Page 52 of All Mine (The All Mine #1)

Etienne

The first Etienne knew of Isabella’s plan was when it popped up on his socials later that day.

He’d come home with Fred and got him set up in the spare bedroom.

Then he’d gone out and bought him a toothbrush, pyjamas and some essentials he might need to be comfortable, a change of clothes and a newspaper; he always had one of those tucked under his arm.

When Fred was showered, changed and dozing in the armchair nearest the TV, Etienne finally picked up his phone and checked his messages.

Nothing from Alex. Nothing from Isabella.

He jolted. Wait a minute. Nothing from Isabella? Why should there be anything from Isabella? Why was he looking for her name on his phone?

Probably because they’d both been together that morning. Maybe he expected an update on how she was getting on with her new housemate. He tapped the phone against his palm. Should he message her to ask? She’d probably be busy. He mindlessly flicked to his social feed instead.

All across his feed were tags of the Spare Room Sleepover, a bright, bold campaign which grabbed attention right off the screen.

It was a rallying call, with Isabella directly asking local people to show their big hearts by opening their homes to a special guest for a while.

It showed smiling head shots of some of the residents of Heart of Honeybridge and footage of the fire that morning.

It was everywhere, and from what he could see it was working.

The comments, growing by the minute, were all from people signing up to the scheme, offering to lend their spare rooms. The local news site had picked up the campaign too; everyone was getting behind it.

He couldn’t believe Isabella had turned it around so quickly.

Fred Barrow woke in his chair and ambled over, looking at the campaign over Etienne’s shoulder.

‘She’s some woman,’ he said, nodding, before going back to watch the racing on the television.

Etienne felt something move inside him, a bit like indigestion. He swallowed and rubbed his chest.

He looked back at his feed and saw the increase in the number of comments. She’d created something amazing, in such a short time. He was blown away. Surely she had enough to do without setting up and organising a community campaign as well? Now he had to message her. It was only neighbourly.

Etienne : The campaign looks amazing!

Nothing. She was probably busy working.

He went to make a coffee, purposefully leaving his phone on the table as he did so, but there was still nothing when he arrived back.

He glanced across at Tutto Mio. The front door was open, as deliveries of tables and chairs were being unloaded from a van and carried inside.

Aha. That explained it. Maybe she needed a hand?

It would be quite physical work, moving all of that.

She’d do the same for him, he knew, if he needed some help at The Bistro.

Not allowing himself to hesitate, he headed across the square. He was just going to help.

Faced with two delivery drivers who wore their trousers too low, Etienne realised she wasn’t there and they definitely did not need his help. A glance at his phone told him his message was unread.

Maybe he’d head down to the retirement home and see how things were going. He might run into Walker down there. And it would be good to congratulate Isabella in person. This feeling of wanting to see her must come from the need to say well done. That was all.