Chapter 27
Ellie ticked off another item on her list. She was almost done with planning Laura and Jackson’s wedding now.
They’d had the confirmation through from the council, giving them the licence they needed to hold the ceremony here in Pennycress, and Laura and Jackson had confirmed the menu choices from Ruby’s.
Of course, there would be the chasing up of things, double-checking everything was in order and ready to roll, as well as the setting up of the decor and overseeing all the preparations, but now there would be a natural lull in activity.
And it was about time she took the jump into advertising her new solo venture.
She tapped her pen against the notebook.
But was she ready? As soon as she put herself out there on social media, she knew Melissa would come sniffing around and quite possibly go as far as to post some ugly lies about her.
After all, Ellie now knew she’d warned their shared suppliers off working with her, so it wasn’t such a step to think she wouldn’t at least try to ruin business for her.
But she couldn’t live in fear. Not anymore.
And getting back with Murray had taught her that.
He’d taught her that there were second chances in life.
There had been in her love life, so why not her professional life too.
Besides, she didn’t want to change careers.
She’d worked too long and hard to get to be the wedding planner she was to want to start over again doing something else.
No, she wanted to continue working in the wedding business, and she wanted her new business to thrive.
She wanted Forever Thyme to become as well known a company as All Things Love, and she wanted people to entrust their special days to her.
And the only way she could make these dreams a reality was to put herself out there, to push Melissa’s threats and actions to the back of her mind and put her new business out in full view.
Pulling her laptop towards her, she opened up a graphic design website. There was no time like the present, and the first thing she’d need was a logo.
A few minutes later, as she was toggling an image of an illustration of a stalk of thyme, Ellie was pulled from her creativity by voices outside the kitchen. Pausing, she frowned. She recognised that voice.
Of course, she recognised Laura’s voice, but the person she was checking in, she recognised their voice too. But it wasn’t possible.
Standing up, Ellie made her way to the kitchen door and gripped the door frame. ‘Mum?’
Turning quickly, her mum, Kathy, had the good grace to blush. ‘Eleanor. What a surprise. Why aren’t you at home working or gallivanting across the county looking at wedding venues?’
Laura looked from Ellie to Kathy and back again, clearly confused.
‘I’m working here planning Laura and Jackson’s wedding day.
’ Ellie shook her head. Before she could ask her mum what she was doing here at Pennycress, Kathy had placed the room key Laura had just given her onto the reception desk and was rushing towards her.
Without warning or small talk, Kathy drew Ellie in for a hug.
‘It’s so good to see you, Eleanor, love. I’ve been so worried, up all hours of the night. You ask your father.’ Stepping back, Kathy brushed the shoulders of Ellie’s shirt.
‘Where is Dad?’
‘He dropped me off a few minutes ago. He had to get back to work as he could only take the morning off.’ Kathy smiled. ‘It’s just me and you, girl. Some quality mother and daughter time.’
Ellie swallowed. She loved her mum, but she had a distinct feeling she knew why she was here, and if she was right, she knew all she’d be intent upon doing was to fuss over her.
Which, although well-meaning, often resulted in having the opposite effect her mum wanted.
Things were finally going well for her – Murray, the arrangements for Laura and Jackson’s wedding – she just didn’t need her mum’s interference, however well-meaning and done with love.
Trying to keep her voice light and devoid of the emotions running through her body, she asked her, ‘Why are you here, Mum?’
Kathy gave her one of her smiles, the ones she treated Ellie to if she thought she needed some well-intentioned pity.
‘To give you some moral support, of course. And practical support if you need it.’ She reached out and ran her hands over Ellie’s shoulders again.
‘I know what a tough time you’re going through, what sort of mother would I be if I didn’t visit you and check in? ’
One who respected their daughter’s independence and space.
Ellie bit her tongue before answering. ‘You really don’t need to stay, Mum. I’m absolutely fine. More than fine, actually. Things are going well.’
‘Why don’t you two go and catch up over a coffee?’ Laura held her hand out towards the kitchen doorway. ‘I’ve got to pop upstairs, anyway.’
‘What a lovely idea.’ Kathy turned to Laura and gripped her hand in hers. ‘Thank you, Laura. You’re running a beautiful place here.’
‘Thank you.’ Laura grinned before leaving them to it and walking upstairs.
‘Come on then, Eleanor. Show me where this coffee is. Your father wouldn’t stop at one of those service stations for a drink. He said he didn’t have time, but I know he’s likely stopping at one for a drink and a bite to eat on his way home.’ Kathy tutted.
Ellie widened her eyes as she heard footsteps in the kitchen and Murray’s familiar hum as he hummed his favourite tune.
She couldn’t let her mum come face to face with Murray.
It was no secret what her mum thought of Murray, that she blamed him for turning Ellie’s life upside down when he’d left.
A fact only further cemented in Ellie’s mind now she’d learned her mum had kept quiet about Murray coming back from America and asking after her.
Nope. Ellie needed to ask her mum what had happened and why she had never mentioned Murray’s visit to her.
‘I’ll show you the sitting room and then go and make the coffees. ’
‘Don’t be daft. I’ll come and help, we can take them through to the sitting room if you so wish afterwards.’ Kathy took another step towards the kitchen doorway.
‘Honestly, Mum, you’ve been travelling. You must be shattered.’ She placed her hand on her mum’s forearm and gently guided her to face the sitting room door. ‘You go and put your feet up and I’ll bring some coffee and a nice slice of fruitcake through.’
Kathy laughed as she shook her head. ‘Oh, love, you know I’m not one for airs and graces. I can make my own coffee and yours too. I shan’t be waited on. I…’
‘But, Mum…’ Ellie watched as Kathy walked back across the hallway and into the kitchen, an immediate silence descending as soon as she’d stepped through the doorway.
Her mum’s chatter silenced, Murray’s humming stopped short.
She hurried into the kitchen behind her mum and paused as she watched both Murray and her mum standing there face to face with each other.
Great. What now? How was she supposed to navigate this situation without it leading to nuclear fallout?
‘Mrs Newton.’ Murray found his voice first.
‘What on earth are you doing here, Murray?’ Kathy almost spat his name out.
Looking down at the tiles, Ellie pinched the bridge of her nose so tight she could almost feel the sting in her eyes. This meeting wasn’t going to end well if this was anything to go by.
‘I’m fixing the decking.’ Murray lowered the mug he was holding to the work surface.
‘Now, shall I get that coffee?’ Without waiting for an answer, Ellie hurried towards the work surface, catching Murray’s eye as she did and silently pleading with him to leave.
She understood why her mum felt the way she did about Murray.
It had been her parents who had had to pick up the pieces when he’d left her, but that still didn’t warrant this stare-off her mum was currently intent on having with him. ‘Mum?’
‘I should get back to work. Good to see you again, Mrs Newton,’ Murray mumbled before leaving the kitchen abruptly.
Ellie watched as he closed the glass door behind him before she forced herself to turn back to the cafetière and pour herself and her mum a mug. She added an extra sugar cube to hers before pouring in the milk and picking them both up. ‘Shall we go through to the sitting room now?’
‘Why is he here?’ Pulling her gaze from the French doors, Kathy turned to her daughter.
‘Umm, he’s working here, fixing the decking. It’s a small world, isn’t it?’ Ellie laughed nervously before walking towards the door, hoping her mum would follow.
‘You really should give up the sugar in your coffee, love. Not only does it spoil a perfectly good drink, but sugar is so bad for you.’ Kathy’s voice was quiet, devoid of emotion, and Ellie knew she hadn’t heard the last of Kathy’s views and concerns about Murray working at the same place she was. Oh, if only she knew.
‘I know. I will, Mum.’ Ellie refrained from telling her that she didn’t normally take two sugars and the only reason she’d added it into her coffee just then was to give her the energy to deal with the conversation she knew they were about to have. ‘Come through and sit down.’
‘Ooh, isn’t it lovely in here?’ Kathy lowered herself onto one of the large Chesterfield sofas and looked around the room, exclaiming over the decor.
‘It really is, Mum. Pennycress is a beautiful inn.’ After passing her mum her coffee, Ellie lowered herself onto the sofa opposite and drew her own mug to her lips, letting the sweet coffee hit her tastebuds.
‘And you’re working here too, what a coincidence! We’ll be able to spend lots of time together.’ Kathy grinned as she settled back against the sofa cushions.