She didn’t need their interference. What she needed was a group of good friends who would support her in whatever decision she made with her life.
‘Come on,’ said Hannah, ‘let’s get back and open up the shop. It’s your big day.’
Bridie knew what she meant by that; for the first time, she’d be working in the shop on her own.
‘Now, remember,’ said Hannah, handing her over the shop keys, ‘I’m just next door if you need anything.’
Bridie cast a gaze over to the charity shop before she stepped inside, hoping the sisters weren’t working that day. She could do without them popping in while she was working in the shop on her own.
Chapter 24
Bridie heard the unmistakable shuffle of purposeful feet behind her before Hannah whispered, ‘Brace yourself.’ Hannah hadn’t long stepped back into the art and craft shop to join Bridie for a mid-morning break in the cosy corner, with a cup of coffee.
It appeared that the sisters across the yard, who had turned up for work that morning, albeit a bit later than usual, had had the same idea – to take a coffee break in Hannah’s shop too.
Bridie turned and her stomach dropped.
Mabel and Marjorie, the octogenarian sisters who ran the charity shop, stood in the doorway like a pair of Victorian gargoyles with bobbed perms and matching handbags. Their eyes were bright with recognition. And interest. And danger.
Hannah whispered, ‘This is quite unprecedented for both sisters to turn up for coffee. You’re in luck.’
‘Am I?’ said Bridie sarcastically.
‘Well now,’ Mabel said, leaning on her walking stick, ‘if it isn’t little Bridie Hart.’
Bridie forced a smile. ‘Hello, Mabel. Marjorie.’ Bridie had thought perhaps they wouldn’t remember her, but she knew she shouldn’t let their age deceive her. They remembered everything.
‘You used to come here with those boys,’ Marjorie said, squinting. ‘Oliver and Jack. Always rehearsing some scene or other. You said you were going to be on the London stage one day.’
‘I … did say that,’ Bridie admitted.
‘And you were!’ Mabel exclaimed triumphantly. ‘We read about you, you know.’
Oh, god. Bridie’s masked smile dropped.
‘My friend Enid saw you some time back in a London production and she brought us a programme. That’s how we knew your dream had come true.’
‘Oh,’ Bridie said brightening. ‘A theatre programme.’
‘Yes. We still have it, you know. We were so chuffed that a local girl had made it big in London.’
They wouldn’t be chuffed now, thought Bridie miserably,if they knew what happened.
‘So, what brings you back?’ Marjorie asked, narrowing her eyes.
They both lowered their heavy frames on to the sofa and leaned forward in anticipation, Mabel added, ‘You’re working in Hannah’s shop? Odd, that.’
Bridie’s throat tightened. She did not want to explain herself.
Hannah swooped in smoothly. ‘Bridie’s taking a sabbatical,’ Hannah said, guiding the conversation. ‘She’s having a little break on the Suffolk Coast. Rest, relaxation, all of that.’
‘Oh,’ Mabel said, eyes widening with relish. ‘A break.’
Bridie pursed her lips hoping they didn’t ask why she was taking a break, specifically.
‘Very restorative,’ Marjorie added knowingly. ‘Especially after … your final performance.’
Final performance?Bridie’s eyes went wide. Somehow – and she had no idea how – they knew. Probably everything. She reminded herself who she was talking to – they were notnicknamed the gossip girls for nothing. Nothing ever passed them by when it came to the comings and goings in their local community.
