She held onto it like a talisman.
Even if Sam wanted more kids with someone else in the future, she couldn’t ignore how happy she was to know he was here with her in the here and now. And if there was a chance to prolong it, she would.
She packed up and headed into the corridor. Lissa’s voice rose above the stillness, all bright and boisterous. ‘And then he says to me, “If you’re directing a concert again, can I play a duck?”’
A familiar trio had gathered. Lissa in her electric-pink scarf, Adele looking sharp in a navy dress, and Mirren beside them with her golden hair falling out of a messy bun, giggling.
Clara tried to keep her pace steady. She’d just say goodbye and keep walking.
But Lissa spotted her instantly. ‘Clara! The legend herself. You joining us for a commiseration cuppa before we all run for the hills?’
‘Not today, thanks. I’ve got to dash.’
Mirren grinned. ‘Ooh, are you doing something nice?’
‘Just family stuff.’
Mirren nodded. ‘Sounds fun… well, I hope it is. If you had my family, you’d need a spreadsheet to keep track of them all. I’ve got both parents remarried to people with kids of their own, then they had kids together… and then the kids start having kids.’ She waggled her fingers like she was counting them. ‘Christmas is always interesting.’
‘Mine is nowhere near that complicated,’ Clara said.
‘So no dates?’ Lissa stage-whispered. ‘You have to tell us if it is. Teacher Code.’
Clara giggled, her mind instantly jumping back to Sam and the fake dates. ‘No, not that.’
Adele shook her head at Lissa. ‘Stop being so nosey.’
Lissa cackled. ‘Well, off you go and enjoy yourself.’
‘I will. And I hope you all have a lovely weekend too.’ Clara made her way down the corridor, and out through the double doors. The scent of rain lingered on the breeze, fresh and a little sharp. By the time she reached her car, a few raindrops had started.
She slid into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and let herself smile properly. Secret or not, the idea of going to Sam’s house tonight made her feel light. She went home first to collect Skye, then headed up to Clachnabronnachan. There was a minorkerfuffle as Glenbriar High Street was blocked by a delivery truck that was trying to do a twenty-point turn and had got stuck. When it finally cleared, Clara turned up the hill and made her way to Sam’s house.
When she got there, Moira met her at the door, arms open. ‘I’m so glad you’re here. Sam messaged. He’s just leaving Perth with the boys. Isn’t that great that their mum said they could come?’
‘Yeah. I’m so glad.’
‘She can be so controlling,’ Moira said. ‘But now that she has a boyfriend, she’ll be wanting whatever she can get for herself. That’s her selfish way. But if it means she’s staying here, I won’t complain.’
‘Yeah. It’ll be such a relief for Sam to not have to move again.’
‘Definitely. And I can tell he really likes this place – the house, his job… his friends.’ Moira beamed at Clara.
Claire came out the living room. ‘Hi, Clara. You survived another week at the school then?’
‘Thank Crunchie it’s Friday.’
Alisha launched herself around the kitchen door, nearly colliding with a chair and earning a look from her mum. ‘Is Uncle Sam here yet?’
‘Not yet.’
‘Skye!’ Alisha screamed, pouncing on the dog who rolled over straight away.
‘Alisha!’ Claire said. ‘Don’t shriek like that. You’ll scare her.’
‘Skye’s really chill,’ Clara said. ‘She doesn’t mind.’
Mina trailed in behind, clutching a notepad. ‘Can I draw Skye?’
