Chapter 42
‘Are you sure you don’t want some company when you meet Jack at the theatre?’
Bridie wouldn’t have minded Kate tagging along at all.
In fact, she would have preferred it. She knew her sister, along with the others in Cobblers Yard, was keen to return to the theatre and help her out.
It was just the thought that Jack might bring up the contract she’d signed that made her hesitate.
She wasn’t sure why he wanted to meet up. She’d stopped by the theatre now and then over the course of the past week, checking on the tradespeople who had been sent in to start on Monday, fixing the leaky roof and sorting out the dodgy electrics, hopefully putting a stop to the flickering lights.
Apparently, Jack had stopped by too, keeping an eye on things, but they had been ships passing in the night, both busy with their day jobs.
Hopefully by the weekend there would be no more flickering lights reminding her of the rumour of the ghostly presence in the theatre.
Reggie had told her he’d overheard excited chatter in the local Co-op; the work being carried out in the theatre had not gone unnoticed in the local community, and the rumour-mill was grinding about the possibility it might reopen.
Bridie felt a little guilty for not mentioning that it was Jack who had organised the tradesmen.
It was early the following Saturday morning, and the shops in Cobblers Yard weren’t yet open. It wasn’t her working day, so Hannah would arrive soon to open the shop.
Bridie had already introduced Kate to all the other shopkeepers in Cobblers Yard.
Bridie’s worry was that after the initial euphoria of getting the job wore off, Kate would start having second thoughts about her very changed work circumstances.
It had been bothering Bridie how Kate would really cope with the change from a high-flying, high-income career with lots of kudos to working in a local shop.
She imagined she might get bored very quickly.
To her relief, Kate had enjoyed her first week immensely.
She couldn’t remember the last time she’d still had the energy and time for other things outside of her working week.
She no longer had the commute, or the stress of her old job, or the grind of looking for a new one.
And Andy had been on board totally with the change and was looking forward to being employed by Hannah once her bridal shop opened.
Bridie recalled what Andy had said a moment earlier when he had popped in to say hello before heading off with Kate, Layla and George for a day out together in Southwold.
They weren’t going for an expensive meal, like they once had, or even a cup of coffee – Andy had made a packed lunch and drinks in flasks. Bridie had never seen them happier.
Andy was also fetching Kate’s bag – she was leaving the flat and moving back home.
He said to Bridie, ‘After all these years, I’ve got my wife back – the old Kate who was fun and laughed a lot, and made jokes, and was just a joy to be around.
The job she used to do just sucked the life and joy out of her.
No amount of money is worth that. I just wished we’d sat down and talked about changing our lives years ago. ’
On her way out, Kate had hugged Bridie close, whispering in her ear, ‘You are the best little sister, you know that – right? I just wish it hadn’t taken me all these years to realise that.’
Bridie wiped tears from her eyes, so sad to see her go.
The week had flown by since Kate had decided to stay with her in Cobblers Yard the previous Saturday, and Bridie had quickly grown accustomed to her sister being there, chatting, laughing, and watching silly, girly movies together in the evening.
Kate had admitted she’d felt like she was on a hiatus from the adult world, like she was a carefree teenager again, albeit having much more fun because she had her sister to share it with.
‘At least this isn’t goodbye, and I get to see you next door every day,’ said Bridie, smiling at the thought.
‘For the moment,’ Kate said.
‘Oh,’ Bridie looked at her in surprise. ‘I assumed that you were intending to stay working for Hannah in her wedding business.’
‘No, I meant when you move on.’
Bridie wondered how Kate had found out about the possibility she might return to the London stage, if she managed to impress an agent when she starred in a production in her own theatre. But opening night was a long way off yet.
Kate clocked Bridie’s bemused expression. ‘When you get the theatre up and running.’
Bridie sighed, realising what she meant. ‘I’m not sure if I will make a living out of the theatre.’
‘Wouldn’t it be exciting if you did? Imagine your very own theatre, where you can stage the plays you want and even star in them if you still want to. And nobody could tell you that you’ll never work in this town again.’
Bridie smiled. She knew what Kate was referring to – what her mean ex had said to her the last time they’d spoken.
‘If nothing else,’ said Kate, ‘You can show him, can’t you?’
Bridie grinned. ‘Oh, yes.’ She hoped so. ‘And surprise Dad too.’
‘I still wish I could come with you today.’
‘I know. But there will be other times.’
‘Good, because I’m not the only one in Cobblers Yard keen to return to the theatre.’
‘I know.’
‘What does Jack want to meet with you for today, anyway?’
Kate was aware that Bridie had been keeping an eye on the works that had started during the week.
Bridie looked at her phone. ‘I’m not sure.’ When she had texted back and asked what the meeting was about, he’d seemed reluctant to say, which suggested there was a problem. All he’d said was that he wanted to meet up.
She didn’t want him stopping by the shop.
As yet, nobody apart from Kate, Oliver, Hannah and Bridie’s mum knew of Jack’s involvement.
Perhaps I should keep it that way, thought Bridie, aware that everyone knew about his reputation.
But she was also aware that Jack employed local tradesmen, and sooner or later people would find out, and there was nothing she could do about that.
But for now, she’d agreed to meet him at the theatre again.
She had intended to go that morning, but she had changed the time to this evening, texting Jack to see if he could make it.
She’d also texted Oliver, hoping they could meet at The Magpie Café that morning for coffee.
After bumping into her mum outside the theatre, and Oliver, she had decided not to meet with Jack during the day.
She didn’t want to risk the two of them being seen together again, even though she shouldn’t have to feel she needed to sneak around.
But on a cold January evening, not many people would be walking along the promenade; they’d all be in the pub or sensibly indoors at home.
Andy appeared at the shop door after depositing Kate’s bags in their car which was parked on the road outside Cobblers Yard. ‘Ready to go, love?’
Kate gave Bridie another hug goodbye.
Andy said, ‘How’re the theatre renovations coming on?’
Kate had asked Bridie if she could tell Andy about the theatre.
She understood why. They’d just patched things up; the last thing they needed were secrets between them.
Besides, Kate and Layla were going to be spending time at the theatre once Jack had finished renovating.
They’d have to lie about where they were. It wasn’t going to work unless he knew.
‘George asked if he could come along and see the theatre,’ Andy said conversationally. ‘You know he’s pretty good at the violin. He was talking about the orchestra you’d need. I think he’d really like to be in it. I guess you’ll start thinking about the cast and crew, and the orchestra.’
Bridie hadn’t thought about any of those things yet. ‘Of course he can be in it.’
‘I don’t mind moving stuff around the stage, you know, like props, be part of the crew.’
‘That’s really kind of you, Andy.’
‘Can I be part of the orchestra too?’ asked Kate. ‘I haven’t played the cello in an age. I’d have to brush up.’
‘Really – are you sure?’
‘Yes, positive. You don’t think I’m going to help you set up the theatre and not get a spot in the orchestra?’
‘You can have a part on stage in the production, you know.’
‘Oh, I couldn’t possibly do that, Bridie. I’m not an actress.’
‘You don’t know until you try.’ She could tell by the expression on her sister’s face that she was actually considering it.
‘I want a starring role in your play,’ Layla said, appearing behind her dad.
‘I thought you were waiting in the car with George and Charlie?’ said Andy.
Bridie hadn’t realised that Layla’s boyfriend Charlie was going with them on their day out too.
‘When can I help out at the theatre, Auntie Bridie? We don’t have to go to Southwold, do we, Dad? We could all come to the theatre instead.’
‘I’m not going until this evening.’ At least that was the plan. She was still waiting for Jack’s reply to confirm.
‘Can we come then?’
Kate said, ‘Layla, we’ll arrange another weekend, all right? I promise. But this weekend …’
Layla huffed and rolled her eyes. ‘I know, it’s family time. But Auntie Bridie is family.’
Kate put an arm around Bridie’s shoulders. ‘Of course she is.’
Bridie knew where this was leading – they’d want her to go to Southwold too. ‘Layla, your mum has spent the whole week with me here at the flat, but she’s missed you guys so much. She wants to spend the whole weekend with your dad, and you and George.’
‘And Charlie.’
Kate rolled her eyes. ‘Yes, and Charlie.’
‘You can come too,’ Layla said to Bridie. ‘Can she, Mum?’
‘Of course she can, but Bridie has a date with Oliver.’
Layla’s eyes went wide. ‘Mr Williams!’
‘Kate!’ Bridie exclaimed. ‘We’re just having coffee. It’s not a date!’
‘I bet Oliver wishes it was,’ Kate quipped.
‘Ahem,’ Andy coughed into his hand, looking embarrassed.
Bridie pushed Kate out of the door. ‘Go, have a lovely day.’
‘You too. Let me know how the meeting goes with Jack at the theatre this evening.’
‘I will.’ Bridie said, then thought, I won’t if it’s about that contract I signed. She glanced at her phone. Jack still hadn’t texted her back.
She waved them off, closed the door, and turned around to find someone had sneaked into the shop, probably when Andy was busy loading Kate’s bags into the boot of the car and Bridie had wandered upstairs to find Kate in the flat spending time on her hair and makeup, glamming herself up for her husband.
‘Bridie opened the shop door, and called out, ‘Guys! You’ve forgotten something!’
‘Oh, Auntie Bridie, can’t I stay here with you instead?’
Bridie looked at her nephew and sighed. He really needed a dog of his own. Bridie had a thought as Andy, Kate and Layla turned around and headed back to the shop.
George stepped outside, his face glum. He turned to look at Bridie. ‘Do I have to go to Southwold with them?’
‘Would you enjoy going with them if Barney went too?’
George’s face was a picture.
Bridie realised she shouldn’t have said that before asking Kate and Andy.
‘Yes, of course we’ll look after Barney for the day. He’ll only get under your feet on your date.’
Bridie frowned at Kate.
‘Is that all right, Andy?’ Kate asked.
‘Yes, why not.’
Bridie collected Barney’s lead and his ball.
She waved again, watching them all leave the yard.
When she closed the shop door, she instantly regretted Barney going too.
The shop was too quiet. The flat was too quiet.
Without Kate and Barney, she suddenly felt very alone.
It reminded her that she was alone; unlike her sister, she didn’t have anybody to call her own.
‘Even Barney isn’t my dog,’ Bridie said to the empty shop, feeling very sorry for herself.
Bridie checked her phone. Oliver hadn’t answered her text.
But Jack had. The meeting was on for that evening.