The shopping had been fun, even if it did leave Courtney feeling guilty about spending someone else’s money. Rosie, sensing as much, had told her not to be silly, but Courtney couldn’t help it. She didn’t want to feel like a scrounger.
Her Aunt Lorraine and Uncle Colin were also delighted to hear about the new job she’d landed. She’d filled them in on theunexpected development when they’d dropped by to check up on her not long after she returned from meeting Travis Stone, and found her already fiddling around with the borrowed laptop he’d given her. Colin had declared it a ‘great sign of great things to come’ and told her he was proud of her.
His sweet words left her feeling emotional. The hugs that followed inevitably prompted tears, and although she laughed it off and claimed it was just her pregnancy hormones playing havoc with her as usual, she knew that wasn’t the reason at all.
Feeling loved and cared for, after so many months spent in free-fall with no one to rely on, was a gift beyond measure.
And so Courtney accepted these gifts—of love and support from her newfound family, of a roof over her head, of the financial help she desperately needed—and was grateful for them.
And she was doubly grateful for the extra gift of a job working for Travis Stone. Even if she had to work longer hours than he was paying her for while she found her feet and completed the tasks he required, she’d do the best job she could for him. He’d taken a chance on her and she wanted to prove he’d been right to.
Now, Courtney logged out of the social media accounts and email platform, her work done for the day. The baby kicked as she got up from the sofa.
“Yes, I think you’re right,” she murmured to her child. “It’s time for some exercise after sitting at the laptop for”—she checked the time and gasped—“almost two hours! We’ll have to get faster with this work, little one.”
The baby kicked again, making her smile.
The warm month of March had turned into an even warmer month of April, and Courtney left behind her light jacket as she set out for her walk. Foxglove Street looked pretty in the spring sunshine, the soft pink flowers of the cherry blossomsshimmering in the golden light. Further along the street, she smiled when she saw a familiar face.
“Hello, Olive,” she said, then turned to the little dog at the older lady’s side. “And hello to you too, Elsa.”
“Courtney, what a nice surprise,” Olive said, latching her front gate behind her. “We’re just on our way to the park for a walk. Care to join us?”
“I’d love to. That’s where I was heading, too.”
Courtney patted Elsa’s head as the dog scurried around her feet in greeting, and then they set off together.
“What a beautiful day,” Olive said, tilting her head up to the blue sky and the blazing sunshine. “I think we’re in for a wonderful spring.”
“I think so, too.”
“Last year, the early spring was a complete wash-out. Cold, wet, and grey. I thought the warmer days would never arrive.” A sad expression crossed Olive’s face for a moment. “It was quite miserable. This year, the seasons are making up for it and giving us a spectacular spring, and I must say I’m enjoying every minute of it.”
“Me, too. This street is so lovely in the sunshine, with all these pretty front gardens. You’re very lucky to live here, Olive.”
“Oh, I know it.” Olive smiled and then her eyebrows lifted in a question. “Did anything come of the conversation we had the other day when I popped in to tell you about the writer I met at the library and who needed an assistant to help with his work?”
Courtney couldn’t stop a grin from spreading across her face. “He hired me!”
“That’s wonderful news!” Olive gave her shoulder a quick squeeze. “Just wonderful! I’m so pleased. Tell me everything.”
As they wound their way to Peartree Park, Courtney filled her in on the developments the elderly lady had instigated, from her first phone call with Travis Stone, the meeting they’d had,and the work she was now doing for him to help run his author business.
“I can’t thank you enough for your help, Olive,” Courtney said. “Actually, if we hadn’t crossed paths just now, I would’ve knocked on your door on my way back from the park to say thanks. I remembered your house number and wanted to make sure you knew how grateful I was.”
“There’s no need to thank me, dear,” Olive said. “All I did was put the two of you in touch with one another.”
“You thought of me and helped me when you didn’t have to, considering I’m a complete stranger. That means a lot.”
Olive gave her arm another soft pat. “We all need a helping hand from time to time in life. I’ve benefitted from plenty of those over the years, and if I can pay that help onwards to someone else from time to time, then it’s my pleasure to do so.”
Courtney smiled at the older lady’s insightful words, and couldn’t help patting her arm the same way Olive had patted hers. They’d arrived at Peartree Park by now, and Elsa scampered towards the grass verge along the path, eager to sniff out new scents.
“Are you enjoying the work you’ve done so far for young Mr Stone?” Olive asked as they slowed their pace to enjoy the park walk.
“I am, actually. It’s really interesting work. Completely different to what I was doing at the furniture shop, but I’m enjoying learning how to do author social media marketing, which is what it more or less boils down to. His online social pages get lots of interactions and he clearly has tonnes of devoted fans.”
“I’ve only recently discovered his mystery books, thanks to his appearance at the library book club, but I must say I’m hooked. I love his main character, Maura Shaw, who is a lot of fun to be with. I can imagine spending time with her and gettingcaught up in all the crazy murder mysteries she somehow ends up solving. And considering all the many exciting things that happen in the stories, and the larger-than-life adventures that take place there, well, it’s no wonder the man and his books have a large following and countless devoted fans.”
