Love Heart Lane Series

‘Hopefully … and anyway …’ said Isla, shifting the conversation into a different direction, ‘when are you moving in with Fergus?’

Felicity blushed, ‘Hmm … not just yet.’

‘Why, is there something wrong between you pair?’ said Jessica, leaning forward and grabbing a handful of peanuts from the bowl on the table.

‘No, it’s not that.’

Felicity had mixed feelings about her situation with Fergus. Of course, she wanted to move into Fox Hollow Cottage with Fergus and Esme, she’d fallen in love with them both, but the thought of leaving her mum on her own in the cottage since the death of her grandmother just didn’t sit right with her at the moment. She was torn between her own happiness and that of her mum.

‘It’s too soon for my mum, but I’ll know when the time is right. It’s just … I’m not even sure about moving into Fox Hollow Cottage.’

‘Why? It’s a beautiful place,’ queried Isla.

Felicity pinched the bridge of her nose, ‘I know, but, as much as I love Aggie, I want our own place, just for the three of us.’

‘It’s a difficult one,’ Allie said softly.

Fergus had lived at Fox Hollow Cottage for all of his life and when Esme’s mum had passed away he’d stayed living with his mother, Aggie, who’d supported him through his grief and was very much a hands-on grandmother.

‘Do you think that sounds selfish of me?’

‘No, not at all, you need your own family space,’ answered Polly.

‘Maybe in time you could do a house swap?’ said Jessica in all seriousness. ‘Aggie could move in here, or Rona could move in with her.’

The thought crossed Felicity’s mind for a fleeting moment, but she knew her mum would never move out of Heartwood Cottage. This place was her life and no doubt Aggie felt the same about Fox Hollow Cottage.

‘Do you think there will be room for my gran too?’ giggled Isla, now feeling a little tipsy on wine and forgetting her own troubles for a brief moment. ‘Even though I’m not sure how long she’s going to stay around for this time … your guess is as good as mine, but can you imagine their Friday nights … nights of gin, poker and Tinder.’

Everyone laughed.

‘Living the dream!’ chuckled Allie. ‘I’d actually be quite jealous.’

‘Shh, what’s that noise?’ asked Polly.

‘That’ll be Mum back,’ answered Felicity, amazed at how quickly the time had flown. They heard the sound of the garden gate being opened, followed by the cackle of laughter.

‘Sounds like Gran is with her … and tipsier than us,’ said Isla in a whisper, while straining to hear.

Felicity had not witnessed her mum drunk for as long as she could remember. She often enjoyed a gin and tonic at the pub but was never one for excessive drinking. But it was about time she let her hair down and had some fun with her friends.

The girls heard Rona, Martha and Aggie fall into the hallway still giggling.

‘I’ve got a match,’ squealed Rona. ‘Oh my … he’s got no teeth and looks like he would be better fitted in a police line-up … look!’

‘I told you, you were swiping the wrong way … let’s have a look,’ chuckled Martha. ‘He’s not too bad, maybe a little overweight, bald and probably has his own teeth – well, the ones he has … well worth a date, I say.’

Rona looked horrified as all three of them appeared in the living-room doorway. ‘There’s not a cat-in-hell’s chance.’

‘I’m with Rona,’ laughed Aggie, who sounded relatively sober compared to the other two women.

‘You can’t judge by a photograph. What if he has an amazing personality or is a millionaire in disguise?’ Martha gave Rona a serious look.

‘Mmm,’ said Rona, far from convinced, ‘I don’t mind missing out this time and I really can’t see why any millionaires would need to be on a dating app. Is this what my life has become … is this all I’m destined for?’

The girls supressed their giggles.

‘Sorry, it appears my gran is leading your mum astray,’ Isla said, grinning, while shaking her head in disbelief as Martha stumbled into the living room clutching her phone.

‘We’ve set your mum up on a dating app,’ she informed everyone proudly. ‘And I’ll have you know she already has a match.’ Martha gave a goofy grin and seemed rather pleased with herself.

‘Even though she’s been swiping the wrong way, apparently,’ joined in Aggie, who’d eyed the remaining bottle of wine on the table.

‘I really didn’t have much choice, Martha wouldn’t take no for an answer.’ Rona rolled her eyes in jest.

‘I can believe that,’ laughed Isla.

‘Martha is very persuasive,’ Rona replied, before trying to walk in a straight line towards the kitchen. ‘One for the road,’ she said, returning holding three wine glasses.

‘And I’ll have you know,’ hiccupped Rona, ‘I don’t want a man or need a man. I’m perfectly happy on my own.’ She began to pour the wine while Martha and Aggie squeezed on to the settee.

‘So, what have we missed … anything interesting?’ asked Aggie, looking between the girls.

Isla snagged Felicity’s eye, a look that meant, Don’t mention anything about my argument with Drew.

‘Just general stuff,’ answered Jessica.

‘So how long are you staying for, Polly?’ asked Aggie.

‘However long Felicity and Rona will put up with me for. I’ve nothing to rush back for but I don’t want to outstay my welcome either.’

Felicity gave Polly a warm smile, ‘You’re welcome to stay as long as you want.’

Everyone’s attention was suddenly drawn to Martha’s phone which pinged with a notification.

‘It’s another match!’ she squealed in a drunken stupor. She narrowed her eyes and then they sprang back open. She scrutinised the screen. ‘Not bad … not bad at all,’ she said, twisting the phone to Rona. ‘Let’s message him.’

‘Let’s not,’ replied Rona, making a series of huffing and puffing noises and taking the phone from Martha’s hand.

‘You’re no fun,’ Martha claimed, a little disgruntled.

‘Can you see what I’ve had to put up with all night?’ grinned Aggie. ‘It’s like refereeing children.’

To everyone’s surprise, Rona was quiet, then the corners of her mouth lifted. ‘Oh …’ she exclaimed.

‘Told you,’ exclaimed Martha, in a smug tone. ‘He’s quite dishy.’

Everyone waited in anticipation to hear Rona’s verdict.