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.
Chapter Forty-Five
Isabella
The Salvation Army had arrived at the park as soon as they heard about the fire. By the time Isabella had created her social media campaign, they had erected a huge tent to give the burned-out residents some protection from the weather and from prying eyes. By the time she’d posted it, the marquee was set up with deckchairs and trestle tables and the residents were drinking tea. Someone had even found a solar radio.
Isabella had used all her marketing knowledge to get the campaign out there as quickly as possible. She rang the local council and outlined her idea, and they’d been positively thrilled with the help. Walker had confirmed she could use some money from the hardship fund for the adverts on Facebook and she’d filmed the TikTok content herself and posted it live. She’d not had time to eat and she was bursting for the toilet, but watching the likes reaching their first hundred, first thousand, firstten thousand, was the most amazing feeling in the world. Well,almostthe most amazing feeling in the world– but she wasn’t thinking about that, or him, today. She wandered over from her workstation in the back of a fire service van to peek into the tent and see how everyone was doing.
The first thing she saw was Nonna and Brigitta, back again and handing out trays of rum biscuits to tired residents. Brigitta might have also been testing the rum with Nonna as her Burberry scarf was now tied on the wonk.
A lady with a white bob cried out loud and stood from her deckchair to turn the radio up. Hearing the introduction to a certain song, she turned to a man with a handlebar moustache and led him to the middle of the tent. He clasped her hand and put his other around her waist and they pulled in tight to dance. The grass beneath their feet was uneven and she was wearing her slippers, but they didn’t miss a step. As the song ended, he turned her for a final spin before taking their seats, and everyone clapped. Isabella felt her eyes burn hot with tears, but blinked them away.
Just outside the tent, she spotted Walker with his team, discussing next steps and comparing notes on the investigation so far.
She blinked again, her eyes almost overflowing. People were lovely. It was amazing to see how everyone was keeping their spirits up in such an awful situation. Honeybridge was a good place and it had done her good to move there. The people here would do anything for anybody.
Rosie, Wren and Amber had welcomed her in with no other purpose than to make friends. They were fantastic, hardworking women with the most amazing hearts. They’d opened hers again.
She also no longer hated or distrusted men as she had when she’d first arrived. Because she’d met three who showed her every day that they were good men. Walker, the everyday hero. Fox, the wonder dad. And Etienne. . . Etienne.
She felt the usual surge inside as she thought of him. There was no point in trying to deny it. She had fallen for him. She knew it was ill fated but there it was.
And there he was. Walking towards her, with the biggest smile on his face. And just like that, her heart swelled to fill her chest to bursting.
Chapter Forty-Six
