‘Crikey, where has Katherine of old disappeared to? You spent at least four evenings a week at The Cheese Wedge and Pickles when you lived in the bay.’
‘How the mighty have fallen,’ laughed Katherine.
‘How is your mum’s health Katherine?’
‘It’s okay at the moment, but she’s been having more bad days than good lately Morgan. I’m just enjoying as much quality time with her as I can when she has good days.’
‘Do you intend to stay down there now?’
Katherine shook her head. ‘No. I’ve made some lovely friends down there, but Seagull Bay will always be my home.’
Morgan reached across the handbrake and squeezed Katherine’s arm. ‘Good, because we all miss you, and it’s lovely having you back home, no matter how short your time here is.’
‘Aww, that means a lot to me Morgan.’
They pulled onto Poppy Farm and saw Pamela leaving the farm shop. Katherine slowed down by the side of her and lowered the window.
Morgan leaned over to talk through Katherine’s window. ‘Morning Pamela. We are just going up to the barn to drop off some stuff off and decorate it.’
Katherine pointed to her head. ‘I’ll not be up to much though after our friend here plied me with alcohol last night.’
Pamela and Morgan laughed. Morgan held up a finger. ‘One whiskey is all I gave her.’
‘I’ll come up and help you. I’ll bring some step ladders with me,’ said Pamela.
Morgan held up her thumb. ‘Fantastic. See you in a mo.’
Morgan and Katherine slowly emptied the contents of the car into the barn. Katherine was just carrying in the last box when Pamela came in behind her, dragging a set of aluminium step ladders behind her. ‘The cavalry has arrived,’ she shouted.
Katherine looked back over her shoulder. ‘Hooray!’
The three women set about decorating the barn. Pamela was the only one brave enough to use the ladders while Morgan and Katherine held onto them. She strung up the coloured sixty numbers bunting Morgan had bought all around the barn, it instantly changed the look of the barn. An hour in, and Katherine flopped down onto a haybale. ‘What I wouldn’t give for a nice cup of tea right about now.’
Just then, the door to the barn opened and Chritine, shadowed by Tom carrying a wicker basket came walking in. ‘Surprise!’
Morgan and Pamela’s mouth dropped open, but Katherine was grinning like a Cheshire cat. Morgan hugged Christine and then Tom. ‘What are you doing here? Have you closed the salon?’
‘The salon has a temporary-imaginary leak this afternoon,’ grinned Tom.
Morgan spun around to face Katherine. ‘Have you instigated this?’
Katherine grinned wickedly. ‘I’m innocent until proven guilty.’
Christine chuckled. ‘Let’s just say I had a text message about an hour ago imploring I come to help and asking me to bring refreshments for four.’
Morgan looked over at Tom who was placing the basket down next to Katherine. ‘You not stopping then Tom?’
He shook his head. ‘I have to go back and fix that imaginary leak?’
‘What?’ laughed Morgan.
Tom shook his head as he smiled. ‘Not really. I’m helping Marcus with something in his shop.’
‘Oh yes. How is his dog-grooming business doing?’ asked Pamela.
‘He’s really busy,’ answered Christine. ‘He said it’s the best move he’s ever made.’
‘I caught up with him the other day,’ said Katherine. ‘He’s renting my house for another three months and then he’s going to look around the bay for a place to buy.’
