isla met her gaze.
‘Just try and hold that baby in until we can get across the bridge and drive you to the hospital.’
‘I’ll try my very best for you. And I’m glad you’ve come home, I for one have really missed you.’
Felicity squeezed Isla’s hand. She knew she had a few bridges to mend but having Isla back on her side gave her an overwhelming feeling of warmth. She’d missed Isla too.
Chapter 6 (#u611af9e5-bfbf-5454-8ff9-f925684e032b)
Felicity was up at the crack of dawn, woken by the chill in the air. She shivered and pulled the duvet up tight around her neck but it was no use, she couldn’t get warm. Her feet felt like blocks of ice and her teeth were chattering. How could her mum live like this? She tossed and turned but it was no use, she couldn’t get back to sleep. Slipping her socks onto her feet and a jumper over her head, she padded quietly downstairs in need of a warm drink. Everywhere was in complete darkness and Felicity looked up at the clock; it was only 6.30 a.m.
After placing the kettle on the Aga she pulled back the curtains and couldn’t believe her eyes, the snow was actually still falling. There was no way the delivery trucks would be getting through until this began to thaw and Hamish had been right to think about rationing the food supplies in the village.
Felicity noticed the light was on in Rory’s living room opposite, but as she watched, it immediately turned off and his front door opened. As Rory stepped outside, his wellington boots disappeared under inches of snow. He didn’t attempt to start his car; instead he clutched tightly on to his bag and with his head bent low, he ploughed through the snow in the direction of the veterinary practice. Hearing the kettle begin to whistle, Felicity made herself a coffee and made up the fire. Hopefully by the time her mum was awake there should be a little more warmth in the cottage. After the fire was lit and she’d drained her mug, she placed the kettle on the Aga once more, so she could use the warm water to have a wash. She didn’t relish the idea of a cold shower in this weather. Before she could forget, she tucked the boiler quote into her bag, so she could arrange for them to come out to the cottage as soon as possible.
Within the hour, and with Rona still fast asleep, Felicity wrapped up warm, sank her feet inside her wellington boots and closed the front door quietly behind her. The whole of Love Heart Lane lay in complete darkness, everyone still fast asleep making the most of not going to school or work. The early morning chill instantly nipped at her face and she buried her chin under her scarf and clutched her bag against her body. Even though her thermal socks swathed her feet they instantly felt frozen. Her footsteps were small, the snow sinking halfway up her boots. It was difficult to walk in such conditions, and her legs felt heavy but she knew with each small step she was getting closer to Hamish’s shop.
When she reached the shop the light was on and as she pushed open the door the bell tinkled above her head, alerting Hamish to her arrival. He looked up from behind the counter and smiled. ‘You made it then! There’s tea in the pot.’
‘Thank you,’ she answered, peeling the scarf from around her head and placing her white flaky sodden hat on top of the counter. ‘Where do we start?’ asked Felicity, skimming a glance around the shop before pouring herself a cup of tea.
‘I’ve moved all the perishable goods into these boxes, and somehow we need to get these up to the care home.’
Felicity cocked an eyebrow. ‘That’s a half-mile climb up the hill.’
Hamish blew out a breath. ‘I know – it’s going to be a struggle but they will need the food for the residents.’
‘We can do this, we won’t be defeated,’ answered Felicity with vigour and determination and a smile on her face.
‘That’s the spirit. The things over in that corner—’ Hamish pointed ‘—are the tinned and packet items that go out of date first.’
Hamish had worked out what food was going where to keep the community fed over the next few days until the trucks could get through. All Felicity had to do was help to bag it up and get it delivered. They set to work and within thirty minutes there were carrier bags of food parcels lined up by the door ready and waiting to be delivered.
It was just at that moment the door opened and they both looked up to see a cold, red-faced Rory staring back at them.
‘Good morning, how are the troops?’
Hamish smiled. ‘Just preparing ourselves mentally and physically to begin the deliveries.’
‘Mrs Hughes from the care home has just logged a call at the surgery. Remy the cat is a little under the weather so I’m off up there to take a look at him.’
‘Does that mean what I think it means?’ chipped in Felicity with her fingers firmly crossed behind her back.
Rory grinned. ‘I’ll take with me whatever you have.’
‘You, my good friend, are a life saver,’ said Hamish. ‘Can you manage three carrier bags and this box?’ Hamish looked hopeful while Rory began to juggle the food. ‘If you get the door I should be okay.’
Hamish couldn’t thank Rory enough as he set off towards the care home through nine inches of snow, with more flakes still falling.
‘Are you okay delivering those bags to the residents of Love Heart Lane and I’ll start at the opposite end of the village?’
‘Of course,’ answered Felicity, glancing at the clock. ‘But can I use the landline before I go, I need to ring the plumber to arrange for Mum’s boiler to be fixed.’
Hamish nodded towards the phone and while he bundled himself up in numerous layers Felicity made the call. As soon as she hung up, he noticed Felicity looked a little deflated. ‘You all right?’
‘I never thought, the plumber lives over the bridge in Glensheil, there’s no way he’s getting his van across the bridge and up the hill in this snow, but he’s promised as soon as he can he will.’
‘That’s all you can ask for at times like this.’
Once Hamish and Felicity were ready, they each grabbed a handful of carrier bags and stepped outside into the freezing cold.
Hamish gave Felicity a nod of his appreciation and then they both battled through the snow. Hamish had stapled the names and addresses of the deliveries on to each bag. Felicity looked at the first one labelled Mr and Mrs Smith, an elderly couple she knew had been married for nearly fifty years. From what Felicity could remember they had numerous grandchildren.
The streets were silent and still in darkness as Felicity’s feet crunched through the snow. No doubt by lunchtime the children would be out in full force sledging and building snowmen, enjoying the freedom from school.
As she approached the first house Felicity was relieved to see the light was on in Mr and Mrs Smith’s living room and the second she knocked on the front door she heard a dog bark followed by the sound of keys being jangled. When the door swung open Felicity was met by Mrs Smith’s rosy cheeks and beaming smile.
‘Come on in, out of the cold.’
She wiped her hands down on her pinny and ushered Felicity into the warmth of the kitchen. She was amazed to find six pair of eyes sitting around the table staring back at her.
‘It’s lovely to see you back in Heartcross.’ Mrs Smith patted Felicity’s arm. ‘We are so sorry to hear about Bonnie.’
‘Thank you,’ replied Felicity, touched by Mrs Smith’s kindness. ‘And look at all these little people. You’ve got your hands full today,’ she said, changing the subject in an attempt to stop the tears instantly welling in her eyes at the mention of her grandmother.
‘School’s shut, which means Grandma here gets to look after all these bundles of joy today and believe me it’s like a military operation to get them all fed. It’s like my own little café,’ she chuckled. ‘But I’m not complaining, they keep me young.’
‘This may help, a few supplies from Hamish – eggs, bread and a few essentials.’ Felicity held up the carrier bag.
‘He’s a good one, that man.’ Mrs Smith smiled, taking a quick peep inside the bag before laying it on top of the worktop. ‘Please do thank him from us. Where are you off to next?’
Felicity looked at the name attached to the next carrier bag. ‘Aggie’s,’ she said with a double take. She was sure that was one of Hamish’s deliveries; she must have picked up the wrong bag by mistake. Felicity felt her heart beat a little faster. After Aggie’s outburst in the pub last night she was sure the last person she’d want to see was Felicity, who felt the same.
‘That poor woman hasn’t been well,’ Mrs Smith chipped in without noticing that Felicity’s mood had suddenly slumped.
‘Who, Aggie?’ Felicity had noticed the cough in the pub and her wheezy chest.
‘Terrible chest infection, I think it’s the asthma, you see. She’s not been able to shake it off for a while.’
‘This weather won’t help either,’ said Felicity, making her way to the door after saying farewell to all the children who’d now finished their breakfasts and were busily putting their dirty bowls in the dishwasher.
‘What’s your plan of action for the rest of the day?’ asked Felicity, watching the children pile in front of the log fire with a board game in hand.
‘Keep warm.’ Mrs Smith smiled. ‘But I’m sure there will be an army of snowmen standing proud in the front garden by the end of the day, followed by a heap of soggy gloves and hats drying out on the Aga.’
Felicity said goodbye and after stepping back into the cold she took a deep breath and made her way towards Fox Hollow Cottage. Aggie and her husband Glen had lived in the cottage for all their married life but sadly he’d passed away nearly ten years ago after a short battle with cancer. Aggie had never remarried and as far as Felicity knew, Fergus still lived at the cottage with his new family.
As she trudged through the snow she saw a warm ribbon of smoke rising from the old chimney of the cottage which meant the fire was lit and someone was up. Felicity’s heart pounded a little but, knowing that Fergus would have been up and out at the crack of dawn working at the farm, she knew it was unlikely she’d see him. It would just be Aggie’s sharp tongue she’d have to deal with if last night was anything to go by. All she had to do was be polite, hand the bag over, and get on with the next delivery. She juggled the carrier bags in her hands before opening the garden gate. The way had been cleared and gritted and as Felicity carefully manoeuvred herself up the path, she noticed a pair of bright red wellington boots abandoned under the oak beam porch. She assumed they were Esme’s.
Feeling a little apprehensive, she blew out a breath. Last night in the pub Aggie hadn’t welcomed her home with open arms and Felicity didn’t relish seeing her again so soon, but this was in in aid of the community and she’d offered to help Hamish. Felicity rapped on the lion door knocker and waited, but there was no reply. She tried once more before bowing her head and peering through the front window of the cottage. The fire was roaring and stretched out on the rug in front was Martha, the Campbells’ black and white cat. There was no one else around but Felicity noticed the TV flickering away in the corner. Just at that second, movement caught her eye, and Felicity noticed Esme curled up on the old chesterfield. The little girl was crying, tears running down her cheeks. For a second, Felicity didn’t know what to do. In spite of the past, Felicity couldn’t leave the little girl crying. And where was Aggie? Without hesitation she turned the knob of the front door and immediately it clicked and opened.
Felicity stood in the hallway. The last time she’d been standing in this very spot was over eight years ago and she was surprised to see that everything seemed exactly the same. The wooden beams ran the length of the ceiling, the coat stand in the corner housed numerous jackets and hats and the antique dresser was jam-packed with family photographs.
‘Hello,’ Felicity shouted up the hallway towards the open door of the living room. She stayed rooted to the spot and called out again, then saw two startled, teary eyes peering around the doorway at her.
‘Hello. It’s Esme, isn’t it? I’m Felicity.’
The wide-eyed little girl nodded and gulped back a sob.
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Christie Barlow
Preorder the brand new romantic comedy from bestselling author Christie BarlowWelcome to Love Heart Lane…When Flick Simons returns to the small village of Heartcross she only expected to stay for a few days. The white-washed cottages of Love Heart Lane might be her home, but the place holds too many painful memories, and of one man in particular – Fergus Campbell.When a winter storm sweeps in, the only bridge connecting the village to the main land is swept away! As the villagers pull together, Flick finds herself welcomed back by the friends she once left behind. And as the snow begins to melt, maybe there is a chance that Fergus’s heart will thaw too…
A division of HarperCollinsPublishers
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HarperImpulse
an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd
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www.harpercollins.co.uk (http://www.harpercollins.co.uk)
First published in Great Britain by HarperImpulse 2019
Copyright © Christie Barlow 2019
Cover illustrations © Shutterstock.com (http://www.Shutterstock.com)
Cover design © HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 2019
Christie Barlow asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
A catalogue copy of this book is available from the British Library.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins.
Source ISBN: 9780008319700
Ebook Edition © January 2019 ISBN: 9780008319694
Version: 2018-11-02
Table of Contents
Cover (#uf5a1fcbc-0849-5b4b-88cd-31e2d9fe6166)
Title Page (#u0ab6839e-d5e8-5ff6-800f-386ada056d8c)
Copyright (#udafcc4ca-192c-5a3a-b5d8-2d256a164ff2)
Dedication (#u1af99518-f043-59e1-9c47-1f8a274a7b63)
Chapter 1 (#u00c0da9b-ebe2-51ac-8757-10a0bf1fb523)
Chapter 2 (#u158dd3db-fe5c-5e80-bcef-60b47ef17a17)
Chapter 3 (#u51a7917d-6763-57d4-a31f-ff9828f26d8f)
Chapter 4 (#u0fbb1063-43be-5939-bbdd-2145778f88a3)
Chapter 5 (#u4523ffac-c9b2-5683-a0db-0d3be2baa5cb)
Chapter 6 (#uc355a0c8-44a1-503a-b476-8d09e574d6db)
Chapter 7 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 8 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 9 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 10 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 11 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 12 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 13 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 14 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 15 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 16 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 17 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 18 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 19 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 20 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 21 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 22 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 23 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 24 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 25 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 26 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 27 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 28 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 29 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 30 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 31 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 32 (#litres_trial_promo)
A Letter From Christie (#litres_trial_promo)
Acknowledgements (#litres_trial_promo)
About the Author (#litres_trial_promo)
About HarperImpulse (#litres_trial_promo)
About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)
For Roo, Mop, Missy & Mo,
It’s the circle of life.
It’s not negotiable.
Where’s my woodland outfit?
Operation Miaow.
Walnut Wendy.
Thank you all for the best week of summer 2018!
Chapter 1 (#u611af9e5-bfbf-5454-8ff9-f925684e032b)
Staring out of the window, Felicity Simons sat nervously at her boss’s desk. As she admired the view across the city of London, she wasn’t in any doubt that this was the best seat in the building.
It was only a few seconds later that she spotted her boss through the glass walls of the office, her size-eight figure tottering along the plush red carpet on her high heels, wearing the usual well-tailored suit with distinctive buttons that oozed designer brand. Her crimson blouse matched the colour of her nails and made Felicity feel unrelentingly beige in her dowdy brown tunic and scuffed patent shoes.
Eleanor Ramsbottom had arrived at Little Browns department store six months ago, and Felicity had always felt inferior in her boss’s company, knowing from the outset that there was no chance they’d ever hit it off. After sixty years of steady trade, the store had landed itself in financial difficulty and Eleanor, the daughter of a rich businessman, had rescued the store from closing. At the time everyone had been grateful, all the staff thankful that their jobs had been saved – until they’d had to work under Eleanor Ramsbottom, who lacked warmth, compassion and basic people skills.
The second Eleanor glided into the room Felicity bristled. She was aware that she was forcing a smile, putting on a happy face, but she needed this conversation to go in her favour. Under the desk, Felicity had her fingers firmly crossed. She watched as Eleanor pulled out a chair and shuffled some papers into a neat pile before finally settling down at the desk. Clasping her hands in front of her, she stared towards Felicity.
‘My secretary said you needed to see me urgently. It must be urgent to want to see me at 5 p.m. on a Friday night, have you no home to go to?’ Eleanor asked, as she flicked a glance towards the clock on the wall.
Felicity took a breath, knowing home was exactly where she didn’t want to be, because right at this moment in time Adrian would be moving out. They’d lived together for six months, but Felicity had known within hours of him moving into her flat that she’d made a huge mistake.
Initially, Felicity had been swept away on a tide of passion – Adrian was overwhelmingly sexy, after all – but the second she found herself picking up his dirty laundry despite the washing basket being within reaching distance, the lust had worn off and real life had smacked her right between the eyes.
‘I would like … if at all possible…’ She paused. ‘…Some time off.’ Felicity was relieved to finally get the words out in the open.
‘You don’t see me to book time off.’ Eleanor’s manner was curt. ‘You know what to do, fill in your request form and pass it to your team leader and I will authorise it within due course, after I’ve checked the chart.’
Eleanor was always about the charts.
‘Unfortunately, that’s not possible; I would like two weeks off from Monday.’ Felicity was thankful her voice was steady because inside she felt all jittery and even more so when Eleanor released a long, shuddering sound underneath her breath. Felicity could already feel the disapproving tension in the room. She watched Eleanor slouch back in her chair, twisting her wedding ring round and round before letting out a half laugh then fixing a serious expression back on to her face.
‘For a second there, I could have sworn you asked for two weeks off from Monday, and with it being Friday afternoon … not to mention the January sales, one of the store’s busiest times, where we need every hand on deck to reach our targets, and that includes yours, Felicity – both hands.’
Felicity shifted uncomfortably in her seat. ‘I wouldn’t ask … but…’
‘The implication … leaving us in the lurch.’ Eleanor was a trifle short. ‘What’s so important you need time off at such short notice?’
Felicity swallowed the lump in her throat and hoped the tears wouldn’t cascade down her face. ‘My grandmother has passed away and I need to go home, to my family.’
As conversation stoppers go, this one threw Eleanor for a second.
‘I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important and I have enough annual leave for two weeks,’ added Felicity quickly.
‘I’m sorry to hear your sad news,’ Eleanor finally offered, keeping her gaze fixed on Felicity. There was a veil of politeness, covering up disappointment at the loss of potential drama.
‘Thank you,’ replied Felicity.
‘Where is home?’ That was the first personal question Eleanor had ever asked Felicity.
‘The Scottish Highlands,’ replied Felicity taken aback. ‘A little village called Heartcross.’
Eleanor sighed and made a vague despairing gesture with her hand. ‘If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to call and we will see you back here two weeks on Monday.’ There was nothing in Eleanor’s tone that offered any real compassion; her face was expressionless. Felicity watched Eleanor stand up, a clear indication this conversation was over and that this was her cue to leave.
Felicity forced her lips into a smile and couldn’t get out of the office fast enough. She grabbed her coat from her locker and paused only briefly on the steps outside the department store. The sign illuminating ‘Little Browns,’ had once held a special place in her heart. A family-run business that had cared, this store had given her a chance and provided her with an opportunity. She’d worked here for nearly the last eight years after arriving in London on a whim, ready for a change from village life. She’d had grand ideas of seeking her fortune, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, looking for adventure. But things hadn’t been easy. She’d left Heartcross under a cloud and had spent much of her time in London trying to block out the past, especially Fergus. But it was always there. He was always there in the back of her mind.
Recently, when things had changed at work and Eleanor Ramsbottom had arrived on the scene, the days had become even less enjoyable and now Felicity was questioning what she was actually doing here. She found herself thinking about home more and more, and how she’d distanced herself from that life. She came to realise that she missed Heartcross, the good friends she’d left behind and of course, her mum and her gran.
Feeling glum and seriously hankering after a gin and tonic, she turned and weaved in and out of the masses of people who were powering up the busy high street towards the tube station. Felicity dug her hands deep in the pockets of her coat and fought back the tears of sadness as a pang of guilt hit her hard. As she jumped onto the packed tube and headed towards her flat, thoughts of Heartcross were still very much on her mind; memories of the small bustling village in the Scottish Highlands where she’d grown up, the place she had wanted to escape from, suddenly enveloped her and gave her an overwhelming feeling of comfort and belonging.
In the last eight years Felicity had been home on numerous occasions, but they were always fleeting visits with excuses that she couldn’t take time off work. And that’s exactly what they were – excuses. She knew the real reason why she couldn’t spend time there, but now she felt things were changing.
Felicity had fallen out of love with her job and her man, if she’d ever been in love with him at all, and even though she had friends in London, she didn’t have friends like the ones she’d had in Heartcross … solid friends that would have your back, look out for you no matter what.
Why hadn’t she gone home for Christmas? As the tube rumbled on, the conversation with her mum played on Felicity’s mind.
‘Please come home soon, your grandmother’s health is deteriorating, she misses you Flick, and I do too.’
‘Mum, I live in London, it’s difficult to get time off. Do you know how far away Scotland is?’
It was five hundred and eighty-six miles to be precise and ten hours in the car, not including toilet stops. In the last few weeks the weather had been unpredictable, planes and trains had been cancelled due to severe weather conditions and more snow was predicted soon.
But her mother’s words played on her mind now. ‘Your grandmother won’t be around forever, Felicity.’ And, of course, her mother, Rona Simons, had been right. Bonnie Stewart had passed away at the age of eighty a little over a week later.
Felicity held on tightly to the aluminium pole in the tube carriage and watched the stations whizz by. This journey was never one she relished, especially during rush hour on a Friday when the tube was packed to the rafters with everyone jostling for their own little space. Life had seemed so exciting when she’d first arrived in the big smoke, but now she was tired of the busy pace of life.
Finally, Felicity jumped off the tube at Leicester Square and pushed her way in the direction of one of the side streets towards The Chatty Banker pub. She pushed open the outer door and saw her friend Polly behind the bar, thoroughly at home with all the regulars. She was leaning against the pump, all her usual confidence on display.
‘Felicity! I didn’t expect to see you tonight.’ Polly glanced sideways and beamed towards her friend; she was invincibly cheerful as ever but Felicity thought she looked exhausted.
‘I’m hungry, don’t feel like cooking and could murder a double gin… and when your good friend is the manager of such a good establishment, then it’s a no brainer.’
‘You can’t say fairer than that,’ smiled Polly, immediately sliding a glass towards Felicity who balanced on the bar stool in front of her.
‘Are you okay? You’re looking tired.’
‘I’m all right, I’ve just been run off my feet today … no rest for the wicked.’
‘And you are very wicked.’ Felicity smiled.
‘How was New Year? I thought you and Adrian would be in.’
New Year’s Eve was overrated where Felicity was concerned. As far back as she could remember there had been nothing special about that date, and she’d automatically blocked out the last New Year she’d spent at Heartcross, eight years ago. It still pained her to remember the look on Fergus’s face, the pleading tone in his voice begging her not to leave as she’d turned and walked away, shutting the cab door behind her. Felicity had never forgotten that night, but as time went on, she’d regretted it more and more. She drew her glass towards her and drained the contents of it slowly.
Polly narrowed her eyes at Felicity. ‘Bad day?’
Where do I start? Felicity thought to herself blowing out a breath. ‘You could say that. Adrian and I weren’t around New Year’s Eve, because that’s when I decided we were no longer a “we”.’ She shifted the glass to one side to make room for her elbows on the bar. ‘As we speak he should be moving out of the flat.’
At first, she’d thought he was shocked when she’d asked him to leave, but then he’d retaliated and had the audacity to tell her she wasn’t all that. Felicity had fought the desire to argue with him – after all, what was the point? Adrian’s expectations of their relationship had differed greatly to hers, and he had basically treated her like his mother, not his girlfriend. Now she just wanted her own space back.
‘Oh Flick, what happened?’
‘I just realised he wasn’t the one for me.’
‘You’ll be fine,’ reassured Polly in a soft tone. ‘There are heaps of nice men you could go out with.’
‘I think I’ll give it a miss for a while,’ said Felicity, with tears welling up in her eyes. ‘But that’s not all, Pol. I’ve been the worst daughter in the world,’ Felicity said as sadness overwhelmed her. Her heart sank, and her shoulders heaved, ‘My grandmother has passed away, and I didn’t get to say goodbye.’
Without hesitation, Polly reached across the bar and squeezed her friend’s hand. ‘I’m so sorry to hear that,’ she said in a soft soothing tone.
Without warning the tears rolled down Felicity’s cheek. She felt ashamed that she’d been selfish and put her own self-importance and feelings before her mum’s and now she truly regretted it.
Felicity thought back to her life at Heartcross and memories of her grandmother flooded her mind; the times they’d spent together in the family teashop and the love they’d shared. Bonnie Stewart had lived her whole life in the Scottish Highlands, and sadness flooded Felicity’s veins again as she remembered the way her grandmother’s cheeks had dimpled with her smile, the way she’d planted noisy kisses on the top of her head and the way she’d always smelled of scrumptious baking.
Heartcross village was a tranquil place off the beaten track, surrounded by majestic mountains, heather-wreathed glens and beautiful waterfalls – place untouched by time. Bonnie’s heart-warming traditional stone cottage was snuggled away next to the trim necklace of whitewash houses on Love Heart Lane and had become the hub of the community when she’d turned her front living room into a tearoom over fifty-five years ago. The place had welcomed villagers and passing ramblers walking in the area, and working in ‘Bonnie’s Teashop’ alongside her grandmother still held happy memories for Felicity. Again, she was beginning to question why she’d been so eager to leave it all behind.
‘I should have made more of an effort,’ Felicity said to Polly regretfully. ‘I thought she’d be around forever, but time runs away, and now … and now…’ Felicity couldn’t finish her sentence, her heart was breaking so badly.
‘Flick, you need to go home,’ Polly said gently as she comforted her friend.
Felicity nodded, ‘I know, I am … I leave first thing tomorrow, flying to Inverness … it should only take an hour and half.’ The guilt ricocheted through her body again. She had only ever been an hour and half away by plane so why the fleeting visits home? She knew exactly why – Fergus.
‘How long are you going for?’
‘Two weeks,’ answered Felicity, dabbing her eyes with the back of her hand. ‘I’ll be fine,’ she said, pasting on a smile, but deep down she knew it wasn’t fine.
Taking a second to compose herself, she scanned the menu and ordered a bowl of chips before checking her phone. No word from Adrian but what was she expecting, a farewell text?
Just at that moment a gust of air rushed in as the pub door swung open and to Felicity’s shock, in walked Adrian with a girl she didn’t recognise by his side. His eyes widened the second he set eyes on Felicity and he turned towards the girl, speaking to her briefly, before she nodded and disappeared towards the far end of the pub.
Felicity couldn’t help feeling a little miffed. ‘Moved on already?’ she asked, knowing it was none of her business.
There was an uncomfortable silence before Adrian shrugged sheepishly. ‘Just a friend from work.’
‘Yeah right.’ The words were out before Felicity could stop them.
He appeared indignant. ‘And you care because?’
‘It’s fine, I’m sure you need a friend right now,’ she reasserted herself quickly.
He nodded and Felicity felt the sudden urge to extract herself from this situation. ‘While you’re here, can I have the keys?’ She held out her hand while Adrian dug into his pocket and placed the bunch of keys into her hand.
‘Take care of yourself,’ he said, before turning and walking away to join the girl.
‘Goodbye Adrian,’ she managed, before twisting back on her stool towards Polly. ‘I think I’ll give the food a miss, I just want to go home.’
‘Are you sure?’
Felicity was absolutely sure. Her appetite had diminished further and even though she knew it had been over with Adrian for a while she still didn’t need to watch him have dinner with another woman, friend or no friend.
Polly lifted up the hatch to the bar and walked towards Felicity, her arms open wide, waiting to swathe her in the biggest hug.
‘You have a safe trip and call me when you arrive,’ she insisted, hugging her hard. ‘I’ll see you in a couple of weeks … and make sure you FaceTime me.’
‘I will,’ Felicity promised, pressing a kiss to Polly’s cheek before walking out of the pub towards the tube station.
It was time to go back to Scotland and set aside her personal hang ups to support her mum at such a sad time. At the time she’d thought she’d left with an air of elegant sophistication, but it was only recently she had begun to realise the hurt she’d left behind.
She knew arriving back at Heartcross wouldn’t be easy. In fact, it would be the hardest thing she’d ever done.
Chapter 2 (#u611af9e5-bfbf-5454-8ff9-f925684e032b)
At the airport, the buildings were still shrouded in Christmas decorations and the ten-foot tree sparkled in all its glory. The morning was cold, freezing in fact, with temperatures dropping to minus one, and Felicity had wrapped up warm. Pulling down her unflattering woolly hat over her ears, and with the cold biting the tip of her nose, she wandered towards the glass revolving doors and stood inside Heathrow airport. She was wearing tights as well as socks, two jumpers and a thermal vest. She knew that once the plane landed in Inverness the temperature would be even colder than in London.
After skimming the departures board, she was thankful the flight was on time. She checked in at the desk, then made her way to the lounge area and purchased a skinny latte alongside a ham salad baguette; her appetite was back and finally her fierce hunger was satisfied. Last night, when she’d arrived home Felicity hadn’t felt much like eating. Instead, she’d poured a large glass of wine and soaked in a hot bubble bath. All of Adrian’s belongings had disappeared, and for the first time ever, he’d managed to pick up his dirty underwear off the floor. She was thankful he’d gone; he just hadn’t been her happy ever after.
She’d soaked in the bath for over an hour, until the water was barely warm, her mind whirling. When she’d got out, she’d telephoned her mum to let her know what time she’d be arriving, but there had been no answer. It was more than likely her mum was over at The Grouse and Haggis, the local pub situated in the middle of the village which offered a warm welcome to all with its flagstone floors, wooden pews and roaring log fires. It was the hub of the community, especially during the harsh winter months. The locals all huddled together after work, sharing stories, while sampling the local ales and whiskies. Without fail Hamish would play his fiddle, adding to the good-humoured atmosphere. The pub was run by Meredith and Fraser Macdonald and their daughter Allie had been Felicity’s best friend from school before she’d moved to London.
Up until their early twenties the two girls had been as thick as thieves, and Allie had been the kind of friend that Felicity could always be herself with. But Felicity knew she’d let Allie down. She sighed to herself, feeling glum. Allie had every right to be mad with her. Felicity had never confided in her that she planned to leave for the big city. Looking back now, she knew her actions had been underhand, but at the time she’d known that Allie would have tried to talk her out of it. And after everything that had happened with Fergus, Felicity had needed to escape with minimum fuss. She knew on her return she’d have many bridges to build and even though Felicity had made friends in London, nothing had come close to the bond she’d had with Allie. She missed her and their friendship and hoped things were fixable between them.
Finally, trying to shrug off the guilt, Felicity had packed her suitcase and snuggled inside her grey fleecy PJs, determined to get a good night’s sleep to be fresh and ready for her trip back to Scotland.
The airport was busy and while waiting for her flight to be announced Felicity buried her head in a book, but after reading the same sentence over and over she realised she wasn’t concentrating at all; her mind was on other matters. Lifting her head, she watched a young couple gently chastise their son who was running around leaving a trail of crisps behind him. He hovered in front of Felicity and lifted his blue eyes to meet hers. He was adorable and by her reckoning must have been around three years old. He offered her a crisp with a cheeky smile. Felicity hesitated for a millisecond before accepting. ‘Why thank you, young man,’ she said with gratitude before his expression knotted with concentration and he ran off with his arms stretched out wide pretending to be an aeroplane. The parents’ annoyance now softened as he giggled.
Watching that tiny boy, Felicity felt another pang of sadness. If only things had been different, she thought, blinking away the sudden tears that sprang from nowhere. The pain of the past still twisted in her stomach, and the fear of seeing Fergus again never went away, but over time she’d learnt to cope as best she could. With her heart thumping anxiously in her chest, Felicity shut her eyes briefly, trying to compose herself. As she calmed herself, a voice over the tannoy announced her flight and within seconds a surge of passengers stood up and began to make their way towards the gate clutching their passports and boarding cards. Felicity took in a breath and glanced towards the window. Outside, the sky had darkened and threatened snow. This was it, she thought to herself. She had no idea how people were going to react to her homecoming. All she could do now was hope for the best. Feeling anxious, she squeezed out a wobbly smile at the small boy who was now standing in the queue, grasping his mother’s hand and pointing towards the aircraft they were just about to board through the window.
Felicity’s chest heaved, and she couldn’t bear to think about it anymore. Keep breathing, she told herself, there’s no turning back. It’s time to go home.
Chapter 3 (#u611af9e5-bfbf-5454-8ff9-f925684e032b)
‘Where to?’ asked the taxi driver after he’d placed Felicity’s suitcase in the boot of the cab and climbed behind the wheel.
‘Heartcross,’ replied Felicity, pulling the gloves from her hands and resting them on her lap.
The driver turned and looked over his shoulder. ‘Heartcross? The track will be treacherous over the bridge and these flakes are falling fast.’
The moment Felicity had stepped off the plane she’d known this might be a problem. ‘I kind of gathered that may be the case. How close can you get me?’
The driver raised a sceptical eyebrow. ‘Maybe just before the bridge? I don’t want to be stranded.’
‘As close as you can then,’ Felicity replied, knowing she was in for a short trek up the track in severe weather conditions.
Heartcross was separated from the local town of Glensheil by a Grade II listed bridge that had arched over the River Heart for nearly two hundred years. The only way into the centre of the village was by a steep, mountainous track, approximately half a mile long. In the summer it was the most beautiful track to walk along, easily accessible by foot and four-wheel drives, but it was trickier in winter when the snow hit. The village was compact, home to approximately two hundred cottages, but with every amenity you might need.
Fifteen minutes later the cab began to crawl along, the wipers moving frantically and the wheels finding it difficult to turn in the snow. ‘This is about far as I can get you,’ the driver said, pulling the cab to a halt and climbing out to retrieve Felicity’s suitcase from the boot of the car.
Reluctantly, Felicity opened the door and shivered before paying the driver and taking the case from him.
She watched enviously as he clambered back into the warmth of his cab and slowly began to manoeuvre the car in the snow, the wheels spinning momentarily before they regained traction. The taxi driver appeared almost sympathetic as he wound down his window. ‘You’ll need to get a shifty on up that track, otherwise you’ll be stranded.’
Felicity nodded, clutching the handle of her suitcase tight. No sooner had the car’s icy tracks imprinted on the road, they were covered by a fresh onslaught of snow. Felicity knew it would be impossible to drag the wheels of her suitcase up the path in the snow for over half a mile and it was too heavy to carry. There was only one thing for it. She sighed as she abandoned the case under a tree before she began trudging through the snow.
Huddled deep inside her parka, Felicity clutched her handbag and raised a gloved hand to shield her eyes from the oversized snow confetti flying towards her. She’d prepared for the drop in temperature but as the ferocity of the snow stung her face she bowed her head and kept walking.
Twenty minutes later the blizzard was so strong the path of footprints she’d followed for a short while were already covered and the familiar sight of Love Heart Lane had nearly been erased. Her fingers and face stung but she allowed herself to be shoved along by the wind and snowstorm.
Finally, she reached the row of whitewashed cottages and heaved a huge sigh of relief when she noticed she’d nearly arrived home, at Heartwood Cottage. Even in the bleak mid-winter, the cottage looked as if it had come straight out of a fairy tale. On the solid oak door there was a heart carved in the middle, whittled by Felicity’s grandad on the day he’d moved in with his newly beloved wife Bonnie. It was a cosy dwelling and in the summer its hedges and oak beamed porch were entwined with pink clematis.
There wasn’t a soul in sight as Felicity slugged up the path towards the door. She stopped for a second and stared at Bonnie’s Teashop, thinking fleetingly that it seemed a little run down, until she remembered she was standing in a middle of a snowstorm and the flakes were blurring her vision.
She twisted the knob on the front door and was thankful it opened. Grateful to leave the blizzard behind, Felicity stamped her feet on the mat outside and closed the door behind her.
‘Mum, are you home?’ Felicity shouted up the hallway, peeling the sodden gloves from her bitterly cold hands and hanging her coat over the banister. ‘It’s only me.’
Felicity heard movement and startled eyes peered around the door of the living room. ‘Felicity? Oh my! It is you … come here!’ Rona hurried up the hallway with her arms flung wide open and Felicity fell into them. The familiarity and warmth of the hug brought fresh tears to Felicity’s eyes and she suddenly realised how much she had missed her mum, this place. She was glad to be home.
‘I can’t believe you’re here.’ Rona pulled away and held both of her daughter’s hands, kissing her cheeks, as she too shed a tear. ‘You don’t know how happy I am to see you … you’re freezing … let me get you a warm drink.’
Felicity wasn’t about to argue, she was frozen to the core. She followed her mum into the living room and took another moment to cast her gaze around. This time she was more certain that something had changed. Everything suddenly seemed so tired at Heartwood Cottage … so tattered. Even the curtains were hanging off the rail and there weren’t any blooms in sight. Back in the day, Rona would always display flowers in the front window, every week without fail.
‘How have you got here? The weather warnings are severe, surely no car could cross the bridge?’ Rona’s eyes were wide as she plumped up the cushions so Felicity could sit down.
‘The cab couldn’t cross the bridge, it was too treacherous. I had to walk the next half mile.’
‘Oh my, you should have rung, I could have sent Drew down with the tractor to fetch you.’
‘Mum, the mobile signal is virtually nothing.’ Felicity glanced at her phone. ‘See … no service.’ She held the phone up.
‘And where’s your suitcase?’ Rona gave a puzzled look all around.
‘I couldn’t drag it through the snow. I abandoned it under a tree … this side of the bridge though.’
‘It can’t stay there, you’ll never find it again. This snow is going to fall all night, maybe for the next few days. Ring the farm. The number is by the phone,’ Rona insisted, before poking the embers of the fire. Felicity hesitated and felt a wave of uneasiness pass through her.
‘Go on, the phone is where it’s always been,’ Rona continued brightly and shooed Felicity out into the hallway.
Foxglove Farm was owned by Isla and Drew Allaway. Felicity had known them all her life, and they had all once been the best of friends. Isla and Drew were childhood sweethearts who had married and took over the farm from Drew’s dad when his wife had sadly passed away. Even though over the years Felicity had taken short trips back home, she’d not seen or spoken to either Isla or Drew in all that time. She had no clue how they were going to react to her homecoming.
Hesitantly, she picked up the olive-green phone and began to dial the number. As soon as the phone connected it only took two rings before it was picked up. ‘Hello, Foxglove Farm.’ Even after all this time she instantly recognised Drew’s voice.
Felicity took a deep breath, ‘Hi Drew … it’s me … Felicity.’
There was a short pause on the other end of the line. ‘Flick!… Welcome home! It’s been a while.’
He sounded pleased to hear from her which was a relief. ‘Yes, it has. How are you?’
‘Good thanks, we are all good. But I’m sorry to hear the sad news about your grandmother.’
‘Thanks Drew … me too.’ There was a slight pause.
‘What can I do for you? Rona’s okay for wood, isn’t she?’ he asked with concern. ‘She doesn’t want to be stranded for warmth in this weather.’
‘I’m not sure … wait there … Mum!’ bellowed Felicity from the hallway. ‘Are you okay for wood?’
Immediately Rona appeared in the doorway. ‘That’s nearly the last of the logs on the fire. With everything … I’ve not had much time to re-stock. It’s all been quite difficult.’
‘Drew, are you okay to bring some logs up?’
‘Yes, of course … and what was it we can do for you?’
For a second, Felicity had forgotten why she was ringing. ‘My suitcase … it’s my case. It’s stranded by the bridge at the bottom of the track … under the tree. The wheels wouldn’t turn in the snow and it was too heavy to lift. Mum thought you might…’
‘Don’t worry, I’ll come now Felicity,’ he responded valiantly, ‘before it’s buried forever. Well, until the snow thaws anyway.’ He gave a small chuckle.
‘Thanks Drew,’ she said, before hanging up and joining her mum back in the living room.
‘I’ve made tea … help yourself,’ said Rona, ‘and have a flapjack.’ She pointed to the plate on the coffee table. ‘We always had a slice of flapjack at this time, most days.’ Her voice suddenly wavered and Felicity felt a pang of sadness as her mother glanced towards the empty rocking chair which displayed her grandmother’s hand-crocheted, multi-coloured blanket draped over the back of it.
Felicity instantly felt guilty for not being around to help her mum during her grandmother’s illness. The tiredness and grief in her mum’s eyes were apparent.
Out of every inch of Felicity’s body poured the memories of her grandmother, magical moments she’d never forget. She could still remember the hours she’d spent in the teashop at the weekend mirroring her grandmother while she helped to bake all the delicious cakes and scones.
‘I’m so sorry, Mum, for not coming home at Christmas,’ Felicity said, genuinely remorseful.
‘It’s not that easy to just up and leave your job, especially working in the department store. It must be one of the busiest times of the year. And how is Adrian? I thought I might finally get to meet him.’
Felicity exhaled. ‘It’s over Mum … we’ve finished. He’s moved out.’
‘Oh Felicity, why didn’t you say?’ Rona’s voice was earnest.
‘Because it was my choice. Honestly, he just wasn’t my happy ever after … that’s all there is to it.’
Rona gave Felicity a knowing look.
‘Mum, don’t give me that look,’ she exclaimed.
‘You do know you’re going to have to face your happy ever after at some point.’
Felicity protested. ‘I don’t know what you mean.’
But she knew exactly who her mum was talking about … Fergus.
She and Fergus had made plans, they’d promised each other they’d be together forever. Felicity had thought their love was unbreakable until tragedy had struck… twice. Then Felicity had convinced herself she’d never be enough for him, and she’d upped and left for London, breaking his heart as well as her own.
She took a second to remember their first kiss. Her knees had actually trembled like in the movies and goose bumps had prickled over every inch of her skin. She remembered the feeling like it had only happened yesterday. Felicity knew that being back for two whole weeks, she was bound to bump into Fergus at some point. She wasn’t sure how he was going to react to seeing her after all this time or how she was going to feel.
Hearing the drone of the tractor outside, Felicity thankfully abandoned her train of thought. She shifted to the edge of the settee and flicked a glance out of the window. There was Drew waiting outside. He noticed her and gave her a quick wave above his head as Felicity stood up.
‘I’ve brought your old snow boots in from the shed, you’ll need them out there on a day like today.’
‘Thanks Mum.’
Felicity thrust her feet into her old boots and slipped her arms into her coat. ‘I won’t be long,’ she said, closing the cottage door behind her.
Since her arrival, the snow hadn’t given up for a second and already Love Heart Lane was covered in a thick blanket, inches deep. Felicity had barely seen snow in London – the odd flurry here and there, but nothing that ever stuck.
But Heartcross was used to this kind of weather, they were prepared. The route into the village would be restricted and depending on the snowfall some vehicles might find it difficult to climb the half mile track but when they knew the bad weather was coming the delivery drivers always doubled up on supplies.
Felicity pulled open the door of the tractor to be greeted Drew’s huge beam. ‘Hi Flick, jump in. It’s great to see you.’
Drew hadn’t changed a bit. His blond tight corkscrew curls were still as springy as the last time she’d set eyes on him.
‘How are you?’ asked Felicity. ‘And Isla?’
Drew started the engine, and the tractor began to move through the snow with ease.
‘She’s fed up, but not long to go now until the baby’s arrival.’
Felicity swung a glance towards Drew. ‘Baby?’
‘Aye, a baby brother for Finn, due in the next few weeks.’
Felicity had had no idea. ‘Congratulations!’ She was genuinely chuffed for them both. The pair had been inseparable since high school and had married at the age of nineteen at the small church in Heartcross. Their wedding had been beautiful, and all they’d ever wanted was to be together, a family.
‘We are all ready for the little fellow, but this weather is a worry if Isla goes into labour. I can see her arriving at the hospital in this tractor—’ he gave a small chuckle ‘—and she won’t be best pleased about that.’
Felicity smiled. ‘Any names?’
‘Angus,’ said Drew proudly, ‘after my father.’
‘Great name.’
‘How’s the big city?’ he asked, changing the subject while carefully steering the tractor down the steep slope towards the bridge.
‘Not how it used to be.’ The words were out of Felicity’s mouth before she could stop them.
He snagged her eye. ‘Everything okay? That doesn’t sound good.’
‘It’s just work, I’m not as enthusiastic about it as I once was.’
‘I know that feeling. If you need a shoulder, Isla’s going nowhere. She’s always been a good listener,’ he offered with a smile, halting the tractor. ‘She’d love to see you. How long are you around for?’
‘A couple of weeks.’
‘In fact,’ he said, opening the door and jumping to the ground, ‘come back with me now to the farm. I need to load up Rona’s wood – say hello to Isla and then I’ll give you a lift back.’
Felicity thought about it for a second. It had been eight years since she’d set foot on Foxglove Farm. The very last time was the night she’d upped and left.
‘Yes, you know, I will. It will be great to see Isla.’
‘She’s missed you, you know … but understands you’ve had a lot to deal with. Now where’s this suitcase of yours?’
‘Just there, under the tree,’ answered Felicity, her thoughts turning to Isla. She’d missed Isla too, and all of a sudden she felt a tiny pang. True friendship was hard to find and Felicity knew she had a great deal of apologising to do. Of course in London she’d hung out with people, and she socialised with many work colleagues from the department store – but her only real friend was Polly from the pub. And no one had come close to the friendship she’d once shared with her two oldest friends Isla and Allie. They’d always been a close-knit group until Felicity had decided she needed to escape the pressures of a small village, spread her wings and escape into the world beyond Heartcross.
The snow crunched under Drew’s boots as he quickly retrieved the suitcase and threw it into the tractor before turning around and driving the short journey back to Foxglove Farm.
‘So, were you prepared for this weather?’ asked Felicity, holding onto her seat as they bounced along the snowy rocky track.
‘We knew it was coming but didn’t expect it to descend so quickly and it’s here for the foreseeable. Apparently, according to the predictions, this is going to be the worst snowfall we’ve had in twenty years.’ Drew cocked an eyebrow.
Felicity hadn’t realised this when she’d jumped on the flight from London, and she suddenly panicked. ‘Has the village already made provisions?’
‘The last trucks came over the bridge this morning and stocked up Hamish’s shop. It may be a few days before they can get through again.’
‘How is Hamish?’
Hamish and his wife Ava had owned the village shop for as long as Felicity could remember. They were lovely down-to-earth people in their mid-sixties, who had never set foot outside of Scotland. Felicity had fond memories of them both. After school her grandmother used to give her a handful of pennies – the local shop always had the best collection of penny chews, and Hamish would often throw in extras for Felicity. But two years ago, Ava had passed away, leaving Hamish completely devastated and struggling to cope without the woman he’d loved for all those years by his side. The village community had rallied around him, helping to keep the shop running until he was back on his feet.
‘He’s doing okay now. It took him a while but recently he’s joined numerous clubs in the village from the ramblers, which keeps him fit, to playing bowls.’
‘Good for him.’
‘He’ll be happy to see you. He always had a soft spot for you. Everyone in the village was deeply saddened by your grandmother’s death. The village is definitely not the same.’ His voice faltered. ‘She was always kind to me. As a wee kid, I used the shortcut at the back of your house on the way to school and your grandmother was always waiting at the garden gate with a sausage roll or a slice of homemade cake for my lunch box. She was an absolute gem. It’s a shame to see the teashop close after all this time though. Isla used to love to escape there for a slice of cake and a cup of tea on the way back from the village.’
Felicity swung round towards Drew. ‘What do you mean, the teashop has closed?’ Surely Drew had got that wrong.
‘Have I said something out of turn?’ asked a surprised Drew. ‘Didn’t you know?’
Felicity shook her head. ‘Mum hasn’t said a thing, well, not to me anyway.’ She felt sad that the teashop hadn’t been open and perplexed as to why she hadn’t been told. ‘How long?’
‘I’d say a good six months. It’s been difficult since your grandmother became ill. Your mum couldn’t keep everything going.’
Felicity’s eyes became glazed with a layer of glassy tears. She brushed them away with her glove. Why hadn’t her mum told her how difficult things had become? ‘I didn’t know Drew, I really didn’t.’
‘Allie thought you may be back sooner to give a hand, but then we all realised it’s not that easy when you have your own job to do and a life in London.’
Felicity nodded, but no words came out. Why hadn’t she come back at Christmas? But in her heart of hearts she knew why – that time of year was always too painful for her.
‘Working in a department store it’s always busy in the lead up to Christmas and then there’s the sales.’ Felicity knew she was saying the right things, but it didn’t sit right with her. Deep down, she knew she’d let her mum down and wished she could turn back time.
Drew nodded, ‘Here we are, Foxglove Farm. It’s been a while since you’ve seen this place.’
‘Too long,’ Felicity whispered under her breath, looking out of the windscreen at the swirling storm of white that was being battered away by the wipers. The usual sight of the farmhouse was nearly hidden by the snow that now swirled densely.
‘What on earth?’ A sudden movement in the bottom field caught Drew’s eye. Felicity shot a look towards Drew, then followed his gaze.
And suddenly, there he was in the distance, waving his arms frantically towards the tractor. Fergus. Felicity’s breath caught in her throat as she recognised him instantly, her heart pounding faster against her chest. She’d never anticipated that he would be here, at the farm, and she had no idea how he was going to react to seeing her for the first time in eight years. This wasn’t how she’d planned it out in her head.
Drew flounced out of the tractor leaving the engine running, bellowing to Felicity to follow him. Before she had time to think she trailed Drew through the blanket of snow, her legs trembling. Snowflakes pelted against her face as she struggled to keep up with him.
‘Drew … I need help.’ Fergus Campbell’s voice was fraught. ‘The Shetland is stranded in the icy water.’
Drew stopped for a second to assess the situation, raking his wet hands through his hair. The pony was struggling to climb up the bank of the river. Each time it tried it slipped back down into the water.
‘We need a rope … wait there, and I’ll bring the tractor back down,’ he cried, turning and striding back past Felicity quickly. ‘You stay with Fergus,’ he instructed with authority.
Fergus hadn’t spotted Felicity yet but it was only a matter of time. Felicity felt anxious, the past dominating her mind. As she moved closer, she could see the panic-stricken face of Fergus, and her nerves jumped all together in every direction. She’d no idea how Fergus was going to react to her arrival back in Heartcross but any second now she was about to find out.
Felicity looked nervously in his direction, and finally Fergus met her gaze. For a split second he narrowed his eyes and remained silent.
She swallowed. ‘Hi Fergus.’ As much as Felicity didn’t want her voice to sound shaky, she faltered.
Fergus just stared at her, then gritted his teeth. There was no welcoming smile, more of a ‘What are you doing here’ grimace.
Felicity felt her cheeks colour fast and that was down to the look on Fergus’s face, not the cold white flakes stinging her face.
‘Well, you crop up in the most unexpected places,’ he said gruffly.
Felicity flinched at his words. She’d dreaded this moment and didn’t know what to say as she swallowed a lump in her throat. The snowflakes continued to pelt against her frozen cheeks, clinging to her eyelashes forcing her eyes into a squint.
‘And don’t look at me like that; what did you expect, that you’d be welcomed back with open arms?’
The tension between them could be cut with a knife.
Felicity felt wretched. She’d not prepared for this meeting and had thought she’d at least have a couple of days to catch up with Allie and Isla first and gauge how the land lay.
‘It doesn’t have to be like this,’ said Felicity, knowing it wasn’t going to be easy.
‘So, you’re finally back then? How long has it been?’ His dark brows sloped downwards in a serious expression and the playful smile she once knew had drawn into a hard line across his face.
Feeling a tug at her heart, Felicity felt shameful. Fergus was a decent man and she knew she hadn’t been fair to him. He’d needed her, but she hadn’t been able to cope. Call it self-preservation but the only person she could concentrate on at the time was herself. She’d been young, but she’d treated him badly, and he had every right to speak to her this way even though it saddened her that it had come to this.
‘Eight years,’ she said regretfully.
Fergus’s hazel eyes didn’t look any different from all those years ago, and she could still sense a sadness in them. He stood and raked the snow from his swooping fringe that revealed the kind face Felicity had once loved to kiss. He was handsome all right, but his character was also beautiful on the inside. He was slim yet muscular and his face almost symmetrical with his sharp jawline and chiselled cheekbones. She felt a pang in her heart and wished she could turn back time.
To Felicity’s relief, the icy silence was interrupted by the drone of the tractor making its way back through the snow towards them.
Once at the river bank, Drew jumped out, leaving the engine running. In his hands he grasped a rope.
‘I’m not sure how we’re going to do this?’ Drew shouted down the bank, the blizzard now coming down thick and fast.
Fergus looked between him and the Shetland. ‘I’m not sure how close I can get.’
The river ran along the bottom of Foxglove Farm’s boundary. Felicity remembered many hot summers swinging on the rope swing with Isla and Allie, all of them without a care in the world. The banks had been alive with nestling ducks taking advantage of the tall reeds providing shade but today everywhere was stripped bare. The river had an eerie feeling about it, and was wider than she ever remembered, flowing swift and strong.
Drew threw the rope down the bank towards Fergus who gradually began making his way into the water. The Shetland pony was now wedged against an old oak tree that must have fallen into the water after a storm.
Felicity shivered at the very thought of the icy coldness of the water against Fergus’s skin.
‘I’m going to tie this end to the tractor mate, keep hold of the rope and we’ll pull you out.’
Fergus nodded, taking in the instructions as he stumbled into the fast-flowing freezing water, which was now attempting to knock him off his feet. Suddenly he lost his footing, the water gushing over his head. Without thinking, Felicity let out a scream. She watched on in horror, her heart banging against her chest willing Fergus to reappear, her brain now in full panic.
‘There he is,’ she exhaled with relief, pointing to where Fergus reappeared above the water line. The river was bashing against his body, as his head went underneath the water for a second time.
Drew cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted with all his might. ‘FERGUS!’ He turned to Felicity. ‘I’ll have to go in after him.’
‘Wait … look!’ She pointed.
Fergus’ limbs moved slowly through the water as he managed to claw himself back up and grasp on to the fallen tree strewn across the water. Felicity gasped in relief to see he’d managed to get himself upright. The river was flowing around his thighs, swirling around his stomach and splashing into his face as he waded towards the Shetland which was now within grabbing distance.
‘The water is too fast … I can’t … I can’t…’ His voice petered out as he slipped again under the fast-flowing water.
Felicity’s heart was in her mouth. ‘Please let him be okay,’ she whispered to herself as she saw Fergus fight to get to his feet once more, his exhausted but strong arms powering through the water.
They both watched in anticipation as Fergus looped the end of the rope and tied it securely.
‘Throw it,’ instructed Drew.
Fergus flicked a quick glance over towards Drew before taking a deep breath. He focused his gaze and threw the rope successfully over the little pony’s head.
‘Yes!’ Drew shouted, triumphantly punching the air. ‘Keep hold of the rope,’ he shouted down the bank before turning towards Felicity. ‘Can you remember how to drive the tractor?’
Felicity thought for a second. There had been many summers she’d helped out at the farm. ‘Yes, I think I do.’
‘You jump in and drive it slowly, and I mean slowly. I’m going down to the water,’ Drew continued, beginning to clamber down the bank.
The snow wasn’t slowing down, and thick flakes pelted against their cheeks, clinging to their eyelashes and hair. Even though Felicity was frozen to her core it was nothing compared to what Fergus must be suffering right that very second in the freezing cold river.
Climbing into the tractor, she was relieved to have shelter from the flakes. She started driving the tractor slowly.
She could hear Drew yelling behind her and opened the door quickly to make sure everything was okay. He was back on the top of the bank and gave her the thumbs up. She continued to drive forward. She’d no clue what was going on behind her but then suddenly Drew was at the side of the vehicle banging on the window. Immediately, Felicity came to a stop and turned off the engine.
‘They’re out.’ The look of relief on Drew’s face said it all. ‘But we need to get Fergus back to the farmhouse ASAP. I’m going to take the pony over to the stable block, but I need you to drive him back. He needs to get out of those wet clothes and get warmed up. His body temperature has dropped considerably.’
Just as Drew was talking, the passenger door opened, and an exhausted Fergus wearily climbed into the tractor and slumped into the seat. He was soaked to the bone, his head bent low, his lips blue and he couldn’t stop shivering.
Felicity’s heart began to race as she took him in. She knew this didn’t look good.
‘Felicity,’ Drew said in a stern tone. ‘He needs to get out of those clothes, wrap him in blankets and put him in front of the fire. He needs a warm drink and make sure he can swallow properly. Any concerns, ring the emergency services.’
Felicity nodded, taking in every instruction even though she knew in this weather there was no ambulance getting over the bridge and up the track into Heartcross today.
Her gaze slid to Fergus again. No matter the distance and time that was between them, Felicity’s attraction towards him had never wavered. His eyes, his skin and his toned muscles still made her pulse race and as much as they had their differences, Felicity didn’t like seeing him like this. She felt worried and knew there was every possibility his condition could worsen. They didn’t speak as Felicity ploughed the tractor through the snow and pulled up outside the farmhouse.
Almost immediately the solid oak door swung open and a very pregnant Isla was standing in the doorway. Felicity jumped down from the tractor while Isla did a double take.
‘Felicity, is that you? It is!’ Isla swooped out of the doorway.
‘Isla, we need to get Fergus inside quick. He’s been in the river.’
Isla stopped in her tracks and glanced towards the passenger side. ‘The river?’ she questioned. ‘In this weather?’
‘A Shetland was stranded in the water. We’ve just rescued it. Drew’s seeing the pony into the stable.’
Fighting against the snow that was still falling heavily to the ground Isla flung open the tractor door with vigour. Taking one look at Fergus, she assessed the situation, knowing that the circumstances were serious, and began to coax Fergus down from the tractor, his body limp and shivering.
Felicity felt heartbroken and hated seeing him like this. He’d put himself in danger and was now paying the price. She knew they needed to act fast so he didn’t deteriorate any more.
‘Can you speak?’ Felicity asked softly.
His words were slurred and his teeth were chattering, ‘I’m freezing,’ he managed to say.
‘He’s not in a good way,’ Isla quickly observed. ‘Help me get him inside.’
Felicity didn’t hesitate and hurling his arms over each one of their shoulders, they helped carry Fergus into the farmhouse.
The second they were inside, Felicity supported his weight, while Isla skinned the sodden shoes and socks from his feet before leading him into the kitchen.
With the welcoming heat from the Aga and the log fire roaring, the kitchen was toasty warm. ‘Peel those clothes off him now,’ instructed Isla, ‘while I grab some towels, blankets and some of Drew’s clothes.’
Felicity hesitated, her face heated.
‘Now Felicity—’ Isla’s tone was firm ‘—time is precious, and it’s not as though you haven’t seen it all before.’ With that, she hurried out of the kitchen.
Inside her head, Felicity gave herself a talking to. Isla was right, there was no time to lose.
‘Is that okay … Fergus?’
With his teeth still chattering he just nodded and Felicity guided him to the rug in front of the fire. He continued to shiver and didn’t object to Felicity helping him out of his clothes, but he avoided eye contact with her at all costs. As she stripped off his damp clothes the familiarity was all too much for Felicity. She gently touched a body that she’d spent time loving but now, he was a distant stranger. She ran her hand over the scar on his shoulder and for a second, he allowed her a moment’s eye contact before quickly looking away.
Suddenly, it hit her hard how much she’d missed him, and a twinge of sadness ricocheted through her body. He was still overwhelmingly sexy, and she knew the second she set eyes on him she was still attracted to him. But there was no going back. She knew from past conversations with her mum that Fergus had moved on and had a family of his own now. These feelings for him were ones she needed to curb for the two weeks she was back home in Heartcross, for everyone’s sake. Fergus and Felicity had a past, as childhood sweethearts who had made plans and dreams. But that was over now.
Felicity sighed inside. What was the point in raking up the past? It wasn’t going to help either of them.
Isla returned a few minutes later, armed with blankets and a set of Drew’s clothes, and while Felicity held a towel around Fergus’s waist Isla quickly began to dress him then draped the blankets over his shoulders. Once he was safely in the old battered armchair in front of the fire she put the kettle on the hotplate of the Aga.
‘He needs warm sweet tea.’
Felicity perched on the edge of the small coffee table next to him and automatically placed her hand lightly on his knee. His eyes skimmed hers for a split second. ‘Are you feeling any better?’ she asked, trying to keep her voice bright.
Fergus looked up as Isla placed a steaming mug of tea in his hand and one in Felicity’s too. ‘Drink this slowly,’ she said to Fergus. ‘There’s a couple of sugars in that.’
He nodded and took small sips.
Isla turned back towards Felicity. ‘I’ll finally say my hellos,’ she said, with her arms open wide. Felicity stood up and hugged her as best she could with Isla’s heavily pregnant stomach in the way.
‘Good grief, you’re sodden too,’ she said, pulling away quickly. ‘Do you need a change of clothes?’
‘Honestly, I’m fine. Don’t worry about me,’ Felicity said, not wanting to make a fuss. ‘I’ll sit here and get warm by the fire. And congratulations! Look at you, all blooming. I believe it’s any minute now for this little one to make an appearance.’
Isla patted her stomach. ‘Blooming fed up. I’m more than ready for this wee one to come out now, and me, you and Allie, we need a proper catch up. I’m so glad you’re home.’ Isla pulled Felicity in for another quick hug.
Felicity felt relieved there was no awkwardness between her and Isla. It was like they’d never been apart. Isla had always been the calm friend, the voice of reason. She always saw the good in everyone and Felicity was thankful she’d welcomed her back with open arms.
Then, her thoughts turned to Allie. She knew it might not be as easy to build bridges with her. Allie was without a doubt the friend with lots of character, the feisty friend, who could hold a grudge until the cows came home … stubborn beyond belief. But even though the three of them had had their spats over the years they’d always stuck by each other no matter what … until Felicity had left the village. It was safe to say Felicity felt nervous at the thought of catching up with Allie.
‘How will Allie feel about that?’ asked Felicity, with a worried expression etched on her face.
Isla took a moment to answer. ‘I won’t try to hide the fact she was mad when you left without telling her. In fact, imagine one of those cartoon characters with steam shooting out of their ears, stomping around … I’m only joking,’ laughed Isla seeing the look of horror on Felicity’s face then taking a swift glance towards Fergus suddenly realising he’d been the reason Felicity had fled so suddenly in the first place. ‘But we know her from old, she’ll be fine,’ she quickly added, giving Felicity a knowing look with a tilt of the head towards Fergus.
Isla knew the heartache and devastation that Fergus had gone through after the tragedy; she and Drew had been left to pick up the pieces. But Felicity had no idea the effect her leaving had had on Fergus. Isla and Drew had never seen him so low, and he’d been lost without Felicity.
Fergus coughed and they both spun around towards him.
‘How’re you doing, Fergus?’ Isla asked, tentatively.
‘I’m okay, I’m just starting to feel a little normal again.’ They both noticed his teeth had finally stopped chattering and it was also a good sign that Fergus’s speech was normal, the colour of his lips gradually returning to a pinkish colour.
‘Is there anything I can get you?’ Isla asked, but before Fergus could answer Drew bounded through the kitchen door, stripping off his own wet coat from his back.
‘How are you?’ Drew placed a hand on his mate’s shoulder.
‘I’m doing okay, the cold was just a bit of a shock.’
‘He looks surprisingly good compared to the way he looked about ten minutes ago,’ Isla added, looking between Drew and Fergus.
‘There was a split second I didn’t think we’d get the pony out of there – or you for that matter.’
‘How is the pony?’ asked Isla placing the biscuit barrel on the table. ‘You need sugar,’ she said to Fergus passing him a biscuit before turning back towards Drew.
‘I’ve dried her off, put the heat lamps on in the barn and buckled on two fleece coats to warm her up, but with her thick coat we shouldn’t have any problems. She’s got plenty of hay. I’ll check on her again after I’ve taken Flick home and picked up Finn.’
‘Or you could stay for tea,’ suggested Isla, looking at Felicity. ‘There’s last night’s leftover curry and Finn would love to meet you.’
Felicity swallowed and shot a quick look over at Fergus, who wasn’t forthcoming with any encouragement – but why would he be? She was probably the last person he wanted to spend any time with.
‘I’d love to, but I’ve only just arrived home and Mum will be expecting me and the logs.’
‘The logs!’ Drew threw his hands up the air. ‘I’ve forgotten the logs with everything. I’ll load them up now and get you home to Rona.’
‘Thanks Drew, I’ll come and help. We’ll do it in half the time.’
‘If you’re sure?’
As Felicity stood to leave, she hovered at the side of Fergus. Her mind was in complete overdrive. She knew there was unfinished business between them, but this wasn’t the right time to bring any of it up.
‘Fergus…’ Felicity took a breath. ‘Can I come and see you?’ Feeling the emotion rise up inside her, she swallowed hard. Fergus didn’t look up but stared into the fire with the blankets still firmly wrapped around his shoulders. His features had suddenly become expressive. Disapproval was etched into every line, but he didn’t respond, leaving Isla and Drew exchanging uncomfortable looks.
Felicity’s lower lip quivered as she followed Isla into the hallway. As soon as they were out of ear shot of Fergus, Isla spoke. ‘He’ll come round, it’s just the shock of seeing you again,’ she said softly, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.
Felicity tried for a smile; the sad thing was that deep down she knew Fergus was still hurting. She was still hurting too. At one time Fergus would have given her the world but now he could barely make eye contact with her. She’d thrown away everything.
‘I hope so Isla, I really hope so.’
Chapter 4 (#u611af9e5-bfbf-5454-8ff9-f925684e032b)
Back at the cottage the fire was nearly out when Drew and Felicity arrived. Fighting against the blizzard outside, Drew kindly loaded all the wood into the log shed and hauled in a huge basket of wood and placed it by the fire.
‘This should keep you going until morning,’ he said, bending down and poking the embers of the fire before throwing a few more logs into the grate. Within no time at all the fire was thankfully roaring once more.
Rona was more than thankful to Drew and offered him a cup of tea and slice of cake which he was grateful for.
‘Meredith has invited everyone over to the pub tonight for chilli. Are you and Isla going?’ asked Rona turning towards Drew.
‘It’s the first I’ve heard of it but if it’s an open invitation I’m not one to pass up on Meredith’s chilli, and I think it will do Isla good to get out for a while.’
‘Yes, it’s an open invitation. I think she thought everyone would have had quite a day of it with the weather and wouldn’t feel much like cooking.’
‘And she is right, we were having leftover curry. God love that woman, always thinking of others. I’ll pick up Finn from his friend’s and we’ll see you over the pub in about an hour,’ he said, finishing his tea and cake before pulling on his coat that had been warming on the armchair in front of the fire.
‘Good, good,’ said Rona, showing Drew to the front door after Felicity thanked him for rescuing her suitcase and bringing her home.
While she could still hear Rona chatting away to Drew, Felicity wandered through to the kitchen and placed the kettle on the hotplate of the Aga. The sound of the constant dripping from the tap caught her attention but however hard she tried she couldn’t get it to stop. Taking a look around the room she noticed that the place not only seemed tired, but the room felt quite chilly too. She placed her hand on the radiator. It was stone cold and she shivered. The only heat was coming from the Aga. She wandered over to the pantry and opened up the door, astonished to find the shelves near enough bare, when they’d always been packed to the brim with baking ingredients for the teashop cakes.
Felicity could still hear her mum and Drew talking so unlocked the duck-egg coloured door next to the pantry which led into the teashop. She switched on the light and stood and stared.
Drew had been right; this place looked like it hadn’t been in use for a while. Everywhere seemed worn, tired and washed out. Felicity brushed her hand over the counter and a mushroom of dust danced before her eyes. The whole place seemed so lifeless, so colourless. Even the shabby chic coloured bunting that criss-crossed the ceiling looked drab; it had definitely seen better days.
Felicity walked past all the chairs neatly pushed underneath the tables towards the front of the shop. She could visualise her grandmother standing in the front window smoothing down her white pinny before waving madly at her as she walked home from school along Love Heart Lane. Every night, without fail she’d waited in the window at the same time.
Felicity couldn’t help but wonder what had happened here and began to feel guilty and confused. How did she not know the shop had closed? This was her mum’s livelihood.
Through the window Felicity watched Drew climb into his tractor and wave goodbye to Rona as he drove off back home towards Foxglove Farm. The rest of the lane was silent. The line of houses on Love Heart Lane looked like a picturesque snowy Christmas card, with some of the cottages in complete darkness while others were lit up. There was a romantic feel about the place.
Felicity watched Rory, who lived opposite, as he stood in the middle of his living room hugging a mug. She and Rory had grown up together in the village and like everyone else in Heartcross, they had once been good friends. Rory had always known from an early age that he wanted to be a vet. His parents Stuart and Alana Scott ran the veterinary surgery in the village, and Rory was now in partnership with them.
Felicity heard a noise behind her and spun round as Rona appeared by her side. ‘I wondered where you’d got to.’
‘Mum, what’s happened to this place? Why didn’t you tell me the teashop wasn’t up and running?’
The teashop was a place where Felicity had spent most of her free time as a young girl, especially in the school holidays. She’d worked alongside her mum and grandmother helping to bake the scrumptious cakes Bonnie was famously known for, and when she was in her teens she’d waited tables. Early mornings had always been Felicity’s favourite time. The mouth-watering aromas that had drifted from Bonnie’s kitchen were a great start to the day. Before school, Felicity had always helped to arrange the home-baked pastries and cakes in the open counter and on the numerous glass-domed cake stands in exchange for her daily gingerbread man that she took to school without fail.
Most weekends this small teashop would be jam-packed with passing ramblers who’d trek through the mountainous terrain of Heartcross and sample the delicious delights of Bonnie Stewart’s baking. Her grandmother had opened the tearoom on a whim. Her cottage was the last stop on Love Heart Lane before the hikers ventured on the three-hour rocky trek to reach the summit of Heartcross Mountain. It was a great last stop to fuel the body and grab a cuppa and of course use the bathroom facilities.
As Rona pondered the answer to the question a look of pain crossed her face. ‘It’s not been that easy, Felicity.’ Her voice was low and shaky taking Felicity by surprise. Her mum had always been a tower of strength and seeing the look on her mother’s face, she felt numb, an entire stock of emotions running through her body. ‘What do you mean?’ she asked hesitantly.
‘I tried my best,’ said Rona, holding on to the last trace of pride.
Felicity’s heart sank.
‘I couldn’t do everything.’
Feeling wretched, Felicity blinked back the tears that brimmed in her eyes. The business her grandmother had worked so hard for lay in ruins. What had her grandmother thought? The teashop closed, her hopes and dreams dashed. Felicity swallowed hard. She’d never thought in a million years that this place would close. Add in the factor that her mum was clearly struggling, and Felicity felt shaken by it all.
‘I tried to keep things afloat but everything just spiralled out of control. It all got a bit too much for me.’
The comfortingly familiar life and beloved teashop had folded around Rona and Felicity had been none the wiser. She was devastated that she’d been caught up in her own little world and never realised how bad things had got back home. This place had been the heart of the community for decades, and this was a hurdle that they needed to get over. This place couldn’t stay shut. In deep thought, Felicity linked her arm through her mum’s and turned to slowly walk back into the kitchen of the cottage.
‘I’ll make us a hot drink and bring it through. You go and sit down.’
Rona nodded and settled down on the wingback chair in front of the fire. As soon as the drinks were made Felicity slid herself on to the battered old chesterfield.
‘How long has the shop been closed?’
Rona looked up at her daughter. ‘About eight months.’ She let out a breath. ‘Everything seemed to all go wrong at once.’
‘You mean with Grandma being ill.’
Rona nodded. ‘That was the start of it, but not just that, there was this place too. Everything seemed to break at once. The boiler packed up, the tap’s beginning to leak and looking after your grandma full time meant I couldn’t juggle the shop.’ The tone to her voice was sad.
Felicity sat back and digested this information, ‘Did you get any help with Grandma?’
Rona shook her head and took a sip of her drink. ‘No, all those years ago we’d made a pact; when the time came, she never ever wanted to go into a home. I promised I would care for her until the very end and that’s what I did. She dedicated her life to looking after me, looking after us when you were growing up. I couldn’t even afford my own house after your father died, there was no life insurance or any spare cash. We’d always lived here with Mum and after putting a roof over our heads all this time it wasn’t a big ask. I kept my promise.’
A small tear slid down Rona’s face. ‘I miss her so much. And there’s still so much to sort out, her clothes and belongings, but I just can’t face it all at the minute.’
‘I can help with all that while I’m here.’
Rona smiled with appreciation towards her daughter.
‘Mum, I’m so sorry.’ Felicity was heartbroken and surprised to discover how hard things had become for her mum.
‘It’s not your fault, you have your own life, and your grandmother wouldn’t have wanted you to come home just for her.’
Felicity knew her life hadn’t been all that in the past year. She could have come home at any time to help and felt disappointed in herself that she hadn’t supported her mother more.
‘And the boiler, is that fixed? It does seem awfully cold in the cottage.’
Rona regretfully shook her head, ‘Unfortunately, with the teashop being shut I’ve lost my income and just didn’t have the money to get it fixed. Any savings I had, I used them to get by … to live on for the last eight months.’
Felicity stared at her mum. She couldn’t believe for all this time she had been struggling by herself. ‘How are you heating the water?’
‘With the kettle. I’ve been boiling the water on the Aga to have a wash. It’s going to be all right,’ Rona quickly added with a wan smile.
Felicity’s eyes widened; she couldn’t believe her mum was living like this. Twelve months ago, this cottage had been spick and span, everything gleamed, and the teashop had been packed to the brim with customers, and now everything had changed in such a short space of time.
‘Why didn’t you ask for help, surely Drew would have taken a look at the boiler for you?’
‘I don’t like to bother people and anyway he’s got enough on his plate with the new baby on the way.’
‘Mum, you wouldn’t be bothering them. They’d be upset knowing you’ve been living like this; they would never ever see you in a pickle and without a proper source of heat, especially in the winter months.’
Rona sipped her drink. She was a proud, strong, independent woman and had always been in control, but things had begun to slip when Bonnie had become ill.
‘There’s also Rory – and even Fergus wouldn’t see you struggling surely.’
Now it was Rona’s turn to stare at her daughter. ‘That’s the first time I’ve heard you mention his name in a long time,’ she said in astonishment.
Felicity had avoided saying Fergus’s name out loud for years; the memories were too painful, and she thought if she pretended he didn’t exist it would all go away, but of course it was never going to go away. It was always going to be there.
Felicity exhaled. ‘I’ve seen him.’
Taking Rona by surprise she sat up straight. ‘You’ve seen Fergus? When? Where?’
‘Today, up at the farm. One of Drew’s Shetlands was stranded in the river. Fergus went in after it and Drew and I helped to rescue them.’
‘In this weather? He’d catch his death.’
‘He nearly did.’ The pang of worry was still firmly in the pit of her stomach.
‘How is he?’
‘He’s okay now,’ answered Felicity, thinking of a cold Fergus shivering out of control.
‘And how did that go down … seeing you?’
Felicity sighed. ‘Difficult, he wasn’t over the moon to see me, which of course is understandable.’
‘Did you talk?’
Felicity shook her head. ‘Not really, it wasn’t the time or the place, but I will. And anyway—’ she attempted to change the subject ‘—what are we going to do about this boiler? We can’t go on boiling kettles on the Aga.’
Rona sighed. ‘There’s a quote on the dresser, but it’s over a thousand pounds for a new one.’
Felicity stood up and wandered over to the stack of papers piled up and stared down at the quote. ‘Mum, let me help. I can pay this.’
‘That’s very kind of you but…’
‘But nothing, I insist. I’ve a little saved up with all the extra work over Christmas and there’s no way I’m going back to London leaving you here with no hot water or heat.’ Felicity flicked a glance towards the living-room clock – it was now past five o’clock. ‘I’ll give them a ring first thing in the morning.’
Rona blinked back her tears and her face brightened. ‘Thank you.’
‘You don’t need to thank me and please talk to me in the future. Let me know if you need help.’
Rona nodded. ‘I will, I promise.’ She got to her feet and enveloped her daughter in a hug. ‘It’s good to have you home, even if it’s only for a little while.’
Felicity felt the love and warmth from her mother as she wrapped her arms tightly around her. She made a promise to herself there and then that she would come home more and ring as often as possible.
‘What time do we need to be at the pub?’ asked Felicity, releasing herself from her mother’s arms and suddenly feeling ravenous.
‘Anytime now,’ answered Rona, looking towards the window. The snow was still coming down thick and fast. ‘Everyone will be there, you know.’ Rona held her daughter’s gaze and Felicity nodded her understanding.
‘Might as well get it over with.’
‘How are you feeling?’
‘A little apprehensive. I know it sounds daft but maybe a little scared of seeing Allie again … I caught up with Isla this afternoon, she was lovely to me. It was like I’d never been away. But I’m not sure how Allie is going to react. She took it badly when I left … and she’s not as forgiving as Isla.’
‘And there’s Aggie too.’ Rona cocked an eyebrow.
Every time Felicity had come back to the village for a brief visit she’d tried not to think about bumping into Aggie but she knew it was going to happen sooner rather than later and it was something she wasn’t looking forward to.
Aggie Campbell was Fergus’s mother, and he lived with her in Fox Hollow Cottage, just at the bottom of Love Heart Lane. Aggie was without a doubt a kind woman, but she had strong opinions, especially when it came to her only son whom she doted on.
‘I know.’
‘And it’s more than likely Fergus will be there. If he’s okay after today.’
Every time Felicity thought of Fergus she felt a tremor of emotion that she couldn’t quite place. She closed her eyes for a split second, the image of him and his soft smile firmly on her mind. If she closed her eyes tight enough she could still feel his strong arms around her and his woody, manly smell as she snuggled into his chest all those years ago. There was a time she’d thought Fergus would always be by her side, every step of the way, growing old together – but she’d messed that up. She gave herself a little shake. All that was in the past. She needed to accept that.
‘It will be okay, you know. I’m sure there will be a time when you can be civil together.’
Felicity really hoped so. She’d never admitted it to anyone before but there were times when she suffered bouts of depression, wondering what her life would have been like if she’d stayed in Heartcross. Would she and Fergus still be together? Would they have gotten over the heartache? Would she have been enough for him? She would never know the answers to those questions. In fact, she’d cried a lot in London, pretending to be perfectly happy, creating a new existence that was basically a pretence.
Of course there had been good times but once the initial excitement and adventure had worn off she’d wanted to go back home on numerous occasions. However, her pride had always stopped her. She’d suffered for her actions and seeing the look Fergus had given her today, it was clear he’d suffered too. She knew him from old and he was still hurting. Over time, Felicity had learnt to block out her deep sadness, but seeing Fergus again, she knew the feelings she’d once had for him were still very much there.
Chapter 5 (#u611af9e5-bfbf-5454-8ff9-f925684e032b)
After stamping her snowy boots on the mat outside, Felicity’s nervousness peaked the second she walked through the door of The Grouse and Haggis, the pub owned by Meredith and Fraser, Allie’s parents. This was the first time she’d stepped inside the pub for a very long time but it was exactly how she remembered it. The oak beams ran right across the low ceiling, the private alcoves were still plumped with bright-coloured cushions and the log fire roared.
Huge aluminium pots of chilli and baskets of crusty bread lay on a long trestle table stretched out at the side of the bar ready to feed the hungry villagers.
‘How’re you feeling?’ Rona whispered under her breath.
‘Nervous,’ mumbled Felicity locking eyes with Meredith who was serving Heather the postmistress with a drink.
Immediately, Meredith hitched a smile on her face and scuttled around the bar with her arms flung open wide, hugging Felicity like she was a long lost relative. ‘Felicity … Felicity, my dear girl, it’s great to have you home. It’s been too long.’ If anyone hadn’t spotted Felicity walking into the pub, they certainly knew of her arrival now – she felt like the whole pub was looking her way. Felicity was very fond of Meredith and Fraser; in fact, they used to call her their second daughter. As children, Felicity and Allie had been inseparable and even through their teenage years they had been as thick as thieves.
Felicity pulled gently away from Meredith’s hug to find Fraser now standing next to his wife. ‘Welcome home, Felicity, let me get you a drink. What would you like?’ he asked.
‘Thanks Fraser, a gin and tonic please, and for you, Mum?’ Felicity turned towards her mum.
Meredith touched Rona’s arm. ‘The usual?’ She smiled and Rona simply nodded.
‘Wait until Allie sees you, she’s just collecting the wood from the shed to keep these fires going. She’ll be back in in a minute.’
Felicity felt a little uneasy watching Meredith and Fraser disappear back behind the bar. Meredith seemed unaware of the possible friction between Allie and herself or maybe she’d just forgotten over time.
‘Why don’t you go out the back and catch up with her?’ Meredith suggested, passing the drinks over the bar.
Felicity hesitated and looked towards her mum. She’d no clue how Allie was going to react to her homecoming but she knew she was going to have to face her at some point. Maybe it would be better to slip out the back to see Allie for the first time without a group of lookers watching their every move. ‘Are you going to be okay?’ Felicity asked her mum.
‘Why wouldn’t I be okay? I’ve been drinking in this pub on my own for as long as I can remember,’ she said, with a small chuckle. ‘You go and see Allie, see how the land lies … try and put things right.’
Fraser nodded towards the oak door at the far end of the pub. ‘You know the way.’
Feeling apprehensive, Felicity clutched her drink and weaved her way through the villagers. The pub was full to the brim and despite the bad snowfall everyone seemed in good spirits. Felicity spotted Hamish from the village shop who tilted his flat cap and gave her a wave, and then she noticed Rory slipping in through the side door. As soon as he spotted her he stopped dead in his tracks. ‘Hey, Flick!’ He flashed her a grin. ‘You’re home! Welcome back.’
Rory hadn’t changed a bit. He was slim, clean shaven and his dark hair with a hint of auburn was still styled in the same way. His pale blue eyes glinted back at her.
‘I am indeed! How are you?’
‘Me … I’m good, same old, same old … working hard as usual. I’m sorry to hear about Bonnie.’ He quickly gave his condolences before carrying on, telling Felicity that all was good in the land of animals except for the snowy weather that was forecast for the next few days.
‘Have you seen Allie yet?’ he asked.
‘I’m just going through to the back now,’ Felicity answered, feeling her heart thump a little faster.
Rory must have noticed the uneasy look on Felicity’s face. ‘Don’t worry … we both know her bark’s worse than her bite. She’s actually missed you, you know.’
‘How would you know?’ Felicity narrowed her eyes at him.
‘Because we’ve talked about it … and she still talks about you a lot.’
‘We?’
Rory gave Felicity a grin.
‘You and Allie are together?’
He nodded. ‘Yes, just under twelve months now.’
Elated by the thought of them being together, Felicity couldn’t help but give Rory a quick hug. As teenagers, Felicity had teased Allie that they would make the perfect couple, but Rory had gone off to university while Allie had stayed in Heartcross working alongside her parents in the pub.
‘I always said you were made for each other.’ She grinned.
‘You did, that.’ Rory touched Felicity’s arm tentatively before spotting his parents at the bar.
Taking a deep breath, Felicity turned the wrought iron ring of the pub’s oak back door and stooped her head under the low frame, stepping down the stone steps into the pub’s living quarters. She could hear footsteps from the backyard and spotted Allie lugging wood in from the shed, placing the logs in large wicker baskets. The last time she’d seen Allie was the night she’d left Heartcross. Felicity truly regretted cutting out everyone from her life, but it had been the only way she could cope at the time. Standing there, she suddenly yearned for her old friendship. A friendship that had stood the test of time until she’d taken herself off to London.
Felicity took a deep breath before speaking. ‘Hey,’ she said softly, causing Allie to jump and spin round. ‘I didn’t mean to startle you.’
For a brief moment, Allie just stared at her which left Felicity unsure of what to say next.
‘You okay?’ added Felicity quickly.
‘I didn’t expect to see you … it’s been a while,’ Allie answered as she carried on throwing logs in to the basket and looked away.
Felicity walked towards her and leant against the door frame.
‘I’m back to see Mum after Grandma…’ Felicity’s voice faltered.
‘I’m sorry about Bonnie, we all are. Everyone really misses her.’ Allie’s tone was sincere and she softened for a moment.
‘Thanks, it’s a difficult time, especially for Mum.’
Feeling emotional, tears welled up in Felicity’s eyes and there was a distinctive wobble in her voice. They both stared at each other for a moment in an awkward silence.
Felicity was hoping that Allie would step forward with her arms open wide, but it wasn’t forthcoming. She knew she’d treated her friend appallingly in the past but she hadn’t been thinking about anyone else when she’d left Heartcross. Only about protecting herself.
‘Allie…’ Felicity took a breath. ‘I’m—’
‘Let’s not do this now,’ Allie interrupted. ‘There’s a pub full of hungry people, and I really need to help Mum behind the bar.’
Felicity nodded. ‘Soon?’
‘Soon.’
Allie carried one of the baskets of logs and Felicity grabbed the other before following Allie back through the oak door and into the pub. ‘Rory just told me you’re together. I always said you were a match made in heaven,’ said Felicity, trying to lighten the mood and make conversation.
Allie hitched a small smile on her face but didn’t say a word. Felicity could still feel a frosty tension between them. Allie wasn’t as forgiving as Isla.
‘You do make the perfect couple,’ Felicity continued.
They placed the wicker baskets on each side of the log fire. ‘Yes, we do. We all used to say the same about you and Fergus.’ Allie’s tone was curt.
Felicity did her best not to let it upset her, but she knew Allie was never going to be a pushover and let her back in like Isla.
‘I’ve seen Isla too … I didn’t realise she had another baby on the way.’ Felicity tried to soften the conversation.
‘Well and truly on the way, in fact it could arrive at any time,’ answered Allie, swooping up the empty glasses from the nearby table but not catching her eye.
Felicity swallowed and took a deep breath. ‘Isla’s suggested maybe we have a proper catch up … that’s if you’re free?’
Allie thought for a second. ‘We’ll see… tomorrow is my night off,’ she replied, giving Felicity a glimmer of hope.
Felicity watched as Allie spotted Rory and smiled before disappearing back behind the bar to serve the customers.
‘So, how is life in the big city? Single, married…?’ probed Rory as Felicity stood next to him at the bar.
Felicity let out a breath. ‘Very much single.’
‘Really?’ His eyes widened.
‘I know it’s hard to believe,’ joked Felicity, ‘but really.’
‘How’s the job?’ Rory perched on the stool and Felicity sat next to him.
‘That’s not going brilliant either,’ she admitted. ‘It’s all doom and gloom in the life of Felicity Simons.’
‘Really? Your mum seems to think everything is hunky dory, working so hard that you couldn’t even have time off over Christmas.’
Instantly Felicity felt guilty once more. ‘That’s what I’d like her to think.’ She took a swooping glance over towards her mum who was chatting away to Rory’s parents, Stuart and Alana, at the other end of the bar.
‘The department store where I work has been sold to a company that has new ideas and seems more interested in making money than any sort of decent customer service. Let’s just say I don’t exactly gel with the new boss.’
‘One of those “let’s stamp my mark and change everything” types?’ asked Rory. ‘What do you think you are going to do about it?’
‘I’ve absolutely no idea,’ she sighed. ‘Going into work these days has had all the fun squeezed out of it. Time for a change I suppose … but I need to work out what that change is. How’s life at the practice?’ asked Felicity, taking a swig of her drink.
‘Good, really good. How long are you around for?’
‘A couple of weeks.’
‘Plenty of time to catch up then,’ he said, touching her gently on the shoulder.
Felicity had always liked Rory. He was such a kind-hearted person, always there with a smile on his face – someone who would do anything for anyone. She took a moment to think about Fergus. Allie had a good man in Rory and she knew that she’d always had a good man in Fergus. If only…
Starting to feel peckish, Felicity glanced over her shoulder and noticed a queue forming at the end of the long trestle table. At that very moment, Allie rang the bell behind the bar and shouted, ‘Help yourself to food!’
Within seconds, the lids of the aluminium pots were removed and the villagers began to spoon vast amounts of good wholesome food into their bowls.
Rona was near the front of queue. She made her way over to Felicity, offering her a bowl of chilli that Felicity gladly took from her mum’s hand.
By now, Rory had joined Allie and they were chatting with some of the other locals who were staring out of the window to the white street. The snow was still falling thick and fast. Felicity sat by the window and watched the flakes as she ate the delicious food. There was something very romantic about the first fall of snow.
She remembered a time when she had been woken up by the sound of a thud on her window pane. Thinking that a bird had flown into her window, she’d jumped out of bed only to find that snow had fallen through the night, and there standing in her garden was Fergus grinning up at her. He’d built the biggest snowman she’d ever set eyes on and was throwing snowballs at her window. They’d spent the day sledging on Heartcross Hill along with the rest of the villagers. It had been such fun and that was when she’d realised how strongly she was attracted to him. He was her ideal man and she’d fallen hook, line and sinker for Fergus Campbell.
‘Penny for them?’ asked Rona, who sat down next to Felicity and took a fleeting glance outside at the freshly fallen snow.
‘Ah, it’s nothing,’ Felicity replied, although she didn’t sound convincing. She didn’t want to admit how she’d messed up her life by running away to the big smoke, but sitting in the pub for the first time in a long time she realised she missed the familiarity of this place and the people who lived here.
She knew her time in London was nearly up and that she was falling out of love with the place. It had served a purpose at a time she needed it most but now she needed to make some tough decisions about her job and her life.
Rona didn’t press her daughter. She took the hint and changed the subject, but not before saying, ‘You know where I am if you want to talk.’
‘Thanks Mum,’ Felicity said, taking a sip of her drink.
Considering the number of villagers standing around, they were all relatively quiet while eating their food.
Felicity felt a slight draught as the pub door swung open. She didn’t realise she’d let out a long shuddering sigh, until Rona looked up. ‘You okay?’
Felicity didn’t answer and Rona followed her daughter’s gaze. Aggie Campbell had just walked into the pub.
Aggie hadn’t changed a bit over the years. A thin woman, around five foot five, she had a slim build and long dark hair. She was dressed casually in jeans, a tweed jacket with a neck scarf, and she stamped her snow boots on the mat and took off her gloves before rubbing her hands together. Both Fraser and Meredith shouted a warm welcome over the bar to her.
Felicity knew her mum’s relationship had suffered with Aggie when she’d ran from the village. Before that, they’d been good friends and often enjoyed nights out with each other. Aggie had even worked at the teashop when Rona and Bonnie had been short staffed. But then Felicity had broken her son’s heart and everything had changed. Afterwards, their friendship had become very strained knowing the pain each of their offspring was suffering.
The second Aggie’s eyes met Felicity’s, they narrowed, and she stopped dead in her tracks. This was a moment Felicity hadn’t been looking forward to and, feeling anxious, she shifted her bowl to make room for her elbows on the table and waited to see what would happen next. Her heart was thumping fast and she wondered frantically how she could make herself invisible, but it was too late. She could see Aggie walking over in their direction.
‘Well, you’re back then?’ Aggie coughed, bringing her hand to her chest. She tried to compose herself and wiped her mouth with a tissue.
Felicity looked up at Aggie who was now standing at the side of the table, her expression revealing exactly how she was feeling.
‘Aggie, we don’t want any trouble. We are just grabbing some food like everyone else in the village.’ Rona’s tone was firm.
Felicity shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
Aggie coughed some more before attempting to speak again. ‘I hope you have the good grace to stay away from Fergus while you’re here.’
There was no sign of the friendly woman Felicity had once known. There’d been a time when Felicity would have considered Aggie a good friend, another mother figure in her life. Whilst Felicity had been with Fergus, she’d spent many a Sunday afternoon curled up on Aggie’s sofa watching films after enjoying a huge roast dinner cooked by Aggie alongside a mouth-watering dessert. But once they’d split, Aggie had changed towards Felicity in a heartbeat, the relationship they once had completely evaporated. The last time Felicity had seen Aggie had been the night she’d left Heartcross, Fergus sobbing in her arms, screaming at the taxi for Felicity to stay. But Felicity had left, leaving a devastated Fergus standing on Love Heart Lane, his heart breaking and hers too.
Felicity knew Aggie had good reason to be cold and was obviously determined that Felicity should still suffer for her actions all those years ago.
Thankfully, Felicity and Rona didn’t have a chance to respond.
‘Grandma, Grandma,’ an excited voice squealed. ‘Have you seen the snow?’ Esme appeared in the pub with a woman that Felicity had never seen before.
Aggie coughed again before she spun round to see her granddaughter running towards her. She opened her arms wide before the little girl launched herself at Aggie who spun her around a couple of times while she giggled. Placing her feet firmly back on the floor Aggie kissed the girl on both cheeks then grasped her hands.
‘Let’s get you something to eat and you know what, with all this snow still falling there will be no school tomorrow which means…’
‘We can build the biggest snowman ever!’ the girl shrieked.
Felicity watched Aggie wander over towards the food table still chatting away to her granddaughter and felt a tug at her heart. The little girl standing in front of her with a string of russet freckles scattered across her nose and those big brown eyes must be Fergus’s daughter.
‘Is that…’
‘Yes, that’s Esme,’ said Rona, squeezing her daughter’s hand.
All Felicity could do was stare at the beautiful little girl. Of course, she knew Esme existed and that Fergus was now a proud dad, but over the years she’d tried not to think about it. Esme must be around six years old now, and Felicity could still remember the night her mum had telephoned her in London to tell her the news that Fergus was expecting a child. Her heart felt as though it had been stabbed, it hurt that much. And although it had been her choice to leave Heartcross, she’d never thought that Fergus would move on so quickly. For her it had still been way too soon.
Felicity hadn’t asked her mum for details. In fact, she told her mum that she didn’t want any more updates from Heartcross, and that was when she’d cut herself off from everyone here.
She knew it wasn’t going to be easy coming back. As she finished her drink she spotted Isla and Drew who’d slipped in through the back door and tried to fix a smile on her face. Isla was clutching the hand of a handsome little boy, similar in age to Esme. The second he saw Esme he ran off towards her. Drew weaved his way to the bar leaving Isla to have a look around, and when she spotted Felicity and Rona sitting at the table in the window, she smiled and made her way over.
‘Drew said you’d be here … do you mind if we join you?’
‘Be my guest,’ answered Felicity, gesturing to the empty chair. She watched Isla slump into it.
‘I’ll be glad to get this little mite out, I feel like a barrel.’
Rona smiled. ‘Then the fun really begins.’
‘How’s things?’ Isla tactfully nodded her head towards Allie.
‘A little frosty but I did mention about getting together very soon.’
‘And…’
‘And she didn’t say no.’
‘That’s a start. I’ll catch up with her in a minute and see when she’s free, but with this weather I’m not sure I’m up to waddling very far. Maybe you could both come over to the farm? I’ll get Finn into bed early and cook us something nice to eat.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Absolutely.’
‘Sounds like a plan,’ said Felicity who also didn’t want to venture out too far in this weather.
Drew appeared back at the table with a smile and handed a drink to Isla. ‘Shall I get us some food?’
‘That would be lovely.’ Isla smiled up at him, not wanting to put any more weight on her feet just yet. Drew gave his wife a quick peck on the top of her head then disappeared off towards the table of food.
There was some sort of commotion going on in the far corner of the pub and raised voices could be heard. Rona strained her neck to see what was going on, before standing up and making her way over to the group of villagers that were huddled in the corner. Hamish was trying to calm things down and looked very official standing there with his pen poised against a clipboard.
‘That all looks very serious,’ commented Felicity to Isla. ‘What’s going on?’
‘Urgent meeting, because of the snow. There’s no deliveries scheduled now for a few more days and the bad weather has come early, taking everyone by surprise.’
Felicity knew the delivery trucks into Heartcross ran like clockwork, and everyone relied on them. Usually even in the bleakest mid-winters everything ran smoothly but for a meeting to be held, there must be real concerns.
‘But Heartcross is used to this kind of weather and is usually prepared,’ said Felicity, still looking in the direction of Hamish.
‘Usually, but we all thought we had a couple more days until the weather turned. Hamish had upped the grocery delivery to the shop but with this severe snowfall no more trucks will be able to get through until the snow thaws,’ said Isla with concern.
Drew appeared by Isla’s side and handed her a bowl. ‘Here, eat this.’
‘Thanks. How’s Hamish getting on over there? Have you listened in?’ asked Isla, seeing even more villagers gathering around.
‘Hamish is making it pretty clear he can’t just sell the produce on the shelves to one person, and that it needs to be distributed fairly to each household until the delivery trucks can get through. But people are concerned and they’re arguing amongst themselves, that’s why I’ve escaped for a second … taking a breather.’
‘Any news on the school?’ asked Isla, noticing Jessica, Finn’s teacher, chatting to Rory.
Felicity looked up, Jessica was the woman who’d brought Esme into the pub.
‘Not only is Jessica stranded in the village due to the weather, she’s just announced the school is closed until further notice. She’s had to rent a room with Julia at the B&B. There’s no way she can drive her car down the track and over the bridge.’ Drew placed his hand in the small of his wife’s back. ‘Which means Finn is going to be home from tomorrow but I promise I’ll help out as much as I can.’
There was no hiding Isla’s sigh, she barely had the energy to put on her own socks never mind entertain a six-year-old.
‘Normally, I wouldn’t mind. I enjoy him being home but it’s just a little tiring at the moment waiting for this one to make an appearance.’ She patted her stomach and felt a kick. ‘He’s being a little live wire tonight.’
‘I can help out while I’m here. I had visions of me working in the teashop to pass some time but…’
‘Give your mum some time, it’s been difficult,’ interrupted Isla. ‘And thank you, I’d love to see as much of you as possible whilst your back.’ Isla smiled at Felicity, meaning every word.
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of Hamish raising his voice, ‘If anyone would like to volunteer…’ He looked hopefully at the crowd of people.
No one answered.
‘You can’t all stand here demanding to know how I’ll allocate my produce when no one is willing to help.’ He sounded exasperated.
Felicity stood up and wandered over to the crowd. ‘What is it you need Hamish?’
‘I need another pair of hands. Firstly, we need to concentrate on the perishable goods and make sure it doesn’t go to waste and then we need to come up with a plan for the rest of the stock.’
Felicity determinedly stepped forward. ‘I’ll help you with that, no problem.’ Felicity knew that with her own experience at work, she could easily scan through the stock lists and share out the food as fairly as possible. ‘I’ve got time on my hands while I’m home.’
Hamish’s face lit up. ‘Felicity Simons, are you serious?’
‘Deadly serious.’
‘You are a gem.’ He beamed, looking like a huge weight had lifted from his shoulders.
‘What time do you want me in the morning?’
‘Eight o’clock?’
‘Eight o’clock it is.’ She smiled at Hamish before noticing the proud smile on her mum’s face. ‘Can I make a small suggestion?’
‘Of course,’ answered Hamish, waiting to hear what Felicity had to say.
‘Priority food maybe needs to go to the care home first, the elderly.’
‘Indeed, we can draw up a list and hopefully the next truck will be able to get through as soon as the snow thaws.’
Everyone agreed, and Felicity joined Isla back at the table.
‘Look at you,’ grinned Isla as Felicity sat back down opposite her. ‘Back in Heartcross two minutes and taking control. Hamish will never want to let you go if you can keep that lot in order.’
‘Well, someone had to step in. Otherwise those perishable goods would be even more perishable by the time they sorted themselves out.’
Isla tried to laugh but her face paled. She clutched her stomach before letting out a tiny groan.
‘What is it?’
‘How are you at delivering babies?’ She sucked in a breath and grimaced.
Instantly, Felicity felt her eyes well up with tears and swallowed down the lump in her throat. Her body surged with emotions she’d managed to keep locked away for a very long time, taking her by complete surprise. The guilt always hit first, wondering if she could have done something different – was the miscarriage down to her, could she have done anything else? The sense of loss never left her.
Isla noticed the colour had drained from Felicity’s face.
‘Oh my gosh, Flick, I’m so sorry, I really wasn’t thinking,’ said Isla, immediately reaching over the table and squeezing her hand.
‘It’s okay, really it is,’ Felicity replied, her voice shaky. ‘Shall I get Drew or even Rory?’
‘Rory … he’s a vet!’ Isla laughed, trying to lighten the mood but still clutching her stomach tightly.
‘It’s got to be the same difference, delivery of a baby or a lamb,’ smiled Felicity.
‘Luckily for everyone it’s those Braxton Hicks, nothing to worry about. I’m sorry Flick, I really didn’t mean to upset you.’
‘I know you didn’t. And I can’t hide myself away from every pregnant woman I see,’ said Felicity, even though she knew for a very long time she hadn’t been able to even look at a pregnant woman.
‘Are you going to try and talk to Fergus while you’re back?’
‘Aggie’s already warned me off him.’
Isla rolled her eyes, ‘She’s been under the weather recently; she’s got this cough that she can’t shift so her mood is probably not the best, but you know Aggie from old … her bark’s worse than her bite. Your reasons for leaving were about you. You were grieving and had to do what you needed to do. No one should judge you for it.’
Felicity was grateful that Isla understood.
‘Aggie doesn’t see it like that.’
‘She didn’t like to see her boy hurt but it still doesn’t give her the right to treat you with a lack of respect. You both went through a difficult time. Time moves on, people move on.’
‘Fergus has moved on,’ added Felicity, glancing in Esme’s direction.
Isla followed her gaze. ‘She’s a wonderful little girl, beautiful inside and out. You’ll like her.’
‘Fergus can’t even bear to look at me.’
‘He will, give it time. It’s the first time he’s set eyes on you since then. Even though I do know you’ve sneaked back a few times without seeing any of us.’ Isla tutted playfully.
‘I am sorry about that,’ said Felicity regretfully.
‘It’s okay, honestly it is. There were a few people that were hurt when you upped and left including me and Allie but we knew why. We knew you needed space, we just didn’t think it would be eight years of space.’
‘Time drifted on but I don’t think Allie will be as forgiving as you.’ Felicity blew out a breath and glanced in her direction. She was standing by the bar laughing with Rory but caught her eye for a split second.
‘We both know Allie from old, strong willed, stubborn but whatever she says, she’s missed you like crazy. We all have. Grief is real and however long you needed, your crazy friends are still here. She’ll come round …we haven’t gone anywhere.’
For a time, Felicity’s life had descended into complete darkness. It had taken awhile but she had come a long way over the last eight years. Felicity’s eyes glistened with tears as she felt an overwhelming feeling of love and belonging for her old village. She smiled across the table at her friend knowing that she had missed this place more than she wanted to admit. Everything felt right and familiar.
‘Promise me one thing, Isla.’
‘Go on,’ Isla met her gaze.
‘Just try and hold that baby in until we can get across the bridge and drive you to the hospital.’
‘I’ll try my very best for you. And I’m glad you’ve come home, I for one have really missed you.’
Felicity squeezed Isla’s hand. She knew she had a few bridges to mend but having Isla back on her side gave her an overwhelming feeling of warmth. She’d missed Isla too.
Chapter 6 (#u611af9e5-bfbf-5454-8ff9-f925684e032b)
Felicity was up at the crack of dawn, woken by the chill in the air. She shivered and pulled the duvet up tight around her neck but it was no use, she couldn’t get warm. Her feet felt like blocks of ice and her teeth were chattering. How could her mum live like this? She tossed and turned but it was no use, she couldn’t get back to sleep. Slipping her socks onto her feet and a jumper over her head, she padded quietly downstairs in need of a warm drink. Everywhere was in complete darkness and Felicity looked up at the clock; it was only 6.30 a.m.
After placing the kettle on the Aga she pulled back the curtains and couldn’t believe her eyes, the snow was actually still falling. There was no way the delivery trucks would be getting through until this began to thaw and Hamish had been right to think about rationing the food supplies in the village.
Felicity noticed the light was on in Rory’s living room opposite, but as she watched, it immediately turned off and his front door opened. As Rory stepped outside, his wellington boots disappeared under inches of snow. He didn’t attempt to start his car; instead he clutched tightly on to his bag and with his head bent low, he ploughed through the snow in the direction of the veterinary practice. Hearing the kettle begin to whistle, Felicity made herself a coffee and made up the fire. Hopefully by the time her mum was awake there should be a little more warmth in the cottage. After the fire was lit and she’d drained her mug, she placed the kettle on the Aga once more, so she could use the warm water to have a wash. She didn’t relish the idea of a cold shower in this weather. Before she could forget, she tucked the boiler quote into her bag, so she could arrange for them to come out to the cottage as soon as possible.
Within the hour, and with Rona still fast asleep, Felicity wrapped up warm, sank her feet inside her wellington boots and closed the front door quietly behind her. The whole of Love Heart Lane lay in complete darkness, everyone still fast asleep making the most of not going to school or work. The early morning chill instantly nipped at her face and she buried her chin under her scarf and clutched her bag against her body. Even though her thermal socks swathed her feet they instantly felt frozen. Her footsteps were small, the snow sinking halfway up her boots. It was difficult to walk in such conditions, and her legs felt heavy but she knew with each small step she was getting closer to Hamish’s shop.
When she reached the shop the light was on and as she pushed open the door the bell tinkled above her head, alerting Hamish to her arrival. He looked up from behind the counter and smiled. ‘You made it then! There’s tea in the pot.’
‘Thank you,’ she answered, peeling the scarf from around her head and placing her white flaky sodden hat on top of the counter. ‘Where do we start?’ asked Felicity, skimming a glance around the shop before pouring herself a cup of tea.
‘I’ve moved all the perishable goods into these boxes, and somehow we need to get these up to the care home.’
Felicity cocked an eyebrow. ‘That’s a half-mile climb up the hill.’
Hamish blew out a breath. ‘I know – it’s going to be a struggle but they will need the food for the residents.’
‘We can do this, we won’t be defeated,’ answered Felicity with vigour and determination and a smile on her face.
‘That’s the spirit. The things over in that corner—’ Hamish pointed ‘—are the tinned and packet items that go out of date first.’
Hamish had worked out what food was going where to keep the community fed over the next few days until the trucks could get through. All Felicity had to do was help to bag it up and get it delivered. They set to work and within thirty minutes there were carrier bags of food parcels lined up by the door ready and waiting to be delivered.
It was just at that moment the door opened and they both looked up to see a cold, red-faced Rory staring back at them.
‘Good morning, how are the troops?’
Hamish smiled. ‘Just preparing ourselves mentally and physically to begin the deliveries.’
‘Mrs Hughes from the care home has just logged a call at the surgery. Remy the cat is a little under the weather so I’m off up there to take a look at him.’
‘Does that mean what I think it means?’ chipped in Felicity with her fingers firmly crossed behind her back.
Rory grinned. ‘I’ll take with me whatever you have.’
‘You, my good friend, are a life saver,’ said Hamish. ‘Can you manage three carrier bags and this box?’ Hamish looked hopeful while Rory began to juggle the food. ‘If you get the door I should be okay.’
Hamish couldn’t thank Rory enough as he set off towards the care home through nine inches of snow, with more flakes still falling.
‘Are you okay delivering those bags to the residents of Love Heart Lane and I’ll start at the opposite end of the village?’
‘Of course,’ answered Felicity, glancing at the clock. ‘But can I use the landline before I go, I need to ring the plumber to arrange for Mum’s boiler to be fixed.’
Hamish nodded towards the phone and while he bundled himself up in numerous layers Felicity made the call. As soon as she hung up, he noticed Felicity looked a little deflated. ‘You all right?’
‘I never thought, the plumber lives over the bridge in Glensheil, there’s no way he’s getting his van across the bridge and up the hill in this snow, but he’s promised as soon as he can he will.’
‘That’s all you can ask for at times like this.’
Once Hamish and Felicity were ready, they each grabbed a handful of carrier bags and stepped outside into the freezing cold.
Hamish gave Felicity a nod of his appreciation and then they both battled through the snow. Hamish had stapled the names and addresses of the deliveries on to each bag. Felicity looked at the first one labelled Mr and Mrs Smith, an elderly couple she knew had been married for nearly fifty years. From what Felicity could remember they had numerous grandchildren.
The streets were silent and still in darkness as Felicity’s feet crunched through the snow. No doubt by lunchtime the children would be out in full force sledging and building snowmen, enjoying the freedom from school.
As she approached the first house Felicity was relieved to see the light was on in Mr and Mrs Smith’s living room and the second she knocked on the front door she heard a dog bark followed by the sound of keys being jangled. When the door swung open Felicity was met by Mrs Smith’s rosy cheeks and beaming smile.
‘Come on in, out of the cold.’
She wiped her hands down on her pinny and ushered Felicity into the warmth of the kitchen. She was amazed to find six pair of eyes sitting around the table staring back at her.
‘It’s lovely to see you back in Heartcross.’ Mrs Smith patted Felicity’s arm. ‘We are so sorry to hear about Bonnie.’
‘Thank you,’ replied Felicity, touched by Mrs Smith’s kindness. ‘And look at all these little people. You’ve got your hands full today,’ she said, changing the subject in an attempt to stop the tears instantly welling in her eyes at the mention of her grandmother.
‘School’s shut, which means Grandma here gets to look after all these bundles of joy today and believe me it’s like a military operation to get them all fed. It’s like my own little café,’ she chuckled. ‘But I’m not complaining, they keep me young.’
‘This may help, a few supplies from Hamish – eggs, bread and a few essentials.’ Felicity held up the carrier bag.
‘He’s a good one, that man.’ Mrs Smith smiled, taking a quick peep inside the bag before laying it on top of the worktop. ‘Please do thank him from us. Where are you off to next?’
Felicity looked at the name attached to the next carrier bag. ‘Aggie’s,’ she said with a double take. She was sure that was one of Hamish’s deliveries; she must have picked up the wrong bag by mistake. Felicity felt her heart beat a little faster. After Aggie’s outburst in the pub last night she was sure the last person she’d want to see was Felicity, who felt the same.
‘That poor woman hasn’t been well,’ Mrs Smith chipped in without noticing that Felicity’s mood had suddenly slumped.
‘Who, Aggie?’ Felicity had noticed the cough in the pub and her wheezy chest.
‘Terrible chest infection, I think it’s the asthma, you see. She’s not been able to shake it off for a while.’
‘This weather won’t help either,’ said Felicity, making her way to the door after saying farewell to all the children who’d now finished their breakfasts and were busily putting their dirty bowls in the dishwasher.
‘What’s your plan of action for the rest of the day?’ asked Felicity, watching the children pile in front of the log fire with a board game in hand.
‘Keep warm.’ Mrs Smith smiled. ‘But I’m sure there will be an army of snowmen standing proud in the front garden by the end of the day, followed by a heap of soggy gloves and hats drying out on the Aga.’
Felicity said goodbye and after stepping back into the cold she took a deep breath and made her way towards Fox Hollow Cottage. Aggie and her husband Glen had lived in the cottage for all their married life but sadly he’d passed away nearly ten years ago after a short battle with cancer. Aggie had never remarried and as far as Felicity knew, Fergus still lived at the cottage with his new family.
As she trudged through the snow she saw a warm ribbon of smoke rising from the old chimney of the cottage which meant the fire was lit and someone was up. Felicity’s heart pounded a little but, knowing that Fergus would have been up and out at the crack of dawn working at the farm, she knew it was unlikely she’d see him. It would just be Aggie’s sharp tongue she’d have to deal with if last night was anything to go by. All she had to do was be polite, hand the bag over, and get on with the next delivery. She juggled the carrier bags in her hands before opening the garden gate. The way had been cleared and gritted and as Felicity carefully manoeuvred herself up the path, she noticed a pair of bright red wellington boots abandoned under the oak beam porch. She assumed they were Esme’s.
Feeling a little apprehensive, she blew out a breath. Last night in the pub Aggie hadn’t welcomed her home with open arms and Felicity didn’t relish seeing her again so soon, but this was in in aid of the community and she’d offered to help Hamish. Felicity rapped on the lion door knocker and waited, but there was no reply. She tried once more before bowing her head and peering through the front window of the cottage. The fire was roaring and stretched out on the rug in front was Martha, the Campbells’ black and white cat. There was no one else around but Felicity noticed the TV flickering away in the corner. Just at that second, movement caught her eye, and Felicity noticed Esme curled up on the old chesterfield. The little girl was crying, tears running down her cheeks. For a second, Felicity didn’t know what to do. In spite of the past, Felicity couldn’t leave the little girl crying. And where was Aggie? Without hesitation she turned the knob of the front door and immediately it clicked and opened.
Felicity stood in the hallway. The last time she’d been standing in this very spot was over eight years ago and she was surprised to see that everything seemed exactly the same. The wooden beams ran the length of the ceiling, the coat stand in the corner housed numerous jackets and hats and the antique dresser was jam-packed with family photographs.
‘Hello,’ Felicity shouted up the hallway towards the open door of the living room. She stayed rooted to the spot and called out again, then saw two startled, teary eyes peering around the doorway at her.
‘Hello. It’s Esme, isn’t it? I’m Felicity.’
The wide-eyed little girl nodded and gulped back a sob.
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Christie Barlow
Тип: электронная книга
Жанр: Юмор и сатира
Язык: на английском языке
Издательство: HarperCollins
Дата публикации: 25.04.2024
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О книге: Preorder the brand new romantic comedy from bestselling author Christie BarlowWelcome to Love Heart Lane…When Flick Simons returns to the small village of Heartcross she only expected to stay for a few days. The white-washed cottages of Love Heart Lane might be her home, but the place holds too many painful memories, and of one man in particular – Fergus Campbell.When a winter storm sweeps in, the only bridge connecting the village to the main land is swept away! As the villagers pull together, Flick finds herself welcomed back by the friends she once left behind. And as the snow begins to melt, maybe there is a chance that Fergus’s heart will thaw too…