Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
When we got back to the manor house I checked the visiting times at the hospital. Layla was in the living room playing with Zac. ‘Layla, do you have a car seat for Zac?’
She nodded. ‘Yes, I do.’
‘Let’s go visit Derek. I will stay in the car and look after Zac for you.’
‘Oh, Rachel, you don’t have to do this.’
‘Layla, I want to help you. Get your things and whatever Zac needs. Grandpa can stay here with Humphrey and guard the house.’
The main roads were clear so getting to the hospital wasn’t too bad. Zac babbled away in the back for the first twenty minutes but soon he fell asleep. Layla fidgeted a lot in the passenger seat. She kept wringing her hands and squeezing them until they turned white. ‘Are you nervous?’ I asked.
She nodded. ‘Yes. I don’t know what to say to him?’
‘You’ll find the words. You message each a lot – don’t you?’
Her fingers touched her tight hair bun. ‘It’s different when you’re face to face though. ‘Are your mum and dad still together?’
I explained about how Dad left us when Maddie and I were young and how we now had the odd birthday and Christmas card from him.
‘Do you ever feel like contacting him?’ Layla asked.
‘Mum has always told us not to…’ I stopped and remembered something Grandpa had said. I’d not contacted Dad because of Mum and how she always told us speaking to him would be like a form of betrayal to her. A lot of the time it was easier to go along with what Mum wanted. I turned into the hospital car park and realised Grandpa was right. I had been letting Mum control me. ‘I’d like to contact him.’
I explained about what happened with Dad.
Layla studied my face. ‘Their marriage problems were their business. Not yours and your sister’s.’
She was right. ‘Layla, for a twenty-one year old, you’re wise.’
Layla looked up at the hospital building. She placed her hand on her chest. ‘My heart is going berserk.’
‘You can do this.’
‘I know I can.’
‘You and Derek have a lot to catch up on.’
She nodded and glanced at a sleeping Zac in the back. ‘Be good for Rachel,’ she whispered. Before opening the door, she leaned over and planted a kiss on my cheek. ‘Thank you for being here for me, Rachel.’
‘Always, and I mean that, Layla.’
A different Layla returned an hour later. She had a huge smile across her face and her dark eyes were shining.
‘Well, how did it go?’
She looked at me and her huge grin lit me up inside. ‘Derek and I talked non-stop. Even the nurse commented on how we both liked to chat. We discussed a lot of things and he’s keen to meet Zac.’
‘That’s amazing.’
‘My life doesn’t feel as dark now. I mean, it’s far from perfect… I don’t have a permanent place to live, I have a young baby and I’m struggling to find cleaning work, but I have Derek now.’
I reached over and pulled her into a hug. ‘This is the start of your new life, Layla.’
‘He thinks he will be out just before Christmas. His leg is badly broken, and he might have to undergo other ops, but the doctors are positive he might be okay.’
‘Does Derek have a family?’
She shook her head. ‘This is the bizarre thing. He’s gone through some dark times too and he said finding me again has brought some sunshine into his life.’
Our journey back home was an emotional but happy one. Layla talked about all the things she wanted to do with Derek in the future. It made me tearful. She sounded happy and her face was no longer creased and shadowy. Her dreams also made me think about Dad. A little part of me wanted to write to him. I wasn’t sure what I would write but I was sure it would come to me. When we got back Grandpa and Humphrey were pleased to see us. I cooked us all a chicken casserole and over dinner Layla told Grandpa all about her visit to Derek.
‘I’m so pleased for you, Layla,’ gushed Grandpa, taking her hand in his. ‘You’ll have to invite Derek over on Christmas Day.’
Layla glanced at Grandpa and back at me. ‘Really?’
I nodded. ‘I don’t see why not. I mean we have far too much food for just us three and there is room for him to stay over.’
Layla got up and came to hug me. ‘I am so glad you came to stay, Rachel.’
I rubbed her hand. ‘So am I, Layla.’
‘Rosie and I were wondering whether you’d come sledging with us on Saturday,’ Ben asked the following morning, as I made him and Tom a cup of tea.
A huge grin took over my face. ‘Me? Sledging?’
‘The other day you claimed you have still got it when it comes to sledging so here’s your opportunity to show us.’ He arched his eyebrows suggestively.
‘I don’t have a sledge.’
Ben smiled. ‘There’s an old plastic one in my garage. You can use that. Well – what do you say? Rosie and I thought it would be a nice way to say thank you for helping us when Rosie went on her little adventure.’
‘I would love to. Thanks.’
Ben pointed to Humphrey. ‘Oh, and “Humph-Wee” must come with us. Rosie’s order.’
‘He would be honoured to join us,’ I said. ‘Do you know any good hills for sledging?’
‘I know the best hills,’ chuckled Ben with a wink. ‘We’ll pick you both up at ten?’
Grandpa entered the kitchen. As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t take Grandpa sledging. The snow was deep, and it was very cold outside. ‘Grandpa, Ben and his daughter have asked me to go sledging tomorrow morning. Are you all right to stay here?’
I waited for his protest but to my surprise, it didn’t come. ‘Go for it,’ said Grandpa, raising his fist. ‘Go large!’
Ben laughed. ‘I love that, Eric.’ He turned to me. ‘I better go get on with the job. See you tomorrow, speed demon.’
Grandpa and I sat at the kitchen table together. I made him pancakes and a pot of tea. As he spread jam on his pancake, he hummed away to himself. This made me suspicious. ‘Why are you so happy?’
He looked up. ‘It’s Christmas, Rachel. Just feeling festive.’
‘Have you been thinking about Dorothy?’
His twinkly blue eyes brightened at the mention of her name. ‘I will see Dorothy again soon.’ He leaned in and whispered, ‘I saw you talking to Ben.’
‘Yes,’ I whispered back.
Grandpa gave me an exaggerated wink. ‘I think he likes you.’
‘He’s just being friendly.’ Inside, my chest felt like it had been taken over by butterflies.
Grandpa gave me the thumbs up before saying, ‘I like him, and it would be useful to have a builder in the family as Robert is useless. All the shelves he put up in my living room are wonky.’
Layla walked into the kitchen carrying Zac on her hip. ‘Morning,’ she said in a happy sing-song voice. ‘How are we all?’ Her black hair was no longer coiled up in a tight bun. It was loose and full of soft waves. She looked fabulous.
‘Wonderful,’ announced Grandpa. ‘How are you? I like the hair. It suits you like that.’
‘Aww thanks, Eric,’ she gushed. ‘Derek is doing well, and he’s texted me this morning. I still can’t believe what we did yesterday, Rachel.’
‘We’re a team. What are your plans today, Layla?’ I asked, before nibbling on a pancake.
‘I’m cleaning up at the pub as they had a private party last night.’ Layla went over to a cupboard to take out Zac’s feeding cup. ‘My friend Trish has said she’ll look after Zac for me.’
‘Is that the Harp Brook Inn?’
‘No,’ said Layla. ‘The Nag’s Head. I used to clean at the Harp Brook Inn but Vanessa… said she didn’t need me anymore.’
I remembered Darren from the café warning me about Vanessa. ‘What’s she like – Vanessa, the landlady?’
Layla stayed with her back to us. ‘A lot of the village listens to her. She… umm… dislikes your brother-in-law.’
‘I had heard that.’
It was the way Layla glanced at me which caught my attention. Her phone in her back pocket began to vibrate which was frustrating. I sensed Layla knew more. The moment was gone as she answered her phone, gave Zac his drink and left the kitchen. I didn’t see her again as Humphrey needed his morning walk.
When I returned, I decided it was time Grandpa and I ventured back into Harp Brook. ‘Do you fancy a drive into town, Grandpa?’
He rose from his chair with a smile on his face. ‘I thought you’d never ask.’
‘I know we have stayed in for a few days. Driving in snow is not one of my strengths and I didn’t want to put us in any danger.’
Humphrey began wagging his tail and looking hopeful at me. ‘I walked you half an hour ago. Be good here and guard the house.’
We managed to drive down the driveway and get into the village. I also managed to park outside the bakery with the café. ‘Wait till I come around to help you out, Grandpa,’ I ordered before getting out of the car. The pavement, despite being gritted, was still a bit tricky and I didn’t want Grandpa to fall.
Once inside the café, I asked Grandpa to go sit down while I got the drinks.
Darren smiled as I approached the counter. ‘Back again?’
‘Pot of tea for two and I think we’ll try two of your toasted tea cakes, please.’
‘Coming right up.’ He turned and began filling up a red teapot with hot water. ‘Not many people are venturing out so it’s nice to see you and your grandfather.’
‘How’s life in Harp Brook?’
He shrugged. ‘The primary school reopened today which was a blessing for Abi and me. The twins might love snow days but it’s tricky when you’re trying to run a business.’
‘When do they break up for Christmas?’
He loaded up our tray. ‘Next Tuesday. The nativity play is on Monday and we’re praying the snow doesn’t shut the school again as our two little ones will be mortified.’
‘Aww, do they have parts?’
He nodded. ‘Shepherd number 3 and Sheep number 2.’
‘Amazing, I hope they have a great time.’ I tapped my card against the card machine.
‘There is another issue with the nativity play,’ he explained, sorting out our teacakes.
I was about to carry the tea over to Grandpa but stopped to listen.
‘They had a lady who was going to paint the background scenery – the night sky and the stable – but she’s been taken to hospital, so they’ve asked the PTA to help.’ He pointed towards the back of the shop. ‘Abi is on the PTA and her painting skills are not great.’
A voice from the back shouted, ‘I heard that.’
We all laughed. Darren carried on. ‘She’s struggling to find someone to paint…’
As he talked, I recalled Olivia’s words, Grow your outer world. I could paint something for the school. It would get me out of the house, and I might meet a few new people in Harp Brook. Before he’d finished the words flew out of my mouth. ‘I paint and I would love to help the nativity play.’
‘Abi!’ shouted Darren. ‘I think we’ve saved the nativity play.’
A head poked out from behind a tray of freshly baked loaves. Abi grinned. ‘This sounds exciting.’
I took out my phone and brought up some photos of my paintings. Abi squealed when she saw them. ‘Rachel, are you free tonight, by any chance?’