I don’t know why I let them stick around—probably because she’s my mother. Even though at this point that means very little to me unless you’re talking about genetics.
TWENTY-THREE
Tilly
“What’s the matter with you? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Hattie says as I stomp back to the bakery where she and Lina are hanging out.
“I-I just overheard Bells say to her mother that she’s selling the place.” I can’t even believe the words I’m saying. If I didn’t hear it myself, I wouldn’t believe it.
“What?” Lina and Hattie ask in unison.
“I need a drink,” I grumble.
Lina hands me a bottle of water. “I can offer you a coffee, but that’s about the strongest thing in here.”
“What exactly did she say?” Hattie asks.
“Her and her mom were talking, and her mom was basically like, why are you still here? When are we selling the place? And she wanted the timeline of the sale moved up,” I explain.
“This doesn’t make any sense.” Lina frowns.
“I mean, we don’t know her that well. Maybe it’s true.” Hattie says.
“I just don’t get it. I asked her, I’ve said it for months. Why wouldn’t she just tell us if she was selling the place?” I say angrily.
“Can you afford to buy it?” Lina asks, eyes sparking with hope.
“No. I mean, maybe if I was given a deal and some time, but they want big money for this place and that’s something I just don’t have.” I sigh. I need something short of a miracle to have enough money for this place.
“Did you try talking to Bells?” Lina asks.
“No, I sort of overheard and then ran over here,” I admit sheepishly.
“So is it possible maybe you misunderstood?” Lina asks.
“I mean, sure. But it wasn’t exactly a hushed conversation. I don’t think I misunderstood what they were saying, I’m just not understanding why Bells has been lying to us.” I sigh.
“Lying about what?” Bells voice sneaks up behind us and my jaw drops.
“We’ll give you two a moment,” Lina says, ushering her and Hattie out of the shop.
“Lying about what?” Bells asks again.
“I overheard you and your mother.”
“Oh.” She frowns.
“Oh? That’s all you have to say.”
“Look, she comes across harsh but don’t take anything she says to heart. She’s not exactly the warm and fuzzy type.” Bells sighs.
“Are you defending her?”
“No, I’m just saying. She makes everything seem more complicated than it is. There’s no pressure on us or whatever this is. It’s not like I’m ready to get married.”
“What?!” Now I’m confused.
“What? You said you heard us.” She looks at me with furrowed brows.
