‘Oh, yes!’ Hattie went to the sideboard where she’d put the snow globe. ‘Luke made me this.’
‘Hattie! What an amazing present. You’ve always loved snow globes.’
‘It’s Mary’s house,’ said Hattie.
‘It was when I thought she couldn’t have the real house,’ Luke explained. ‘It was painstaking work but satisfying.’
‘It’s amazing,’ said Tom, turning it round and round in his hands. ‘All I gave Leonie—’
‘Is this!’ Leonie held out her hand. On her finger was a very attractive ring: amethysts and pearls set in gold. ‘It’s Victorian. We bought it in a lovely little antique shop.’
‘It’s so pretty! I love it,’ said Hattie.
‘I must say it was the first one we saw and although we looked at others, we kept coming back to this one.’ Leonie got to her feet. ‘Hattie, I’m not going back to Switzerland until the middle of next week. Any chance we could go outfit shopping before then?’
‘Er, I’m sure we could.’
‘Maybe also buy a skirt or a pair of trousers?’ Leonie put her arm round Hattie’s waist and led her away fromthe men. ‘I’m so pleased that you and Luke have finally got together,’ she said quietly. ‘What took you so long?’
Hattie shrugged. ‘I don’t know really. But we worked it out eventually.’ She didn’t mention the vision, though the question of the other woman flashed into her mind once more.
‘Well, thank goodness! Now, do you know where you’ll be living until you’re installed at Mary’s? I’m leaving Xander with you again next week. Will you be here or with Sheila?’
Luke, who apparently had the hearing of a bat, joined them. ‘I really hope Hattie will be here. And Xander, of course.’
Hattie found herself blushing again.
Leonie gave her a squeeze. ‘Jolly good! I’ll fetch Xander and we’ll get out of your hair for now. I’m sure you have… things to do.’
If Hattie had thought she could take her and Xander’s things and run, Sheila had other ideas. She sat Hattie down at the kitchen table and produced tea and biscuits.
‘So, you and Luke!’ said Sheila. ‘Tell me the details. I know you’re old friends but when did you start to feel differently about him?’
‘It sort of crept up on me, Sheila.’ Hattie found herself determined to change the subject. ‘Now, what I want to know from you is, are you and Fiona both going to have puppies? I don’t think you should miss out on the fun. You can look after each other’s dogs when you go away. It would be ideal.’
‘I can see you don’t really want to talk about it, Hattie, so I won’t insist. But I am very happy for you,and yes’ – Sheila looked flushed with excitement – ‘I think I do want a puppy.’
On the way back to Luke’s, Hattie pondered as to why she didn’t want to talk about getting together with Luke. Much as she didn’t want to admit it, she knew it was because there was that niggling doubt about the vision which wouldn’t leave her. Who was the other woman, and was she a threat to Hattie’s newfound happiness? And, more importantly, how would Hattie ever know the answer to that question?
‘Are you sure you’re happy for me and Xander to live with you until the house sale goes through?’ asked Hattie over a late lunch at Luke’s. ‘I don’t want to take advantage of your good nature.’ She’d tortured herself with thoughts of the vision for the whole drive over and decided to simply try and enjoy herself with Luke for the time being. It wasn’t as easy as she’d hoped it would be.
‘Sweetheart! You don’t have to ask. I feel I can speak for Frank and Fearless here too: we’re all delighted for you and Xander to stay forever if you want to. Well, maybe not Xander forever, but quite a long time.’
Hattie used a piece of bread to wipe up the last of the salad dressing on her plate. ‘That’s so kind.’
Luke put down his fork and picked up her hand. ‘I want to spend every minute I can with you. Why would you doubt that?’
Hattie smiled as broadly as she could manage. ‘I just don’t want to take advantage of your good nature.’
He kissed the hand he was holding. ‘Don’t be silly. Now let’s go to bed. An afternoon nap is always a goodidea.’ He gave her a look to suggest that he had no intentions of sleeping.
Hattie smiled and then her phone pinged. She saw Luke look irritated. ‘It’s all right,’ said Hattie. ‘It’s Fiona. Aw – she’s just saying thank you for yesterday. It was such a pleasure. And she wants to meet up later this week as they’re not going away.’ She tapped out a quick reply and then said to Luke. ‘Where were we?’
Much later, Hattie and Luke were on the sofa flanked by Frank and Fearless. Hattie was playing with her snow globe, turning it over and over.
‘You should show it to Mary,’ said Luke.
Hattie turned to him. ‘What a brilliant idea,’ she said. ‘I can do some rearranging and see her tomorrow. I’m pretty busy but can fit Mary in after my house viewing if I press on.’ She felt happier when she’d made this decision. Mary was full of wisdom and knew her well. She would help her dispel the small niggle that was spoiling her joy.
