She had an inkling why he wanted her to stay. She was a distraction, and losing her and his puppy on the first official day of his retirement – it was Monday – was not the best outcome.
‘You’d only just arrived,’ Rufus complained. ‘Where did you say you’re going?’
‘Cobblers Yard in Aldeburgh. I’ve got a flat above the art and craft shop where I’ve got a little job, all thanks to a very kind shop owner called Hannah.’
‘Cobblers Yard?’
‘Remember the little shopping yard down the lane between two shops in the high street? There’s a book shop, charity shop, art and craft shop, flower shop, music shop—’
That reminded Bridie that she still had to buy him a retirement present, and she’d forgotten to bring home flowers for her mum, and a book for her dad – although none of that was surprising after she’d broken down in front of Hannah and had then been offered a lifeline – the job and flat all at once.
‘Yes, yes – I remember Cobblers Yard.’
Bridie noticed her dad’s tone had changed somewhat.
‘Why did you have to get a job and a flat there, of all places?’
‘What’s wrong with Cobblers Yard?’
‘Rufus! Are you joining me for breakfast?’
Bridie shifted her gaze to her mum, who was still standing at the front door in her pyjamas and dressing gown.
Rufus glanced over his shoulder. ‘I’m coming!’
‘Bye, Dad.’ Bridie got out of the car, stood on tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek.
‘See you soon, sweetheart. Give me a call if you open that letter and it’s something … untoward.’
Bridie nodded. She got back into the car and reversed it out of the driveway, wondering if she should have opened the official-looking letter before she left in case it was something … untoward. She quickly forgot about the letter when her thoughts turned to her dad’s puzzling reaction to Cobblers Yard – why did you have to get a job and a flat there – of all places?
Chapter 20
Bridie’s suitcase bumped unevenly over the cobblestones as she crossed the little square of Cobblers Yard, Barney tugging excitedly at his lead. The Labrador puppy was all paws and enthusiasm, weaving around her ankles as if he sensed the place was his new home.
She wasn’t entirely sure herself. She knew only that she couldn’t stay at her parents’ house another night. She had made the decision in a rush – an impulsive, breathless I can’t do this anymore – and once it had rooted, she knew she couldn’t unthink it.
The art and craft shop sat in the corner of the yard, its windows warm with soft lamplight despite the overcast morning. Little handmade pieces – pottery bowls, glass animals, knitted scarves along with canvas, paints and brushes – glowed on the shelves. Bridie wondered, not for the first time, how she’d gone from a London stage to this quiet corner of Suffolk in the space of a weekend.
She took a deep breath and lifted her hand to knock on the shop door. Before she made contact, it flew open. Hannah stood framed in the doorway, her blonde bob in a little ponytail and her apron dusted with clay. ‘I’ve been expecting you.’ She lookeddown at her apron. ‘I’ve been trying something new before the shop opened this morning – some small handmade pottery the children might want to paint. I’ve done vases, animals, a tealight lamp. I thought it would be quite easy, but I’ve had the clay everywhere, I’m afraid.’
‘I’ll help you clear up,’ Bridie offered enthusiastically, surprised at how she was feeling – so glad to be back in the yard.
Hannah’s eyes drifted from the suitcase to the wriggling puppy at her feet, then back up to Bridie’s face. ‘It’s … a puppy.’
Bridie pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, cheeks warming. ‘I know that I didn’t mention a puppy.’
Hannah blinked. ‘Or that you’d be moving in today. I thought you didn’t want the flat.’
Bridie was still standing outside the shop. She’d noticed Hannah hadn’t exactly invited her in. I shouldn’t have brought Barney, or my suitcase with me this morning.
‘I changed my mind.’ Bridie swallowed.
‘Is everything all right?’ Hannah asked gently, opening the shop door wide and helping her with her suitcase as she stepped inside the shop. Barney trotted in happily, nose pointed to the floor.
Bridie hesitated. ‘My parents … it’s not working out. I can’t stay there.’ It wasn’t her parents’ fault; it was hers, for landing her problems on them. Last night, hearing them all arguing … Kate was right: it was her fault. ‘Hannah, I know it’s last-minute, and I shouldn’t assume, but—’ Her stomach tightened. ‘If the flat’s still available, I’d like to take it. And I know I should have mentioned this earlier, and please don’t feel pressured, but I, well, as you can see, I have a dog.’
Hannah looked down at Barney, who sat obediently – for all of two seconds – before rolling over to show her his belly.
