Page 35 of Snowflakes Over Micklewick Bay

Jennifer gave a warm smile that stretched up to her eyes. ‘We thought it must be, you look so like your lovely mum with your striking blue eyes,’ she said kindly. ‘And it’s so good to see you back, though my condolences about your father and aunt, such a shame.’

‘Thank you.’ This felt surreal. Hannah still held herself tensely, waiting for things to take an unpleasant turn.

‘Have you been keeping well, lovey?’ asked Gloria.

‘I have, thank you. And you? How’ve you all been?’ She glanced between the two women.

‘We’re doing fine. Des still loves his golf; keeps complaining about his knees, though. Says they interfere with his game.’ Gloria rolled her eyes affectionately.

‘Same here, Patrick loves his golf, too. We downsized a few years ago when our girls moved out. We live over on the new estate now – we’re very happy there, the house is lovely and low maintenance with a much more manageable garden.’

‘Are you planning on staying long?’ asked Gloria, before Hannah had a chance to reply to Jennifer. The two women looked at her, eagerly awaiting her response.

‘Just a fleeting visit.’

‘Oh, that’s a shame,’ said Jennifer.

‘Well, lovey, if you were ever to consider returning to the town full time, I know a lot of people who would be very pleased to see you.’ Gloria placed her hand on Hannah’s shoulder. ‘But it’s time we were off and let you young lasses enjoy your catch-up. It’s been an absolute joy to see you, though.’

‘It has,’ agreed Jennifer. ‘Hope to see you again very soon, sweetheart.’

Hannah watched the two women walk back to their table, her mouth hanging open. She glanced back at Florrie. ‘That was totally unexpected.’

‘Which was pretty obvious from your expression!’ Florrie gave a gentle laugh. ‘But it’s not unexpected to me. There’s a lot of support for you in Micklewick Bay, which I know is going to come as a massive surprise to you even after what I’ve told you. You’ve been regularly cropping up in conversation since your father and aunt passed away.’ Noting Hannah’s concerned expression, she added, ‘Don’t worry, it’s hasn’t been in a gossipy way – well, not about you at least. I can’t say the same for Polly and Darryl, though, they’re definitely not fondly thought of. But all I’ve heard is support for you.’

Hannah’s mind went back to last week, the two of them getting battered by the wind as they sat on the bench on the prom when her phone had rung. Florrie’s reaction when she’d heard the call was from Darryl, the distaste with which she’d spoken his name. It spurred her on to find out what was being said by others in the town.

‘I had no idea. I thought people would think I was the daughter from hell and they were well rid of me.’ Which was what Polly had told her.

‘Quite the contrary. I think you’ll find most people have the measure of Polly by now. You saw Jean’s reaction when you got here, it was the same as Gloria’s and Jennifer’s, and I share their views. Don’t you think it’s interesting that the first people you bump into here all feel the same about your stepmother? It’s not purely a coincidence.’

‘I suppose so…’ It had certainly given her pause for thought. ‘Birdie’s going to be very interested when I tell her all this.’

‘Is Birdie the lady you were rushing back for?’ Florrie asked gently.

Hannah’s cheeks grew warm, but she told herself honesty was the best policy. ‘Yeah, sorry about that. I don’t really have to pick her up. I just said the first thing that popped into my head when I saw Mrs Stephens looking over. It filled me with panic. I was worried she’d come over and give me a piece of her mind. I’d have been mortified if that had happened here in your tearoom.’

Florrie pulled a sympathetic face. ‘Oh, how awful you even have to consider that. Must feel like a lot of pressure. And it must’ve taken a heck of a lot of courage to set foot in the town again, never mind in the bookshop.’

‘You have no idea.’

Florrie clapped her hands on the table. ‘Tell you what, I reckon it’s a good time to indulge in something sweet. Why don’t I go and order us a couple of those salted caramel brownies I was telling you about?’

‘Sounds great!’ A feeling of lightness filled Hannah’s heart.

‘They’re really yummy on their own, but how about I ask to have them warmed up and served with something? Cream, ice cream or custard?’

‘Ooh, custard, I think, thanks.’ The mere thought made Hannah’s stomach rumble.

‘Good choice.’ Florrie grinned before heading over to the counter.

In what felt like no time at all, a bowl arrived in front of them both, the intense chocolatey aroma dancing under their noses. The brownie was garnished beautifully with a sprig of mint, a handful of berries and a dusting of icing sugar. They were given individual jugs of steaming custard which couldn’t have looked more appetising if it tried.

‘Oh, wow! It’s ages since I’ve eaten anything as deliciously indulgent as this,’ Hannah said, after her first mouthful, the rich caramel sauce clinging to the inside of her mouth and setting her tastebuds dancing.

‘Told you it was good.’ Florrie was tucking into hers with great gusto. ‘Jasmine has a real flair for baking. Still looks the same as she did when we were at school: red hair, petite, quite feisty – she won’t mind me saying that.’ She chuckled. ‘But I reckon you’ve guessed that from what I’ve already told you.’

‘I have, yeah.’ Hannah smiled. ‘I can remember although she used to be in your friendship group, she also used to be good friends with a lad called Max, can’t remember his surname, though.’