Chapter Twenty-Six
To my younger self,
I found this old diary shoved in the back of the wardrobe today. Mum asked me to clear my stuff out now that Ren and I are moving into his flat. Yes, you heard that right. We’re about to live with Ren Hunter.
And we’ve bought a huge farm. We’re going to fix it up together, bit by bit.
Mad, right?
I’m just writing to tell you – it’s all going to be okay. Your disability, those bloody numbers, don’t define you. You’ll love who you love, girls and boys. It’ll be fine. You’ll find a career you love (so much). And you’ll fall for your best friend.
No, it’s not all plain sailing to get there.
But all that matters is that when you get there, you take in the view.
Love,
Lydia
Lydia
‘Right,’ I said, as we climbed into Ren’s car in the farm courtyard, ‘Do you want the good news or the bad news?’
We’d spent the last few hours with Liam and Kat on the farm, fleshing out the plans Ren had drafted in his red folder.
Kat was full of big ideas, and I threw in my two cents on gym design and what to avoid.
Like questionable strip lighting that really ruined my gym selfies and how nobody ever put in enough plug sockets.
Kat promised some sketches and Liam was already muttering about structural plans, promising that Jack would be over soon to start knocking down plaster.
We were hitting the ground running and I couldn’t wait to see it come to life.
Ren groaned, ‘I’m not sure I can take any more surprises today.’
‘Well, too bad,’ I winced, ‘Mum and Dad are throwing us a party.’
‘A party?’
‘Yup. At theirs. It started as a “yay you climbed Snowdon” thing, but then Mandy let the cat out of the bag. About us.’
Ren shook his head, a rueful smile on his face, ‘Meddling.’
‘I know.’
He scratched the back of his neck, eyes darting away. ‘Suppose I should tell you something in case your mum mentions it…’
My stomach dropped. ‘What?’
‘Your mum’s the reason I knew about the hiking trip. She bought my ticket. Told me to go. Basically threatened me.’
I stared at him. ‘You’re joking.’
My eyes widened.
‘I could’ve said no, but once she planted the idea in my head, it didn’t seem like the craziest idea.’ He softened his gaze. ‘You know, to spend time with you.’
‘Don’t give me those puppy dog eyes, Ren.’
He hid his smile in his palm.
I shook my head. ‘Of course she did. That meddling witch. I’m going to kill her.’ I jabbed a finger at him. ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’
Ren let out a short, manic laugh. ‘I’m terrified. Or turned on. Could be both.’
‘Ren!’
‘Lydia!’
‘Why didn’t you tell me before now?’
‘Because it’s your mum,’ he said, pouting like he was eight years old again, ‘If I’d grassed her up, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
I’d be six feet under. I’m only telling you now because, well…
she was right in the end. We did make up.
’ He raised an eyebrow, counting on his fingers. ‘In my tent—’
‘Ren!’ I barked, half laughing.
‘—and then at that hotel in Glencoe. And then I really made it up to you at—’
I slapped a hand over his mouth, even as joy bubbled up in my chest at the sight of his triumphant grin. He pulled my hand away, pressing a kiss into my palm.
‘And I fully intend to make up again tonight.’
I blushed, heat crawling up my neck, distracting me from the fact my mother was a conniving, nosy so-and-so. But she was also right.
‘Give her a gentle telling-off if you must,’ Ren said, eyes dancing. ‘But she was right.’
I groaned. ‘This party is going to be so much worse than I thought. I hate it when she’s right. She’s so smug!’
Ren shrugged, and said, softly, too softly, ‘A mum’s prerogative.’
‘Hey,’ my palm covered the steering wheel. ‘Where did you just go?’
‘Mum would’ve loved this. The farm. You. Us. You’re lucky that your mum gets to be there, for all of our firsts, you know? Even if she is a bit full-on sometimes.’
My throat thickened, ‘Ren, I’m sor—’
Then I saw it – the twitch at the corner of his mouth.
‘You—’ I narrowed my eyes. ‘You’re playing me.’
His grin split wide. ‘What?’
‘You just dropped the dead mum card to get out of trouble!’
Ren held up his hands. ‘I wasn’t lying, it’s true! But you can’t blame a guy for playing the dead mum card if it gets him out of trouble.’
I glared at him, lips twitching. ‘Let’s go face the music.’
‘Full-blown orchestra?’
‘Trumpets. Drums. Dot’s piano. The lot.’
Ren leaned over, pressing a kiss to my temple. ‘Nothing we can’t handle, Sunshine.’
Music and chatter spilt from my parents’ house and it felt suspiciously like déjà vu, except Ren wasn’t inside waiting for me this time.
I wasn’t running late. And he wasn’t my best friend any more.
He was right beside me, his hand clasped around mine, as we both stared at the door, willing it to open of its own accord.
‘Ready?’ he asked
‘One more minute.’
Ren nodded, squeezing my hand.
A familiar face popped up at the window – Liam’s daughter, Abigail, hair curled from the curlers Kat bought her for her twelfth birthday. Ren and I locked eyes, horror shining there.
‘Abi, don’t—’
It was too late.
‘They’re out here!’ she yelled. ‘Standing on the step. Like weirdos.’
My eyes squeezed shut as I could hear shuffling and shushing echoing behind the door.
‘Here we go,’ I muttered.
Ren kissed my forehead, a soft laugh rumbling against my hair. ‘It’s not a trial, Lyd. We’ve got this.’
The door swung open. Mum stood beaming, with half of Everly Heath stacked behind her – Dad, Pat, Mary and Nigel from the deli, John the butcher, Ravi from the hardware shop. Jack hovered by Kevin, Ren’s dad. Even Amy, Gen and Claire peeked out from the back, all bright eyes and sly grins.
They took one look at us – looking at the way Ren was turned in to me, my hand tight in his – and the chorus began: gasps, sighs, Dot, the old piano teacher yelled, ‘What a handsome couple!’
Ren tucked me closer, warm and protective. ‘Want me to take this one, Sunshine? You’ve done enough today.’
I leaned in, and whispered, ‘Give ’em hell.’
Ren turned, his voice clear and commanding. God, someone get me a fan.
‘Right. I’m going to say this once, then that’s the end to all the rumours flying about, all right?’
There were open-mouthed nods and mutters of approval.
‘Yes, we both climbed a load of mountains together, and yes, it was amazing. Yes, we shared a tent. No further questions.’
My shoulders shook with silent laughter.
‘Yes, we’re buying Everly Heath Farm, and we’re fixing up the cottage and living there. Together. The farm will be converted into a hotel, restaurant, and bar – and the best gym you’ll find for miles. Run by the best trainer you’ll find, too.’
He glanced at me, eyes warm. I couldn’t help but beam.
‘No, you can’t have freebies. Support local businesses. It’s going to cost us an arm and a leg.’
I snorted. God, he sounded like Liam.
He glanced down at me, brushing a kiss over my temple.
‘Best for last, Sunshine,’ he murmured. Then, louder, ‘Yes, we are together. Yes, we got together on the hiking trip. Yes, it took us so long because I royally fucked up. Again, no further questions. But I’ve loved Lydia Williams since we were kids.’
Ren glanced down at me, his eyes shining with…love.
‘And half of you already knew how gone I was for her, so this won’t be a surprise.’
There was a chorus of murmurs affirming. Ren turned back to them, his tone serious.
‘So, that’s it. The juicy details. Now, get us a drink, will you? We just bought a bloody derelict farm, for God’s sake. I think we deserve one.’
I laughed, blinking back tears, as Ren glanced down at me, an expectant expression on his smiling face.
‘Did I miss anything, Sunshine?’
I laughed, tears stinging my eyes. ‘No. You did perfect.’
And then we were pulled into my childhood home, arms wrapping around us, kisses planted on cheeks and surrounded by warmth and noise and a whole lot of love.