Juliette was on the way back from the village. She’d been to stock up for Danny’s return that evening, although she’d booked them into The Valley Arms for a meal as well. She wanted to introduce him to a few people she’d met over the last week. It would be good for him to have some friends to go out with once he moved here permanently.
It was almost the end of her first few weeks in Mapleton. It amazed her how easily she was adapting to her new life. But she still had an ache in her heart that Emily had never got the chance to spend time here too.
Passing her neighbour’s home, she saw Linda in the garden and stopped to chat.
‘I couldn’t believe that storm last night,’ she said. ‘The wind made my window rattle. Did it wake you up too?’
‘No, I slept right through it.’ Juliette laughed. ‘Isuppose it’s being used to living with the noise of a busy city that I tune out up here. Mind, I do wake up occasionally and then find it too quiet to get back to sleep. So swings and roundabouts.’
Linda smiled at her. ‘Are you settling in now? It was lovely to see you at the book club.’
‘Yes, I’ve surprised myself by getting out and about. I thought I might not without Danny, but everyone has been so welcoming.’
‘How are you getting on with Richard and Sarah?’
‘They seem okay.’
‘Hmm. You know he’s a lot older than her?’
‘Yes, but I don’t see a problem with?—’
‘She used to be the nanny.’
‘Oh! I had no idea.’
‘They had a little girl. She left with Louisa.’
Juliette frowned. ‘Does he see his daughter?’ Maybe that was the child she’d seen in their garden.
‘Not that I know of. When I asked after them, Richard said they’d been having problems for a while, but it’s obvious it was more than that.’
‘I don’t follow.’
‘Well, Sarah was the nanny and she’s still there.’
‘Ah.’ Juliette nodded her understanding. ‘They never said.’
‘I suppose it’s not the thing one can bring up in conversation.’
‘I suppose not.’ Juliette checked her watch withgusto. ‘I have to get a move on. I need to collect Danny from the station soon.’
‘Ah, love’s young dream.’ Linda sighed. ‘The look on your face when you say his name. I was like that with my Brian. He’s been gone three years now, God rest his soul.’
‘Oh, sorry to hear that.’
Linda waved away her comment. ‘Don’t be. He was a cheeky blighter.’
Juliette smiled, seeing the same look in Linda’s eyes that she suspected would be in her own. She hoped she felt the same way about Danny when they were old and grey.
She said her goodbyes and let herself into her own house. In the kitchen, she looked out of the window. Next door’s garden was empty. She couldn’t see Richard or Sarah. And there was certainly no child. But there was some secrecy, she was sure.
On her way to pick Danny up from the station later that afternoon, Juliette spotted Richard next door. ‘Richard, hi!’ She waved to get his attention.
She was glad to see he came walking towards her.
‘Everything all right?’ he asked.
‘Oh, yes, fine, thanks. I hope I’m not making too much noise.’ It was the first thing she thought of to say. ‘You must be used to the house being empty.’
