‘Come in,’ Bridie said warmly. ‘It’s really lovely to see you.’
Hannah took in Bridie’s face with a look that was far too perceptive for nine o’clock on a Sunday morning. ‘Right,’ she said, sitting down firmly on the sofa. ‘Now. Tell me everything.’
Bridie sighed, sinking down opposite her.
‘So,’ Hannah said, folding her arms. ‘Oliver did get your text and did read it. Why on earth didn’t he reply? Why leave it all day, then turn up in a thunderstorm after dark to see you?’
Bridie rubbed her forehead. ‘Turns out his mother wasn’t well. He was on his way to see her when he got my text.’
Hannah’s expression softened briefly. ‘So why didn’t he reply?’
‘He said he didn’t want to text me back and say he couldn’t meet.’
Hannah stared at her. ‘Why? His mother was unwell.’
‘Stupidly, he thought it might sound like he was fobbing me off. Like he was just coming up with excuses. So he decided he’d pop round instead. Surprise me. With cake.’
‘With cake,’ Hannah repeated faintly.
‘Yes. From the bakery. Except it didn’t exactly go to plan. He was there far longer than he expected, and by the time he got back to Aldeburgh it was too late – the café was closed.’
Hannah leaned back, considering this. ‘But he still came to see you. Waited in a thunderstorm, outside your door. If that isn’t love, I don’t know what is.’
Bridie frowned. ‘Hannah—’
‘There’s more to this story than you kissing and making up,’ Hannah said gently. ‘Isn’t there?’
Downstairs, Maisie shrieked with laughter again, and Barney responded with a volley of excited yaps. Hannah grimaced and glanced at the floor. ‘Sorry about that.’
Rupert’s voice floated up moments later, calm and amused, telling them both to keep it down. Bridie smiled.
‘Don’t be sorry,’ Bridie said. ‘It was really kind of you to come. And to invite me out later. But I won’t be great company.’
Hannah said. ‘What happened?’
‘There was no kissing. No making up,’ Bridie said firmly.
‘Of course there wasn’t,’ Hannah said, dryly. ‘Because you spent the evening with Jack.’
‘That wasn’t intentional.’
‘And all the while,’ Hannah continued, ‘your other admirer was standing outside your flat, thinking you were in, knocking on the door.’
‘Yes.’ Bridie told her about Reggie popping in too and making them coffee. She decided not to repeat what he’d said about Jack, or their conversation about her dad and Isobel Raine.
‘So,’ Hannah prompted, ‘then Reggie left, and …?’
‘Yes. Reggie left. I’d just asked Oliver a stupid question – what he was doing there – when someone knocked on the shop door. I assumed it was Reggie coming back to dispense another piece of advice.’ She paused, then added quietly, ‘It was the last person I expected.’
Hannah nodded. ‘Jack.’
Bridie winced. ‘Yes. And the first words out of his mouth – loud enough for Oliver to hear – were,I know I shouldn’t be here, but please, let’s have that nightcap after all.’
Hannah let out a long breath. ‘Oh dear.’
‘I was thinking about it,’ Bridie admitted, when he’d walked me back to Cobblers Yard. ‘But I changed my mind.’
‘Oh, Bridie.’ Hannah shook her head. ‘I bet that didn’t go down well with Oliver.’
