‘You must be tired after that long drive, we heard you live in London.’ Daphne’s look was kind. ‘We were only saying how lovely it is having the house occupied again after standing empty.’
‘Empty?’ Pippa’s hand stilled over the basket, a carton of soup hovering. ‘But I thought Gil lived in it?’
‘Oh, he does now. He moved back in February but he hadn’t lived in the village for years. We’d see him sometimes, between the practice and visits to see his gran at the farm before she passed.’
Pippa smiled, hoping to learn more about Gil Haworth and precisely why he was now living in her dad’s house. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t think to bring any bags. Could I have one, please.’
‘Of course.’ Daphne bent down and produced a cotton tote bag in green, emblazoned with a cream alpaca logo. ‘Could I persuade you to buy one of these? We sell them to raise funds for the local animal sanctuary.’
‘Absolutely. Better make it two, please.’ Pippa began loading her shopping. ‘You were saying? About the house and Gil being back in it?’
‘Oh yes. Well, sadly he’s on his own now his boys are grown up. It’s a big house for just the one but then it was only him and his gran all those years. It must seem so different without her, but of course he never lets it show.’
‘Mmm.’ Pippa removed a purse from her handbag, looking up to see a second woman approaching along a corridor behind Daphne. That they were related was obvious; both had the same hazel eyes and round faces, although this woman looked older and her voice when she spoke was tremulous.
‘Daphne, can you switch on the oven for me please?’ She looked at Pippa curiously, her own navy apron dusted with flour. ‘I can’t quite remember what the temperature should be for the scones. You know, don’t you?’
‘I do.’ Daphne nodded and Pippa saw the quick sadness in her face. ‘Pippa, this is my sister Violet, who does all the baking. I’m sorry, she’s not familiar with the card machine so she won’t be able to help you. Would you excuse me for a moment please, I won’t be long.’
‘Of course.’ Pippa closed her purse.
Daphne disappeared along the corridor and Pippa helped herself to a couple of postcards, surprised to see that Violet was watching intently, and she held them up.
‘They’re lovely, aren’t they, the village looks so pretty. Do you make the bread as well? It smells amazing, I can’t wait to try it.’
‘I do. I hope you like it. It’s an old recipe I’ve been using for years. I have to look it up now.’ Violet tilted her head and the seconds eased by, making Pippa fidget under the scrutiny. ‘I’ve got it now. I knew I’d seen you before.’
‘Oh, probably,’ Pippa replied casually, doubting it. Violet didn’t seem like the kind of person who’d listened to a rock band in her life, never mind read a tabloid or scrolled social media for gossip. ‘And I’m sure I’ll love the bread.’
‘You have a look of her.’
Pippa’s laugh was startled, and she wondered if she’d misheard. Violet couldn’t possibly be referring to Harriet, who was still presumably barricaded in her bedroom. ‘Do you mean my dad? Jonny?’
Violet shook her head, a frown creasing her brow. ‘Ivy. I remember she had hazel eyes, just like yours. Her hair was dark though and she always wore it up.’
‘Sorry about that, Pippa.’ Daphne emerged from the corridor and gently touched Violet’s arm. ‘All done, love. The scones are in the oven, and I’ve set the timer. Do you want to make us a cup of tea?’
‘I’ll do that. Thank you, Daphne.’ Violet gave Pippa a final look before she turned and disappeared from view.
‘I’m sorry for keeping you waiting.’ Daphne pushed a card machine across the counter. Pippa was fumbling for her purse again, her thoughts still with Violet and what she’d said. ‘Violet gets confused quite easily these days and I’ve learned it’s better to help with tasks there and then if I can. Saves her fretting.’
‘I understand. Have you been running the shop a long time?’ Pippa hoped a more ordinary conversation would be easier to deal with than the disease afflicting Daphne’s sister’s mind.
‘Violet’s lived here all her life, she never married.’ Daphne tore off the receipt from the card machine and handed it to Pippa. ‘The shop was our parents’ and she’s never really left the village, except for the occasional holiday and of course hospital appointments now. I lived in Harrogate until my husband left three years ago.’ Daphne’s lips pursed together and her hand on the counter trembled. ‘Afterwards I came to stay with Violet, and that’s when I realised she wasn’t quite as well as I thought. She’s eight years older than me and it seemed sensible to make the move back here. We both like the company and I can keep an eye on her.’
‘I’m sorry,’ Pippa said quietly, wanting to offer more, but Daphne waved her concern away.
‘That’s very kind. You get used to it, of course. Now, can I tempt you into a banana loaf as a welcome gift? Even though I say it myself, Violet’s really are the best. Perfect with a generous dollop of butter.’
‘How can I resist,’ Pippa murmured, tucking the proffered loaf wrapped in greaseproof paper into her bag along with everything else. Carbs and cakes, indeed. She picked up the bags, ready to eat and certain Harriet would be equally hungry.
‘Thank you. Daphne, when we were chatting before, Violet mentioned someone called Ivy. Do you know who that is? She said I had a look of her.’
‘I’m sorry, I’m afraid I don’t.’ Daphne turned a shoulder to the corridor. ‘I can ask her, if you like. Her memories are like that, sometimes they all get muddled together and then she remembers other things as though they happened only yesterday.’
‘No, don’t disturb her, it was probably nothing.’
‘Do you think he might visit, your dad?’ Daphne’s voice lowered as she leaned over the counter. ‘It would be lovely to see him again, it’s been such a long time.’
