‘Yes, over here.’
Bridie let the young woman guide her over to a two-seater sofa. It was an old sofa, but there were nice new cushions to brighten it up, and even a couple of throws. A coffee machine sat on a small table under a floor lamp, and an armchair that didn’t match the sofa was to one side. There was a bookcase with some old paperbacks. She wondered if they’d come from the bookshop or perhaps the charity shop.
‘Now, do you want tea or coffee?’
Bridie eyed the coffee machine. She’d smelt the most gorgeous aroma of coffee as soon as she’d walked inside. ‘May I have a coffee?’
Hannah grinned. ‘Good choice.’
A moment later, Bridie was sitting with a cup of coffee and a chocolate digestive biscuit, which she was enjoying very much. ‘I haven’t had one of these in an age. Julian was a bit of a health freak and didn’t let me buy biscuits.’
‘Who’s Julian?’
Bridie winced, wishing she hadn’t mentioned him. ‘My ex.’
Hannah said, ‘My neighbour across the yard supplied me with that amazing coffee machine. I think it was an excuse to pop along every day for a coffee and a chat while she supposedly checks it’s still working. And her sister pops over too, supplying me with chocolate digestives.’
Bridie stared at her, relieved that she hadn’t asked anything more about Julian. Bridie knew that it must be the sisters who ran the charity shop that she was talking about. And she realised why Hannah had locked the door when she’d put theClosedsign in the window. Even after all these years, she remembered their reputation.
‘Oh, you know Mabel and Marjorie from the charity shop?’
Bridie sat with both hands around her large coffee mug and sank back into the lumpy but comfortable sofa. She nodded. ‘Yes, from years ago when I was a teenager. I grew up in a village not far from Aldeburgh and I used to visit Cobblers Yard with my friends. I’ve always loved the yard.’
Now she regretted not spending more time in Suffolk when she had come down from London to visit her parents over the years and never visiting Cobblers Yard. She knew who she had to blame for that – Julian. He hardly visited with her. Her visits had been brief because he’d wanted her back as soon as possible. And even when she was visiting, he’d always been texting all thetime, checking she hadn’t changed her plans. When she thought about it now, he had been quite controlling.
Bridie could feel tears in her eyes again over the thought of all those wasted years with someone who had just chucked her for someone younger who, when she really thought about it, just looked like a fresh-faced version of herself.
Bridie tried to focus on something else. ‘I used to love visiting the charity shop when I was a teenager. I can’t believe they’re still there.’
‘Yes, two octogenarians, still going strong.’
Bridie had guessed they were in their eighties now.
‘I haven’t seen you in the yard before’, said Hannah, ‘but then I’m fairly new here – like Joss, the solicitor who runs the drop-in centre for free legal advice.’
‘Yes, I saw the sign outside. What about the bridal shop? It looks as though someone is opening another shop in the yard.’
‘Ah, that’s me, actually.’
‘Oh, right.’ Bridie tried not to feel envious. Hannah looked younger than her and she already had one successful business, and now she was opening another. And she had a gorgeous engagement and wedding ring on her finger. She was married too.
Hannah smiled. ‘Some things have certainly changed in Cobblers Yard, but then again, some things haven’t. Henry still runs the bookshop, but with his daughter, Thea, and son-in-law. They’ve really turned things around with their new window display, and sorting out Henry’s higgledy-piggledy bookshelves. Reggie is still in his music shop. He also offers music lessons. Maisie, my daughter, is learning the violin.’
‘You have a daughter?’
Hannah nodded.
Bridie was feeling worse by the minute.
‘The flower shop has changed hands, though,’ continued Hannah.
Bridie didn’t want to hear anything more about Cobblers Yard and the success everyone was making of their shops – and their lives.
‘A lovely young woman runs The Potting Shed – Lili. She’s also my best friend. She helped me out a lot.’
Bridie could just imagine Hannah’s best friend helping her out with the flowers at her wedding.
‘It’s good to have friends who can help you out when … when things go wrong.’ Bridie suddenly burst into tears again. ‘Oh, god, I’m so sorry,’ she managed, in between sobs.
