Chapter Fifty-Six
Time went by. The month of June got underway. With it came warmer temperatures and days full of sunshine.
Hetty was now home from hospital. She’d told everyone she was absolutely fine and would not be giving up the spirits at either the Starlight Arms or future fund-raising events. As far as she was concerned, it was business as usual.
Polly, Cilla’s heavily pregnant barmaid, went into labour just as she was pouring a sherry for Doreen Bird.
My neighbours, Tilly and Milo, rushed Polly off to hospital, thrilled about the imminent birth of their first grandchild.
Not so ecstatic was Polly who couldn’t get hold of partner Jake due to his mobile having a dead battery.
‘I’ll kill him,’ she moaned, as Milo and Tilly shepherded her away. ‘What’s the best time to have an epidural?’ she gasped.
‘For Jake, immediately,’ said Milo wryly. ‘That way it will hurt less when you launch yourself at him.’
‘Good luck,’ everyone cried, as Polly waddled off with her in-laws.
Fortunately Jake was eventually located.
He turned up at the hospital in a total tizzy.
Twelve hours later Polly safely delivered a little girl.
She was immediately named Stella, Italian for star.
Jake later explained that his daughter’s name was a nod to both Milo’s Italian heritage and the village of Starlight Croft.
Liam texted to say that he’d managed to secure tickets for the virtual Abba concert, but unfortunately not until mid-July. As I read his message, I felt a ripple of excitement squiggle through every cell of my body. However, I also felt a frisson of disappointment. Mid-July seemed ages away.
Alice’s bit of chit-chat had stayed with me. As I reflected on our conversation, her words seemed to reverberate within my brain – that if I wanted to date again, it was my business, nobody else’s.
Unfortunately, Liam hadn’t suggested any other get-togethers in the weeks before the concert – not even a friendly coffee.
Seemingly, we were just enjoying a friendship.
And even that – I realised with another pang of regret – was now mainly by text.
When my phone did occasionally beep with a message from the man himself, it was very platonic.
Just heard Dancing Queen on the radio. Which reminds me. Forgot to tell you that we will be in the standing area and dancing! xx
I’d pounced on my phone and scanned the text like a teenager.
Every word had been analysed for possible hidden meanings.
Could it be that he was hinting at me being his Dancing Queen?
Might he be implying that he was going to dance with me?
And those two crosses at the end – were they actual kisses, or simply a warm indication of friendship?
After all, Alice and I always signed off with two kisses.
It didn’t mean we wanted to snog each other.
And then I’d rather impulsively tapped out a reply, hoping that Liam, like me, might scan my message and spot the change in my feelings about him:
Can’t wait! (In other words, I’m soooo looking forward to seeing you.) Love dancing!
(Dance with me, not just alongside me.) I love Andante, Andante!
(And don’t take your time or take it slow.) Also, Gimme!
Gimme! Gimme! (The man after midnight is YOU!) I think all the dancing might be thirsty work.
(Let’s drink champagne, then go to a hotel.) Anyway, can’t wait to see you and the show! xxx (Look, three kisses! Keen or what?)
Oh, Liam. Please read between the lines. I’m so over Peter. I was over Peter before he even died.
After several days of silence from Liam, I couldn’t stand it any longer and decided to text again.
Hiya! Just to let you know, I’ve unearthed some sparkly flared trousers from a box in the loft! This was an absolute lie. I’d found them on Vinted. Prepare to be dazzled! Xx
I’d hit the send button with a satisfied smile on my face. That last sentence had innocently conveyed that my retro gear was sparkly, but hopefully also carried the subliminal message that I wanted to dazzle him.
Regrettably, Liam didn’t immediately respond. In fact, he didn’t reply the following day, the one after that, or even the one after that.
By Day Four I wondered if he’d cottoned on to my flirtatiousness and thought, “Dear God, is she gagging for it or what? After all, I already have Vampy Victoria, Saucy Sarah from the Indian restaurant, and Elusive Ella that I’m still pursuing.
I don’t need Jaded Jen with her eyebags and spider veins. ”
A watched phone never rings or, in this case, bleeps.
Sighing, I kept myself busy with the Starlight Society and volunteered over and over at the fund-raising events.
Cilla had scheduled so many things. There was a dog show, a gymkhana, a market garden festival and – thanks to the fast-growing reputation of Oracle Hetty – a solo event just for Starlight Croft’s most senior citizen.
Hetty had also attracted the attention of a local radio station. They wanted to do a live broadcast for listeners to ring in and receive messages beyond the veil.
‘Well done, all,’ Cilla declared at the latest meeting. ‘We are going from strength to strength. Now that a local radio station is involved, who knows where this will lead? Saving Starlight Hall is a project that has escalated beyond our wildest dreams, with extra special thanks to Hetty.’
Everyone cheered the octogenarian who bowed her head with quiet grace.
Regarding my house sale, Home and Hearth Estate Agents had only managed to produce one viewing for Moonlight Manor. This had been a middle-aged couple. They’d peered into every nook and cranny without comment. Afterwards, the manager had telephoned me.
‘Do you have an offer for me, Leslie?’ I’d asked, trying not to get my hopes up.
‘I’m afraid not,’ he’d said despondently. ‘They liked the house but decided, on reflection, that it’s too big for them.’
‘Oh, that’s a shame,’ I’d said in disappointment.
‘I think the asking price was too much for them.’
‘Do you think I should reduce it?’
‘Most definitely not,’ Leslie had protested. ‘Not yet anyway. Actually, the reason I rang, Jen, is because I wanted to give you the opportunity to have a rethink. To maybe change agents. I mentioned before that one or two of the better-known Sevenoaks offices might seal a deal sooner than me.’
‘No,’ I’d said firmly. ‘Anyway, I still haven’t found anywhere else to move to.’
‘Are you actively looking?’
‘Not as such,’ I’d admitted. ‘But, as I said previously, I can rent if a buyer comes along.’
Leslie had rung off promising to keep in touch if there was any further interest.
The twins came home for a couple of weekends. It was mostly to dump laundry, and moan about fellow students nicking their food. However, it had been heavenly to catch up with them both and have a giggle over a Sunday roast at the Starlight Arms.
I’d also had a phone call from Peter’s employer or, more succinctly, their Benefits Team. There had been a bit of chit-chat about the death-in-service monies that had recently been paid out. They’d asked if I’d like to speak to their personal financial advisor. I’d thanked them and said no.
However, that conversation had prompted a lightbulb moment. I’d then picked up the phone and made an appointment with a solicitor. At their office, my idea had been discussed and plans made. I’d left the building with a smile on my face knowing everything would be taken care of.
Meanwhile, Alice was still madly in lust – and love – with Ben.
Other than seeing her at the meetings, her company was otherwise scarce.
This was also partially due to her order book going stellar after all the fund-raising events.
She then rang and invited me over to hers for a catchup while also cracking on with a commission.
I picked up a freshly baked cake from the Cartwrights’ farm shop, The Strawberry Shed, and took it over to Jingle Bell Terrace. While chatting, the pair of us reduced it to crumbs in a matter of minutes.
‘Heard from Liam?’ she asked, licking sugar icing off her lips.
‘No,’ I said, shaking my head. ‘He seems to have dropped off the planet.’
‘Ben told me that he’s been working away. I forget where.’
Upon hearing that, I perked up.
‘Also’ – she added, picking up her pencil to shade a husky’s ear – ‘I had Ben ask about the mysterious Victoria.’
‘You didn’t,’ I gasped. ‘Liam will know I’ve been gossiping.’
‘Possibly,’ she conceded. ‘I’m afraid I have bad news.’ She paused to add some dark spots to the husky’s muzzle. ‘It seems you were right.’
‘Oh?’ I said, feigning indifference. However, my heart seemed to be sinking faster than the Titanic.
‘Liam recently spent a weekend with Victoria.’
‘And why not?’ I said lightly. ‘After all, that’s what people do in a relationship. They see each other.’
Fuck.
I think you’ll find that they did, said my inner voice.