‘I’m sorry,’ added Elle. ‘My story didn’t start off with the best beginning but it’s certainly finished with the best ending.’
‘You don’t need to apologise to any of us.’ Mim gave Elle a heart-warming smile. ‘Teas and cake on the house for the next hour,’ she announced.
Everyone clapped some more as Irene mouthed, ‘Thank you’ to Mim.
‘I think I need something a little stronger than tea,’ Elle whispered to Pippa.
‘That is why I amsoyour friend,’ she replied, whipping out a hipflask from her bag. She glanced at Elle’s teacup, which was empty, and poured in the amber liquid.
‘Drink up,’ she encouraged. ‘Do you want a drop, Irene?’
‘Without a doubt,’ she replied, sliding her cup towards Pippa.
‘Here’s to Elle,’ Pippa toasted.
‘Here’s to Elle,’ Irene agreed, giving her a heart-warming smile.
ChapterForty-Two
As Elle waited on platform three, the station was alive with the hustle and bustle of Friday night commuters. Everyone jumping off the trains seemed to be in a hurry.
Elle checked the overhead display board. Noah’s train had been delayed by around half an hour. Nervous butterflies swirled around her stomach. She couldn’t wait to see him.
Perching on a nearby bench she thought about the presentation she would be attending tomorrow evening at Starcross Manor. She wanted to look her best, so last night when they’d arrived home from book club they’d talked outfits. Pippa had dragged every item of clothing she owned from her wardrobe and laid them out all over the living room. Pippa had claimed that she didn’t have anything suitable to wear, and wondered aloud if maybe it wasn’t too late to trawl the internet and purchase something with next-day delivery.
Elle was aghast. ‘Pippa, you have everything from a little black dress – actually three little black dresses – to ball gowns, jumpsuits and skirts,’ she pointed out.
‘But this is a very special occasion! Not only do I want to do you proud, but there might be an opportunity to get a photo with Sam Stone!’
Elle laughed ‘I knew there was an ulterior motive.’
‘Penny for them?’ Elle’s thoughts were interrupted by a voice she knew only too well. She looked up to see Noah.
‘Eek! That thirty minutes went quickly!’ She scooted off the bench, jumping straight into his arms.
‘I’ve missed you,’ he said, kissing her.
‘What a week it’s been,’ he said with a smile, swinging her hand as they walked along the platform. ‘I leave you alone for five minutes and you end up winning competitions and getting your photo plastered all over the local press.’
Elle grinned up at him. ‘It’s so surreal! Last night I went to the book club and honestly, I felt like a celebrity.’
‘Everyone is so proud of you – including me.’
‘Thanks, Noah,’ she said bashfully.
It was a fifteen-minute walk to Elle’s house from the station and they chatted all the way. She’d told him briefly on the phone about her dinner date at Jenny’s a few nights previously but now he wanted all the details.
Meeting George for the first time had been nerve-wracking, but he was absolutely lovely and had instantly put Elle at ease. Wilson had sat next to her at dinner and Elle felt a real sense of belonging. After the meal they’d sat around chatting, about everything and anything.
It was then that Jenny had asked Elle if she would help her choose her outfit for Saturday night.
‘Come on, Wilson, let’s leave the girls to it,’ George suggested, as they headed out to the pub for a pint.
Elle had followed Jenny upstairs to a spacious bedroom that had been decorated in a soothing colour scheme of white and duck-egg blue.
‘Wow, look at those views,’ she’d exclaimed, in awe of the acres of fields and the beautiful Heartcross church in the distance.
‘Yes, it’s fabulous, isn’t it? How are you feeling about tomorrow?’ Jenny quizzed, laying the outfits out on the bed.
