Page 17 of Sweet Dreams at the Forever Home on Muddypuddle Lane (The Forever Home on Muddypuddle Lane #2)

‘I cried,’ Nora told Kendra with a wry, embarrassed twist of her lips. ‘Sobbed like a baby.’ She rolled her eyes at her own silliness. ‘Elijah must think me a proper numpty.’

She’d just finished telling Kendra about her breakdown on the way to the kennels yesterday, as they set up for the day and before any customers arrived. It was Lori’s day in college, so the pair of them were on their own.

‘I’m sure he doesn’t,’ Kendra said. ‘Anyway, from what I’ve heard, he isn’t a bundle of laughs himself at the moment.

I bumped into Christina on the way home yesterday, and she said he’s been like a bear with a sore head lately.

’ The sideways look Kendra gave her, made Nora think that maybe she wasn’t a bundle of laughs, either.

She was trying her best not to let it show (except for yesterday, when she’d fallen apart in spectacular fashion), but she had the feeling she wasn’t succeeding.

It was hard to get her head around the fact that she would never again be able to eat what she wanted, when she wanted.

She would forever have to be careful about portion sizes and be mindful about how many carbs she consumed.

It made her feel like a pariah, especially when friends and colleagues could walk into a cafe or restaurant and not worry what they ordered.

Nora hated to admit it, but she was scared that her life had changed forever.

There would be no more partying, no more meals out, no more boozy nights in the pub with friends.

And suddenly, without all that, she had no idea what to do with herself, or how she would occupy the long evenings on her own, even with Biscuit’s help.

‘I’ve lost another half a pound,’ she announced brightly, hoping to lighten the gloom.

‘That’s brilliant. We should have a coffee and a cake to celebrate.’

That’s what they always did when someone had good news to share. Or when the news was crap, for that matter, and one of them needed cheering up. A herbal tea and a lettuce leaf didn’t have the same appeal, somehow, and Nora pulled a face.

Kendra winced. ‘Sorry, wasn’t thinking.’

‘Don’t let me stop you. Honestly, if you fancy a biscuit or a muffin, have one.’

‘I don’t like to. Not in front of you, when you can’t.’

Nora rounded on her. ‘Ken, this is my problem, not yours. I don’t expect you to suffer because I’ve got to watch what I eat. I know you’re being supportive, but it’s not fair to you.’

‘It’s not fair to you, either.’ Kendra laid a hand on her arm. ‘Congrats on the half a pound, though,’ she added.

Nora snorted and said, without thinking, ‘Elijah told me he thinks I’m perfect as I am.

’ She’d thought, for one fleeting, ridiculous moment, that he’d been about to kiss her.

Talk about letting her imagination run away with her.

And what was really worrying was that she would have welcomed it, and she’d had to hug Biscuit tight to stop herself from throwing her arms around Elijah and snogging him senseless.

Kendra’s eyes were out on stalks. ‘He did? ’

‘Uh huh. I think he was just being nice.’

‘I bet he wasn’t. I think he fancies you.’

‘Get off! He doesn’t!’ she scoffed, amused at the very idea of it. What would a fit, attractive man like Elijah, see in her? She was a wreck right now.

‘You’re blushing!’

‘I am not. It’s a hot flush.’ Warmth was spreading up her chest and neck, and into her face.

Kendra grinned and nudged her with her hip as she went to unlock the door. ‘I think you fancy him, too.’

‘Do you want the sack? I can have your P45 ready for you by the end of the day,’ Nora joked, but her heart wasn’t in it because she knew Kendra was right. She did fancy him.

Kendra’s smile grew wider. ‘I don’t blame you – he’s a dish.’

‘A dish?’ Nora’s tone was deadpan.

‘The man’s sexy, he’s fit, and he can bake. What’s not to like? If I was single, I’d be after him in a heartbeat.’

‘The baking bit is of no interest to me,’ Nora retorted.

‘But the sexy and fit bits are, right?’

‘Maybe; I’m not made of stone. But if you remember, he’s the reason why I mightn’t be able to adopt Biscuit.

’ Although she was still convinced that she was the more logical option to adopt the dog, nothing was certain.

What if Elijah found some way of being able to take Biscuit to work with him?

If that happened, her advantage would disappear.

Yes, she’d jump his bones in a heartbeat if the situation was different, but it was what it was. Nora hated that phrase, but it summed up the situation perfectly, and she really must stop thinking about Elijah that way, because no earthly good could possibly come of it.

Elijah was alarmed when Andrea hurried into the bakery’s kitchen, looking upset and flustered.

‘I’m so sorry,’ she began, ‘I’m going to have to dash off. My dad’s had a fall. I don’t like leaving you in the lurch but—’

Elijah stopped her there. ‘Just go, already. Don’t worry about the bakery. Christina will be in soon and I’m sure we can manage without you for a couple of days, or however long you need to be off work.’

Andrea lifted her jacket from the hook and hoisted her bag onto her shoulder, her face suffused with anxiety.

‘Let me know how he is, will you?’ he asked. ‘And tell me if there’s anything I can do. Anything, ’ he repeated. He watched her dash out, worry pricking at him.

He hoped the news wasn’t too bad. Andrea’s father was in his eighties and quite frail, and she’d been trying to persuade him to move into Honeymead Care Home in the village for some time, but the stubborn old so-and-so kept refusing to be swayed.

Elijah checked the timer on the oven, then washed his hands and stepped into the shop. Two customers were waiting patiently, and both expressed their concern as he served them.

He was in the middle of slicing and bagging a farmhouse loaf, when Kendra came in.

‘Can you wait a sec?’ he asked her, hearing the timer go off and sprinting into the kitchen. Cursing under his breath, he took the Bakewell tarts out of the oven and slid them onto a wire rack to cool, then hurried back to continue serving.

‘On your own today?’ she asked.

‘Andrea had to dash off and Christina isn’t in yet. What can I get you?’

‘I’ll have a choux bun and one of those, please.

’ Kendra pointed to a jambon (a square pastry filled with cheese and chunks of ham) which was a new recipe he’d decided to trial, even though his heart wasn’t in it.

It was good for business to have new products now and again, but he was finding it hard to summon the enthusiasm he’d once had for his craft.

He popped her purchases in a bag and as he was handing over her change, he asked, ‘Could you give this to Nora?’ He held out a paper bag.

‘I’ve been trying some new bakes, and I thought she might like a taste.

It’s only a morsel of each, because… you know.

’ He didn’t like to mention anything about her being on a diet, in case he came across as judgemental or unsupportive.

In his experience, it was never a good idea to comment on a woman’s weight, or what she was, or wasn’t, eating. His ex had been forever on a diet.

Kendra peeped into the bag. ‘These look yummy, but please don’t be offended if she doesn’t eat them. Since her diagnosis, she’s been so good – apart from that blip on Saturday evening. I don’t think I’d have her willpower or determination, if I had diabetes.’

Elijah froze. ‘She’s got diabetes? ’

‘Yes, she—’ Kendra stopped, let out a gasp and clapped a hand to her mouth. Her eyes widened, then she closed them briefly. When she opened them again, he saw the dismay on her face. ‘You didn’t know, did you?’

He shook his head.

‘Aw, hell. Nora is going to kill me. I assumed you knew. Bugger.’

‘I won’t say anything,’ he assured her.

‘I’ll have to tell her I let slip. Can you not say anything though, until I’ve had a chance to confess? I’ll try to catch her before she leaves to see Biscuit, but the salon is busy ,and I don’t want to tell her when there are clients around in case she gets cross.’

‘Is that likely?’

‘Ordinarily I’d say no, but these past few weeks, since she was diagnosed, she hasn’t been herself.’

She only found out a few weeks ago? Elijah was shocked.

No wonder she’d burst into tears yesterday.

And no wonder she wanted to lose weight.

He used to know a runner who was diabetic – although in remission now – and the guy used to swear that maintaining a healthy weight, keeping his carbohydrate intake low, and doing loads of exercise was what helped him stay well and avoid the complications that the disease could all too often cause.

Deep in thought, he didn’t notice Kendra leave.

Nora was looking forward to seeing Biscuit today (of course she was!), but she was apprehensive about seeing Elijah. If he was kind to her again, she might throw herself at him, and that would never do.

She’d just changed out of the black trousers she wore for work and into a pair of leggings, and was doing up the laces on her trainers, when Kendra cornered her.

‘Can I have a word?’

‘If it’s quick,’ Nora said, but something in the tone of Kendra’s voice made her stop and look up.

Kendra was chewing on her lip. ‘I’ve got something to tell you. I’m sorry, but I let the cat out of the bag with Elijah.’

‘What cat?’

‘I let slip you’re diabetic. Sorry, Nora, but I assumed he knew.’

Nora sat up and sighed, resigned. She supposed it was inevitable people would find out eventually.

She’d hoped that telling everyone she was on a diet because she wanted to lose weight, would be enough to stop any speculation, but when she’d reached her target weight and was still avoiding carbs like the plague, she had to expect that questions would be asked and assumptions made.

All she’d wanted was an opportunity to come to terms with it herself, before she shared her news with all and sundry.

Anyway, from what she’d learnt online, diabetes was far more common than she’d initially realised, and growing more common by the year, so she didn’t feel quite as alone, despite not personally knowing anyone with the condition.

‘It’s okay,’ she assured her. ‘I would have told him myself before long.’ She wouldn’t have, but Kendra didn’t need to know that. It would only make her feel bad. Nora got to her feet. ‘I’d better be off.’ She smiled ruefully. ‘And I’ll try my best not to bawl my eyes out today.’

‘It’s bound to be hard, and you’re doing so well. I admire your fortitude. You haven’t even had a nibble of those little cakes Elijah gave you.’

‘I daren’t. I wouldn’t have stopped at a nibble. See you tomorrow. Any issues, give me a ring,’ she said. ‘Fingers crossed I won’t have to do this for much longer.’

The sanctuary’s manager should be back from her holidays next week, and hopefully she’d make a decision one way or the other.

When Nora arrived at The Forever Home, she waved to Jakob as she made her way towards Biscuit’s kennel. Almost as though the dog could tell time, he was waiting at the door, his tail waving, and when he saw her, he woofed gently.

A lead and a harness were hanging on a hook ready, and she lifted them off, opened the door and slipped inside. Biscuit nudged her, pressing his cold wet nose into her palm, and she knelt to hug him. Putting her arms around him, Nora buried her face in his fluffy neck.

‘Want to go for a walk?’

He wagged his tail, but it was followed by a whine, and when she got to her feet, she noticed him staring through the bars. He whined again, and a pang struck Nora in the chest when she realised that Biscuit was hoping to see Elijah. So was she.

He was late, which wasn’t like him. Should she wait?

She’d give it five minutes, she decided.

When the five minutes became ten and he still hadn’t showed, she said, ‘I don’t think Elijah’s coming today. It looks like it’s just you and me, poppet.’

Biscuit glanced up at her with puppy dog eyes, his ears down, his expression sad, and Nora felt dreadful. Did he prefer Elijah to her? Had she lost the war for his affection?

‘Everything okay, Nora?’ Maisie asked. She had a bucket in one hand and a stiff-bristled broom in the other.

‘I’m not sure. Elijah hasn’t turned up, and Biscuit seems to be missing him.’

‘He probably is. You and Elijah have always visited him as a couple, so he’s wondering where he is today.’

Nora feared there was more to it than that. She worried that Biscuit had bonded more with Elijah than with her.

And when she took him out for his walk, the feeling was reinforced by his reluctance to go far.

The dog kept stopping and looking back over his shoulder, as though he expected Elijah to appear at any second.

It was only when they’d left the kennels behind and were on the open moorland, did he begin to relax and accept that it was going to be just the two of them.

Nora was surprised to discover how nervous she was walking Biscuit on her own. He was a big dog, well-built and powerful, and if he decided he wanted to go somewhere, Nora had a feeling that was the direction they’d go in.

However, Biscuit was as well behaved as usual, plodding sedately by her side, only occasionally yanking her back when he stopped suddenly to sniff an interesting smell. When that happened, she had no choice but to stop too, until he’d sniffed his fill.

The moorland was dotted with sheep, the occasional cow or two, a few stunted trees, and several clumps of large rocks. Nora picked one at random and sat on it, Biscuit jumping up next to her, cuddling in, and when he nuzzled her ear then licked her on the cheek, her insides turned to mush.

Now that her initial nervousness at being able to handle Biscuit had faded, Nora felt incredibly safe with him by her side.

There was something missing, though: Elijah . This walk simply wasn’t the same without him.