Chapter Sixty-Three
‘Hello, stranger,’ said Alice.
We were both in the cake aisle of The Strawberry Shed, the Cartwrights’ farm shop.
‘Surely it’s only a few days since I last saw you,’ I smiled, dropping a pack of Linda’s scones in my basket.
July was nearly over. The month of August loomed – along with the result of the sealed bids for Starlight Hall.
Alice’s claim to me being a stranger was partially true.
We’d seen each other at Cilla’s continued highly successful fundraising events, also at interim meetings with the Starlight Society.
However, one-to-one girly gossips had been lacking.
This was primarily because I’d wanted to spend every free moment with Liam.
I’d been flitting between my house and his faster than a moth drawn to a million-watt lightbulb.
I hadn’t even told the twins about this fledgling new relationship, much less Alice. Right now, deflection was necessary.
‘So, where have you been hiding?’ I asked, making it sound as though she had been the absent one. The tactic paid off, and she gave throaty chuckle.
‘Mostly under the duvet at Ben’s place.’
‘Yes, you look a bit peaky,’ I grinned. ‘Too much bed and not enough sleep.’
Alice nudged me.
‘You’re a fine one to talk.’
I raised my eyebrows.
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘You and Liam.’
‘What about me and Liam?’
‘Give over,’ she tutted. ‘I know.’ She looked over her shoulder to make sure nobody else could overhear. ‘I know. And don’t deny it. It’s not just us women that talk. Men do too. And Ben and Liam have been talking.’
‘You don’t say!’ I said innocently. ‘That’s probably because they’re friends and that is what friends do. Talk.’
‘Oh, come on, Jen. Spill the beans. Is there or isn’t there something going on between you and the lush Mr Lancaster?’
‘Hm. Just now you said you knew. Now you’re not so sure.’
‘Okay, I’ll come clean. When I arrived at Ben’s the other day, he was on the phone to Liam.
It sounded like they were chatting about a woman – not Victoria – and Ben was saying stuff like, “Mate, that’s brilliant and I’m so pleased you’ve found The One.
” And then he clapped a hand over his mouth when he realised I’d overheard.
When he ended the call, I asked him outright who Liam’s latest love was.
He stuttered an excuse and tried to make out I was behaving like someone waiting for a bus on the wrong side of the road.
Then he threw up his hands and said, much as he loved me, I was a terrible gossip.
So, I instantly corrected him and said I simply enjoyed storytelling. ’
‘Ha!’ I snorted. ‘So, you just tried calling my bluff.’
‘But Liam did take you to the Abba concert,’ Alice pointed out.
‘And you did tell me you’d both had a brilliant time and, if I do recall correctly, it wasn’t just your flared trousers that were all sparkly.
There was quite a bit of sparkle going on in your eyeball region when you told me how Liam had sung Voulez-Vous to you.
Anyone who knows their Abba songs – and I do – will say that those lyrics are about flirting, seduction and the thrill of going after a love interest.’
‘Yes, he did grab me around the waist’ – I swooned slightly at the memory – ‘and he did make unbroken eye contact while singing along. But to be fair, we’d shipped a couple of glasses of fizz beforehand. Consequently, we were in a buoyant mood.’
‘Have you seen anything of him since?’ Alice persisted.
I was sorely tempted to say that I’d seen all of him several times over.
However, much as I longed to share my good news, I needed to speak to my kids first. It was only right and proper that Joy and James should be the first to know.
I wanted to explain my emotions and intentions personally, rather than letting rumours shape their reaction.
Heavens, I hadn’t even confided in my sister yet – and Sally definitely came before Alice in the pecking order.
At the thought of telling my family, I felt a frisson of nerves.
I wondered if the children would approve.
Joy had once referred to Liam as a cracker, but only in the context of saying he was goodlooking for a dinosaur.
That didn’t mean she’d necessarily support her mother or appreciate the gossip that would go with it.
Alice was still looking at me expectantly. I’d have to put her off the scent.
‘Yes, I will be seeing him again, and very soon.’ She gave me an I told you so look, which I swiftly pre-empted. ‘And you’ll be seeing him with me.’ For a moment Alice looked blank. ‘The next meeting,’ I prompted. ‘With the Starlight Society.’
She slapped her forehead.
‘Of course. Cilla has liaised with the estate agent who is handling the sale of Starlight Hall. On behalf of the Diocese – and for transparency – the agent is opening the sealed bids at the same time.’
‘Exactly,’ I nodded. ‘So, we will both see Liam again very soon.’
‘Do you think Cilla’s fund-raising will have paid off?’ said Alice anxiously.
‘In a short space of time, she’s raised an incredible amount of money,’ I reflected. ‘Well over a quarter of a million pounds.’
‘Any idea what Liam has bid?’ she asked.
‘Nope.’
Indeed, I hadn’t dared ask him. The topic of Starlight Hall’s future had been a taboo subject.
Alice glanced around furtively. But other than Linda sitting behind the serving counter and barking delivery instructions into a phone, we were alone.
‘Well’ – Alice confided – ‘I did ask Ben if he had any information on what Liam had bid.’
‘No way,’ I whispered, drawing closer. ‘What did Ben say?’
She looked sad.
‘He made me swear not to tell anyone.’
‘Go on,’ I said, my stomach tightening with tension.
‘Ben thought Liam’s bid might be around the half million mark.’
‘Goodness,’ I said, exhaling sharply. ‘Wow.’
Alice regarded me suspiciously.
‘You look relieved,’ she said. ‘Have you been secretly hoping that Liam will take a bulldozer to the place?’
‘Don’t be daft,’ I tutted. ‘I’ve supported the Starlight Society all the way.’
‘Sorry,’ she said contritely. ‘Sometimes my mouth speaks before my brain engages.’
‘Don’t give it another thought,’ I said. ‘I guess we’ll have to sit tight and see what happens on the day. I suspect it might be a lively meeting.’