‘Yes, a couple of drinks. I’m not one for a fuss.’ Elle knew this coming week her emotions were going to be all over the place.
It was the same every year. It was her birthday yet she knew nothing about her birth or why she was given up. Over the years numerous scenarios had passed through her thoughts. Was her birth mother extremely young? Did her parents force adoption on her? Was she a result of an affair? Did her biological father know she existed? Was there a medical reason? The list was endless and Elle didn’t know any of the answers. She always did her best to focus on the positives in her life: Irene, her career, her home and friends. But her reality was that there were so many unanswered questions and she always felt there was a piece of her missing. Her birthday always led her to wonder whether her biological mother had even given her a second thought after giving her up. The older she got, the more desperate she was to know the answer.
Last birthday, she’d spent too long staring at her reflection in the mirror, wondering whether there was another woman somewhere in the world who looked like her.Would my mother have the same colour eyes? Would she have the same colour hair? Would she have the same mannerisms?
The only things Elle knew about her mother was that her name was Cora Hansley, her date of birth and an address where she once lived. The only possession she had from her childhood was the shawl she was wrapped up in when her first foster parents took her home. It had managed to survive every foster home alongside her.
Before Pippa could attempt to persuade Elle that they needed to celebrate in style they were interrupted by the sound of jovial chatter. Looking over her shoulder Elle saw that Jack and Wilson were making their way over to the table with beers in hand.
‘Hey.’ Wilson smiled at them all.
Elle noticed his eyes quickly darting from Pippa to Aiden. She smiled up at them both. ‘Hi.’
‘How are you, Elle?’ asked Jack. ‘Is everything good in the land of books at the minute?’ He pulled up a stool and sat next to her. Wilson perched opposite Pippa.
‘Always good,’ she replied. ‘I have the best job in the world.’
With his piercing blue eyes, chiselled cheekbones and blond hair, Jack wouldn’t look out of place on the cover ofSurfer Weekly, but he was actually a builder, working in the family business. He was a friendly, genuine guy whom everyone instantly warmed to. Elle had first met him at book club when he’d popped in to pick up Eleni after one of their meetings.
Eleni had been gushing with the news that she’d just got engaged and had spent the whole evening showing off the beautiful diamond ring now gracing her left hand. Jack’s proposal was so romantic. He was a friend of Flynn Carter’s and the two of them had flown over the village of Heartcross in Flynn’s plane, trailing a banner that read: ‘Will you marry me, Eleni?’ And of course, her answer had been yes!
‘How’s life with bricks?’ Elle asked him.
He laughed. ‘Very square and boring to most folk.’
‘Yes. In fact, stop there.’ She laughed too.
‘I’m not sure if you know Aiden?’ Pippa chipped in. ‘He’s started work with us today after transferring from Inverness. Aiden, Wilson is our UPS guy – I think you might have just missed each other this morning – and this is Jack.’
With quick nods, Wilson and Jack introduced themselves to Aiden.
‘I believe you’ve both been for a suit fitting this afternoon?’ Elle said, finishing the last mouthful of her pie and placing her knife and fork down on the empty plate.
‘Yes, we have, and as long as I don’t put on any more pounds, I think we’re all done now.’ Jack patted his stomach.
‘Jack is getting married in a couple of months’ time to Eleni who works at the B&B,’ Pippa told Aiden.
‘Who is the daughter of Mim,’ Elle added.
‘Who hosts the book club at Bonnie’s Teashop,’ Aiden finished.
‘That’s the one! A man who listens to what you say!’ Pippa grinned, obviously impressed.
Aiden leaned over the table and stretched out his arm to shake hands with Jack. ‘Congratulations, mate.’
‘Are you married, Aiden?’ Jack asked.
‘No, but I have a son called Theo who’s nearly three,’ Aiden replied proudly. ‘His mum, Louisa, and I aren’t together anymore. It’s not ideal, but we do our best for the wee man.’
‘Did I mention I’m now coming to the wedding as Elle’s plus one?’ Pippa beamed at Jack and Wilson.
‘Excellent,’ Wilson replied, smiling back at her with a sparkle in his eye.
‘I’d love to get married one day and settle down with a couple of children and a few pets. I can’t wait to bake bread and fairy cakes, and sew my own patchwork quilts.’ Pippa’s eyes were shining.
‘Really?’ Elle looked at her suspiciously. This was the girl that spent all night watching TikToks and sourcing the latest fashion accessories. ‘Well, aren’t you the domestic goddess,’ she teased.
‘Yes, really,’ Pippa argued. ‘Isn’t it every girl’s dream to find a prince and have her dream wedding?’
