Page 23 of A Recipe for Romance in Brambleton

‘I will.’ He smiled at her, and his heart sped up as she smiled back. Coughing nervously, and torn between wanting to prolong the moment, but also needing to end it, he put his coffee cup down and pulled out his chair. ‘Thanks for agreeing to do this. You really have helped me out of a spot.’

‘You’re welcome.’ Lauren straightened up. ‘Take care, Marc, and see you next week.’

As Marc left the café, he couldn’t stop thinking about how lovely the interaction with Lauren had been. She was like a summer breeze, warming him and raising his spirits. In the depths of winter, that was just what he needed.

21

The rest of the day seemed to pass in a flash as Marc, pleased to have a few hours to himself, worked on unpacking the boxes that contained the things he was intending to put in his study. He’d worked from home in their previous house, but his old workroom didn’t have such a breathtaking view. One of the advantages of the house’s design was that the living room, the kitchen and the small room he intended to use as his office all had the same outlook across the lake. Although he would have to install a blind for when the sun made a more consistent appearance, at the moment the large windows let in the light and would encourage him to spend time at work.

Sorting through his files and paperwork, setting up his desk and stationery, he realised he was quite looking forward to getting back to work. He’d needed the sabbatical to sort out the move and spend time with the twins, but with most of the house now habitable, if outdated, and the boys finally starting school, the continuity of the day job would be very welcome. He wasn’t going back until January, which meant he and the boys could have a relaxed Christmas, but he was up for the challenge, once the new year arrived.

Before he knew it, it was time to go and pick up the boys. He wondered how they’d got on and resolved to find out as much as he could over their favourite dinner, spaghetti bolognese, that evening.

Reaching the playground, he saw that it was wall-to-wall mums, with the odd grandparent and father interspersed among them. Nothing much really changed, he thought wryly. Most of them were on their phones, or conversing in small groups, and, since he didn’t know anyone yet, he hung back. A couple of people glanced in his direction with polite interest, but none of them spoke to him. There would be plenty of time to make conversation in the new year, once the boys had made some friends.

Keeping one eye on the classroom door, and the other on his email, he hastily put his phone away when he saw the first wave of children being released from Thea Saint’s Year One class. As they sought out their parents and carers, Marc watched for the twins. It didn’t take him long to realise that they weren’t with the other children. Feeling a prickle of worry, he gradually made his way through the crowd of children and parents to the classroom door.

‘Hi,’ Thea said. ‘How was your first day?’

‘Aren’t I supposed to be asking you that, on behalf of the twins?’ Marc smiled nervously.

‘Well, of course, but it can be as big a wrench for parents as it is for the children.’ Thea – brown-haired, attractive and smiling – made for a reassuring presence. ‘I asked the twins to help me sort out a few of the jigsaw puzzles in the playing corner, if you’re okay to have a quick chat?’

‘Sure.’ Marc stepped through the door. ‘Is everything all right?’

‘Well, so far so good,’ Thea smiled encouragingly as Marc sat down in one of the ridiculously small chairs in the brightly coloured Year One classroom. ‘You’d never know they’d started a term after everyone else.’

‘That’s good to know.’ Thea exuded calm, and that was something he needed right now. The school had been apprised of the boys’ situation – new to the UK, and recently bereaved – but the head teacher, a kindly woman in her early forties, had given Marc the assurance that they would be kept an eye on. Meeting Thea this morning had helped with both his and the boys’ pre-school nerves, and now – sitting in this tidy classroom – Marc felt as though he could relax.

‘I’m very grateful to you for making Liam and Luca so welcome,’ Marc added. ‘It can’t be easy to have two new additions just before Christmas.’

‘Well, to be honest, the twins have been treated like celebrities!’ Thea laughed. ‘Not only do they speak two languages, but the fact they’re identical has provoked a lot of curiosity and discussion.’

When Marc looked wary, Thea rushed to reassure him. ‘It’s children’s curiosity at its best. Sometimes, young kids ask the questions that adults are afraid to, but they’re also more sensitive to the answers. Liam and Luca have made some friends already and are settling in fine.’

‘I’m pleased. I know they were a little nervous about joining the class so late.’

‘And how are you finding being back in the UK?’ Thea’s voice made Marc want to tell her everything. He could see why the boys seemed so at home, already, in this classroom.

‘Well, it’s been a bit of a change,’ he began guardedly. ‘The new house has been a good distraction for all of us, and my brother’s nearby, so that helps.’

‘Ah yes.’ Thea smiled again. ‘Noah was very helpful when my husband, Nick, and I were looking for a new house. He managed to find us the perfect spot just on the edge of the village. The only thing he couldn’t seem to help with was the fact that our cats hated each other on sight, but thankfully Bella had a few tips from working at the cat rescue centre!’

‘Change is always tricky, even for animals.’ Marc gave her another smile.

‘And even trickier when you’re a fully grown human, I’m sure.’

Marc nodded. ‘It’ll be better when I get back to work. I took some time off to get the boys settled and sort the house out, but I’ll be getting back to it after Christmas.’

‘Well, if there’s anything we can do here, please let us know. We have an excellent after-school club, run by a real star, who’ll do everything she can to make the boys feel welcome.’ Thea paused, before adding, ‘I really am sorry to hear about your wife. It’s not easy, losing a parent at such a young age.’ A look of understanding crossed her features. Marc reasoned that she must have encountered other children, over her career, who’d suffered bereavement. She seemed instinctively to understand.

‘Thank you.’ He rose from the small chair and shook her hand. ‘I appreciate it.’

‘As I said, if there’s anything we can do, just ask.’ Thea looked searchingly at him. ‘We’re here for the parents as well as the children during their journey with us. We’ll support you all as much as we can.’

Marc’s eyes prickled. He knew Thea meant well, but he really couldn’t handle any more sympathy right now. He had to be strong.

‘Come on then, chaps,’ he called to Liam and Luca, who had been working on one of the jigsaw puzzles that were in the corner play area of the classroom. ‘Say goodbye to Mrs Saint.’