Love Heart Lane

Out of every inch of Felicity’s body poured the memories of her grandmother, magical moments she’d never forget. She could still remember the hours she’d spent in the teashop at the weekend mirroring her grandmother while she helped to bake all the delicious cakes and scones.

‘I’m so sorry, Mum, for not coming home at Christmas,’ Felicity said, genuinely remorseful.

‘It’s not that easy to just up and leave your job, especially working in the department store. It must be one of the busiest times of the year. And how is Adrian? I thought I might finally get to meet him.’

Felicity exhaled. ‘It’s over Mum … we’ve finished. He’s moved out.’

‘Oh Felicity, why didn’t you say?’ Rona’s voice was earnest.

‘Because it was my choice. Honestly, he just wasn’t my happy ever after … that’s all there is to it.’

Rona gave Felicity a knowing look.

‘Mum, don’t give me that look,’ she exclaimed.

‘You do know you’re going to have to face your happy ever after at some point.’

Felicity protested. ‘I don’t know what you mean.’

But she knew exactly who her mum was talking about … Fergus.

She and Fergus had made plans, they’d promised each other they’d be together forever. Felicity had thought their love was unbreakable until tragedy had struck… twice. Then Felicity had convinced herself she’d never be enough for him, and she’d upped and left for London, breaking his heart as well as her own.

She took a second to remember their first kiss. Her knees had actually trembled like in the movies and goose bumps had prickled over every inch of her skin. She remembered the feeling like it had only happened yesterday. Felicity knew that being back for two whole weeks, she was bound to bump into Fergus at some point. She wasn’t sure how he was going to react to seeing her after all this time or how she was going to feel.

Hearing the drone of the tractor outside, Felicity thankfully abandoned her train of thought. She shifted to the edge of the settee and flicked a glance out of the window. There was Drew waiting outside. He noticed her and gave her a quick wave above his head as Felicity stood up.

‘I’ve brought your old snow boots in from the shed, you’ll need them out there on a day like today.’

‘Thanks Mum.’

Felicity thrust her feet into her old boots and slipped her arms into her coat. ‘I won’t be long,’ she said, closing the cottage door behind her.

Since her arrival, the snow hadn’t given up for a second and already Love Heart Lane was covered in a thick blanket, inches deep. Felicity had barely seen snow in London – the odd flurry here and there, but nothing that ever stuck.

But Heartcross was used to this kind of weather, they were prepared. The route into the village would be restricted and depending on the snowfall some vehicles might find it difficult to climb the half mile track but when they knew the bad weather was coming the delivery drivers always doubled up on supplies.

Felicity pulled open the door of the tractor to be greeted Drew’s huge beam. ‘Hi Flick, jump in. It’s great to see you.’

Drew hadn’t changed a bit. His blond tight corkscrew curls were still as springy as the last time she’d set eyes on him.

‘How are you?’ asked Felicity. ‘And Isla?’

Drew started the engine, and the tractor began to move through the snow with ease.

‘She’s fed up, but not long to go now until the baby’s arrival.’

Felicity swung a glance towards Drew. ‘Baby?’

‘Aye, a baby brother for Finn, due in the next few weeks.’

Felicity had had no idea. ‘Congratulations!’ She was genuinely chuffed for them both. The pair had been inseparable since high school and had married at the age of nineteen at the small church in Heartcross. Their wedding had been beautiful, and all they’d ever wanted was to be together, a family.

‘We are all ready for the little fellow, but this weather is a worry if Isla goes into labour. I can see her arriving at the hospital in this tractor—’ he gave a small chuckle ‘—and she won’t be best pleased about that.’

Felicity smiled. ‘Any names?’

‘Angus,’ said Drew proudly, ‘after my father.’

‘Great name.’

‘How’s the big city?’ he asked, changing the subject while carefully steering the tractor down the steep slope towards the bridge.

‘Not how it used to be.’ The words were out of Felicity’s mouth before she could stop them.

He snagged her eye. ‘Everything okay? That doesn’t sound good.’

‘It’s just work, I’m not as enthusiastic about it as I once was.’

‘I know that feeling. If you need a shoulder, Isla’s going nowhere. She’s always been a good listener,’ he offered with a smile, halting the tractor. ‘She’d love to see you. How long are you around for?’

‘A couple of weeks.’

‘In fact,’ he said, opening the door and jumping to the ground, ‘come back with me now to the farm. I need to load up Rona’s wood – say hello to Isla and then I’ll give you a lift back.’

Felicity thought about it for a second. It had been eight years since she’d set foot on Foxglove Farm. The very last time was the night she’d upped and left.

‘Yes, you know, I will. It will be great to see Isla.’

‘She’s missed you, you know … but understands you’ve had a lot to deal with. Now where’s this suitcase of yours?’

‘Just there, under the tree,’ answered Felicity, her thoughts turning to Isla. She’d missed Isla too, and all of a sudden she felt a tiny pang. True friendship was hard to find and Felicity knew she had a great deal of apologising to do. Of course in London she’d hung out with people, and she socialised with many work colleagues from the department store – but her only real friend was Polly from the pub. And no one had come close to the friendship she’d once shared with her two oldest friends Isla and Allie. They’d always been a close-knit group until Felicity had decided she needed to escape the pressures of a small village, spread her wings and escape into the world beyond Heartcross.

The snow crunched under Drew’s boots as he quickly retrieved the suitcase and threw it into the tractor before turning around and driving the short journey back to Foxglove Farm.

‘So, were you prepared for this weather?’ asked Felicity, holding onto her seat as they bounced along the snowy rocky track.

‘We knew it was coming but didn’t expect it to descend so quickly and it’s here for the foreseeable. Apparently, according to the predictions, this is going to be the worst snowfall we’ve had in twenty years.’ Drew cocked an eyebrow.

Felicity hadn’t realised this when she’d jumped on the flight from London, and she suddenly panicked. ‘Has the village already made provisions?’

‘The last trucks came over the bridge this morning and stocked up Hamish’s shop. It may be a few days before they can get through again.’

‘How is Hamish?’

Hamish and his wife Ava had owned the village shop for as long as Felicity could remember. They were lovely down-to-earth people in their mid-sixties, who had never set foot outside of Scotland. Felicity had fond memories of them both. After school her grandmother used to give her a handful of pennies – the local shop always had the best collection of penny chews, and Hamish would often throw in extras for Felicity. But two years ago, Ava had passed away, leaving Hamish completely devastated and struggling to cope without the woman he’d loved for all those years by his side. The village community had rallied around him, helping to keep the shop running until he was back on his feet.

‘He’s doing okay now. It took him a while but recently he’s joined numerous clubs in the village from the ramblers, which keeps him fit, to playing bowls.’