Page 44 of Happier Days (Family Life in Somerley #1)

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

On Wednesday morning, Ava and Jack were heading into Somerley. Jack had invited her along to a meeting.

‘Can you remember the town centre?’ he asked while they drove along winding lanes with beautiful scenery.

‘Vaguely,’ Ava told him. ‘I can recall the big oak tree in the middle of the square. Please tell me that’s still there.’

‘Yes, I doubt it will ever go. Anything else?’

‘Shops on the high street. A wonderful chip shop?’ Ava shrugged. ‘There was a park with a huge lake.’

‘Lil’s Pantry?’

‘Was that at the back of the square?’

‘It was. It’s been turned into an amazing coffee shop.’

Ava grinned. ‘So you’re holding your meeting there, obviously.’

‘Obviously.’

‘I can remember bits about Somerley,’ Ava said, excitedly. ‘The sweet stall in the indoor market was a particular favourite. Dad used to take me there when Mum was in the shops.’

‘I hope there are no bad memories it will bring up.’

‘I don’t think so. Holidays were always so chilled, weren’t they?’

‘Speak for yourself! I had to work doing something or other every summer. There was no gallivanting for six weeks for me. If I wasn’t collecting glasses or cleaning pots in the hotel, I’d be labouring on the farms. Never a dull day.’

‘I remember. I often couldn’t wait to see you in the evening. It made for long days for me, too.’

Jack nudged her playfully. ‘I wish you’d told me that before you’d left that last summer.’

‘I wish I’d said and done a lot of things,’ Ava said under her breath.

‘Sorry, didn’t catch that.’

‘You weren’t meant to.’ She laughed, then pointed ahead. ‘I can see the oak tree!’

Jack pulled into the car park just along from the square.

He grabbed his laptop case, and they set off.

They walked through the square onto the row of shops at the back of it.

The oak tree Ava remembered was looking splendid if a little bare, four triangles of grass with flowerbeds at each corner surrounded by a low, wrought-iron decorated fence.

There was a wooden bench attached all the way around the trunk of the tree.

Ava had a flashback of herself sitting on it.

Of course she’d been nosing, not watching what she was doing.

The ice cream her mum had passed to her slid off its cone, landing on the ground with a splat.

Ahead was a row of buildings. ‘The Coffee Stop and The Book Stop.’

Jack pressed on the door handle. ‘You’re going to love this place.’

Ava stepped inside, the noise of approximately forty people reaching her ears first. Jack was right, it was delightful.

Decorated in differing shades of lilac, with pale wood tables and chairs, two comfy leather settees pushed into a large bay window, it welcomed you inside without even trying.

There was a counter on the back wall, mirrors behind making the room seem double its size.

Which was just as well, because every bit of space was taken up by customers.

‘It seems so inviting.’ She beamed.

‘Hi, Jack, how are you?’ A woman in her late thirties with long dark hair smiled at him from behind the counter.

‘I’m good, thanks. Kate, this is Ava. She’s here for the meeting with me.’

‘Pleased to meet you, Ava. I’ve popped you on table nine in the far corner. It has a reserved sign on it. Hannah and Doug are next door. I’ll let them know you’re here and send them through.’

‘Hannah and Doug?’ Ava asked, once they were seated.

‘Hannah owns the bookshop, and Doug has a construction company. I’ve sent him some plans over for the hotel. Ah, here they are now.’

Ava watched as Jack got to his feet, shaking Doug’s hand heartily before proffering a kiss on Hannah’s cheek. To her mind, Doug was a few years older than both Hannah and Jack, distinguished with grey hair. Hannah was petite and blonde, her demeanour friendly.

‘This is Ava,’ Jack said. ‘She’s doing the PR and photography work for the hotel.’

‘Pleased to meet you.’ Doug shook her hand.

‘Likewise.’ Hannah smiled, waving a greeting. ‘Jack tells me you’re from London.’

‘Yes, I’m working at Sapphire Hotel for four weeks. This is my third.’

‘How do you find it?’

‘Quiet.’ She gave out a huge sigh. ‘Blissfully quiet.’

Over coffees and slices of cake, they discussed business. Hannah then gave Ava a tour of the bookshop, with a peek at the new room.

Ava’s heart melted at the sight of the children’s corner, with its tiny bookcase, and table and chairs in primary colours. ‘It’s amazing. You’ve put so much thought into it.’

‘Thanks. Kate and I – she’s the co-owner of the coffee shop with Chloe as well as co-owner of the bookshop with me – see the three businesses complementing each other once they’re all up and running.

We want the stops, as we call them, to be the heart of the community.

We’re opening a reception room upstairs, with a small bar.

Will, that’s Kate’s husband, suggested calling it the pit stop.

It was meant to be a joke, but I think it’s growing on us all. ’

‘That’s great. I said to Jack that Sapphire Hotel is crying out to be much more, too.’

‘I’m so glad we’ll be involved with the project. It’s a pity you won’t be around.’ Hannah pouted. ‘Although I’m thinking from the smouldering glances shooting between the pair of you, that you’ll be keeping in touch regardless.’

Ava laughed. ‘I’m hoping so.’

On the way back, Jack was quiet. Ava wondered why, after having such a successful meeting.

‘Everything okay?’ she asked.

He turned to her and smiled. ‘Yes, I’m really pleased with how things are working out. It’s going to be a new start for our family. But it’s making me worry, too.’

‘You don’t think you’re taking on too much? Because from what I can see of Doug, he has some great ideas, and I think?—’

‘I’m not referring to the hotel. I mean you.’

‘Me, what?’

‘I’m not sure I want you to go to London this weekend.’

‘I will have to, I’m afraid. I haven’t been home in a fortnight, nor seen Georgia.’ Ava paused. ‘Would you like to come with me?’

‘I’d love nothing more. I’ll make a note to sort out tickets for the train.’

Ava laughed as he side-eyed her. ‘It’s almost as if you were waiting for me to ask.’