Chapter 3
I t had taken Millie several minutes to manoeuvre precariously out of her tiny space: say what you like about how lovely tiny villages are; they were a bugger for parking. Still, at least she had her own allotted space, which was more than most people in the village had, even if it was wedged in the smallest lane round the back of the cottage. Most residents had to park right at the top in the large car park and walk all the way down. Sometimes this was OK, but she imagined it a pain if you’d just done the weekly shop or had children to carry. Millie’s stomach sank at the brief thought of children as she drove carefully out of the village.
Before her arrival, she had vowed to buy all her food locally in Sandyhaven itself in a bid to support local businesses and embrace the country lifestyle. But after a week and learning the only place to purchase food in the village was from one solitary tiny shop, it had become rather limiting and she found herself craving more choice. You can take the girl out of the city and all that. Twenty minutes down the nearest winding A-road, the sight of a well-known supermarket excited Millie more than she dared to let on. She shopped slowly, taking in the wide variety of items on offer and bought some trashy magazines in a pathetic attempt to make her feel better about her life. If Katie Price had just split with another man but was still “happy and independent” then to hell, she could be too!
Her shop must have screamed “single woman” because the assistant on the checkout said “looks like my kind of night” whilst nodding to the conveyor belt of items. Millie smiled feebly.
“Well, one has to have something to keep them entertained in such a small place.”
“You on holiday?” the woman asked. Millie glanced at her name badge. Amy.
“No, I live in Sandyhaven,” she said, unsure as to why she’d just given away where she lived. She felt like throwing in her bank card and National Insurance number for good measure.
“No way? Me too!” Amy declared excitedly. “Well, sort of. I’m in the house just past the car park. It’s several flats in one.” She narrowed her eyes. “I’ve never seen you before though. I seem to know most people similar to my age in the village?”
“I only moved in about a fortnight ago,” Millie explained, packing the last few items. Amy nodded.
“That would explain it then,” she said, tapping the screen and pushing the “next customer” barrier along the conveyer belt in one swift move. Millie couldn’t help but notice her thick Cornish accent.
“You move here with parents then?” Millie swallowed hard and focused on counting through her change. After a few moments she looked up and forced a smile.
“Nope. Just me. Needed a change of scenery so here I am.” Keep it vague. Don’t incite any questions, she thought.
“Lush! Well, me and some others meet at the pub in the square of a Saturday night. It’s not your “bright lights of the city” and fancy cocktails but a strong pint and good company. Feel free to come join us, if you like?” she offered, her smile genuine and warm. Millie smiled back.
“Thanks. Maybe I will.” Awkwardly, she gathered up her shopping and made her way back to the car. Had she just made her first friend in the village? She liked to think so.
* * *
“I’m pregnant.” The earth stopped. The blood beat in her ears. Jenny’s face blurred and then came back into focus again, a mixture of emotions etched on her face.
“That’s amazing!” Millie exclaimed eventually, exhaling heavily and placing her arms tightly around her friend. “Congratulations.” Jenny hugged her back hard.
“Thanks Mils. I want you to be Godmother. I’m not even asking, more just telling you.” She let out a strangled giggle and pulled away, looking at her friend. She looked so concerned and it broke her heart. She should be feeling happiness and nothing else.
“Of course I’ll be their Godmother. It would be an absolute honour,” she whispered, pulling her friend back in.