Love Heart Lane

‘Eight o’clock it is.’ She smiled at Hamish before noticing the proud smile on her mum’s face. ‘Can I make a small suggestion?’

‘Of course,’ answered Hamish, waiting to hear what Felicity had to say.

‘Priority food maybe needs to go to the care home first, the elderly.’

‘Indeed, we can draw up a list and hopefully the next truck will be able to get through as soon as the snow thaws.’

Everyone agreed, and Felicity joined Isla back at the table.

‘Look at you,’ grinned Isla as Felicity sat back down opposite her. ‘Back in Heartcross two minutes and taking control. Hamish will never want to let you go if you can keep that lot in order.’

‘Well, someone had to step in. Otherwise those perishable goods would be even more perishable by the time they sorted themselves out.’

Isla tried to laugh but her face paled. She clutched her stomach before letting out a tiny groan.

‘What is it?’

‘How are you at delivering babies?’ She sucked in a breath and grimaced.

Instantly, Felicity felt her eyes well up with tears and swallowed down the lump in her throat. Her body surged with emotions she’d managed to keep locked away for a very long time, taking her by complete surprise. The guilt always hit first, wondering if she could have done something different – was the miscarriage down to her, could she have done anything else? The sense of loss never left her.

Isla noticed the colour had drained from Felicity’s face.

‘Oh my gosh, Flick, I’m so sorry, I really wasn’t thinking,’ said Isla, immediately reaching over the table and squeezing her hand.

‘It’s okay, really it is,’ Felicity replied, her voice shaky. ‘Shall I get Drew or even Rory?’

‘Rory … he’s a vet!’ Isla laughed, trying to lighten the mood but still clutching her stomach tightly.

‘It’s got to be the same difference, delivery of a baby or a lamb,’ smiled Felicity.

‘Luckily for everyone it’s those Braxton Hicks, nothing to worry about. I’m sorry Flick, I really didn’t mean to upset you.’

‘I know you didn’t. And I can’t hide myself away from every pregnant woman I see,’ said Felicity, even though she knew for a very long time she hadn’t been able to even look at a pregnant woman.

‘Are you going to try and talk to Fergus while you’re back?’

‘Aggie’s already warned me off him.’

Isla rolled her eyes, ‘She’s been under the weather recently; she’s got this cough that she can’t shift so her mood is probably not the best, but you know Aggie from old … her bark’s worse than her bite. Your reasons for leaving were about you. You were grieving and had to do what you needed to do. No one should judge you for it.’

Felicity was grateful that Isla understood.

‘Aggie doesn’t see it like that.’

‘She didn’t like to see her boy hurt but it still doesn’t give her the right to treat you with a lack of respect. You both went through a difficult time. Time moves on, people move on.’

‘Fergus has moved on,’ added Felicity, glancing in Esme’s direction.

Isla followed her gaze. ‘She’s a wonderful little girl, beautiful inside and out. You’ll like her.’

‘Fergus can’t even bear to look at me.’

‘He will, give it time. It’s the first time he’s set eyes on you since then. Even though I do know you’ve sneaked back a few times without seeing any of us.’ Isla tutted playfully.

‘I am sorry about that,’ said Felicity regretfully.

‘It’s okay, honestly it is. There were a few people that were hurt when you upped and left including me and Allie but we knew why. We knew you needed space, we just didn’t think it would be eight years of space.’

‘Time drifted on but I don’t think Allie will be as forgiving as you.’ Felicity blew out a breath and glanced in her direction. She was standing by the bar laughing with Rory but caught her eye for a split second.

‘We both know Allie from old, strong willed, stubborn but whatever she says, she’s missed you like crazy. We all have. Grief is real and however long you needed, your crazy friends are still here. She’ll come round …we haven’t gone anywhere.’

For a time, Felicity’s life had descended into complete darkness. It had taken awhile but she had come a long way over the last eight years. Felicity’s eyes glistened with tears as she felt an overwhelming feeling of love and belonging for her old village. She smiled across the table at her friend knowing that she had missed this place more than she wanted to admit. Everything felt right and familiar.

‘Promise me one thing, Isla.’

‘Go on,’ Isla met her gaze.

‘Just try and hold that baby in until we can get across the bridge and drive you to the hospital.’

‘I’ll try my very best for you. And I’m glad you’ve come home, I for one have really missed you.’

Felicity squeezed Isla’s hand. She knew she had a few bridges to mend but having Isla back on her side gave her an overwhelming feeling of warmth. She’d missed Isla too.

Chapter 6 (#u611af9e5-bfbf-5454-8ff9-f925684e032b)

Felicity was up at the crack of dawn, woken by the chill in the air. She shivered and pulled the duvet up tight around her neck but it was no use, she couldn’t get warm. Her feet felt like blocks of ice and her teeth were chattering. How could her mum live like this? She tossed and turned but it was no use, she couldn’t get back to sleep. Slipping her socks onto her feet and a jumper over her head, she padded quietly downstairs in need of a warm drink. Everywhere was in complete darkness and Felicity looked up at the clock; it was only 6.30 a.m.

After placing the kettle on the Aga she pulled back the curtains and couldn’t believe her eyes, the snow was actually still falling. There was no way the delivery trucks would be getting through until this began to thaw and Hamish had been right to think about rationing the food supplies in the village.

Felicity noticed the light was on in Rory’s living room opposite, but as she watched, it immediately turned off and his front door opened. As Rory stepped outside, his wellington boots disappeared under inches of snow. He didn’t attempt to start his car; instead he clutched tightly on to his bag and with his head bent low, he ploughed through the snow in the direction of the veterinary practice. Hearing the kettle begin to whistle, Felicity made herself a coffee and made up the fire. Hopefully by the time her mum was awake there should be a little more warmth in the cottage. After the fire was lit and she’d drained her mug, she placed the kettle on the Aga once more, so she could use the warm water to have a wash. She didn’t relish the idea of a cold shower in this weather. Before she could forget, she tucked the boiler quote into her bag, so she could arrange for them to come out to the cottage as soon as possible.

Within the hour, and with Rona still fast asleep, Felicity wrapped up warm, sank her feet inside her wellington boots and closed the front door quietly behind her. The whole of Love Heart Lane lay in complete darkness, everyone still fast asleep making the most of not going to school or work. The early morning chill instantly nipped at her face and she buried her chin under her scarf and clutched her bag against her body. Even though her thermal socks swathed her feet they instantly felt frozen. Her footsteps were small, the snow sinking halfway up her boots. It was difficult to walk in such conditions, and her legs felt heavy but she knew with each small step she was getting closer to Hamish’s shop.

When she reached the shop the light was on and as she pushed open the door the bell tinkled above her head, alerting Hamish to her arrival. He looked up from behind the counter and smiled. ‘You made it then! There’s tea in the pot.’

‘Thank you,’ she answered, peeling the scarf from around her head and placing her white flaky sodden hat on top of the counter. ‘Where do we start?’ asked Felicity, skimming a glance around the shop before pouring herself a cup of tea.

‘I’ve moved all the perishable goods into these boxes, and somehow we need to get these up to the care home.’

Felicity cocked an eyebrow. ‘That’s a half-mile climb up the hill.’

Hamish blew out a breath. ‘I know – it’s going to be a struggle but they will need the food for the residents.’

‘We can do this, we won’t be defeated,’ answered Felicity with vigour and determination and a smile on her face.

‘That’s the spirit. The things over in that corner—’ Hamish pointed ‘—are the tinned and packet items that go out of date first.’