Before she even reaches our table, Layla sits up straight and waves both hands. “Miss Alexandra! All the pigs in blankets to me, please!”
The whole table bursts out laughing.
Alexandra stops mid-stride, grinning. “All of them? That doesn’t seem very fair, does it?”
Layla shakes her head earnestly. “It’s okay. I’ll share. Maybe.”
Jon groans. “You’re going to get us banned, young lady.”
Nancy hides a laugh behind her napkin. “Oh, let her. She’s got good taste.”
Alexandra sets the plates down with practiced ease, still smiling. “I’ll see what I can do, sweetheart, but the chef guards those like gold.”
“That’s fine,” Layla says solemnly. “I’m good at finding gold.”
That sets everyone off again. Alexandra shakes her head, amused. “Enjoy your dinners, all of you,” she says before heading to another table.
Abby picks up her fork, still chuckling. “She’s obsessed with those sausages. Honestly, I don’t know where she gets it from.”
“I do,” Jon says. “You.”
Layla giggles, inspecting her plate. “I like food. It’s my favourite hobby.”
I take a sip of my pint, still smiling as Layla starts bargaining for extra gravy. Between the fire, the laughter, and the smell of roast potatoes, I can’t help thinking I’ve absolutely nailed this decision. Coming here was a bloody good idea.
By the time I reach the village green, the rain is coming down in sheets. Wind whips across the open space, slicing through the air with that particular Yorkshire enthusiasm that makes umbrellas useless.
I tug my hood tighter over my beanie and shove my hands into the pockets of my waterproof jacket. The matching trousers rustle with every step, and the only part of me that isn’t damp is probably my socks, though I wouldn’t put money on it.
A group of about a dozen people are already gathered near the old noticeboard, all bundled in bright waterproofs and chatting as if it’s a perfect summer morning. They look irritatingly cheerful for people standing in a storm.
Nancy spots me first. “There he is!” she calls, waving a gloved hand.
Luke grins as I join them. “You made it. I’ll be honest, I had money on you staying in bed.”
“Thought about it,” I admit, pushing back my hood. “Then I remembered there’s apple crumble involved.”
“That’s the spirit,” Nancy says. Her red jacket makes her stand out against the grey morning. “It’s only a short walk today, five miles, tops. We’ll warm up before the first hill.”
“Good to know,” I say, eyeing the horizon where the mist is sitting low and ominous. “Because I’m not sure I’ve got the local definition of ‘short’ worked out yet.”
Luke chuckles. “Don’t worry. If the weather gets worse, we’ll just walk faster.”
“Brilliant,” I mutter. “Nothing like a bit of windburn to start the weekend.”
Nancy laughs. “That’s the attitude we like. Come on then, brave man, let’s introduce you to the rest of the crew before we head off.”
She leads me towards the group, who are already exchanging jokes and adjusting walking poles, entirely undeterred by the weather.
Somewhere between the freezing rain and Nancy’s boundless enthusiasm, I realise I’m actually grinning.
I might regret it later, but for now, it feels good to be out here.
Chapter 4
Eve
The rain is steadynow, the sort that doesn’t look too bad from indoors but somehow manages to soak you to the bone the moment you step outside. I’ve been standing at the edge of the village green for a few minutes, pretending to check my phone while quietly wondering if I’ve made a huge mistake.
