Chapter 19
NINETEEN
To Zach’s undoubted chagrin, many of the residents of Tuppenny Bridge only attended church for weddings, christenings, funerals, and at Christmas. Noah sometimes accompanied his aunt if she asked him to, but Isobel never went unless she’d provided the flowers for certain events and needed to decorate the church. This year, though, she’d announced that she’d like to be at the harvest festival service, and although it was undoubtedly one of the most popular church services of the year, her decision made Noah nervous.
She’d been surprisingly calm since her last outburst over the pram, and he’d been on tenterhooks ever since, wondering when the next attack would come. She hadn’t said another word about Kat or Hattie, which unnerved him. He couldn’t imagine for one moment that she’d accepted his story, which made him think her anger was still simmering away beneath the surface.
He couldn’t help wondering if she was only going because she wanted to keep an eye on him. Maybe she suspected he would warn Kat that she’d found out their supposed secret. Maybe she was worried he would reveal it was Isobel who’d damaged the pram, although he could have done that at any time. He wasn’t sure. The truth was, he wasn’t sure about anything any longer. His mind was a mess of confusion. Even so, he knew he’d better be on his best behaviour today, because if he said or did the wrong thing he would pay for it later.
Fastening his tie in the mirror as Isobel luxuriated in a bubble bath in the next room, Noah stared at his reflection and wondered what the hell he was doing. His stomach was in knots about today, dreading what might happen, and his fear wasn’t just for himself. What might Isobel do to Kat if she’d convinced herself that something was still going on between them? What if he accidentally glanced at Hattie? Yes, they had Jonah to protect them, but they shouldn’t need protection. They’d done nothing wrong.
The only woman who’d done anything wrong was lying in a bath, listening to a celebrity beauty podcast as she soaked in ridiculously expensive bath lotion, without a care in the world.
He, meanwhile, was shaking inside at the thought of what was coming for him and when, and expecting the woman he loved to act as nothing more than his confidante. A counsellor.
Noah’s eyes widened and he shook his head slightly. What the hell? Had he just said he loved Daisy? Not out loud, of course, but in his head. Yes, he had because it was true.
He loved her. He loved everything about her. He loved her expressive brown eyes, her silky, dark hair, those cute dimples that appeared every time she laughed or smiled, how soft her lips had felt against his as he’d kissed her…
He sank onto the bed, feeling dazed. He loved how happy Daisy was to go hiking through the Dales. How much she appreciated the beauty of the landscape and never took it for granted. How she didn’t care if she was covered in mud, or if her mascara ran when she cried. He loved the way she’d shared her packed lunch with him without a second thought. How she made sure he had sun protection on. How she’d defended him when other people who’d known him far longer seemed willing to believe he’d harm his wife.
He loved her kindness, her humour, her compassion. He loved how strong she was, making a life for herself in a new place, starting a new business, leaving behind the bitterness and pain of her past to start again. He loved how she’d happily walked in the sand with him, wiggling her toes in the water and laughing as the waves splashed them. He loved how her eyes had lit up when he put the car radio on, and she’d loudly joined in singing along to ‘Mr Blue Sky’.
Daisy, he realised suddenly, was his blue sky. And that woman in the bathroom, she was the rain clouds that could turn stormy at any moment.
He didn’t want to stand in the rain any longer. He wanted to look up and see the sun shining in the blue sky.
‘I have to leave Isobel,’ he murmured, then his eyes darted around the room, his heart thumping, as if she’d sneaked into the bedroom and had heard him. He couldn’t live like this any longer. He didn’t deserve it. He’d more than paid the price for what he’d done to Isobel, and Daisy deserved far better than he was giving her right now.
But it was going to be hell. He wasn’t stupid enough to think that his wife would just accept that their marriage was over. The thought of what she might do made him feel sick. What if she went for Daisy when he wasn’t around to protect her? Would they ever be free of her?
There was so much to think about. Noah knew it would be easy to be put off before he’d even taken any action, but deep down he knew he’d reached the point of no return. He couldn’t just sit back and allow things to drift on as they were. He had to get out. He now had someone to get out for, after all. He’d allowed himself to be punished for many years, but being with Daisy had made him see that enough was enough. For the first time in a long time, Noah wanted more for himself. He wanted a life with Daisy.
He wasn’t going to allow even Isobel to stop him.
Last year, the harvest festival had fallen on the final day of the sheep fair, but this year it was a week later, which meant it was only local people who crowded into All Hallows that particular Sunday.
‘What a spread!’ Clive said, with evident enthusiasm. ‘Zach’s done a good job this year, getting so many donations.’
‘Including Daisy’s,’ Bethany said, giving an admiring glance to the Victoria sponge Daisy was carrying with care.
‘All this food!’ Clive sounded as if he might start drooling at any moment. ‘Making me hungry this. I must say,’ he added, looking admiringly around All Hallows, ‘the church looks stunning with all these autumnal flowers. Mind, I don’t remember seeing so many loaves at the harvest festivals before.’ He nodded at the produce table which was groaning under the weight of so much fruit, vegetables, and tinned foodstuffs, as well as a surprising amount of baked goods.
‘Ava organised a bread making competition,’ Daisy explained, laughing. ‘She decided it was the best way to secure donations. I guess she understood the competitive spirit in this town. I wasn’t allowed to enter, but I’m one of the judges, which is a great honour. I’ve heard even Rita and Birdie have entered.’
‘Hmm, and what’s the betting those are their entries,’ Clive said, nodding at two enormous loaves that were standing side by side. ‘I wonder how they taste?’
‘More to the point, how will one sister react if the other wins?’ Bethany pondered aloud, helping Daisy to set down her cake.
‘Not our problem,’ Clive said firmly. He winked at Daisy. ‘Good luck with that.’
‘Cheers.’ Daisy grinned as they turned to make their way to their seats. Her smile dropped as she spotted Noah and Isobel sitting together on the second row, just behind Dion and Beatrix Barrington, Zach and Ava’s children. Isobel was flicking through the service book, but Noah was watching Daisy, his expression unfathomable.
She didn’t dare smile or even acknowledge him, but hoped her eyes sent him a message somehow, before she followed Clive and Bethany down the central aisle.
‘I can’t remember the last time I went to a harvest festival,’ Bethany confessed, as they shuffled along the row and took their seats. ‘I think I must have been at St Egbert’s, which is a shame really because I always loved it.’
‘Aye, it’s a very popular service,’ Clive agreed. ‘Always draws a crowd, this one. Even when the sheep fair’s over and done with.’
‘I think Kat said they’re hoping to announce how much they raised this year for the Tuppenny Bridge Fund,’ Daisy said. ‘Apparently, they haven’t decided who to donate the money to yet. Last year it mostly went to Whispering Willows, did you know?’
Bethany grinned. ‘Miss Lavender did mention it, once or twice. I’m not expecting anything from them this year, though. For one thing, it wouldn’t be fair to accept a donation two years running, and for another, we’re still in the process of becoming a registered charity, so I’d rather wait until then before I start fundraising in earnest.’
Clemmie, who’d been sitting in the row behind them with Ross and Dolly, leaned forward and asked, ‘How’s the building work coming on?’
Ross laughed. ‘Not that we were eavesdropping or anything.’
‘Eavesdrop away,’ Clive said comfortably. ‘As a matter of fact, it’s all on schedule, which is a good thing. We’re hoping to make lots of progress before winter sets in and slows everything right down.’
‘And the planning permission for the veterinary unit has been granted,’ Bethany said proudly. ‘The Joseph Wilkinson Equine Unit will be up and running before we know it.’
Clive smiled and squeezed her hand. ‘It will that.’
‘Aw, I’m glad,’ Dolly said. ‘And like I’ve told Ross, if Eugenie can’t decide what to do with the fund this year, there’s a little bookshop that would happily take donations.’ She laughed. ‘I’ll even throw in a signed copy of one of my books for her if that will help sway her.’
‘I should think that would put her off for good,’ Ross told her, his eyes twinkling.
‘Cheeky bugger!’ Dolly sighed. ‘Ah well, it was worth a try.’
She craned her neck to take a good look round the church. ‘Aw, look at the size of Kat’s baby bump now! Just think, in a few weeks there’ll be a new baby boy in town. Ooh, Sally’s got a new frock. Very nice.’ Her smile of approval faltered as she scanned the rows in front of them. ‘Huh! I see Isobel’s turned up. Not like her to grace us with her presence.’
‘There must be something in it for her,’ Ross said flatly. ‘She wouldn’t bother if there wasn’t.’
‘Probably showing off about the floral displays. She’ll be back here in a couple of days for the memorial service, no doubt. I heard she’s providing all the flowers for that too,’ Dolly said.
‘Well, fair’s fair,’ Clemmie chided. ‘She was good friends with Leon, wasn’t she? She has every right to be there.’
Daisy hardly dared look at Bethany, who had discreetly nudged her in the ribs.
‘I meant to tell you,’ Dolly said, leaning forward and tapping Daisy on the shoulder, ‘whatever reason she had for wearing sunglasses in your café that day, it wasn’t a black eye. I saw her in Maister’s the day after that little rumour started, and her eyes were fine. So they’re all barking up the wrong tree there.’
‘What rumour?’ Ross asked, startled. ‘What do you mean, black eye?’
Dolly looked embarrassed. ‘Oh, bloody hell! I forgot you were sitting there. Haven’t you heard then?’
Ross’s eyebrows knitted together. ‘Heard what?’ he asked suspiciously. He looked at Clemmie. ‘What’s she talking about?’
Clemmie shrugged. ‘No idea. I’ve obviously missed something.’
Clive cleared his throat. ‘There appears to have been some talk, Ross. All nonsense, I’m sure, but you know what this town’s like.’
‘What talk? Will someone please tell me what’s going on?’
‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ Clemmie asked Dolly.
‘It’s Noah and Isobel,’ Bethany said hesitantly. ‘There was some concern that, perhaps, Noah had been, er, hurting Isobel.’
‘And that’s why I didn’t tell you,’ Dolly said, nodding at Clemmie. ‘You’d have told Ross, wouldn’t you?’
‘Hurting her?’ Ross’s tone was sharp. ‘What do you mean by hurting her?’
Clemmie nudged him in a warning as his great aunt walked past them, arm in arm with Ava, on her way to her usual seat at the front of the nave.
Lowering his voice he repeated, ‘What do you mean by hurting her? Noah wouldn’t hurt a fly.’
‘She had some bruises on her arms…’ Dolly’s voice trailed off as Ross whipped round to look at her.
‘Are you joking?’
‘It’s all rubbish,’ Daisy said immediately. ‘Noah would never! I think people are starting to realise that.’
‘ Starting to realise it?’ Ross sounded incredulous. ‘You’re not telling me there was any doubt?’ When no one spoke, he sat back in the pew looking dazed. ‘Bloody hell, what’s wrong with people? Have any of you actually met Noah? Does he know about this?’
They were saved from answering as Zach’s microphone crackled and the service began.
Daisy could barely concentrate, knowing that Noah and Isobel were sitting just a few rows in front of her. She had to force herself not to stare at the back of Noah’s head, afraid that someone might notice if she paid him even a little attention.
This, she thought bleakly, was like having a steamy affair without any of the fun bits.
She wondered what Ross would say if he knew the truth about his brother’s marriage. She was gratified that he’d been so incensed about the rumours and knew he would fly to Noah’s defence if anyone dared say anything bad about him. She wished Noah had confided in him years ago. Maybe Ross would have been able to stop this somehow.
She tried to concentrate as Zach thanked everyone for their generous gifts of food, which would be given out to the elderly and needy in the parish. He told them about the wonderful entries they’d had for the bread making competition, and explained that the judges—Daisy, Miss Lavender (naturally), and Ava—would be sampling the entries at the back of the church after the service, where tea and biscuits would also be served.
There was a sermon and prayers, and they sang ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’, ‘Come Ye Thankful People, Come’, and ‘Morning Has Broken’. At any other time, Daisy would have been enchanted. She’d always loved harvest festival at primary school, and those were some of her favourite hymns. She was also looking forward to judging the bread competition and had felt flattered to be asked. She could hardly relax now, though, knowing Isobel was so close and worrying what Ross would say or do now he’d heard the rumours.
When the service finally ended, Zach reminded them all that refreshments would be served, and that judging for the bread competition would be starting soon.
Daisy got to her feet and caught Ross’s eye. He looked serious, as if the service had done nothing to take his mind off what he’d heard. She hoped he wouldn’t say anything to Miss Lavender. It would be the last thing Noah would want.
‘Daisy, are you ready?’ Ava gave her a beaming smile and beckoned her to follow her to the back of the church, where several of Zach’s devoted helpers were already brewing up tea and putting biscuits on plates.
Miss Lavender gave her a frosty look. ‘A fellow judge, I hear.’
‘I am,’ Daisy said, her heart sinking. How had she forgotten that Miss Lavender didn’t approve of her? Another tension to add to all the others. It was a wonder she could remember her own name right now.
Ross caught hold of her arm as his aunt headed off after Ava. ‘I want to know about these rumours,’ he murmured. ‘Are you honestly telling me people believe them?’
‘Why are you asking me?’ she said, her eyes widening in alarm.
He glanced around then leaned close. ‘My aunt told me about the conversation she had with Noah concerning you. She’s very worried about your relationship with my brother. Should she be?’
Daisy was tempted to tell him to mind his own business and to pass the same message to his great aunt. But common sense prevailed, and she remembered that Ross was on Noah’s side, and therefore not her enemy. Maybe it was time he was given the chance to prove it.
‘She should be more worried about his other relationship,’ she murmured.
Ross stared at her for a moment, clearly trying to work out what was going on.
‘Daisy, you need to be with the other judges,’ Bethany said, nodding over to where Ava and Miss Lavender were waiting.
Ross stepped aside and she walked past him, not daring to say anything else.
She spent the next twenty minutes immersing herself in the taste test and swapping notes with her fellow judges. They all tried to ignore the shameless attempts of the interested onlookers to sway their opinion.
‘Those are so obviously Rita’s and Birdie’s,’ Miss Lavender whispered. ‘Honestly, trust those two to make loaves three times the size of anyone else’s.’
‘I hate to say it,’ Ava told them in a low voice, ‘but I didn’t particularly like either of them. Too heavy and dense. It’s a shame, but that’s my opinion.’
‘I agree,’ Daisy said. ‘Not very tasty at all, but maybe that’s a good thing. Imagine what one of them would say if the other won! They’d be impossible. I do think that one, third from the left, is exceptionally good. I’d be pleased if one of mine turned out like that.’
‘Yes, you’re right.’ Miss Lavender sounded almost grudging at having to agree with her. ‘I think it’s my favourite, too. Although I do think the one on the far left is quite tasty. I’m torn between them, to be honest.’
‘And that one fourth from the right is good,’ Ava added. ‘Have you tried that one yet?’
They huddled in a corner, discussing their findings with as much solemnity as if they were negotiating world peace.
Eventually, after many impatient calls from the crowd, who were in severe danger of running out of biscuits, the winner was announced.
The one that was fourth from the right came third, the one on the far left was second, and the winner was the one third from left.
The cards announcing the decision were placed by the plates and then the name tickets were turned over so that everyone could see who had won.
‘Well, I never did!’ Miss Lavender’s shocked tones matched the surprise on Daisy’s and Ava’s faces at the result. ‘Birdie Pennyfeather. You’ve won!’
‘And Rita is second,’ Daisy said, shaking her head. ‘But I thought…’
They both turned over the tickets of the huge loaves that they’d been so sure belonged to the Pennyfeathers.
‘Bluebell!’ Ava burst out laughing. ‘How come you’ve entered two loaves?’
‘I wasn’t sure if the first one was good enough,’ Bluebell admitted. ‘So I thought I’d submit two of them, just to be sure.’
‘But the entry rules quite clearly state that there is only one entry per person,’ Miss Lavender said crossly. ‘We’d have had to disqualify you if you’d won.’
‘Good job I didn’t then, isn’t it?’ Bluebell said cheerily. ‘Mind you, you might regret choosing Birdie’s loaf over Rita’s.’
Daisy could see Rita and Birdie were already exchanging words. It was clear Rita strongly disagreed with the judges’ verdict.
Meanwhile, Jennifer was beaming with pride at having come third. As she’d never entered anything before, she considered it a huge achievement and most people couldn’t have been happier for her, with Ben and Jamie looking fit to burst.
Noah and Isobel were standing with Clive and Bethany, and Daisy could hear her friend telling the Lavenders all about the building work that was going on at Whispering Willows. It was perfectly obvious that Isobel had no interest whatsoever, as she spent more time looking round at other people than at Bethany. Her eyes kept straying to where Kat was sitting, nursing a cup of tea on her bump, while Jonah and Summer kept Hattie and Tommy entertained.
Daisy’s heart raced as Noah’s gaze flickered over to her. She so much wanted to smile at him, to offer him some sign or signal that she was thinking of him and missing him, but she didn’t dare.
‘Ah.’ The voice in her ear made her jump. ‘I see Aunt Eugenie was right.’
‘Ross, it’s not…’ She had no words to offer him. She could only pray he wouldn’t make a scene.
‘Wait outside,’ he said urgently.
‘I’m—I’m sorry?’
‘Just make your way outside. Give me a couple of minutes, okay?’
Not entirely sure what to expect, Daisy extricated herself from the crowd and made her way out into the churchyard. It was a damp sort of day, typical of early October, and she realised sadly that summer was over. The grey skies had chased away the blue, and darker nights and shorter days lay ahead of them.
Out of the corner of her eye she noticed Jennifer making her way along the path, and guessed she was heading over to the Garden of Ashes to see Julian, her late husband, and Leon, their son. It would be Leon’s memorial service in two days. Something else to add to Noah’s sadness.
‘Daisy?’
She jumped at the sound of her name and spun round, feeling a mixture of surprise, delight, and anxiety at seeing Noah standing there.
‘What are you doing here?’ she gasped. ‘I thought Ross?—’
‘He told me to come out here and see you,’ he said urgently. ‘He’s keeping Isobel occupied. He knows about us, doesn’t he?’
‘He only knows what your Aunt Eugenie told him,’ she said. ‘And really, there’s not a lot to know, is there? It’s not as if…’ She bit her lip, not wanting to waste time when they probably had very little of it. ‘How are you? Is everything okay?’
‘She’s quiet at the moment.’ He glanced around then kissed her gently on the lips. ‘I haven’t got long, but I wanted to tell you something. Daisy, I need you to know that I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, and I realised something today. The fact is, I love you. I love you so much, and I want to be with you, more than anything.’
‘I love you, too,’ she said, her eyes shining despite her worries. Hearing him say the words she’d longed to hear meant the world to her, even though, deep down, she’d already known that he loved her, even if it had taken him until today to admit it to himself. It was written in his face every time he looked at her. ‘I’ve already told you that. But does it change anything?’
‘Yes, it does.’ He took a steadying breath then said, ‘I’m leaving her, Daisy.’
‘What?’ She stared at him, hardly daring to believe he could possibly mean it. ‘Are you sure?’
‘I’m sure. I don’t love her, and God knows, I’ve been punished enough. I can’t make her happy, and she certainly doesn’t make me happy. I can’t live like this any longer. I just want to get away from her. I need to be with you. Build a new life with you. If—if you’ll have me?’
‘Oh, Noah!’ Daisy threw her arms around him. ‘Of course I’ll have you. I love you. It’s all going to be all right.’
‘We’ll have to be careful,’ he warned her, holding her tightly, his eyes shining with hope and love. ‘I don’t know how she’s going to take it, after all. But we’ll face it somehow.’
‘Don’t tell her when you’re alone with her,’ she said, fear immediately replacing her joy. She let him go and stepped back. ‘Please. Promise me you’ll only tell her when someone’s with you. If you want me to be there, I will be. Just say the word.’
‘No, no! Definitely not. She might… No, it’s best if you’re not there.’
‘Then who?’
‘I’ll ask Ross,’ he said. ‘I’ll tell him what’s been going on with you and me and ask him to be with me while I break the news.’ He shook his head. ‘He’ll probably think it’s weird when I say I need him, but I can’t tell him the truth. It would break his heart. Even so, I can’t do this without him. God, that sounds pathetic. You must think I’m so weak. What the hell do you see in me, Daisy?’
‘You’re not weak,’ she said tearfully. ‘If anything, you’ve been incredibly strong. She’s a dangerous woman, and she knows you won’t hit her back. When are you going to tell her?’
‘I’m going to wait until after the memorial,’ he said quietly. ‘It’s only another couple of days until that takes place. Once it’s out of the way I’ll do it. I promise you.’
They jumped apart as someone ran up beside them.
‘I lost her,’ Ross gasped. ‘Aunt Eugenie would insist on talking to me and she must have sidled away from me. Has she been out here?’
‘Isobel?’ Noah sounded terrified, and no wonder.
Clemmie came out at that moment and put her arm around Ross’s waist. ‘What are you doing out here? You shot out of the door like you were on fire.’ She looked from one to the other of them, clearly intrigued. ‘Is everything okay?’
‘Everything’s fine,’ Ross assured her. ‘I don’t suppose you’ve seen Isobel?’
‘Yes, she’s in there,’ Clemmie said, jerking her thumb in the direction of the church door. ‘She’s talking to Zach—something about flowers for the memorial service.’
Noah leaned against the porch, looking pale but relieved.
‘I’d better go,’ Daisy said. ‘If she finds me out here with you…’
‘What the hell’s going on?’ Ross demanded. ‘Don’t try to tell me there’s nothing wrong, because it’s written all over your face.’
‘Are you and Daisy…’ Clemmie clearly didn’t quite know how to finish the sentence.
Noah reached for Daisy’s hand. ‘Yes, we are. And I’m going to tell Isobel after the memorial service.’ He faced Ross, his expression determined. ‘Please, don’t try to talk me out of this. I know I’m a married man, and I have responsibilities, but?—’
‘Bloody hell!’ Ross enfolded him in a huge hug. ‘I couldn’t be happier or more relieved! I thought you’d never see sense.’ He turned to Daisy, who was quite stunned at this unexpected reaction, and hugged her. ‘Thank you. Thanks for saving him from himself.’
She half laughed, but she was aware all the time that Isobel could come outside at any moment. ‘I really need to go. Noah will explain everything.’
Well, not everything, although she couldn’t help wishing he would.
‘I’ll see you at the memorial service,’ Noah said gently.
She nodded and smiled. ‘You will.’
‘I love you,’ he whispered, and she blew him a kiss then walked quickly away towards the church gates, little knowing what lay in store for them.