Page 39 of Snowflakes Over Micklewick Bay

‘What’s to say he won’t be delayed again?’ Bear had said.

‘It’s an inconvenience to you having a flat tyre, not us. We’re happy to help. Right, let’s see if Jace over at Lingthorpe can be of any assistance.’ He tapped at his phone and wandered out of the room once more.

‘Bear’s right, it’s not an inconvenience to us, we’re genuinely happy to help. It’s a dodgy spot where you broke down; we could hardly leave you there, especially when it’d be getting dark soon.’ Maggie smiled kindly as she patted Lucy’s back rhythmically. The little girl had snuggled into her and was now sucking her thumb as her mummy rocked her gently.

‘I really appreciate it, thank you.’ She gave her a grateful smile. ‘Florrie tells me you and she met at uni in York.’

‘Aye, we did; we shared a student house together. And I used to stay with her at her parents’ when we came back at weekends, which is how I met Bear. And the rest, as they say, is history.’ Maggie gave one of her hearty chuckles.

Hannah beamed back at her. She could see Florrie and Maggie being close friends; they both shared the same warmth and friendliness.

‘Right then, I’m afraid it’s not the best news.’

Both women looked up as Bear joined them in the kitchen. His young daughter, suddenly forgetting her sleepiness, gave a squeal of delight, slid down from Maggie’s knee and toddled over to him, arms outstretched.

‘Dadda, cuggle!’

‘C’mere, little angel.’ He scooped her up in his broad arms, his eyes filled with affection as he delivered nibbly kisses to her chubby cheek, making her squeal some more. ‘Who’s Daddy’s gorgeous girl?’

‘Lulu!’ Lucy buried her chubby fingers in his beard as he shook his head, making a growling sound. The little girl threw her head back and laughed heartily.

Bear’s eyes shone with love.

Classic gentle giant, thought Hannah, as she looked on.

‘In case you hadn’t noticed, she’s a daddy’s girl.’ Maggie smiled indulgently.

Hannah felt an unexpected pang of sorrow. A daddy’s girl was how her own mother used to describe her, with that same glow of happiness in her eyes she could see in Maggie’s. Quickly remonstrating with herself, she mustered up a smile. ‘I can see that.’

‘So, I’ve rung around everyone I know and unfortunately, they’re all chock-a-block with work; the soonest anyone can fix your tyre is tomorrow, I’m afraid,’ Bear said, not batting an eyelid as Lucy continued to play with his beard.

‘Oh.’ Hannah’s mind started racing through her options. ‘Thanks so much for ringing around, I really appreciate it. I’d better head off, see if I can get booked into a B&B.’ She drained her mug. ‘Thanks for the tea, too, and the delicious biscuits.’ She reached for her bag, lifting her coat from the back of the chair where she’d draped it.

Maggie and Bear exchanged a glance.

‘Listen, you’re welcome to stay here for the night, isn’t she, Bear?’

‘It’s fine with me,’ Bear agreed. ‘I know you of old, Hannah, and you know Florrie and I daresay the rest of the lasses, so it’s not as if we’re complete strangers. Trust me when I say Mags and me have more than enough experience between us to tell the good ’uns from the wrong ’uns,’ Bear said.

‘Too right, we have.’ Maggie rolled her eyes.

The loaded comments didn’t go unnoticed by Hannah; she rather got the impression there was a story there.

‘What we’re saying is, if you can put up with our chaos, you’re more than welcome to rest your head here for the night,’ Maggie continued. ‘And anyroad, a lot of the B&Bs are closed at this time of year; you’d probably end up trailing the streets for hours. It’ll be putting in dark before you know it.’

‘That’s so kind, but I couldn’t impose on you.’ Hannah was stunned by such unexpected generosity.

‘You wouldn’t be imposing; it’s only for one night. We’ve got a spare room now we’ve had the extension done.’ Maggie smiled at her, her eyebrows raised in invitation.

‘Are you sure?’

‘’Course we are,’ said Bear, swinging his daughter in the air and making her squeal with joy.

‘Oh, and it’s my weekly night out with the lasses at the Jolly, you can join us for that, get to catch up with the others. I reckon they’ll be chuffed to see you.’

‘If you’re sure?’ She batted away the apprehension that jumped into her mind and made her stomach churn. It’s best to face these things head on.

‘’Course we’re sure. You can borrow a pair of my jammies, or if you’d prefer, I could bob you to the local supermarket, they keep a small stock of nightwear, not to mention undies and toothbrushes and the usual essentials. In fact, I meant to pick up some more Greek yogurt while we were out before, but I clean forgot. Why don’t we head there now?’ said Maggie.