Mattie nudged her as they walked up to the police station so Nell could collect her car and drive them home. “Have you finished snickering at me now, chief inspector?”
“The look on your face was adorable.” Nell slowed her pace, enjoying simply walking together, not touching but close enough to be intimate. “We have so much to catch up on.”
Mattie gave her a smile that made Nell’s toes curl. “We do.”
But on the journey home to Nell’s, they talked about practical stuff. Mattie’s car was a write-off and most likely, so were her belongings inside it.
“I’ll have to contact the insurance company,” said Mattie. “And then I’ll go online and order a new laptop and phone. And some clothes.” She flared her nostrils in obvious disgust. “This hoodie’s coming off the moment we get in. It’s covered with dog hair.”
“Ah, that’s where the curious smell is emanating from.” Nell grinned. “I’ve got a shirt you’re welcome to borrow. It’s a bit big on you, but it has been featured on national TV.” They laughed together, and the glorious sound filled Nell’s heart to the brim. Right now, anything felt possible. But first, they needed to talk.
Chapter 38
The moment Nell pulled up onto her driveway, the front door to Cove House flung open, and Angie rushed out.
“Mattie!” Angie greeted her with an outstretched arm, the other clutching hold of a covered white dish. “What an awful thing to have happen.”
Mattie returned Angie’s one-armed hug. “It’s lovely to see you again.”
Angie held out the dish to Nell. “Lasagne, cooked fresh this morning. All you have to do is heat it up.”
“You’re a star, Angie. I’ll make it up to you,” said Nell.
“No need. That’s what friends are for.” She sniffed. “Can I smell damp dog?”
“Eau de Mini and Maxi.” Mattie laughed at Angie’s confusion.
Nell let herself and Mattie into the house, which was wonderfully warm. “I’ll reheat this while you have a shower.”
“Shower and food sound divine,” said Mattie.
Nell found joggers, their infamous shared shirt, and a hoodie for Mattie to change into. In the kitchen, she put the lasagne into the microwave to reheat. Watching the dish go round was oddly therapeutic. What a rollercoaster of a day.Mattie loves me. Nellbeamed. Her face heated up so much, she needed to splash water on it.She loves me and I love her, and we can make this work.
Mattie returned to the kitchen post-shower with damp, ruffled hair and dressed in Nell’s clothes. The joggers were far too long, and Mattie had rolled them up. Nell’s heart warmed at the sight. “You look cute.”
“I feel cosy. And warm. And hungry.” Mattie smiled coyly. “And horny.”
Nell laughed. “What would you like to drink?”
“Water’s good. I’m off alcohol at the moment,” said Mattie.
“Dry January?” Nell asked, handing her a plate of lasagne.
“Something like that.” Mattie sat opposite her at the table.
Nell scooped a forkful of sauce-laden pasta into her mouth. Angie’s lasagne tasted superb, and the simplicity of doing something so low-key as sharing a meal with Mattie felt incredibly precious.
Mattie pointed to the miniature rose in its purple pot, looking healthy after Nell had tended to it daily. “Is that a rose? It doesn’t look like one at the moment, but it’s got prickles on its stem, so I’m making an educated guess.”
“It is,” Nell said.
Mattie gave a self-deprecating laugh. “I still haven’t got the hang of taking time to smell them.”
“It’s your Christmas present.”
Mattie’s fork hovered in mid-air. “Mine?”
Nell nodded. It’d seemed meaningful at the time, but Mattie looked dumbstruck. “Bad idea?”
