Page 47 of Snowflakes Over Micklewick Bay

All eyes turned to Hannah.

‘Well, I didn’t know anything about it until my first appointment with Mr Cuthbert last week, and then things took an interesting turn after the conversation I had with my neighbour Birdie – she was my aunt’s best friend and she also knew my mum from childhood.’

‘Don’t keep us hanging, missus, give us the deets!’ said Maggie.

‘Well, my aunt’s wish is that I renovate the place using some of the funds she left me, then get the place up and running as a restaurant.’ From the ensuing wide-eyed responses, Hannah could see the other women were as surprised as she was when she’d first learnt of it. ‘The thing is, from what I could see when I was down there this morning, it’s a heck of an ask and that’s just going from the outside – the locks were too rusty for me to get the keys in. I dread to think what lurks behind those doors.’

‘That sounds so exciting,’ enthused Maggie, the others all agreeing. ‘Tell you what, Bear’s got some bolt cutters that’d make short shrift of rusty padlocks. We could give it a try in the morning, if you like?’

‘And Al and me are going for a run on the beach first thing. He’s an architect, and I’m sure he wouldn’t mind having a look inside, see what needs doing to make it a functioning restaurant.’ Stella looked as animated by the restaurant idea as Maggie. ‘It could be the perfect fresh start for you.’

The perfect fresh start. Hannah found herself quite liking that idea.

The friends were having a giggle as Stella recounted a moment from a recent trial she’d been prosecuting when the bell rang for last orders, bringing the conversation to an end.

‘Don’t know about you lasses, but I’m about done.’ Jasmine gave in to a wide yawn. ‘I’ve got to take Chloe shopping for some new shoes first thing, she’s having a right growing spurt – she’s only had her current pair five minutes. Then she’s off to a party in the afternoon. Max is dropping the lads at footie training while I’m doing that.’ Jasmine had two children, Zak and Chloe from a previous relationship, and Max had Connor who was also from a previous relationship. The three children got on like a house on fire, with Zak and Connor being delighted they could describe themselves as “almost brothers”.

It wasn’t wasted on Hannah that it was a far cry from how her set-up had been with Darryl when she’d learnt of Jasmine’s family dynamics.

‘I’m shattered, too,’ said Stella. ‘I reckon we should finish our drinks then head home.’

Hannah was glad when everyone agreed and Maggie said she’d send Bear a text telling him they were ready for their lift. Delving into the past had been catching up with her over the last hour, not to mention the glass and a half of wine combined with the warmth of the fire adding to her drowsiness.

‘Ooh, before we go, can I ask you something?’ Hannah had been struck by a thought.

‘’Course you can.’ Jasmine reached behind her for her coat.

‘There’s a receptionist at the solicitor’s office who doesn’t seem to like me – she gave me a death stare both times I was there. It made me wonder if she was an ally of Polly or Darryl’s. I thought it even more so when he started calling my number, especially since I’d given it to her for my records not long before his calls began – I deliberately haven’t shared it with Polly or Darryl, had no reason to.’

Jasmine rolled her eyes and let out a groan. ‘Ugh! You mean Sylvia Sykes. I honestly wouldn’t worry about her, she permanently looks like she’s sucking on a lemon, it’s how her face is set. Unfortunately, when senses of humour were being given out, she was at the end of the queue.’

‘That’s a bit harsh, Jazz,’ said Lark, giving an affectionate shake of the head.

‘Jazz is right about her having a set face,’ added Florrie. ‘Mind, I’d be surprised if she has anything to do with Polly and Darryl, she’s very, proper, very strait-laced.’

‘And she’s worked there for years. I can’t imagine her risking her job by sharing a client’s information,’ said Maggie.

‘I agree,’ Stella chipped in. ‘I think it’s more likely that Darryl got your number through some sort of directory search of mobile phone numbers. It’s cropped up in a few of my cases and is highly dodgy.’

‘Oh, right.’ Hannah didn’t know such a search was possible. ‘Thanks for that, you’ve eased my mind.’ Much as she liked and respected Mr Cuthbert, she didn’t feel comfortable about continuing to use him if she felt her private information was being shared with Polly and Darryl.

Shrugging on their coats and pulling on their hats, the women made their way across the bar, Hannah following up behind as she fished in her pockets for her gloves, remembering she’d left them in her car. She was heading to the door when she heard a familiar voice speak her name. It jolted her out of her drowsiness as her pulse sprang into action. She looked up to see a pair of green eyes searching her face.

‘Hannah, it is you.’ The owner of the green eyes sounded uncertain.

On a list of people she didn’t want to see right now, Lachie would feature pretty highly. Only Polly and Darryl would rank above him.

She averted her gaze, her stomach churning as she went to move past him.

‘Hannah, it’s me, Lachie. Please talk to me.’ The tones of his gentle Scottish burr didn’t waste a moment in finding a weak spot, sneaking their way in. He rested his hand on her arm, sending a familiar charge of electricity through her.

Dratted man! She didn’t need this right now, and she certainly wasn’t going to stand here and listen to what he had to say, or to chat as if he hadn’t just led her on then dumped her without a word of explanation.

But he wasn’t to be deterred. ‘I thought it was you I saw in town… but you look different somehow.’

She heard the note of concern in his voice, knew he could see she’d lost a lot of weight, that she looked hollowed out.

‘Look, Lachie, I don’t really have anything to say to you, okay? And, besides, I need to get going or I’ll be late for my lift.’