Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Despite asking, Sarah was reluctant to come to the book club with Juliette, so she set off on her own on Wednesday evening.
The weather had been warm again, but thunderstorms had arrived that afternoon, so the air was muggy and the sky grey.
She stepped around a large puddle as she walked towards the village.
It was a beautiful evening. There was hardly a car that passed her.
She wondered if she would get bored of the peace and tranquillity soon, miss the hustle and bustle of London.
So for now she’d enjoy it. There was at least one decent coffee shop that she had visited which had passed muster.
Their home-made cakes were divine. She planned to treat Danny to some that weekend.
The book club was being held in an upstairs room at the local pub, The Valley Arms. Even though she’d protested, Danny had dragged her there for Sunday lunch.
They’d introduced themselves to the landlord, Malcolm, and Juliette had seen a notice about the book club on the wall by the side of the nook.
It had saved her having to pop in at the hairdressers.
She went through the bar, smiling at the few people who were in there already.
Malcolm spotted her and waved, then pointed to a door to her right.
She nodded her thanks and went upstairs.
It opened up into a large room with laminate flooring and three windows.
A hatch in the wall had the roller shutter down and she assumed it might be a private bar for small functions.
There were five women sitting around two settees in the middle of the room. Most of them were in conversation with each other until she appeared. One of them stood up. She was in her early forties, had a motherly figure, with short blonde hair and immaculate make-up.
‘Hello!’ She beckoned her over. ‘Do come and join us.’
Juliette’s smile was shy as she did as she was told. The woman patted the seat next to her and she sat down.
‘My name’s Karen. I own the hairdressers on the high street.’ She pointed in turn to the other women. ‘That’s Barbara – you might recognise her from the coffee shop.’
Barbara looked the same age as Karen but was small and thin. Dark hair to her blonde.
‘I do, hi.’
‘That’s Rita whose husband owns the garage.
’ Karen pointed to an elderly lady with purple hair, her dress almost the same colour.
She was wearing ballet shoes that seemed a little tight for her feet.
Next to her was a teenager in denim dungaree shorts, a red vest and Converse trainers.
Her long hair was tied back in a ponytail and she had the most amazing blue eyes.
‘This is Freya, our youngest bookworm. Freya is at college, studying to be a journalist. And I assume you know Linda, as she’s told us all about you.’ Karen pointed to the woman sitting in the armchair.
‘Oh?’ Juliette raised her eyebrows. ‘Hi.’
‘Nothing is secret around here.’ Linda smiled. ‘Don’t worry, I’ve only told them that you moved in recently and that you’re on your own during the week.’
‘And I saw you with a dishy man at the weekend,’ Karen added. ‘Your husband, partner?’
‘Husband.’
‘Lucky you.’ Karen stood up. ‘Let’s get you something to drink. Red or white?’
‘Red please. Is there a kitty?’
‘Usually, but the first night you’re always a guest. Besides, you haven’t read the book we’re about to discuss. Or have you?’ She picked up a paperback. ‘This one?’
‘I have read it, actually,’ Juliette said, thankfully. ‘It was last year, but I remember it well. I’ve seen the film too. Cried like a baby.’
‘Oh, me too.’ Rita leaned across and touched her arm. ‘I just adored Lou. She was such a likeable character. And to put herself through all that was commendable.’
‘Through all what?’ Karen asked, re-joining them and handing a glass to Juliette. ‘Don’t tell me you’re talking about what she did for him.’
‘No, I mean her broken heart.’
For the next fifteen minutes, Juliette listened to the women talk through their likes and dislikes, joining in occasionally. Within a few minutes, she had relaxed. They were a lively bunch.
‘The woman next door to Juliette worked in the coffee shop for a few months,’ Barbara said. ‘Louisa.’
‘Who’s that?’
‘She and Richard were an item. She was his previous partner.’
‘Oh, I thought he’d been with Sarah for a long time. When was this?’
‘A few years ago now. I assume she’d moved on as I haven’t seen her in some time. She was a nice woman, although Richard kept a firm leash on her.’ She smirked. ‘Or at least he tried. She was a bit of a wild one at times. A hard worker though.’
By the time the book club was over, Juliette was both happy to leave and sad to do so.
The night had been a success and, for once, it hadn’t been hard to explain about Emily.
Since Danny had told Richard and Sarah at the weekend, she’d realised she’d have to start doing the same.
It had been painless, even with a lump in her throat.
The women had asked to see photos and she’d shown them without tearing up.
Walking home a little worse for wear after Karen had dragged her into the lounge downstairs for another drink before she left, Juliette laughed to herself at some of the things they’d said.
She had fitted in quite well, she thought, and had been invited to a charity coffee morning on Friday.
She was going to have a go at making a cake to take along.
Perhaps she could persuade Sarah next door to join her for an hour.
As she drew level with the house, she spotted Richard in his driveway and shouted hello to him.
He turned in her direction but then put his head down again.
Strange, she was sure he’d heard her. Thinking perhaps he didn’t want company, she went inside.
It was late after all. But there was still time to do one thing. She rang Danny.
‘Hey, I’m home. I’ve had a great evening.’
‘Not invited us to any more shindigs, have you?’
She could tell he was teasing her. He’d said as much in the pub at the weekend. After talking to the landlord, who had introduced them to some of the locals, he’d said he quite fancied himself joining in some sporting recreation.
‘Well, you have a round of golf to play on Saturday morning and then a horse ride in the afternoon.’
‘A horse ride.’ She heard him snigger as she slipped off her shoes.
‘And sailing on Sunday.’
‘Ha, very funny.’
‘You said you wanted to embrace the country life.’
‘I did.’ He sighed. ‘I can’t wait actually. It’s so hard transitioning. Maybe I should go off sick while I serve my notice.’
‘And come here to do what?’
‘I could think of something.’ His laugh was dirty. ‘Hey, speaking of which, I’ve been headhunted. A firm in Staffordshire wants to meet with me. I might come down a day earlier next week and arrange to see them on Friday if it suits.’
‘That’s brilliant news, although I’m sure I’ll be helping out in the market voluntarily by then.’
‘I’m not sure if you’re joking or not.’
‘Neither am I,’ she admitted. ‘I got talked into it by Linda. She’s in the next house, way down the lane. It’s her field we join on to. She’s quite nice.’
‘I’m going.’ Danny laughed. ‘I can’t stand all this neighbourly stuff.’
‘You wait until you’re here full-time. I shall get you roped into everything.’
Juliette missed him so much. It was nice to have him here at the weekends and she couldn’t wait to collect him on Friday evening. Until then, his laughter cheered her up in between goodbyes.
Now, she needed some sleep. She switched off the kitchen light and stepped into the hallway, jumping when she saw the front door was wide open.
She rushed to shut it, drawing across the lock as well as turning the double bolt.
How the hell had she left that open? She could have sworn she’d closed it.
Scolding herself as she went upstairs, she blamed the women she’d spent the night with for letting her get tipsy. Well, she’d had a good night. She giggled. She could hardly blame herself, could she?