Foxglove Farm
CHRISTIE BARLOW

A division of HarperCollinsPublishers

www.harpercollins.co.uk

HarperImpulse

an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd

1 London Bridge Street

London SE1 9GF

www.harpercollins.co.uk

First published in Great Britain by HarperImpulse 2019

Copyright © Christie Barlow 2019

Cover illustrations © Shutterstock.com

Cover design © HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 2019

Christie Barlow asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

A catalogue copy of this book is available from the British Library.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins.

Source ISBN: 9780008319724

Ebook Edition © June 2019 ISBN: 9780008319717

Version: 2019-06-10

Table of Contents

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

A Letter from Christie

Acknowledgements

About HarperImpulse

About the Publisher

For the four most awesome people in the world,

My gang, Emily, Jack, Ruby and Tilly.

I love you more xx

Chapter 1

Isla felt the tension bubbling away in the room the second she walked into the kitchen. She hovered by the table and watched her husband Drew slamming every drawer and cupboard door.

‘Have you lost something?’ she asked cautiously, wondering what the hell had gotten into him.

Drew spun round and held her gaze. His face was mottled crimson, the tendons in his neck bulging. Isla knew that look. Drew was spoiling for a fight, but she had no clue to why. It wasn’t very often he reached boiling point but when he did there was little time to duck and take cover.

‘It’s always down to me, isn’t it?’

Trying her best to keep composed against the sudden onslaught – after all, she wasn’t a mind reader – Isla kept her voice calm, ‘What’s always down to you?’

Drew ran his hand through his hair numerous times in quick succession, a trait he had when he was agitated.

‘Everything!’ He threw his arms up into the air. There was an irritation to his anger, a sort of impetuousness.

His words packed a powerful punch. ‘Everything?’ she repeated.

‘Yes, everything. Who’s up milking the cows at ridiculous o’clock?’

Isla narrowed her eyes; this conversation had come out of the blue and wasn’t one she was expecting at all. She didn’t understand the point Drew was trying to make, and for a second she thought about reacting with a flippant comment about the fact that he chose to be a farmer. But instead she replied with a calm voice, hoping not to fuel whatever was burning inside him: ‘And who’s been up three times in the night feeding our son while I let you sleep? I’m shattered too, Drew, as well you know.’

‘That’s not in dispute, but then you go back to sleep whenever you can while I single-handedly keep the farm afloat.’

‘The last time I checked, it was a joint effort.’ Drew was beginning to agitate Isla now. How dare he?

‘You’ve got it easy, Isla.’

Isla absorbed what he was saying, feeling shocked to the core. ‘Are you serious?’ The anger was now rising up inside her. How dare he accuse her of having it easy? Isla couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a decent night’s sleep.

‘You swan around without a care in the world, breakfast at the teashop, lunch at the pub … I’m not here to bankroll your social life.’

‘My social life?’ Isla’s voice rose an octave.

‘While I’m working every hour, you’re frittering it away before it’s even reached the bank.’

‘So now I’m not allowed to see my friends?’ she protested.

‘That’s not what I’m saying.’

‘Goodness knows what you’re trying to say.’

They held each other’s gaze and Drew exhaled.

‘I mean it Isla, I’m sick to the back teeth of bringing in the cash. If you carry on spending it faster than I am making it, then we might have to think about you getting a job.’

His words had an air of finality to them but there was no way on earth she was prepared to just go back to work yet, especially with the baby being so young. And they’d talked about her staying at home while the kids were little. He’d never mentioned this before … What had gotten into Drew?

‘If you want to talk about what’s really going on here, without attacking me the second I walk into the room, I’m all ears.’ Isla’s voice was firm.

Drew stared at her, then yanked his coat from the back of the chair with anger before flouncing out of the door with a slam.

‘Damn you, Drew Allaway,’ she bellowed after him, close to tears.

Chapter 2

Perplexed, Isla stood in the window and watched Drew stamp across the yard. Of course, she knew the pair of them could squabble from time to time, just like any other married couple, but recently things seemed different between them. This argument seemed different. Drew seemed more distant, his sleep restless. Isla knew having a new baby in the house had changed the dynamics of their normal routine completely, and she knew Drew wasn’t a huge fan of the baby stage – he preferred when he could chase them up the stairs, give piggybacks and hold a conversation with them. Maybe, he just felt he wasn’t getting enough attention from her? But then, neither was she and surely that was what family life was all about?

‘Who does the cooking, the cleaning, the washing … takes Finn to school etc. etc.?’ she mumbled under her breath, picking up her phone from the table and texting Felicity.

‘Ask Rona to throw me in a Full Scottish. I’ll be over in ten minutes.’

Almost immediately her phone pinged, ‘You got it! Reserved your favourite table too.’

Isla knew she could always rely on Felicity. She was her best friend and Isla would be able to vent her frustration about this morning’s argument without it going any further, even though her partner Fergus was Drew’s right-hand man on the farm.

She was maddened by Drew’s behaviour, even more so after she’d woken up feeling quite chirpy. Baby Angus had only woken once in the night for a feed, leaving her feeling refreshed, even though she longed for the time when he’d sleep straight through. Isla knew she would have to tackle Drew’s mood again later and wasn’t looking forward to that. As soon as she picked up Finn from school, the hours were hectic until bedtime. Every night was the same routine: preparing the tea, bathing Finn and Angus, followed by making the sandwiches for the following day, putting the children to bed … the list was endless.

The more she thought about it, the more Isla became even madder with Drew. Who did he think looked after the day-to-day running of the farmhouse? Did he think the food miraculously appeared on the table in front of him the second he stepped through the door after a hard day’s work on the farm?

‘Get a job … get a job,’ she puffed to herself, reaching for the money pot on the shelf and tugging off the lid. She stared inside, shook it, then turned it upside down in bewilderment, but nothing fell out, it was completely empty.

‘That’s strange,’ she muttered, knowing that’s where Drew kept the cash. At the beginning of the week there had been over a hundred pounds stuffed inside.

Hearing Angus cry from his cot, she hurried upstairs and found the baby lying on his back kicking his legs. She reached inside and nestled him into her shoulder. ‘You are all that matters,’ Isla said softly. ‘You and Finn … us … our family. We need to get to the bottom of what’s up with your daddy and put it right.’ Isla kissed his head lightly.

‘Come on, let’s go and see Auntie Flick at the teashop.’

Five minutes later, with Angus bundled up tightly in his blue woven blanket and strapped inside his pram, Isla began to stroll towards the teashop with her argument with Drew still very much on her mind. She spotted him and Fergus thudding their mallets into the new wooden fence panels they were erecting in the bottom field. ‘Let’s hope daddy comes home in a better mood,’ she said hopefully, smiling down at Angus.

As Isla walked along, hearing the woodpeckers drumming against the trunks of the trees and the birds twittering away in the line of blush-pink-blossomed trees that adorned the pavement of Love Heart Lane, she hovered for a second, her nose pointing skyward, eyes closed as she inhaled the earthy spring smell, a perfume of rain, grass and soil. Isla immediately began to feel calmer. Spring had definitely begun to arrive in the small village of Heartcross.

There wasn’t another soul in sight on Love Heart Lane, which Isla was thankful for, as after the argument with Drew she didn’t feel much like exchanging pleasantries with anyone.

As she approached Bonnie’s teashop, she saw Felicity and her mum Rona beavering away behind the counter. Rona swiped Felicity with a tea towel as she pinched a cup cake and shovelled it into her mouth. They both burst into laughter.

Watching them, Isla felt a tiny pang of jealousy. They were both having so much fun and that’s what she missed … fun. The more she thought about Drew, the more she couldn’t pinpoint the last time that they’d spent any quality time together or the last time they’d laughed, and she meant proper belly laughing when the tears rolled down your cheeks and your stomach ached that much, you could barely breathe or move … which made her sad. She missed those times.

Isla manoeuvred the pram through the teashop door, the tinkle of the bell above alerting Felicity and Rona to her arrival.

‘Rescue me, Isla,’ Rona beamed. ‘I’ve been up since the crack of dawn … baking cakes … savouries,’ she swung her hand towards the delicious array of food displayed in the glass cabinets. ‘Not to mention,’ she continued, ‘the homemade carrot-and-leek soup simmering in the pot, rounds of cheese-and-pickle, beef-and-mustard, and tuna-and-cucumber sandwiches stacked away in the fridge, ready for lunch time. Jacket potatoes prepped, and this one … this one,’ she wagged her finger at Felicity in jest, ‘decides she’s already eating the profits before we begin our day!’

Felicity allowed her lips to twitch into a smile and patted her stomach. ‘When life hands you lemon cake … and it was just looking at me! And never mind the profits,’ she added. ‘It’s my waistline I’m more worried about. Since re-opening this place, it’s expanding by the day.’

‘So, stop eating the cake!’ said Rona, laughing.

‘Never mind you pair, I need rescuing myself this morning.’ As a wave of emotion washed over Isla, her voice faltered and she suddenly felt like she was going to burst into tears.

Felicity and Rona exchanged a glance before Felicity quickly pulled out a chair and ushered her friend towards it.

‘I’ll get the tea … always good in a crisis,’ offered Rona, swiping her hands on her apron, leaving Felicity to take care of her friend.

‘I need gin … in fact a double … no, a triple wouldn’t go a miss,’ said Isla, wiping an escaping frustrated tear away with the back of her hand.

Felicity parked the pram next to the table and gently ruffled Angus’s soft hair before sitting down next to Isla.

Isla’s eyes trailed after Rona as she disappeared back behind the counter, before she turned back towards Felicity. ‘You’ve got a good life, haven’t you?’

‘I can’t complain.’

Isla took a breath. ‘Just now, I saw you both laughing through the window, having fun.’

‘I have to admit,’ said Felicity, ‘I do like this time in the morning, the calm before the storm.’

Felicity took a swift look around the teashop that had once been her gran’s life. Bonnie Stewart had converted the front room of her cottage into a tearoom for passing ramblers and had enjoyed every minute of it.

Since she’d passed away Felicity had taken over the running of the family business with her mum, Rona, and felt proud keeping her grandmother’s business and name very much alive in the heart of the village. Being back in Heartcross was where Felicity belonged, and she couldn’t ever imagine leaving it again.

‘But what’s this got to do with why you’re upset?’

Isla blinked away more tears.

‘Come on, Isla, it can’t be that bad?’

‘Drew and I had an argument,’ shared Isla, feeling a tiny bit disloyal to him even mentioning it to Flick. Pouring herself a cup of tea from the pot and cupping her hands around the mug, she added, ‘And I wouldn’t mind, but I’d woken up in a good mood, until he decided to ruin my day.’

‘What were you arguing about?’

‘I’m not entirely sure. Out of the blue he suggested … no, actually he didn’t suggest, he insisted I was sponging off him, wasn’t pulling my weight and that … wait for it … I need to get a job … Can you believe it?’ Isla rolled her eyes.

Before Finn was born Isla had worked at a nursery over in the town of Glensheil and Isla could remember quite clearly Drew suggesting that she should become a stay-at-home mum. They’d discussed it at great length. The children were only young once and neither of them wanted to put them in full-time child care or after-school clubs.

‘He actually said that you were sponging off him?’

‘Well, not in so many words,’ admitted Isla. ‘But basically, that I wasn’t financially pulling my weight …’ Isla whispered, feeling the anger beginning to rise again. ‘And how the hell am I going to fit a job in, as well as taking Finn to school, washing, ironing, shopping etc. etc., and wouldn’t I just be working to pay child-care costs? It all seems ridiculous to me.’

‘But it might be good for you to have a little independence, something just for you,’ Rona said, overhearing a small snippet of the conversation. ‘Maybe a little extra pocket money,’ added Rona, sliding a Full Scottish breakfast towards Isla.

‘Mum!’

‘Sorry … sorry, I was only saying,’ she said, flinging her hands up into the air and quickly scurrying back into the kitchen.

‘Oh, and then, he’s decided I can’t see my friends.’

‘What?!’

‘He said I spend too much time in the teashop and in the pub seeing my friends and wasting his hard-earned cash. What does he expect me to do? Sit in the farmhouse all day, staring at four walls and talking to no-one?’

‘And you have no idea what’s prompted this outburst?’

Isla shook her head, ‘None at all.’

‘And what do you feel about going back to work?’

Isla stabbed the sausage on her plate and poised the fork near her mouth. ‘It’s too soon … look at him.’

All eyes turned towards Angus, who was making sucking noises with his mouth while fast asleep. ‘I’m not handing him over to anyone, and we agreed I didn’t need to work when I had the children. Financially it wasn’t worth it, which is what makes this all so confusing.’

Felicity shrugged, knowing Isla’s frame of mind was justified. ‘And let’s face it, in this small village there isn’t much opportunity for work unless you travel.’

Isla looked horrified at the thought. ‘Has Fergus said anything to you about Drew’s moods?’

‘Only that he didn’t seem himself at the moment … moody … a bit short-tempered, but he just put it down to interrupted sleep, with a new baby in the house.’

‘Believe me, his sleep is far from interrupted.’

Isla knew that they usually managed to communicate without conversations escalating into rows, but recently she did feel like she was treading on eggshells around her husband.

‘I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about, we all have off days and with a new baby in the house, however adorable, it must put a strain on things,’ said Felicity reassuringly, as she reached over and squeezed her friend’s hand. ‘Now go and give your face a quick wipe and I’ll get you a fresh pot of tea.’

‘Thanks Flick, for listening to me.’

‘Don’t be daft, what are friends for.’

As Isla disappeared into the bathroom, Felicity stood behind her mum, who seemed deep in thought.

‘Penny for them,’ said Felicity tentatively, watching her mum closely.

‘I was just thinking about this place, how many people have passed through that door over the years, how many cups of tea have been served and how many cakes have been devoured since Mum opened up all those years ago.’ She smiled, ‘I’m so glad you came home, and we are here … together.’

‘Me too,’ replied Felicity, grabbing the tea towel and drying the plates on the draining board. ‘It must have been thousands of cups of tea,’ she said and smiled at her mum.

‘And you best turn that sign around, otherwise we’ll have no customers today.’ Rona nodded towards the door. ‘Is Isla okay?’

‘She will be,’ answered Felicity, walking towards the door.

As soon as she flicked the sign over to ‘Open’ and returned to the kitchen, the old-fashioned bell chimed to signal a customer. Rona was expecting an influx of customers today, as Julia who ran the village’s B&B had informed her she was already full to the brim this week with a rambling club all the way from Staffordshire. As soon as the weather became warmer the teashop was always busy with hikers grabbing a packed lunch before setting off on their trek over the Scottish Highlands.

‘I could murder a cuppa and a slice of toast.’

Immediately on hearing the voice, Rona screwed up her eyes and stared, ‘No way! It can’t be …’

‘Yes, way!’ There in the doorway stood an elderly woman, wearing a shabby green coat that hung from her tiny frame, thick black tights that were laddered at the knee and a pair of chunky Doc Martens shoes. She looked around seventy, short and plump with her grey wispy hair wound up in a bun, and she had a huge beam on her face.

Immediately Rona stood up and flung her arms open wide and hugged the woman. ‘Martha Gray! Where the hell have you been? How lovely to see you! It must be at least …’

‘Too long to remember,’ interrupted Martha.

Felicity was scrutinising her mum’s face for clues to who this woman was, as Rona turned towards Felicity.

‘Martha … it’s Martha … Isla’s grandmother, your Grandmother Bonnie’s best friend,’ said Rona. But by the time Rona had jogged Felicity’s memory, Martha was already kissing her on both cheeks.

‘Oh my, so it is!’ Felicity hadn’t seen Martha since she’d moved away to London eight years ago. She’d lost a lot of weight and seemed shorter than Felicity recalled. She remembered her working in the teashop alongside her grandmother years ago.

‘Well … where is she?’ said Martha, straining her neck and casting a glance over the teashop. For a second Felicity thought she meant Isla until she added, ‘My old partner in crime, surely she hasn’t taken the day off … I’ve never known Bonnie Stewart to take a day off before.’

Rona felt puzzled and looked towards Felicity as the penny dropped. Rona swallowed a lump in her throat and took a deep breath. ‘She’s gone, Martha … she’s gone.’

‘What, to the shops? … Over to Glensheil for the day?’

Rona shook her head, ‘No, Martha … there’s no easy way to say this … Mum passed away.’

As the words registered, Martha slumped into a chair and unbuttoned her coat. ‘I can’t take this in … when did this happen?’ She gulped back a sob, dabbing her face with a tissue from her pocket.

‘Christmas time,’ replied Rona, taking her coat and hanging it on the stand in the corner of the teashop.

‘I’m so sorry for your loss. I know I’ve not been around for a while, but she was always my best friend, you know. I had visions of us running riot over in Glensheil on my return. Surely the nightlife is still the same over the bridge … gin nights and late-night parties are all the rage nowadays, knit and natter is so last year and way too tame these days.’

‘I’m sure if she was still here, she wouldn’t have hesitated to join you.’ Rona couldn’t help but smile. Martha had always had a zest for life and lived every day like it was her last. It didn’t matter how long Martha was away from Heartcross, she always slotted straight back in, like she’d never been away.

Many years ago, Bonnie and Martha had been inseparable, thick as thieves, and for a short time Martha had worked in the old teashop alongside Bonnie when the rambling trade was soaring. The teashop was the last stop on Love Heart Lane before the stile that led the ramblers over the heather-wreathed glens, beautiful waterfalls and majestic mountains. The climb was one of spectacular scenery.

Martha had last been seen in the village last spring. It had been a fresh, crisp morning when a gang of ramblers had fallen into the teashop before a five-hour hike. And that’s when Martha had met Walt, in the teashop over eggs benedict. Later that evening he’d changed his walking trousers and boots to an outfit of brown tweed jacket, checked shirt and navy corduroys … and that had been that. After their very first date she’d stepped down as chair for the Women’s Institute, had removed herself from the parish council and had done a moonlight flit with Walter, leaving Isla to report her as a missing person until a postcard had landed on her doormat all the way from a Caribbean cruise.

‘Taken too soon,’ Martha was muttering over and over again.

‘Let me get you a coffee?’

‘I need something stronger, I’m in shock.’

‘Nothing changes,’ Rona mouthed to Felicity.

‘Sherry,’ said Martha, ‘or whisky?’

‘Go and pour a whisky from the decanter on the sideboard,’ Rona whispered.

Felicity nodded and soon returned with the amber-looking liquid in a crystal glass.

‘Rest in peace, dear Bonnie,’ Martha said, swirling the whisky around in the glass before necking it in one gulp.

Felicity winced at the very thought of the burn in the back of the throat.

‘Does Isla know you are coming?’ asked Felicity, taking a swift glance towards the bathroom door, thinking that Isla hadn’t mentioned her grandmother’s return.

‘I thought I’d surprise her,’ answered Martha.

They were both in no doubt that Isla would be in complete surprise, especially after Martha had upped and left the village to live life to the max.

Martha had been Isla’s only real family left in Heartcross. Years ago, Isla’s parents had emigrated to New Zealand, but Isla hadn’t wanted to leave the village or Drew and had moved into the farmhouse with his family.

‘You do know you have two great-grandchildren now, don’t you?’

‘What … two … When did that happen?’

Rona nodded her head towards the sleeping baby in the pram. ‘When you were travelling around the world …’ said Rona, raising her eyebrows. ‘Or doing whatever you’ve been doing all this time.’

‘Two boys,’ chipped in Felicity. ‘Finn has a brother, Angus.’

Martha peered inside the pram, ‘And this is him?’ she said, overwhelmed.

‘It sure is.’

‘Well I never,’ she exclaimed, reaching for his tiny hand.

As Isla stepped back into the teashop, she stopped dead in her tracks. Immediately Isla recognised the shabby coat, the Doc Martens boots. ‘Gran, is that you?’

Martha spun round and flung her arms open to a rather flabbergasted Isla, whose jaw had dropped somewhere below her knees.

‘It most definitely is!’

‘Granny … what the …’ She stopped to catch her breath. ‘What are you doing here? And where’s Walter, is he with you?’ she asked, quickly scanning the teashop.

‘Always asking questions!’ Martha kissed her granddaughter on both cheeks. ‘What do you mean, what am I doing here? I’ve come to stay. I knew you’d be so happy to see me.’

‘Stay? How long for?’

‘You know what, dear granddaughter, I think this time I’m back for good.’

Martha enveloped Isla in the tightest hug ever, and as Isla struggled to breathe she locked eyes with Felicity. Over her gran’s shoulder she mouthed wearily, ‘Back for good? Forget the tea, I’m in need of that gin.’

Chapter 3

Finally releasing her granddaughter from her tight grip, Martha swooped straight into the pram and planted a noisy, sloppy kiss on to Angus’s head. His warm body wriggled in her arms as she inhaled his baby smell.

‘Isn’t he just the best? Angus … what a good Scottish name. Me and you are going to be the best of friends.’

Isla felt perplexed. Angus was now three months old and there had been no interest from Martha for all that time, and suddenly they were going to be the best of friends? And never mind Finn, who was six years old and hadn’t seen his great-gran in the last twelve months! And now she was acting like the doting granny. Of course, Isla had thought about trying to contact her when Angus was born, but she hadn’t a clue where to begin. Martha wasn’t one for staying in one place for a long time. From experience Isla knew her granny was of a flighty nature and goodness knows where she was or what was ever going on in her life. But one thing she knew for sure was that eventually she’d turn up again.

‘I can’t take my eyes off him,’ Martha was still gazing adoringly at Angus.

‘Gran … are you serious … are you back for good?’ Isla had to ask, as the realisation of her words had well and truly sunken in after the initial shock.

Martha jerked her head towards Rona, ‘You’d think my granddaughter wasn’t happy to see me.’

‘It’s not that,’ Isla added quickly, but the look on her face said it all. ‘A bit more notice wouldn’t go amiss. Have you booked into the B&B? Julia never mentioned it.’

Martha threw back her head and laughed. ‘The B&B? Why would I want to stay there when I can stay with my beautiful granddaughter?’

The words hit Isla like a high-speed train. She wasn’t sure if she could muster up enough energy to wait on another house guest, and what was Drew going to say? Not that he had anything against Martha, but his mood was a little unpredictable lately.

‘I’ll have to make up the spare room.’

‘I can help with that,’ said Martha, gently rocking Angus in her arms before safely placing him back inside the pram.

‘And where’s Walter? Will he be joining you?’ asked Isla, suddenly panicking that there were going to be two unexpected house guests.

Martha shook her head. ‘Walter … He’s long gone … I’ve seen the last of him. One minute he was contentedly reading the Daily Mail like he did every morning with his cup of tea, and next he was on a train to Brighton, with that floozy Jennifer from the corner shop, and that was that.’

‘What do you mean, that was that?’

‘They ran off together … and I took myself off on holiday with Fred with the cash he’d forgotten to take from the kitchen drawer.’

‘Fred … who’s Fred?’

‘No-one important … After Fred, I hooked up with Greg for a while, but he was old before his time and then …’

‘I think I get the picture,’ cut in Isla in amazement.

‘It doesn’t matter how old you get, Isla … love isn’t guaranteed to run smoothly and that’s why I’m here …’

After this morning Isla knew that only too well. ‘To mend your broken heart?’

‘Far from it … I’m back because I miss my family … it’s been too long … and I can’t keep gallivanting all over the world … it’s time I settled back down, and where else is home?’

Isla’s eyes widened and she swallowed hard. It was tough enough looking after two small children, never mind a whirlwind of a granny who had more energy than all of them put together.

‘I knew you’d be happy and welcome me back with open arms. Just think of me as a babysitter on tap, isn’t that every new mum’s dream? … You won’t even know I’m here.’

Isla had her doubts and swung a glance towards Felicity, who gave her a forced sympathetic smile.

‘I’ve brought a few bits and pieces with me … they are in the car.’

Everyone took a swift glance towards the Union Jack-roofed mini parked outside. It was bursting at the seams with Martha’s belongings and it looked like her whole life was packed into the small car.

‘Gran, that looks more than a few bits and pieces.’ Isla felt herself physically slump. She’d already had quite a morning of it, and after the row with Drew she felt this was yet more pressure. Life was hard enough with two young children, a husband and a farm to run, and now there was another person thrown into the mix.

‘And I can’t wait to see Drew and Finn,’ said Martha, quickly swerving the conversation.

‘They will be pleased to see you, too,’ said Isla, stumbling over her words while taking a gurgling Angus back out of the pram. She gave him a cuddle while she mixed the milk powder with water in his baby bottle and fastened his bib around his neck.

‘He is just adorable,’ Martha gave her granddaughter such a huge smile and Isla felt a little guilty for not sounding more welcoming, but things were tough at the moment and the argument with Drew was still fresh in her mind.

‘Would you like one of these,’ asked Martha, rustling in her pocket, whipping out a Werther’s Original and waving it in front of Angus.

‘Gran! He can’t eat one of those … what are you thinking?’

Martha chuckled, ‘Relax! I was joking. As if I’d offer a tiny baby such a thing.’

Isla exhaled with relief.

‘I think strong coffee is needed all round,’ suggested Felicity. ‘And you’ve not finished your breakfast,’ she added, looking at Isla.

In the last few minutes Isla had completely lost her appetite. This wasn’t the start to her day she’d anticipated, but as there was no such thing as a time machine, she would have to get through the best she could.

‘You need to keep up your strength,’ Martha’s bony fingers wrapped around Isla’s arm, ‘there’s no meat on those bones, and what’s with the hair?’

Isla’s hair was scraped back into a simple, easy-to-manage ponytail and she hadn’t applied any make-up for weeks. Isla knew that since Angus was born she’d let herself go a little but she didn’t need anyone reminding her of it, especially in public. But what was the point of having a full face of make-up and immaculate hair? Who was she trying to impress? As Isla thought about what her grandmother had just said, a slight niggle loomed inside her. Might this be the real cause of Drew’s anger? Maybe he didn’t find her attractive anymore. But immediately she knew she was being ridiculous; Drew had seen her at her worst and it wasn’t as though he was dolled up to the nines every day in his dung-stained overalls.

‘Any more compliments you fancy dishing out, Gran?’

Martha ignored her sarcastic tone.

‘It’s a good job I arrived back when I did.’

Isla wasn’t one hundred percent convinced.

Chapter 4

Polly Cook huffed and puffed her way up Love Heart Lane towards the teashop, welcoming the light breeze sweeping through her hair. There hadn’t been many hills to climb in London, and the only exercise she ever got there had been walking down the stairs to the cellar to change a barrel in the Chatty Banker, the pub she’d managed up until a week ago before she’d descended on Felicity. Or the 193 steps at Covent Garden tube station.

Everyone looked up as Polly pushed open the door to the teashop.

‘That walk looks like it’s done you the world of good,’ said Felicity, knowing that Polly had tossed and turned all night.

‘It did, it’s so peaceful down by the river,’ she said, slipping off her coat and draping it around the back of the chair.

‘And who is this?’ asked Martha, narrowing her eyes. ‘I’ve not seen you around these parts before.’

Polly met the gaze of the elderly woman, but before anyone could answer, a loud squelchy noise erupted from inside the pram.

‘Eww … I can smell that from here,’ said Felicity, looking into the pram and wrinkling her nose.

‘Polly Cook, meet my gran, Martha Gray, who didn’t make that squelchy noise, by the way.’

Polly grinned, ‘Please to meet you.’

Martha gave her a smile and a nod of the head. ‘Bad timing! I think this little fellow could do with a nappy change.’

Polly quickly took a step back, ‘I’m not used to such little people.’

‘Give him to me, I’ll do it,’ said Martha, stretching out her arms, much to Polly and Felicity’s relief.

Isla looked alarmed, ‘Gran, do you know how to change a nappy?’

‘It’s like riding a bike.’

Isla narrowed her eyes, ‘I can’t ever remember you actually riding a bike.’

‘Fair point, neither can I,’ grinned Martha, immediately retracting her hands.

‘Give the wee fellow here,’ offered Rona.

‘I can do it,’ said Isla.

‘You take advantage of my offer,’ insisted Rona, slinging the nappy bag over her shoulder and holding Angus at arm’s length before disappearing towards the bathroom.

‘And tell me more about you, Polly. What brings you to Heartcross?’ asked Martha, turning her attentions back to Polly.

‘Polly’s my friend from London, she’s staying with us for a while,’ Felicity replied.

‘I’m at a loose end, a very loose end. I’ve been made redundant and lost my home at the same time. I lived above the pub I managed, but it was sold to a new owner and they moved their family in and didn’t need extra staff. That’s why I’m here, a change of scenery, a break from the rat-race of the city, and I’m loving this beautiful village.’

‘This is the best village, I’ve travelled in my time but always come home and …’ Martha turned back towards Isla, ‘I can’t wait to get settled in the farmhouse. Am I in my normal room?’ she asked. ‘You know, the gorgeous English rose room with the triangular floral bunting draped across of the wall. I do love good bunting … and the view … the view from that room is spectacular. Earth to Isla … are you listening, you’re in a world of your own.’

Isla’s thoughts were tumbling over each other in her mind. A wave of worry ricocheted through her body at the very thought of going home with her gran in tow. The room was jam-packed full with baby paraphernalia. Anything and everything was stuffed in that room while the nursery was being decorated, which had been an on-going project for the last six months. Where were they going to put everything that her gran had packed into her car? She could visualise the disgruntled look on Drew’s face if things needed to be piled up in their bedroom for a while, but hopefully his day had turned around and whatever bee he’d had in his bonnet had well and truly flown away. She didn’t feel like getting stung by another argument today.

Rona came back into the room juggling a clean Angus, before passing him to Martha, who made a series of sniffing sounds towards him.

‘Yes, he smells acceptable again,’ joked Martha, cradling him in her arms.

‘So, what’s changed in this old village since I was last here?’ asked Martha, now rocking a droopy-eyed Angus in his pram.

‘Apart from being cut off from civilisation for a while when the bridge collapsed, everything else is just the same old, same old,’ chipped in Rona, who was polishing the glass cabinets for the umpteenth time so far this morning.

‘Ooo, I saw your video on Facebook,’ trilled Martha.

‘You’re on Facebook?’ Rona exclaimed, who struggled with any type of technology.

‘Of course! You have to move with the times. It’s all about social media these days, but I’m still getting to grips with Tinder … I keep swiping the wrong way and having numerous undesirables match with me … I mean, they must know they are punching above their weight.’

‘Gran … you are never on Tinder?’ Isla couldn’t hide her disbelief.

Both Felicity and Polly stifled their laughter, not knowing whether Martha was being serious.

‘Tinder … what’s Tinder?’ asked Rona, trying to keep up with the conversation.

‘A dating app,’ chorused the girls.

‘You’re on a dating app?’ Rona’s expression was now one of dismay.

‘How else am I going to meet someone at my age? You should give it a go, Rona.’

‘Me?’ Rona’s eyes widened and she brought her hand up to her chest in horror. ‘I can’t think of anything worse,’ she said, looking appalled.

‘Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.’ Martha raised her eyebrows and gave Rona a knowing look.

‘I’m perfectly happy on my own and that’s the way it’s staying.’

‘Not for you then, Mum?’ teased Felicity.

Rona made a series of huffing and tutting sounds, ‘It most certainly is not.’

‘What about you? Have you ever tried dating on line?’ Felicity turned towards Polly, who shook her head.

‘But it would be nice to be rescued by someone … in fact anyone,’ she answered, all dreamy-eyed. She was still single after eighteen months.

‘And what about your love life?’ asked Martha, looking at Felicity. ‘Who’s the lucky man?’

‘Fergus.’

Martha let out a low whistle, ‘That’s a turn-up for the books after everything that happened, and you running off like that all those years ago.’

Isla gave her Gran an impromptu shake of her head, knowing a random switch of conversation was very much needed.

‘We’ve sorted everything out,’ said Felicity, with a slight feeling of agitation rising inside.

‘Didn’t his wife die?’ Martha wasn’t for letting go of the conversation.

‘They weren’t married. Lorna passed away, leaving Fergus to bring up their daughter Esme.’

‘Right … come on now …’ said Rona, fidgeting from one foot to the other while looking out of the window, ‘those ramblers will be on their way from the B&B, ready for their packed lunches, and you lot are under my feet.’

‘Are you kicking us out?’ asked Martha in disbelief.

‘I am, unless you want to order anything else?’

‘Well, I’ve been kicked out of some places in my time, but never a teashop!’

‘First time for everything, Gran.’

‘And are we still on for tomorrow night?’ asked Felicity, looking between Isla and Polly. ‘Girly night?’

‘Absolutely,’ they both chorused in unison.

Rona moved towards Martha and kissed her on her cheek, ‘It is good to have you back.’

‘And I’ll see you tomorrow night too,’ Martha snagged Felicity’s eye as she walked towards the door. ‘Girly night.’

Knowing Felicity would just want it to be the girls, Rona thankfully came to the rescue: ‘How about you join me at the pub tomorrow night? I’ll ask Aggie and Meredith will be behind the bar. We can catch up properly.’

‘Good plan, and I’ll show you how to use that app.’ Martha winked at Rona who let out a chuckle.

‘Behave,’ she said, waving Martha and Isla on their way. ‘I’ve no intention of joining the minefield that is social media. I’m quite happy with the way things are …’

‘We’ll see,’ Martha shouted over her shoulder with a wicked twinkle in her eye as the door closed behind them.

‘She’s a character and a half,’ added Polly, with a grin.

‘There is no doubt that one has lived life to the full and is still doing so, by the sounds of it,’ answered Rona. ‘Isla has definitely got her hands full there.’

‘Maybe you should have a think about that dating app. I can always sit here and set you up a profile over a couple of mugs of tea,’ teased Polly, as Rona playfully rolled her eyes.

Felicity was still chuckling. ‘Martha is right though, Mum, maybe you should put yourself out there, you have so much to offer and deserve to be happy.’

Shaking her head in despair, Rona coaxed her daughter towards the sink. ‘Don’t be daft, my life is perfect just the way it is, unlike Isla’s, by the state she was in when she arrived today.’ Rona gave Felicity an inquisitive stare, but Felicity brushed it off, not wanting to break her friend’s trust.

‘New babies, change of routine, tiredness, I’m crying just thinking about it.’

‘It’s an exhausting time for any woman, and you feel like you don’t know if you are coming or going, you’re someone’s mother, wife, daughter, sister, grandmother … you lose all perspective of who you are. Everyone wants a piece of you. I can remember screaming and crying What about me? Thank God for your grandmother’s support, that’s all I can say. Just be there for Isla. She’ll be in need of a good friend. It’s really not that easy.’

Her mum’s words rang in Flick’s ears. Maybe Isla was feeling the pressure a little? She didn’t have any hands-on support; with Drew running the farm, looking after the children was left solely down to her. Felicity didn’t elaborate on the conversation with Isla, but she was worried about her friend. Isla wasn’t a moaner, she worked hard and saw the good in everyone and every situation and didn’t like any sort of confrontation. Felicity knew she would have felt disloyal talking to her about the argument with Drew, which meant it must have really bothered her.

Hopefully a night with the girls tomorrow would pep her up a bit, but Felicity knew she was going to keep a closer eye on her.

Chapter 5

Through the kitchen window, Isla could see Drew and Fergus loitering in the yard in front of the stable block. Fergus was tapping on his phone with a goofy grin on his face. Isla felt an aww moment, followed by a tiny pang of jealously. Still in the first flourish of love, Felicity and Fergus texted each other at every opportunity. Isla missed that closeness with Drew. Those butterflies-dancing-in-the-pit-of-your-stomach-type moments seemed to have disappeared recently for them. Maybe once you had kids that’s what happened, life just became life that didn’t knock your socks off you anymore.

Isla scrutinised Drew’s stony face. He didn’t look like his mood had improved as he shovelled the muck into the wheelbarrow. Any second now he’d be taking a tea break and she was surprised he hadn’t already popped his head around the door to ask who the Mini belonged to.

Martha had taken a stroll to the corner shop to catch up with Hamish, while Isla did her very best to make up the spare room as best she could. It felt like Martha had brought everything except the kitchen sink, and after the umpteenth trip to the car the Mini was finally empty, much to Isla’s relief.

She switched on the kettle and placed two mugs on the table. Already she was feeling apprehensive about telling Drew that Martha was here to stay … indefinitely.

The door swung open. ‘No Fergus with you?’ Isla asked, noticing him walking off towards the driveway.

‘No, he’s nipped to the teashop to see Flick. She’s all he ever talks about just lately, Flick this, Flick that,’ he said, slinging his phone on to the table and pulling out a chair.

‘I think it’s lovely that they are so in love, don’t you?’

Drew looked up and rolled his eyes, ‘Not if you have to listen to him going on about it twenty-four/seven.’

Isla felt saddened by Drew’s reaction. In the past her friends had been jealous of Drew’s romantic ways, snatching every moment he could with her, texting her from the fields at every opportunity, leaving presents and flowers on the doorstep. He made her feel like she was the only girl in the world. Isla poured him a mug of tea then began to unload the dishwasher, whilst wondering how and why things had changed so quickly between them.

‘Where’s Angus?’ asked Drew. ‘And no biscuits?’

Isla sighed and slid the biscuit barrel over in his direction. ‘Angus is taking a nap and I see your mood hasn’t improved much.’ She turned her back on him and carried on putting the clean dishes away.

‘What do you expect? A morning at market with hardly any produce sold.’

‘What do you mean, hardly any produce sold?’

‘Exactly what I said, and I noticed you did your usual trick of disappearing to the teashop to spend money, no doubt on a cooked breakfast.’ His tone was accusing. ‘When we have more eggs on the farm than we can actually sell, oh and thinking about it, you’re paying to eat our own eggs, as we supply the teashop. It’s ludicrous!’

Isla began to feel her hackles rise again. After the argument he’d instigated this morning she’d needed to let off steam to her friend. He worked alongside his best mate day in and day out, and unless she left the house she had no-one to speak to.

‘You know what Drew, I woke up in a good mood this morning until you decided to throw your toys out of the cot about … Actually, I have no idea what the argument was about.’

Unlike Isla, she was now spoiling for a fight, she could feel the hot flush rising up her neck and stood there, rooted to the spot with one hand on her hip.

Drew was staring straight at her before he snapped his ginger biscuit in half with dramatic effect and dunked it into his tea.

‘I’m just sick to the back teeth of being the cash cow. I think it’s time you thought about getting a job.’

There was that word again … job. Isla just didn’t understand where all this animosity was coming from.

‘A cash cow?’ Isla was astonished by his choice of words. ‘So, let’s just throw this out there, if I go to work who do you think is going to take Finn to school … look after Angus, wash, iron, cook, run the house? Are you going to do all that? Or are we going to use the money from this job I’m meant to be getting to pay someone else to do the job I’m already doing at home?’ She flung her arms up in the air, prompting Drew to answer, but before he had a chance she continued, ‘And where’s all the money gone from the jar? The emergency money?’

‘Having breakfast at Bonnie’s teashop is not an emergency.’ His voice was firm. ‘I’ve hidden it.’

If Isla had been a cartoon character, she would have had steam bursting from her ears with rage, ‘You’ve done what?’ she shouted angrily. Drew had well and truly overstepped the mark now.

‘If you need any cash for an emergency, just ask.’

Isla shook her head in total disbelief. ‘Are you for real, what do you think this is, the 1950s? This is ridiculous. What the hell has gotten into you?’ Isla’s eyes threatened tears, frustration building inside her. She didn’t really have the faintest clue why they were arguing like this. It was so out of character for Drew. ‘You put that money back in the jar. You couldn’t do the job you do if it wasn’t for me supporting you, looking after the house and our children. I thought this was a partnership … obviously I’m very much mistaken.’ Isla was at boiling point. ‘I don’t get it Drew, why are you hell bent on sending me back to work all of a sudden?’ Trembling with rage inside, Isla wanted to shake him.

Drew cowardly cast his eyes downwards, he knew he was pushing Isla to the limit, but he couldn’t help himself. ‘And whose is that awful-looking Union Jack Mini parked outside? I thought you had company.’

Isla swallowed, she’d been dreading this moment with the mood Drew was in, but maybe she was worrying too much. Drew had always seemed to like Martha. Maybe, just maybe her arrival would be a blessing in disguise.

Feeling apprehensive, she said, ‘This is going to make your day … you’ll never guess who’s back in town?’ Isla painted a smile on her face and crossed her fingers behind her back.

‘Huh,’ came Drew’s reply.

‘Gran … Gran’s back in Heartcross! Walked into the teashop … no-one could believe it, but she had no clue Bonnie had passed away. Isn’t that sad?’

‘No clue about her new great-grandson either,’ Drew huffed.

Isla didn’t rise to his comment. ‘She looks so well … single again. I’ve cleared some of the stuff from her room, just piled it up in our bedroom for now.’

Drew bristled, ‘What do you mean, cleared her room?’

Seeing the black thunderous look on Drew’s face, Isla tried with all her might to sound positive. ‘Gran is staying with us here … obviously,’ she said.

‘Another mouth to feed?’

‘Considering she looks like a size six, I’m sure she hasn’t got the largest of appetites, and you know what …’ Isla took a breath. ‘If it bothers you that much and we’ve got more eggs than we can sell, we’ll just feed her on eggs. Scrambled, boiled, poached …’

Drew stood up, ‘I’m going back to work.’

‘I’ll just wash your cup then, shall I? Or shall I leave it for the maid? You know what Drew, just don’t bother coming in later unless you’re in a better mood.’

He growled as he slammed the door behind him and Isla stood there bewildered, shaking her head in disbelief as she watched him once more stomp across the yard. It worried Isla, she’d never seen Drew like this before and was unsure what to do or say to him. Things were bad between them. In all the years they’d been together she could barely remember them ever having a cross word. Of course, they’d had the normal disagreements any married couple had but they’d never ever gone to bed on an argument. And this felt different, was on a different scale altogether and somehow things seemed to be escalating fast. For whatever reason, it felt like Drew couldn’t stand to be anywhere near her, but one thing Isla knew for certain was if he carried on talking to her in this manner, he was in for a rude awakening.

Chapter 6

Isla waved Martha off to the pub to meet Rona and walked up Love Heart Lane towards Heartwood Cottage clutching a bottle of wine. The last twenty-four hours in the farmhouse had been tense, but luckily Martha seemed oblivious to the strain between Isla and Drew. Thankfully Drew hadn’t taken whatever frustrations he had out on Martha and was pleasant enough with her, even though he’d disappeared off to bed earlier than normal without kissing Isla on the top of her head like he’d done every night of their married life without fail, leaving her feeling dejected.

After a hectic teatime Isla was relieved to be escaping from the farmhouse for a couple of hours this evening. As usual Angus had screamed through the whole of the meal and the second Isla had put down her knife and fork had been the time Angus had decided to fall asleep in his bouncy chair.

Drew had been late returning to the farmhouse, and she’d left him eating his tea from a tray in front of the TV while gently rocking Angus in his chair with his foot and instructing Finn how to build his Lego house.

Isla spotted Fergus racing along the road jiggling Esme on his back, who let out a rapturous giggle. They were on their way up to the farm to keep Drew company. Isla smiled at them both and waved her hand above her head as they both grinned back.

Swinging open the garden gate to Heartwood Cottage, Isla could see her friends Allie, Jessica and Polly gathered in the living room already sipping wine. Their laughter filtered out through the open window which immediately lifted Isla’s mood. She needed this, a night with her friends, where she could just be herself and not feel like she was walking on eggshells.

‘Flick … I’m here,’ shouted Isla, opening the front door and kicking off her shoes in the hallway.

Felicity appeared with a beam on her face, ‘And you’ve brought wine! You can come again … but you shouldn’t have!’

Isla laughed, ‘I’d be the talk of the village if I didn’t turn up with supplies!’

‘Too right,’ shouted Allie from the living room.

Isla walked into the living room to a group of smiley girls. There were already at least four bottles of wine on the coffee table alongside bowls of nibbles and leftover pastries from the teashop.

Felicity welcomed Isla like a long-lost friend, pulling her in for a hug and squeezing her hard before whipping the coat off her back and handing her a glass of wine.

The mood was jovial, and Isla settled on the settee next to Polly.

‘What have I missed?’ asked Isla, grabbing a handful of nuts from the bowl on the table.

‘Well I’m unemployable,’ said Polly, exhaling.

‘I’ve had a row with Rory,’ claimed Allie.

‘And I’ve got a pile of marking to do when I get home,’ Jessica rolled her eyes.

‘And it looks like I’ve got a bunch of miserable friends that need cheering up,’ grinned Felicity.

‘So, we can conclude we are all living our best lives! And it’s just the same old same old,’ laughed Isla, putting her arguments with Drew to the back of her mind while she enjoyed time with her friends.

‘But in other news, mum mentioned Martha was back in the village?’ said Allie, looking towards Isla. ‘Who’s the latest squeeze?’

Everyone laughed.

‘She drove into the village early yesterday morning with her Mini jam-packed to the rafters. Apparently she kicked Walter into touch a long time ago … or maybe it was the other way around.’

‘Were you expecting her?’ asked Allie.

‘No … but we all know what Gran’s like … lives every day like it’s her last … and disappears for long periods of time.’

‘But always turns up in the end … I hope I grow up to be like her,’ added Allie, topping up her wine. ‘I’m quite envious of her carefree lifestyle.’

‘She does amaze me, her energy … she’ll outlive us all, that one, but no doubt she’ll hook up with another man soon.’

‘Off Tinder,’ added Felicity with a chuckle, ‘then she’ll be off on her next adventure.’

‘Tinder?’ Allie queried. ‘Stop winding me up … are you telling us Martha is on Tinder?’

‘I’m absolutely telling you my seventy-year-old gran is on Tinder and probably has a more active sex life than all of us put together … eww …’ Isla scrunched up her face. ‘In fact, I don’t even want to think about it.’

‘I’m actually quite jealous,’ laughed Jessica, ‘this single lark is getting a bit boring.’

‘I’ll second that,’ chipped in Polly.

‘You can borrow Rory anytime … the way I feel at the moment, I was thinking of putting him on eBay … free to a good home.’

‘I can’t actually tell whether you are joking,’ said Jessica, her laughter evaporating.

All eyes were on Allie.

‘Ignore me, I’m just having a moan.’

‘That’s what we are here for,’ said Felicity, tucking her feet underneath and getting comfy on the old battered armchair. ‘Spill.’

Allie’s tone was sulky, ‘It’s the job.’

‘Rory’s job? He’s got a brilliant job,’ said Isla.

Allie pulled an unimpressed face, ‘That’s not in dispute … you’d think he’d be happy, wouldn’t you?’

‘And he’s not?’ asked Jessica.

Allie rolled her eyes, ‘We all know he’s a partner in the family veterinary business. A business that has been built up from scratch by his parents … a steady solid income …’

‘So, what’s the problem?’ interrupted Felicity.

‘Hmm,’ said Allie, ‘I think he kind of feels stifled by his dad’s ways.’

‘I kind of get that …’ said Felicity. ‘A young vet with new ideas, and a dad who’s run the business successfully for years and probably doesn’t see any sort of need for change … it’s a generation thing.’

‘That’s exactly it. Rory just gets a little frustrated and wants to expand … open a second practice, increase the staff … he’s enthusiastic, whereas …’

‘His dad is set in his ways and probably ready for retirement,’ chipped in Jessica.

‘Exactly,’ agreed Allie, ‘I’m just a little cheesed off with having the same conversations and frustrations over and over again. I think he should bide his time and not rock the boat, and as soon as his dad decides to retire he can do whatever he likes.’

‘There’s the old saying: don’t try and fix something that isn’t broken,’ said Polly, topping up everyone’s glass. ‘But if there are any jobs going that might be an excuse to stick around … going back to London is becoming less appealing by the day.’

‘That’s the problem with living in a small village, it’s a beautiful place but most of the businesses are family run, so there are few employment opportunities. I’ve fallen on my feet with the teashop and working alongside Mum, but if it wasn’t for my grandma and her good ideas, goodness knows what career path I’d have ventured down.’

‘So, you fancy sticking around then, Polly?’ said Jessica.

‘I wish, but it’s not that easy, is it? There’s nothing keeping me in London and I’m finding it so difficult to even get an interview … it’s disheartening.’

‘And I didn’t know you were looking for a job, Isla?’ Jessica said, turning the conversation towards Isla, whose eyes widened and locked with Felicity’s.

Felicity shrugged discreetly, she hadn’t told a soul about the conversation between them. Everyone was now looking at Isla.

‘Sorry, have I said something I shouldn’t?’ asked Jessica, clocking the look between them both.

‘What’s going on?’ asked Allie, sitting up straight. ‘Why are you looking for a job?’

Suddenly, Isla was overcome with emotion, all the tension between her and Drew she had been bottling up snapped. She felt enveloped with anguish and it churned her stomach up.

‘It’s just Drew asked me whether there were any jobs going at the school …’

‘He did what?’ Isla stared open-mouthed.

‘The other day, he caught me outside school and asked me,’ elaborated Jessica.

‘How bloody dare he go behind my back like this?’ Isla shook her head in disbelief, she was fuming.

At a loss for words, she gulped back her wine. This behaviour was so out of character for Drew. He would never normally go behind her back like this, but at the minute it was like she didn’t know him at all.

‘Why the need to get a job?’ asked Polly.

‘Your guess is as good as mine. Drew’s got a bee in his bonnet about me wasting money on breakfast and lunches while he’s out working on the farm.’

‘Maybe he’s just panicking with a new baby in the house and doesn’t want to struggle financially,’ added Allie, noticing Isla’s eyes welling with tears.

‘That’s all good and well, but if I do get a job, all I’ll be doing is earning money to pay someone else to look after Angus, and what’s the point in that?’ Isla knew leaving baby Angus with anyone would definitely pull at her heartstrings.

‘I watched a programme recently about a secretive gambler, it all spiralled out of control and his wife hadn’t got a clue about his debts, until the bailiffs turned up,’ said Jessica dramatically.

Isla sat up straight, ‘You don’t think Drew’s gambling, do you?’ she asked alarmed, feeling all panicky inside.

Everyone laughed.

‘Of course not,’ reassured Felicity.

‘He’s on his phone more and more though. You can get those gambling apps, can’t you?’

‘Isla, don’t be daft. Drew isn’t the type to risk everything he has or put his family in any sort of jeopardy.’

In spite of everything, Isla knew that Felicity was right, Drew would never risk his business or their family home. He had been working every hour possible and more than likely this was the reason he’d been so difficult to talk to recently. And with the new baby, he was probably just tired.

‘Maybe Martha is your fairy godmother, turning up when she did,’ smiled Felicity softly. ‘Having her around might help to defuse any tensions.’

‘Let’s hope so,’ answered Isla despondently, but attempting a smile.

‘Anyway, let’s put all this doom and gloom behind us and talk christenings,’ suggested Allie, lightening the mood.

Felicity clapped her hands together joyfully, ‘Have we got a date yet?’

It had been on Isla’s list nearly every week to visit the minister to confirm a date for the christening, but she just hadn’t gotten round to it. ‘Not yet, but I’m on it,’ she said, and her worried expression began to change into a smile. Feeling more joyful, the thought of an afternoon celebrating with all her friends and family lifted her mood. And maybe it was just what Drew needed too, to let his hair down and enjoy himself for a change.

‘We can take care of the catering between us,’ Allie flapped her hand between herself and Felicity, ‘obviously we can have the party at the pub.’

‘And I’ll bake the cake,’ added Felicity.

‘And I can ask the children at school to make some decorations,’ added Jessica.

‘And I’m on hand to help with anything too,’ smiled Polly.

This was just what Isla needed, all her friends rallying around her. They had a way of making her feel better about things.

‘And try not to worry about Drew, it’ll be something and nothing. We are all entitled to off days,’ said Felicity, her gaze drifting towards the second empty bottle of wine.

‘Hopefully … and anyway …’ said Isla, shifting the conversation into a different direction, ‘when are you moving in with Fergus?’

Felicity blushed, ‘Hmm … not just yet.’

‘Why, is there something wrong between you pair?’ said Jessica, leaning forward and grabbing a handful of peanuts from the bowl on the table.

‘No, it’s not that.’

Felicity had mixed feelings about her situation with Fergus. Of course, she wanted to move into Fox Hollow Cottage with Fergus and Esme, she’d fallen in love with them both, but the thought of leaving her mum on her own in the cottage since the death of her grandmother just didn’t sit right with her at the moment. She was torn between her own happiness and that of her mum.

‘It’s too soon for my mum, but I’ll know when the time is right. It’s just … I’m not even sure about moving into Fox Hollow Cottage.’

‘Why? It’s a beautiful place,’ queried Isla.

Felicity pinched the bridge of her nose, ‘I know, but, as much as I love Aggie, I want our own place, just for the three of us.’

‘It’s a difficult one,’ Allie said softly.

Fergus had lived at Fox Hollow Cottage for all of his life and when Esme’s mum had passed away he’d stayed living with his mother, Aggie, who’d supported him through his grief and was very much a hands-on grandmother.

‘Do you think that sounds selfish of me?’

‘No, not at all, you need your own family space,’ answered Polly.

‘Maybe in time you could do a house swap?’ said Jessica in all seriousness. ‘Aggie could move in here, or Rona could move in with her.’

The thought crossed Felicity’s mind for a fleeting moment, but she knew her mum would never move out of Heartwood Cottage. This place was her life and no doubt Aggie felt the same about Fox Hollow Cottage.

‘Do you think there will be room for my gran too?’ giggled Isla, now feeling a little tipsy on wine and forgetting her own troubles for a brief moment. ‘Even though I’m not sure how long she’s going to stay around for this time … your guess is as good as mine, but can you imagine their Friday nights … nights of gin, poker and Tinder.’

Everyone laughed.

‘Living the dream!’ chuckled Allie. ‘I’d actually be quite jealous.’

‘Shh, what’s that noise?’ asked Polly.

‘That’ll be Mum back,’ answered Felicity, amazed at how quickly the time had flown. They heard the sound of the garden gate being opened, followed by the cackle of laughter.

‘Sounds like Gran is with her … and tipsier than us,’ said Isla in a whisper, while straining to hear.

Felicity had not witnessed her mum drunk for as long as she could remember. She often enjoyed a gin and tonic at the pub but was never one for excessive drinking. But it was about time she let her hair down and had some fun with her friends.

The girls heard Rona, Martha and Aggie fall into the hallway still giggling.

‘I’ve got a match,’ squealed Rona. ‘Oh my … he’s got no teeth and looks like he would be better fitted in a police line-up … look!’

‘I told you, you were swiping the wrong way … let’s have a look,’ chuckled Martha. ‘He’s not too bad, maybe a little overweight, bald and probably has his own teeth – well, the ones he has … well worth a date, I say.’

Rona looked horrified as all three of them appeared in the living-room doorway. ‘There’s not a cat-in-hell’s chance.’

‘I’m with Rona,’ laughed Aggie, who sounded relatively sober compared to the other two women.

‘You can’t judge by a photograph. What if he has an amazing personality or is a millionaire in disguise?’ Martha gave Rona a serious look.

‘Mmm,’ said Rona, far from convinced, ‘I don’t mind missing out this time and I really can’t see why any millionaires would need to be on a dating app. Is this what my life has become … is this all I’m destined for?’

The girls supressed their giggles.

‘Sorry, it appears my gran is leading your mum astray,’ Isla said, grinning, while shaking her head in disbelief as Martha stumbled into the living room clutching her phone.

‘We’ve set your mum up on a dating app,’ she informed everyone proudly. ‘And I’ll have you know she already has a match.’ Martha gave a goofy grin and seemed rather pleased with herself.

‘Even though she’s been swiping the wrong way, apparently,’ joined in Aggie, who’d eyed the remaining bottle of wine on the table.

‘I really didn’t have much choice, Martha wouldn’t take no for an answer.’ Rona rolled her eyes in jest.

‘I can believe that,’ laughed Isla.

‘Martha is very persuasive,’ Rona replied, before trying to walk in a straight line towards the kitchen. ‘One for the road,’ she said, returning holding three wine glasses.

‘And I’ll have you know,’ hiccupped Rona, ‘I don’t want a man or need a man. I’m perfectly happy on my own.’ She began to pour the wine while Martha and Aggie squeezed on to the settee.

‘So, what have we missed … anything interesting?’ asked Aggie, looking between the girls.

Isla snagged Felicity’s eye, a look that meant, Don’t mention anything about my argument with Drew.

‘Just general stuff,’ answered Jessica.

‘So how long are you staying for, Polly?’ asked Aggie.

‘However long Felicity and Rona will put up with me for. I’ve nothing to rush back for but I don’t want to outstay my welcome either.’

Felicity gave Polly a warm smile, ‘You’re welcome to stay as long as you want.’

Everyone’s attention was suddenly drawn to Martha’s phone which pinged with a notification.

‘It’s another match!’ she squealed in a drunken stupor. She narrowed her eyes and then they sprang back open. She scrutinised the screen. ‘Not bad … not bad at all,’ she said, twisting the phone to Rona. ‘Let’s message him.’

‘Let’s not,’ replied Rona, making a series of huffing and puffing noises and taking the phone from Martha’s hand.

‘You’re no fun,’ Martha claimed, a little disgruntled.

‘Can you see what I’ve had to put up with all night?’ grinned Aggie. ‘It’s like refereeing children.’

To everyone’s surprise, Rona was quiet, then the corners of her mouth lifted. ‘Oh …’ she exclaimed.

‘Told you,’ exclaimed Martha, in a smug tone. ‘He’s quite dishy.’

Everyone waited in anticipation to hear Rona’s verdict.

‘Come on …’ urged Allie. ‘The suspense is killing us.’

‘He’s actually, not bad … Prince Charming, indeed.’

Martha gave Aggie a knowing look, ‘See, just call me Cupid.’

All attention was on Rona.

‘This is exciting! Maybe I do need to get myself on Tinder after all,’ joked Polly.

‘He’s called Bill, and lives ten kilometres away …’

‘He must be somewhere over in Glensheil then,’ interrupted Isla.

‘And he’s retired and loves hiking. He does have a kind face,’ said Rona, thinking out loud.

‘It can’t hurt to drop him a message,’ said Felicity, beginning to clear away the empty bowls from the table.

But Rona wasn’t listening. ‘As much as I’ve had fun tonight … there … the profile is deleted.’

‘Spoilsport!’ the disappointment was written all over Martha’s face as Rona handed her back the phone.

‘If I’m going to meet a man, and call me old fashioned, but I want to meet him because he’s walked into my life, not through some sort of … what do you call them … apps?’

‘Unfortunately, it’s the way of the world these days,’ chipped in Polly. ‘But I know what you mean, I want someone to walk into my life and knock me dead.’

‘You’re no good to anyone dead,’ grinned Allie.

‘You know what I mean! I want to feel the first flush of love, feel the butterflies flutter in my stomach and be swept off my feet by someone in person. I want the whole fairy tale.’

‘So, you won’t be joining Tinder then, Pol,’ said Isla, draining the last of her wine from her glass.

‘Not any day soon!’

They all chatted and listened to Martha’s stories for the next ten minutes, then Isla felt herself beginning to physically tire. She knew she’d be up during the night with Angus for his night feeds. ‘It’s time for me to be making a move,’ Isla said, knowing she should make a move yet dreading going home to Drew, but as her gaze drifted towards her watch, she felt relieved knowing he’d be fast asleep due to his early morning start.

‘And me,’ admitted Jessica. ‘I’m up early for school.’

Everyone began to gather their belongings and they all thanked Felicity for a great evening. As the front door shut behind them, Felicity slouched into the chair and smiled to herself, hearing Martha singing down the road. ‘I hope I have that amount of energy at that age,’ she said.

‘Don’t we all. I’m exhausted just watching her,’ laughed Polly, pressing a swift kiss to Felicity and Rona’s cheeks. ‘See you in the morning … night.’

As Rona and Felicity began to load the dishwasher, Felicity noticed her mum deep in thought.

‘What is it, Mum? You seem like you’ve suddenly got the weight of the world on your shoulders,’ added Felicity tentatively.

Rona straightened and exhaled slightly. ‘Don’t mind me, I’m a little tipsy.’ Rona took a breath and leant over to wipe the worktops. ‘But for the first time in a long time I actually laughed tonight, and I mean laughed.’

‘So why the sigh?’ asked Felicity, perplexed.

‘Because as much as Martha is a loveable old eccentric, she knows how to have fun.’

‘You know how to have fun.’

Rona leant against the worktop. ‘When do I ever have any fun? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I’m unhappy, far from it …’

‘But?’ interrupted Felicity.

‘Even though I’m surrounded by people every day and I have you … sometimes I actually feel lonely.’

Felicity felt saddened, she’d never even considered that her mum felt this way.

‘I do the same thing, day in and day out … and I love my life … and I love our teashop and you are my world, but tonight … it made me think about the past … and all those special times I’d spent with your father. Nothing will ever replace the love we had, but sometimes …’ She took a breath. ‘Sometimes I wish to be cuddled or even have the opportunity to make more of myself … dress up, maybe be wined and dined.’

Felicity was unable to hide her amazement at her mum’s words but was quick to reassure her. ‘Dad died many years ago and you are very much alive. It’s natural you should feel this way. As much as we laughed and joked tonight, maybe it’s about time you looked for that special someone in your life,’ she said, knowing it was only a matter of time before she and Fergus would talk about setting up home together, leaving her mum rattling around in Heartwood Cottage all by herself.

‘Maybe it’s the drink talking,’ admitted Rona, pouring herself a glass of water. ‘But look at Martha, she’s still living life to the max even at her age. The stories she told us tonight …’

‘No-one can deny Martha lives every day like it’s her last,’ Felicity touched her mum’s arm tentatively. ‘But you have to do what’s right for you, and who knows who’ll walk through that teashop door when you least expect it.’

Rona gave a short smile, ‘I look at you youngsters, all flourishing in life, starting out and I still feel young inside, but I know I’m not … my knees remind me of that every morning when I climb out of bed. What I’m trying to say is, my life is trundling along so fast. One minute you are here and the next you are gone.’

‘Mum, don’t talk like this,’ said Felicity, feeling the tears well up in her eyes.

‘It’s true … one minute I’m a little girl pinching my mother’s baking whilst she wasn’t looking and now, she’s gone. In a blink of an eye everything changes.’ Rona took a breath. ‘I do know you’ll want to set up home with Fergus and Esme.’ She took her daughter’s hand and squeezed it gently. ‘I don’t want you to worry about me.’ Her voice faltered and a tiny tear slid down her cheek. ‘Don’t put your life on hold for me. You deserve your happiness … your happy ever after, and it’ll make me happy to see you happy, but there’s just one thing I ask.’

Felicity swallowed down the lump in her throat, she’d never heard her mum talk this way before. ‘This place, Bonnie’s teashop, keep it alive for Mum, me and you.’

‘Always, Mum … always. I’ll never let you down.’

Rona pulled her daughter in for a hug. ‘I don’t say it often enough, but I love you.’

Felicity nodded, ‘I love you too.’

Chapter 7

The 5 a.m. alarm sounded, and Isla woke feeling exhausted. It only felt like she’d closed her eyes five minutes ago. As usual, Drew was lying next to her in a deep sleep which she was extremely jealous of. As she shook him lightly, he began to stir. ‘Drew, it’s time to get up, the alarm went off.’

‘Already,’ he murmured, half-asleep, before gingerly pulling back the covers and slowly swinging his legs to the floor. Isla shivered as a blast of cool air hit her, she quickly pulled the duvet back up around her neck.

Drew reluctantly wandered down the stairs and Isla turned over as she heard the kitchen light switch on, followed by the sound of running water. Her head felt fuzzy, the wine hadn’t helped last night but she’d barely slept in between Angus waking up and worrying about Drew’s mood.

At 2 a.m. she’d found herself drinking a mug of tea in the kitchen while staring at Drew’s phone charging on the side. Jessica’s comment was firmly on her mind. What if Drew did have a gambling problem? What if there was something wrong with his health and he was too scared to tell her? Or could he even be having an affair? Isla couldn’t settle with all these thoughts whirling around in her mind.

Part of her was itching to check his phone, but the other part of her knew it was dishonest. But before she could stop herself, she reached over, unplugged the phone and stood at the bottom stairs and listened.

Silence.

Thankfully, she hadn’t disturbed anyone by coming downstairs.

She rolled the phone over and over in her hands. Drew’s screensaver was a photo of them all, a picture taken at the hospital when Angus was born. Isla took a deep breath and pressed the home button. She was relieved when the phone didn’t have a passcode, which she thought was a good sign. Surely if Drew had anything to hide, he would ensure his phone was locked at all times. Firstly, she scrolled through his messages, but they were just the usual texts from suppliers, and the usual banter about footie from Fergus and Rory. There was no-one in his contact list that she didn’t know and his photo albums were jam-packed with pictures of her and the boys, and she took a moment to appreciate the wonderful family they had. It made Drew’s moods even more worrying.

‘Apps … what apps does he have?’ said Isla, quickly scrolling. Her hands were sweating and her heart was thumping, but again there was nothing unusual and certainly no gambling apps.

‘What are you doing, Isla?’ she mumbled to herself.

She hadn’t got a clue what she was hoping to find but she certainly hadn’t found anything incriminating on Drew’s phone. And now she just felt bad for even looking. Riddled with guilt for thinking the worst, she plugged the phone back into the charger and took herself back off to bed.

A couple of hours after Drew had left Isla decided to make herself a strong coffee before waking Finn up for school. Thankfully Angus was still fast asleep in his cot.

She sat with her hands cupped around the mug, feeling disappointed in herself, and exhaled heavily.

‘Now that’s a sigh and a half.’

Isla looked up to see Martha ambling into the kitchen. ‘Headache tablets, I need headache tablets … you’d think I would have got the hang of this drinking lark at my age,’ she gave a small chuckle and pulled out the chair next to Isla.

‘Water?’ Isla asked as she stood up.

Martha managed a nod and gratefully accepted the glass and tablets from Isla as she swallowed down the pills.

‘Did you sleep well?’ asked Martha, picking up the paper that Isla had left on the table.

Isla hugged her mug of coffee and after a second noticed the drops of water on the table. She was crying.

‘What is it, dear? It can’t be that bad.’ Martha squeezed her hand, ‘What’s this all about?’

Isla tried to blink away her tears, but it was no use, her emotions bubbled to the surface and came spilling out. ‘Gran … I’ve done something terrible.’

Martha straightened herself up, her eyes widened.

‘Terrible … what sort of terrible?’

Isla told her gran about checking Drew’s phone, and about how awful she felt.

‘Don’t beat yourself up over it. His change in behaviour has caused you to question him. You’re just reacting to how he’s treating you. First things first, let’s get Finn ready for school. I’ll stay here with Angus and make us breakfast, you need to eat to keep your strength up, and then we’ll have a chat about what’s going on or what you think is going on.’

Isla broke eye contact and wiped her eyes with the back of her sleeve. ‘Thanks, Gran.’

Martha tilted her head, ‘Sometimes things happen for a reason and come to try us … but one thing I’ve learnt in my life so far, there’s no point wasting energy on worrying. You need to ask Drew outright what’s bothering him. Otherwise it will eat away at you both. Maybe he’s just exhausted, and we can’t be happy-go-lucky all the time, can we?’

Isla attempted to hitch a smile on her face, even though she was still feeling awful. ‘You are a wise old woman …’

‘I’ve had a lot of practice,’ said Martha, giving Isla’s hand a quick squeeze.

An hour later Finn was ready for school and kissed his great-grandma on the cheek before slipping on his coat.

‘Remember your promise,’ he said, attempting to wink at Martha, but he didn’t quite get it right and over-exaggerated a blink instead.

She tapped her nose and winked back. ‘I won’t forget.’

‘What’s going on here?’ asked Isla, feeling a little out the loop as she ushered Finn towards the front door.

‘Great-Gran has promised me one of those sticky buns from Bonnie’s teashop after school,’ he said with a huge grin.

‘That sounds like a very nice treat.’ Isla cupped her hand around Finn’s as they began to walk down the path towards school. She could see Drew and Fergus shepherding the cows towards the bottom field.

‘Do you think Daddy will let me help him out on the farm when I’m bigger?’ asked Finn, noticing his dad too.

‘Of course, but it’s very hard work. Early starts, late finishes and you don’t smell very nice most of the time,’ teased Isla, taking another glance towards Drew. Finn’s question had prompted her to think. Drew was so hard-working, the hours he put in at the farm left him exhausted. Maybe he was overworked recently and was lashing out at her because she was the closest one to him? Feeling sombre, she was suddenly sorry for arguing with him lately. Maybe he just needed to vent his frustrations?

‘I think you’ll make an excellent farmer,’ said Isla, smiling down at Finn. ‘Your daddy would love it if you followed in his footsteps.’

Finn screwed up his face. ‘Followed in his footsteps … my feet would need to grow very big.’

Isla laughed, ‘You’re a funny little boy.’

Foxglove Farm had been in Drew’s family for generations and Isla knew Drew hoped his boys would become farmers too one day. She felt privileged to live in this beautiful corner of the Scottish Highlands and waking up to the spectacular scenery was just magical, and if it wasn’t for Drew following in his father’s footsteps Isla had no clue where she would have ended up.

Isla spotted Felicity at the corner of Love Heart Lane. Esme was next to her, swinging her bag and chatting away. In the past Aggie had always walked Esme to school, but since she had suffered with pneumonia at the beginning of the year Fergus wanted to take the pressure off her and now he dropped Esme off at the teashop every morning on his way to work. Isla knew that Felicity cherished the extra time with Esme.

Isla called out to Flick and waved at her as she turned round to greet them. They waited for Isla and Finn to catch up and immediately Finn and Esme were joined at the hip and skipped off up the pavement in front of them both.

‘Finn, mind that puddle,’ but it was too late – his foot landed in the puddle and muddy water splashed up his leg. ‘One day we will get to school without any dramas,’ Isla smiled at him and shook her head jokingly. ‘You can change into your socks from your PE kit.’

‘How’s your head?’ smiled Felicity, stepping towards Isla and linking her arm through hers as they began walking.

‘Another night of not much sleep and it wasn’t down to the alcohol … between feeding Angus and my boomerang of a brain keeping me awake with its to-ing and fro-ing and constant worrying about what is worrying Drew.’ Isla’s voice wobbled. ‘And …’

‘And what?’ interrupted Felicity.

‘I checked his phone.’

‘Isla!’

‘I know, I know it was wrong, but wouldn’t you do the same if Fergus’s behaviour suddenly changed?’

‘I suppose,’ admitted Felicity. ‘And did you find anything?’

Isla shook her head, ‘Absolutely nothing.’

‘Well, that’s something, at least your mind should be at rest now.’

‘But there’s still something bothering him. I know him.’

‘I did question Fergus.’

‘You didn’t say I wanted to know, did you?’ asked Isla, feeling panicky.

‘Of course not! I just said you were feeling tired with the new baby and he said Drew is exhausted too.’

‘And that was it? Nothing else?’

‘Nothing else.’

As they reached the school gates, they ushered Finn and Esme towards their line in the playground. The bell sounded and Jessica appeared and waved over towards Felicity and Isla before escorting the children into the classroom.

‘Life is so simple at that age,’ sighed Isla, blowing Finn a kiss as he disappeared through the door.

‘Isla! Isla, wait!’ a voice called out.

Isla spun round to see Julia from the local B&B hurrying towards them. Her cheeks were flushed and she had a look of panic on her face, ‘I’m glad I’ve caught up with you.’

‘Since when have you been frequenting school playgrounds?’ asked Isla, knowing Julia didn’t have any children.

‘I’m looking for you, I tried your mobile, but it went straight to voicemail.’

‘That’s the joys of living in the sticks … no signal.’ Isla was intrigued, ‘What’s up?’

‘Let’s walk and talk,’ said Julia, who attempted to get her breathing under control. ‘I’ve jogged from the B&B and I’m out of breath.’

‘I’m all ears,’ said Isla, fascinated about what was troubling Julia as all three of them headed out of the school playground.

‘I’ve messed up,’ spluttered Julia. ‘And I’m hoping you are the woman to help me out.’ Julia exhaled, ‘And I know it’s a big ask and I don’t like letting anyone down … but …’

Isla stopped walking, ‘Spit it out.’

Julia took a breath, ‘I’ve made a blunder with my bookings, and I’ve double-booked a week on Friday. One of the parties is a rambling group trekking the mountain to raise money for charity and the other one is a booking for a sixtieth birthday … I don’t want to let any of them down.’

‘And how can I help?’

‘I didn’t want to cancel either of them, if word got around it’s not good for business, and I was thinking … who do I know who has enough room to accommodate one of the parties?’

The penny dropped and Isla laughed until she realised Julia was serious, then her expression turned to one of bewilderment before smiling nervously, ‘You are joking, right?’

Julia eyed Isla warily, ‘I wasn’t, to be honest.’

‘Julia, I’ve got a new baby and my gran’s just turned up unannounced to stay. And I’m not sure Drew would want a bunch of strangers traipsing through the farmhouse, and then there’s Finn too, and what about their meals?’

‘You could direct them to the teashop for breakfast or fry up a bit of bacon,’ said Julia with hope in her voice.

As much as Isla didn’t want to let anyone down, she knew that at this moment in time she couldn’t face strangers in the house even though there was ample space and vacant bedrooms.

‘They’d pay the going rate,’ urged Julia, hoping to sway Isla. ‘Sorry … sorry … I shouldn’t have mentioned it … I know you have enough on your plate.’

‘If I could help you out, you know I would. What’s plan B?’

‘I haven’t got one,’ admitted Julia, taking a breath.

‘I’m so sorry Julia, I just can’t help you at the minute.’

‘No worries, if you don’t ask you never know.’

Julia touched Isla on her arm tentatively before sadly walking away.

‘Can you imagine strangers traipsing through my house … no thank you,’ said Isla, knowing that she wouldn’t even feel comfortable mentioning it to Drew after his reaction to Martha turning up.

‘I can see your point, you’ve got way too much going on at the moment with the baby to think about, not to mention you and Drew. Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention, a guy came into the teashop yesterday and I pointed him in your direction, Rory’s too. Did he come by the farmhouse?’

‘What guy?’

‘If I remember rightly, he went by the name David O’Sullivan.’

Isla shook her head, ‘Never heard of him. What did he want?’

‘He had a herd of alpacas that needed re-homing. Prize-winning, apparently. He was looking for a nearby farm to home them.’

‘Oh, Drew never mentioned it, I’m sure I would have known if he’d visited the farm. Alpacas, you say?’

‘Yep, those funny-looking creatures with a tuft of hair bouncing on top of their heads.’

‘Farmed for the fleeces.’ Isla began to turn the information over in her mind. ‘Did he say how much he wanted for them?’

Felicity shook her head, ‘No, but I think he gave Mum a card?’

As they turned on to Love Heart Lane Isla stopped for a second. ‘Come with me,’ she said, quickly striding towards the farm with Felicity struggling to keep up.

As they approached the driveway, Isla traipsed Felicity around the edge of the field, over the small wooden bridge and through the orchard. In the far field there were Shetland ponies grazing alongside sheep and the mountainous terrain in the background. Even when the visibility wasn’t good the view was spectacular.

They stopped to get their breath back as Isla swung her arms open.

‘I don’t get it,’ said Felicity in wonderment.

‘We have acres of space! Can you imagine seeing alpacas grazing here? The children would love it!’

‘It’s not as though you haven’t got the land …’ Flick replied.

‘Isn’t it all the rage these days … alpaca farms? You never know, it might even cheer up my miserable husband looking at the comical creatures each morning. And you know it’s his birthday next week, and what do you get a man who has everything?’ said Isla, mulling it over.

‘A herd of alpacas?’ grinned Felicity.

‘They can’t take that much looking after and I’ve read somewhere they are fabulous with children. You said he gave your mum a business card?’

Felicity nodded as her phone buzzed into life, ‘Talk of the devil.’

‘I’ll walk back to the teashop with you.’

‘Here it is,’ said Rona, pulling the card from the till. ‘David O’Sullivan. I’m not sure where he was from, I’ve never seen him around these parts before.’

Isla turned the card over in her hand. ‘You know what, I’m going to give him a call,’ she said, taking herself to the quiet sofa area in the corner of the teashop. ‘I’m intrigued to know the cost of a herd of alpacas.’

Rona and Felicity watched as she chatted away and hung up the call with a huge grin on her face.

‘Oh my,’ she said, with excitement fizzing inside her.

‘The call went well then?’ asked Felicity, leaning against the counter.

‘Apparently, he’s the son of a farmer over in Glensheil. His father has passed away and has left a herd of prize alpacas that need re-homing. He’s over from Wales tying up the legalities of the farm … Anyway, cutting a long story short, I’m buying them!’

‘Woah, really?’

‘Yes really! He assured me they are self-sufficient, easy to look after, so … I’m going to surprise Drew! As much as he’s moody at the minute, he loves his animals and what a birthday present this is going to be! I can’t wait to see his face.’

Isla had made the decision there and then. Talking to David on the phone, they’d negotiated a price for the herd, and he would deliver them on the morning of Drew’s birthday.

‘Some things are just meant to be,’ exclaimed Isla, pleased with her purchase and feeling impressed with herself. She knew Drew would be over the moon and that this extraordinary gift would definitely bring a smile to his face. Isla was elated, this was just meant to be and farming the fleeces would bring in a hefty sum. The alpacas would pay for themselves in no time at all.

‘But I want to keep this amongst ourselves … no telling Fergus or Drew. I want this birthday present to be a complete surprise!’ said Isla excitedly.

Chapter 8
One week later …

Isla’s eyes opened slowly as she focused on her surroundings. A quick glance at the clock told her she’d slept for a full eight hours. Throwing back the duvet, she saw that Angus was still fast asleep, the second night he’d slept through. Things were definitely brighter after a good night’s sleep.

Drew had already left for market with Fergus, and Isla and Martha’s plan was to decorate the kitchen with banners and balloons for his birthday. Once Drew had fallen asleep last night Isla had left his birthday card on the kitchen table along with a note asking him to be back at the farm by noon. She planned to cook him birthday lunch before the alpacas arrived at one o’clock.

Over the last few days Drew had seemed to be back on an even keel. Yes, he had still seemed tired, but he hadn’t snapped at Isla. Maybe he had just been having an off day. Isla couldn’t wait to see his face when he arrived home, she knew he was just going to love the alpacas.

Quietly, she padded past the cot and pulled back the curtains. Her mood dampened a little when she noticed there wasn’t a chink of sunshine to be seen, only dark clouds looming in the sky. The cows were already shielding themselves from the rainfall that was about to teem down at any minute. She had pictured the alpacas arriving in gleaming sunshine, their mops of hair bobbing on top of their heads as they were unleashed, running across the meadows. Torrential rain was not what she needed today.

Leaving Angus to sleep, she grabbed her dressing gown and wandered downstairs where Martha was busy in the kitchen.

‘You’ve made a start,’ chirped Isla, staring around the kitchen. Martha had already hung up the birthday banners and the colourful paperchains that Finn had secretly made draped the window and the spaces between the picture frames. Even at Drew’s age he was always like a kid on his birthday. Usually they cooked the best steak, followed by birthday cake, always chocolate, and would open a decent bottle of wine to toast another year together.

‘I caught Drew before he went, he seemed in good spirits,’ said Martha.

‘He does like birthdays and I can’t believe we’ve managed to keep his birthday present a secret. I need to pop to the bank this morning and withdraw the cash.’

‘Leave Angus with me.’

‘Thanks, Gran. I’ll drop Finn at school on my way.’

Although Isla had had her doubts when Martha arrived, she was worth her weight in gold. The children loved her, and Isla was enjoying the company around the place.

Once Finn was safely dropped at school Isla drove over to the bank in Glensheil. As the windscreen wipers frantically swished the rain continued to hammer down. The wind swept through the branches of the trees that adorned the river bank, causing them to sway violently. Luckily for Isla there was a car-park space right outside the bank which she pulled into. Tugging her hood over her head, she ran sprightly towards the revolving glass door. Isla wished she’d withdrawn the money sooner but didn’t want to alert Drew, she wanted the alpacas to be a surprise.

‘Good morning, Mrs Allaway.’

Isla pushed back her hood and smiled, ‘It’s brutal out there today.’

Lucy the bank clerk glanced towards the huge glass windows. ‘I’m glad I’m safely tucked away in here until five o’clock. What can I do for you today?’

Isla handed over her bank card, ‘I’d like to withdraw some cash. It’s quite a large amount but I rang through to check that would be okay.’

‘Perfect,’ said Lucy, tapping away at her keyboard while concentrating on the computer screen.

‘Is it for anything special … a holiday?’

‘Would you believe I’m buying my husband a herd of alpacas for his birthday?’

Lucy let out a low whistle, ‘Wow! I’d just be happy with a bunch of flowers!’ she said, counting out the cash, placing it in an envelope and sliding it under the counter.

Just as Isla was safely tucking the money away in her bag her phone pinged, a text message from David O’Sullivan. He’d set off early, the alpacas would be with them soon. She smiled to herself, happy with her purchase, and she couldn’t wait to see Drew’s face.

The second she stepped back inside the farmhouse a jovial Martha beckoned her, ‘Come and take a look at the cake.’ But hearing the crunch of tyres behind her, Isla spun round to see a truck.

‘The alpacas are here!’ Isla shouted down the hallway towards Martha. ‘Grab a coat and come and take a look.’

Isla sheltered in the doorway as a short bald stocky man jumped down from behind the wheel, thrusting his hand forward for her to shake. ‘Nice place you have here,’ he said in a gravelly Welsh accent.

‘Thanks, we like it. I’m Isla.’

‘David,’ he said. ‘The weather isn’t being kind to us today … which field am I letting them loose in?’

Isla pointed and grabbed an umbrella from the hallway before following him to the back of the truck.

‘These creatures are responsible for bearing some of the silkiest, most versatile fleece found in nature. Stronger than mohair, finer than cashmere, smoother than silk, softer than cotton, warmer than goose down … you’re on to a winner with these beauties. Shorn annually for a good price,’ said David.

Isla watched in amazement as he pulled open the door and unleashed numerous docile-looking animals. She couldn’t take her eyes away from the magnificent creatures. Isla had never seen an alpaca up close and was mesmerised by their floppy furry tufts, slender necks. They genuinely looked like they were sporting huge grins.

‘They are captivating,’ said Martha, joining them, not taking her eyes off them. ‘How many are there?’

‘Twelve,’ answered Isla.

Once all of them were unloaded into the field they huddled together, sheltering under the canopy of the trees.

‘Thank you so much, we’ll look after them, I promise. And I’m sorry to hear about your father.’

‘Father?’ said David, looking puzzled as he bolted up the back of the truck. ‘Oh yes, my father. Thank you. All I need now is the money.’ He stood and waited while Isla rummaged around in her handbag and pulled out the envelope of cash.

‘Thank you,’ he said, not hanging around. He jumped into the trunk, started the engine and was off.

‘That was short and sweet … strange little man. He couldn’t get out of here quick enough,’ noticed Martha.

‘Twelve alpacas, all present and correct. Aren’t they wonderful?’ Isla squeezed her Gran’s arm. ‘Let’s get out of this rain.’

They’d only been inside a couple of minutes when they noticed Drew’s van pull up outside.

‘He’s here … quick,’ said Isla, unboxing the birthday cake and placing it in pride of place in the middle of the kitchen table. She risked a tentative look in the mirror, ran her fingers through her hair and quickly applied her lip gloss.

As the kitchen door opened, two loud pops erupted. The unmistakable sounds of party poppers.

‘Happy birthday, Drew!’ Isla moved towards him and planted a kiss on his cheek.

Drew’s face didn’t crack a smile, he was drenched with rain and Fergus looked even more dishevelled standing next to him with his overalls splattered with mud.

‘You poor things, look at the state of you both, all wet through. Let me get you a towel.’

‘Never mind a towel,’ Drew said, eyeing up the banners pinned to the kitchen wall before locking eyes with Isla. ‘For a second I thought I’d come home to the wrong farm.’

‘What do you mean?’ she asked. ‘Aww, because of all this … Finn made the paperchains and of course Flick made the cake.’

‘Isla … I could have sworn there are llamas in our field.’

Isla wagged her finger, ‘Actually, that’s where you are wrong … they are alpacas … Happy birthday, Drew! What do you get a man who has everything? A herd of alpacas!’

Fergus looked suitably impressed, but it was clear by the look on Drew’s face that he wasn’t quite feeling the same.

‘Alpacas? You’ve bought me alpacas? Where do you think we live, the Peruvian Andes?’

‘Beautiful animals,’ said Isla, hoping for a better reaction and noting the slight tension that had crept into the room. She couldn’t help but feel disappointed, this was not the reaction she was hoping for.

‘Where the hell have you got a herd of alpacas from?’ asked an annoyed Drew.

‘A man called David O’Sullivan came into the teashop and mentioned to Rona that his father had passed away, he didn’t know what to do with them and needed to re-home the herd. I thought you’d be happy.’

Drew blew out a breath, he looked relieved as a small smile hitched on his face. ‘Why didn’t you say … so he gave them to you? I had visions of you spending a small fortune on them.’

Isla just stared at him. Of course she had spent a small fortune on them and now felt a little guilty because of Drew’s reaction. This was not how it was meant to be.

‘Isla?’

‘Of course he didn’t give them to me. They’re a prize-winning herd, but what an asset to the farm … and what a birthday present, too.’

‘Isla, I can’t believe you can be so stupid,’ Drew blurted.

Isla felt infuriated, he was talking to her like she was a child, not his equal.

‘And who’s this David bloke? You’ll have to ring him now and tell him to take them back and get the money back.’ Drew was so angry he barely came up for air.

‘I can’t do that. He’ll think I’ve lost the plot, and anyway, what’s the problem? Those fleeces will bring in a small fortune. They’ll pay for themselves in the long run.’

‘Isla, it matters. How much did you pay for them?’ His question was loaded with more than polite enquiry.

For a second, the question hung in the air. ‘Isla?’

Martha gave Fergus a nod and they quickly disappeared into the living room, leaving them alone.

Isla narrowed her eyes at him, ‘What has got into you? You’ve just embarrassed me and yourself in front of my gran and Fergus. I’ve bought you a present, at the very least you could act grateful.’

‘An extravagant present, do you think we have money to throw around?’ Drew lunged at Isla’s phone which was lying on the table. ‘David, you say?’ he said, scrolling through her last numbers.

‘You are acting like a complete idiot. What the hell is going on with you, Drew? It’s like I don’t even know who you are at the minute.’

‘Marvellous … bloody marvellous,’ he said, switching the phone to speaker and throwing his hands up into the air.

‘Your call cannot be connected.’

Isla had to admit she felt a tiny pang of worry. Surely it was just because the mobile phone signal was sparse in this region, but before she could voice her opinion Drew jumped in with his.

‘My guess is David is a crook, by chance he rocked up here and sold you those animals …’ he pointed towards the window, ‘that are probably riddled with disease.’

‘Don’t be stupid,’ Isla was now shouting but had begun to worry. Maybe she had made a mistake. ‘His father passed away. They needed re-homing and Rory can give them the once over.’

Drew shook his head, ‘Oh brilliant … more money on our vet’s bill. I can’t believe you would spend so much on a herd of animals that we know nothing about. Seriously Isla, I just can’t understand you sometimes.’

Drew stormed out of the kitchen, slamming the door, leaving Isla to burst into tears. Isla had hoped that this would make Drew happier, be the best birthday present ever, but it seemed it had all gone wrong. She felt like she’d made a terrible mistake. Goodness knows what Martha and Fergus were making of it all in the next room.

‘Happy bloody birthday!’ she bellowed after him. ‘Happy bloody birthday.’

Chapter 9

It was just after six o’clock when Isla heard Drew kick off his boots and throw his overalls into the washing machine. He totally ignored Isla as he entered the living room and instead threw Finn up in the air, who wished him happy birthday.

Out of curiosity Isla had continued to call David’s number throughout the afternoon, only to receive the same message as before. Isla had begun to worry that maybe Drew was right and she had been taken for a ride and the alpacas were riddled with disease. But David had seemed so genuine when she’d spoken to him on the phone.

‘That’s how con-artists operate … give you a sob story and you fall for it hook, line and sinker. Hand over your cash and they disappear, never to be seen again,’ Martha had said, unhelpfully. ‘The TV is full of stories like that.’

Isla just wanted the day to end. She’d taken herself off to her bedroom and cradled Angus who was unaware of the sadness that flowed through her veins. As her unhappiness gained momentum, her eyes glazed with glassy tears. She blinked, dripping tears sliding down her face.

‘Oh Angus, what are we going to do?’ she murmured, kissing him lightly on the top of his head. ‘What is going on with that daddy of yours?’