Page 34 of Snowflakes Over Micklewick Bay

TWENTY-FOUR

Walking across the tearoom and back to the table by the window she’d so recently vacated, Hannah’s discomfort returned as she sensed Gloria Stephens’ eyes on her again, regarding her with interest. You’ve got this, Hannah. Just think of Auntie Coll.

Florrie, who was scrolling through her phone, looked up as Hannah approached, her face lighting up with a smile when she spotted her. ‘I’m so glad you’ve come back,’ she said with genuine meaning in her voice. It reached in and warmed Hannah’s heart.

‘Me, too.’ Hannah returned her smile. At least, she hoped she would be glad, but the way Gloria’s eyes were boring into her like a couple of laser beams was making her have second thoughts.

‘I’ve ordered a fresh pot of tea, and we can order some cakes when Sue comes back.’

‘Sounds good.’ Hannah was grateful for Florrie not making her feel silly or awkward, but she knew she owed her some sort of explanation. Though she wasn’t sure where to start, and was relieved when Florrie spoke next.

Florrie clasped her hands together, resting them on the table. ‘You’ve been through a heck of a lot recently, losing your dad and your aunt so close together. I know we had a chat over FaceTime but if ever you feel you’d like to talk like that again just holler – though if you’d rather keep things to yourself, I totally respect that. What I’m trying to say is, I know from experience it makes you feel a heck of a lot better if you can offload onto a friend. I honestly have no idea what I’d do without my pals.’ She smiled kindly. ‘I’m aware that you and I still don’t know one another that well, but I honestly mean it when I say I’d really like to get to know you better.’

‘I’d like that, too.’ Hannah could almost sense her aunt giving her a gentle nudge of encouragement. Go you, flower!

‘Cool. Sometimes, you just click with people, and I feel it’s like that with us.’ Florrie beamed her a smile. ‘From what you’ve said, I actually think we have quite a lot in common. And you know, I actually remember us having a chat in the bookshop when we were really young. Our mums had got talking and we’d headed over to the children’s section and were looking at the books there. Mrs Harte – Ed’s grandmother – was asking us about our favourite stories.’

‘You can remember my mum?’ Hannah sat up straight. It had been years since she’d had a conversation about her mum like this with anyone other than Auntie Coll or Birdie.

‘’Course I can! She always stood out because she was so pretty and she liked books, just like my mum. She seemed friendly, too, like you. Very cheerful.’

Hannah’s heart filled with happiness, her face breaking out into a smile. She was eager to hear more.

‘You were showing me a book you’d bought with your pocket money,’ Florrie continued, ‘and I can recall really liking the sound of it, so I wanted it, too. I don’t know if you can remember any of this; it was a very long time ago. I reckon I was about nine or ten – you’re a year younger, am I right?’

Hannah nodded. ‘I was in the year below you at school.’

‘Thought so. Anyroad, we were waiting for quite a while and I can remember thinking you were fun and friendly. You were really chatty and had the biggest smile.’

Hannah gave a small laugh, delighted that Florrie was sharing this memory with her, the feelings it evoked. ‘You know, I think I do have a vague memory of that day. I can remember being in awe of you and was so happy that I got the chance to have a conversation with you. You were friendly too, and so brainy, always with your nose in a book. And then, as we got older and my mum… well, I can remember wishing my family was like yours.’

Florrie’s face fell. ‘Oh, Hannah, I’m so sorry.’ She reached across the table and touched Hannah’s arm. ‘I can’t even begin to imagine what you went through, but like I said, if you ever want to talk some more, I’m more than happy to meet up again, somewhere more private if you’d prefer, or we could always FaceTime again?’

‘That would actually be re—’ Hannah’s voice tailed off as she suddenly became aware of a presence by the table. She looked up, colour draining from her face. Her worst fears had just landed beside her.

‘It’s Hannah, isn’t it? Hannah Merryweather?’ Though Gloria Stephens was wearing a friendly smile, it didn’t stop Hannah’s heart from plunging.

‘Um… y-yes, that’s right.’ Her eyes flicked from Mrs Stephens to Florrie and back again, fear gripping her, wary of the direction this conversation was going to take. She braced herself for the inevitable onslaught of criticism.

‘I don’t know if you remember me. I’m Gloria Stephens – we used to be neighbours when you lived at Midsummer Haven,’ she said. The friendly tone and warm smile threw Hannah off kilter.

‘Oh… um… yes. Though it’s a long time ago, Mrs Stephens.’

‘Call me Gloria, lovey. And you’re right, it is a long time ago, but I just want to say how sorry I am for the loss of your father. I hear your aunt passed recently, too. It must be a very difficult time for you.’

‘Thank you – about my dad. And she did, yes.’ Hannah wondered how Gloria had found out about her aunt.

‘Unless I’m mistaken, I think I might’ve spotted you at Jon’s funeral. You’re the double of your mother; you share her striking bone structure and dark hair. Can’t have been easy for you, but then, things were never the same for you and your dad after you lost your mother.’ She gave another kind smile. ‘I hope you don’t think I’m speaking out of turn, but I want to reassure you that no one in this town blames you for leaving the way you did. I dread to think how things would’ve ended if you hadn’t. And I, for one, am delighted to see you back. Please tell me you’re here to stay.’

Hannah was dumbfounded. Her eyes flicked quickly to Florrie to see a look of encouragement in her eyes. She glanced back at Mrs Stephens. ‘Thank you,’ was all she could manage as her brain set to work, processing what she’d just heard. It was taking some sinking in.

‘You remember Jennifer Cornforth, don’t you?’ Gloria turned and gestured towards the woman who was making her way towards them. ‘She and Patrick used to live just round the corner from us. Jennifer and I are good friends and often call here for some tea and cake before venturing down to the bookshop. I told her I was sure it was you.’

‘Two of our best customers,’ Florrie said, smiling, and making Gloria laugh.

‘Yes, I remember Mr and Mrs Cornforth,’ said Hannah. Another blast from the past.

‘I’m right, Jenny, it is Bronagh and Jon’s daughter,’ Gloria said, taking obvious delight in delivering the news to her friend who’d just appeared at her side.