‘Putting on a brave face.’
‘Typical Fran. She’ll need us all these next few months. Anyway, back to business. I hope you don’t mind, but I invited Kate over this evening.’
‘Why?’
‘We need to go through arrangements, check we’re all on the same page now Fran’s out of action. I suggested we meet at mine at seven. Does that sound OK?’
‘Do you think we could meet at mine?’
‘The tipi?’
‘Yes, it’s such a lovely evening, and I’d like a chance to settle back in if that’s OK?’
‘Fine by me. I’ll head home and get changed, then meet you back here with a bottle of wine.’
‘Thanks.’
‘Come here,’ said Hattie, pulling Sarah into a hug. For once, Sarah didn’t stiffen. She let herself sink into Hattie’s warmth, marvelling at the generosity of the woman she’d treated like crap.
Hattie set off home, and Sarah found Felix sitting on a bench outside. ‘I thought I’d give you two some space,’ he said. ‘How did it go?’
‘Better than I deserved.’
‘Hattie’s a good egg.’
Sarah laughed. ‘She’s invited Kate over this evening to go through wedding plans. I’d better get to the tipi and de-spider a bit before she arrives.’
‘Sure,’ said Felix, picking up Sarah’s bag.
As she crossed the field towards the tipi, Sarah felt a swell of happiness. She was coming home.
‘What is it?’ asked Felix, as Sarah laughed.
‘I was just thinking that if someone had told me six months ago, I would have missed living in a tent I would have thought they were mad.’
‘These tipis have their charms.’
Sarah was expecting the tipi to be dusty and full of cobwebs. Instead, she found a fresh glass of wild flowers beside a newly made bed. Books were stacked on the bedside table. ‘Did you do this?’ she asked Felix.
‘No. When we stopped at that service station, I gave Hattie a call and told her you were coming home.’
Home. Sarah smiled. ‘Thank you.’
By the time Kate and Hattie arrived at the tipi, Sarah had unpacked and felt as though she’d never been away.
‘Hi,’ said Kate. ‘How are you?’
‘Good thanks,’ said Sarah, noticing there was none of the usual hugging. ‘I’m sorry I took off like I did.’
‘You’re back now, that’s all that matters. Listen, I think I might have upset you the last time I saw you. The apron was supposed to be a thoughtful gift, but I see how it might have looked.’
‘No, I was overreacting as usual. It is a thoughtful gift, and I’ll be honoured to wear it while cooking for your wedding.’
‘Right,’ said Hattie. ‘Let’s get this open.’ She unscrewed a bottle of wine and shared it out into their glasses.
‘Mind if I join?’ asked Felix. ‘Or is this girls only?’
‘You can be an honorary girl for the night,’ said Hattie, handing Felix a glass.
