‘Wow, really!’ Angelina looked at her little friend with surprise tinged with disappointment but she did turn around again and come back to the others, although very dramatically yawning once more as she did so.
‘Yep, you’ve just been called out by a five-year-old.’ Matt went to high-five Ellie, who leapt up, cornrows and all, to tap his hand. ‘Well done, that girl. I’ve been trying to teach my sister some manners her whole life and failed.’
‘You’re such a drama queen.’ Angelina smiled back at her brother. ‘Right, watch this. Hello, I’m Angelina.’ She came in and double air-kissed Sylvie’s cheek. ‘I’m Matt’s sister and I used to live here too. Welcome to the neighbourhood. I’m sure you’ll love it.’ The words were drawled out with such boredom at their mundanity that Sylvie couldn’t help but smile. ‘Is that the sort of thing I’m supposed to say? That’s whatshesaid when we moved in and we all know she’s the patron saint of all that’s good and holy.’ Angelina gestured in Rosy’s direction.
‘Actually, Ange, you never lived here, you just visited and didn’t leave until you met Chase if I remember correctly and even then you didn’t say anything, just disappeared. Although I’m ever thankful.’ Matt nodded at Chase. ‘And stop having a go, no one thinks you’re funny, just rude, and you’re supposed to be trying extra hard at the moment, if I remember correctly.’
‘Hello, you two, I’ve made you a welcome cake, it’s on the side. I went for carrot cake, I think it was just because I assumed ballerinas didn’t eat chocolate, but now I realize that’s a bit daft. I’m happy to make a chocolate one if you prefer.’ Rosy motioned to the most delicious-looking cake on the side topped with littlecarrots that looked like they had been made out of marzipan, whilst Angelina made a gagging noise until both Sam and Ellie gave her very hard staresà laPaddington Bear. Pippa, upon seeing the children, started to laugh.
‘No, that’s OK, we love carrot cake,’ Ellie stepped in. ‘This is going to be my home-home now. Our house is home. Chase’s used to be home-home but this is now, which means Chase and Angelina’s will be home-home-home.’
‘Oh, OK.’ Sylvie was a bit blown away by this welcome. There seemed a lot of people and they were all being so nice. ‘I don’t know how to thank you for such a welcome. Let’s get the stuff out of the car and popped in the rooms and then I guess we can open a bottle or two and have some cake. Ooh, here’s Tom with the last of the stuff, ooh and Alice behind him – has she brought the vicar?’
Chapter Thirty-four
It took no time at all for the wardrobes and cupboards to be filled, the beds to be made and Sam’s curtains to be hung. Rosy and Matt had stocked the fridge with basics like milk, cheese, bread and pasta and they were sitting out in Matt’s garden, although she supposed it was hers now, all sharing a glass of wine. Sylvie was aware as she took another sip of wine that she seemed to spend far too much time these days watching everything the man sitting next to her did.
It was almost as bad as that pride you have when the children are babies –oh, look, isn’t it cute how he holds his spoon; look how sweet he is when he stares out of the window– that sort of thing but very definitely not maternal and the sentences that popped into her head contained words likerippling,nakedandbreathless.
It felt a bit surreal to be sitting here like this; in fact, the pace at which her life was moving at the moment also had a sense of the dreamlike. From the moment she had left London, suddenly jobless, pregnant but optimistic for the future, and had moved into Lovage Farm, time had passed so slowly. Having Sam was joyful but the pace of life since she had moved back down wasveryslow, so different to London. Then before she knew it she had to care for her mother through the heartbreaking inevitability of her illness. She had become used to the pace of life, doing what she could to brighten it for Sam, but nonetheless it had all been very grey.
And then somehow this summer had changed things; she had been able to get to the beach every day with Sam and it was as if the sunshine and sand and sheer yellowness of summer had infused their being. Meaning that when they went back to the farm every evening they returned with a bit more colour in their souls and it tingled out of their fingertips, affecting the rest of their life. Then at summer’s end they had met Alex and Ellie, and Sam had started school. Despite the two being separate events they seemed entwined for her and the truth was that since Sam had started going to school her life had changed beyond measure.
She looked around her, full of love and gratitude towards her small community, all these people making sure that she and Sam had the easiest house move ever. Pippa had proved hilarious today, had taken against Angelina and been quite vocal about it. At one point the two blonde women looked like they might fall to the floor and wrestle each other, but Angelina had the good sense to beat a hasty retreat when Pippa put her hair in a ponytail and rolled her sleeves up.
In two short months she now felt involved in the heart of the community as opposed to rotting alive on a farm that still seemed entrenched in the 1940s. She wouldn’t be surprised to learn that Tom had whipped out a secret stash of dripping and dried eggs the minute she had gone. Whilst she and Sam were now sitting in the garden of their own cottage, with a whole group of new colleagues. Colleagues who felt like friends.
Having been able to leave the leisure centre and find a job she loved close to home, and having taken the first step to setting up the Sylvie Williams School of Ballet, meant she had a little more money to play with than when she had been her mum’s carer, and a whole lot more self-esteem to boot.
She knew she hadn’t been a passive player in this; she had been offered the job at the school and the chance to use the hallon Saturdays based on her own merit. Yet somehow it felt like Alex was involved, consistently there as a cheerleader, helping her find her way and cheering her on. And right now, as they sat side by side in her new garden, their children playing and giggling at their feet and surrounded by their friends, she had never felt more like reaching out and holding someone’s hand.
Chapter Thirty-five
Sylvie was having a fabulous morning going through dance moves toThe Nutcrackerwith Class One, although her hangover from too much celebration last night was distracting her a little from the Sugar Plum Fairies dance. She wondered if Sheila might have a stash of paracetamol.
However, first she needed to concentrate on the part where the Mouse King comes to do battle – the children always got a little bit too into that. She had learnt the hard way the week before not to give them all ribbon wands, put the music on and then shout, ‘Fight!’
She was making sure they did it properly this time when Marion – who appeared to have complete free run of the entire school – wandered into the hall and stood watching her and the children for a bit.
‘Marvellous stuff, marvellous.’ Somehow Marion’s voice managed to overpower even Tchaikovsky.
‘Hiya.’ Ellie waved at Marion. ‘Hiya, fireworks lady. Come and join us.’
Sylvie forced a smile to her face. It was probably harder taking Sam and Ellie’s class than any of the others simply because it was so difficult striking a fair balance. She was so desperate not to play favourites that she worried that both children might often get the harsher side of her tongue. However it didn’t seem to bother Ellie in the slightest who still struggled to call her Miss Williams, which was remarkableseeing that Sam managed it, and tried to give her kisses when she saw her around the school.
‘Oho, no, I won’t, but lovely to see you doing something so highbrow, no reason small children shouldn’t be cultured. This is marvellous. If you all hold still I’ll just take a photo for Instagram.’
‘Something so what? We just like the Mouse King and the Fairy.’ Ellie put on a gruff voice and then a high-pitched one to suit the characters as Sylvie bowled through the children, forcing herself in front of Marion’s lens.
‘Um, no, sorry, Marion. No! You know school policy on taking photos.’
‘Of course I do, dear. I helped make sure everyone knew. We can’t just have anybody taking photos of our children. Not in today’s world.’
‘Right, so could you put your phone away.’
‘But it’s only me, dear. We all know I can be trusted.’
Sylvie could feel her eyes roll. Why were there so many people in the world who thought the rules were only for others?
