Music lessons with Reggie.That explained the painting. After all, she had seen photos of the old theatre in its heyday when she was having music lessons.
‘So, when can I start?’ Bridie asked, realising she’d never answered Hanna’s earlier question about when she would like to start working here.
‘How about Monday? Is tomorrow too soon?’
‘Not too soon at all!’ Bridie said. ‘I’ll be here.’
‘Great. Then I can introduce you to my shop neighbours in the yard.’
Bridie’s smile slipped.
‘You’re worried about Mabel and Marjorie gossiping.’
Bridie lowered her eyes. ‘Yes. What if they’ve seen my embarrassing outburst on social media?’
‘You’re worrying out of hand. They are in their eighties, which doesn’t mean to say they’re not online. I’m sure they are. But then again, I’m pretty sure they won’t be on social media platforms – TikTok and the like. And to be honest, knowing social media, whatever was put up there has probably already been buried. I really wouldn’t worry about it. But I’m afraid youwillmeet them because like I said, they do like to come in for a coffee and a natter.’
‘And a chocolate digestive,’ added Bridie.
Hannah grinned. ‘You catch on quick.’
Bridie returned her smile and looked around the shop. Although this was far removed from what she was used to, working in the West End, she couldn’t think of a nicer person to work for, or a nicer place than Cobblers Yard.
‘We’re all a friendly bunch of people in the yard,’ Hannah said, as if reading her mind. ‘I can imagine it’s quite a change from your life in London. I used to live in London and never thought for a second I’d settle and make a home for myself here. But you know, sometimes life can surprise you.’
Bridie heaved a sigh. ‘Isn’t that the truth?’
Hannah nodded. ‘But I meant in a nice way.’
‘I hope life does surprise me in a nice way, Hannah,’ Bridie said. She walked to the door, casting her gaze once more around the shop, her eyes alighting on the painting in the window. ‘I think it already has – thanks to you.’
‘As I said, Bridie, the flat is yours if you need to move out of your parents’ house to get on your feet.’
Bridie stepped out of the shop as Hannah opened the blinds and put theOpensign in the window. She turned and waved at Hannah. She was already in the shop window removing the painting, just as she’d promised.
Bridie headed out of the yard. She saw one of the old ladies in the charity shop window staring at her as she passed by. Bridie gave her a big wave, although she wasn’t going to venture in there today. She imagined she’d see one or both of them on Monday, when Hannah introduced her. Like Reggie, she imagined they might remember her. At least she’d be prepared for the inevitable questions about what she was doing back there, working in a shop.
Bridie wasn’t going to think about that for the moment. She couldn’t wait to return home and tell her parents she had a job already, so she could pay her way while she was living at home.
The flat above the shop was tempting, but Bridie didn’t have the means to pay a market rent, and although Hannah had been very kind indeed to offer her the flat at a ridiculous peppercorn rent, Bridie wouldn’t accept charity like that unless there was a very, very good reason. She wasn’t homeless. There was no reason why she couldn’t carry on living with her parents.
Chapter 17
‘I don’t know why she thinks she can just live with you at home indefinitely. I mean, what are her plans?’
Bridie had opened the front door and was about to announce she was home when she heard her sister’s voice coming from the kitchen. Her dad’s car wasn’t in the driveway, so he’d obviously gone out. She’d known her sister would come over at some point to continue planning the so-called surprise retirement party. They clearly hadn’t expected her back so soon. But she wondered why she was surprised that the conversation had turned to her again.
‘She’s only been here one night, sweetheart. She needs time.’
‘But where will she get a job, now she’s burned her bridges after that embarrassing outburst on stage?’
‘Embarrassing outburst on stage? Whatever do you mean, dear?’
Bridie had told her parents that she split up with Julian, and the reason. She’d told them Julian, the famous producer, was the reason she’d lost her job, and all the other potential jobs she might have had lined up. That wasn’t a lie. She’d just left out the one detail that her sister was about to tell her mum.
‘I saw it on social media, Mum. I guess she didn’t tell you.’
Bridie’s heart sank.
