‘I thought I’d maybe meet Maisie this morning?’
‘Ah, I dropped her off at her grandmother’s for breakfast this morning so that you and me could meet the shopkeepers before opening time.’
Bridie stiffened at the thought of two shopkeepers in particular. But more than that, she was worried that the othershopkeepers who were Hannah’s friends wouldn’t like her, and that she wouldn’t fit in. She didn’t know why that was bothering her so much. Why did she desperately want them all to like her and be her friend when this was just temporary?
It suddenly dawned on her that in all those years she’d spent living in London, thinking she was living her dream, she hadn’t made a single friend she could count on. Not one. That was why she’d gone straight to her grandad. There was nobody else. Nobody like Hannah, or the friends Hannah said she’d made since moving to Suffolk.
Bridie was still worried she wouldn’t fit in. She hadn’t made any friends in London. Why would she here? ‘Do I have to?’
‘Yes,’ Hannah said cheerfully. ‘Think of it as … immersion therapy. Come on.’
Bridie stopped at the door just as Hannah stepped outside. She turned around.
Hannah asked, ‘What is it?’
Bridie had suddenly had a thought. She knew who could break the ice and make people like her. She glanced up.
Hannah smiled. ‘You want to bring along your pup and show him off.’
That wasn’t exactly it, but she nodded nevertheless. ‘Do you think they like dogs?’
‘I’ve had Marlowe in the shop from time to time, and that hasn’t stopped anyone visiting. Marlowe always gets lots of fusses. In fact, he gets a lot more attention that I do.’
‘Good. Great!’ said Bridie, deciding that it was exactly what she needed – a distraction to take the focus off her.
A moment later she reappeared with a wide-awake puppy, who was wagging his tail and licking her face – he was still in her arms. She’d carried him down the stairs and through the shop. Bridie didn’t trust that he wouldn’t get up to mischief if sheput him down in the shop. She could just imagine he’d get into everything.
‘Right, are you ready now?’ Hannah asked.
Bridie put Barney down and held on to his lead tightly. ‘Yes, I’m ready.’
Chapter 23
Hannah led her across the cobbles to the small corner shop next door but one. The sign above the door read:Cobblers Yard Legal Drop-In – Free Advice, Friendly Faces.
Inside, the place smelled of paper, lemon-scented cleaner, and freshly baked cakes and scones.
‘Joss bakes too?’ Bridie whispered.
‘Ah, no – that will be his volunteer, who is actually his partner’s mum. She brings in fresh cakes every day for his clients.’
‘I think I’ve met her already,’ said Bridie recalling her visit to the yard before she’d met Hannah. The older woman had spotted her loitering outside and invited her in. Bridie had told her she didn’t need any help.
Suddenly the letter she’d stuffed into her coat pocket, the official-looking one addressed to her at her parent’s house with a solicitor’s return address, came to mind. What with suddenly becoming a pet parent, and moving into the flat, not to mention starting a new job –all in the space of one day – she’d forgotten all about the letter.
She hesitated outside the door, feeling apprehensive. She was thinking of the letter and wondering if she’d be back, needingsome sort of legal advice if the theatre was suing her for breach of contract. She wouldn’t have the money to fight a legal case.
Barney pulled on his lead, clearly excited about the visit.
They walked through the waiting area to find a young man wearing three-quarter shorts. He had a faded tan, lots of friendship bracelets, a shock of blonde hair and a day’s worth of stubble. He was sitting in what she wouldn’t describe as an office – it was more like a small cosy lounge – scrolling on a tablet.
Bridie looked at him in surprise. She was expecting a middle-aged man, or older, with salt-and-pepper hair, shuffling papers at a desk piled high with files. The sort who had had a legal career and was now retired but had decided to do some pro bono work in retirement. This guy looked as though he was some sort of surfer dude, not a solicitor.
Hannah whispered, ‘You’re not the only one who is taken by surprise. He made a lot of money with his own legal firm and retired in his thirties. Don’t let appearances fool you. He’s a very smart guy, and a great legal mind. He’s also a little … how shall I put it … unconventional.’
Bridie nodded. ‘I’ll say.’
‘Joss,’ Hannah called, ‘your new neighbour has arrived.’
