Page 52 of Snowflakes Over Micklewick Bay

‘Oh, and Bear says to tell you that if you need a handyman, painter, gutter cleaner or any help of that sort, just give him a shout. He can turn himself to pretty much everything; he did most of the work renovating this place, it was derelict when we first took it on.’

‘Wow!’ Hannah glanced around her. If that were the case, he’d done a fabulous job.

‘It was a real labour of love.’

Hannah couldn’t argue with that, it was evident everywhere you looked.

‘Will you tell Bear thank you from me? I’d love to take him up on his offer. But before I grab my stuff and head off, I just wanted to give you this.’ She swung the item in the bin bag from where it was tucked under her arm and handed it to her friend.

‘What’s this?’ A puzzled look spread across Maggie’s face.

‘I think you’ll like it.’ Hannah couldn’t wait to see Maggie’s expression when she realised what it was.

Setting the bin bag on the table, she carefully opened it out. ‘Oh, Hannah!’ she exclaimed happily, pressing a hand to her chest. ‘It’s the mirror from the café!’

‘It is.’ Hannah smiled, thrilled at Maggie’s response.

‘Are you sure? Please let me give you something for it.’

‘I’m positive. And absolutely not! I don’t want a thing for it! You and Bear have shown me such kindness, the least I can do is let you have the mirror.’ In truth, Maggie would never know how deeply hers and Bear’s kindness had touched Hannah.

Hannah’s mind was thrumming with activity on the drive back to Beckinthwaite. She wouldn’t know where to start with it all when it came to telling Birdie. She smiled as she imagined her expression. Her neighbour had been thrilled to hear Hannah was spending the night in Micklewick Bay when she’d called her the previous day. Such was her enthusiasm, anyone would be forgiven for thinking she’d had a hand in causing the flat tyre! Hannah chuckled at that thought.

By the time she pulled up outside Fern Cottage and climbed out of her car, Birdie was already making her way down the path, Smudge observing from his favourite seat on the windowsill.

‘Ooh, lovey, it’s grand to see you back. I can’t wait to hear all about your exciting trip.’ Birdie’s eyes were shining as brightly as the winter sunshine that graced the moors with its presence that day.

‘Hiya, Birdie, I can’t wait to tell you all about it.’ Hannah beamed fondly at her neighbour.

‘Tell you what, why don’t you pop in here for a cuppa and a bite to eat before you head next door? I bet you haven’t had owt to eat since breakfast.’

Hannah couldn’t argue with that. ‘Sounds like a good plan to me.’ And so very different from the last time she’d returned from Micklewick Bay.

‘Grand! I’ll go and stick the kettle on.’ Birdie practically skipped up the path back to her cottage, making Hannah chuckle.

Before long, they were sitting opposite one another at Birdie’s tiny kitchen table.

‘So, tell me everything, right from the start, missing nowt out.’ Birdie nestled down in her seat, mug in hand, watching Hannah intently.

‘Okay, here goes…’

‘You have had quite the adventure.’ Birdie chuckled when Hannah had finished telling her everything. She’d even told her about Lachie and had answered Birdie’s questions about her feelings honestly. Yes, she still cared for him. Yes, she regretted sending him away, adding that it was too late for regrets and she had too much going on to even think about where the thing with Lachie could potentially go – if anywhere.

‘Honestly, Birdie, I know I’ve only been away just over twenty-four hours, but it feels more like a week with everything that’s gone on.’ Birdie chuckled heartily at that.

‘So, lovey, has it helped give you some food for thought? And has it made Colleen’s suggestion for the pier café any more appealing?’

That was the million-dollar question.

Everything that had happened yesterday had in some way helped form her decision. The steady drive home had helped her slot everything together, helped put her decisions in order.

She lifted her gaze to meet Birdie’s. ‘The answer to both of those questions is yes.’

Birdie set her mug down and clapped her hands happily. ‘Ooh! Coll will be looking down as pleased as punch to hear that. In fact, I can just see her doing one of her happy jigs she used to do when things went right.’

‘Come to think of it, so can I.’ Hannah smiled over at Birdie.

Smudge appeared in the kitchen, purring noisily as he rubbed against Birdie’s legs.