Last month, Daniel had lost their game and sent Felix a case of something unpronounceable and green. Thea had reaped the benefits, though. She and Felix had taken the bottle down to the barn and “relaxed” heavily for most of one afternoon. Thank goodness for Felix’s nanny.
Amber and Daniel were renovating The Five Bob, turning part of it into a wine bar. He was blissfully happy with his new wife. Since Daniel had handed the business over to Amber, she’d made a lot of changes at the pub, and he’d supported her in everything, even working regular shifts behind the bar.
“Stop!” squealed Lucas, theatrically covering his face. “The ray gun might splatter them to pieces.”
“That’s okay,” said Daniel. “Josh can sew them back together. He may even use an anaesthetic if he’s feeling kind.” Lucas collapsed into fits of giggles, and Daniel winked at Thea.
She glanced over to the marquee where Josh and Kitty reclined on deck chairs, chatting to her aunt Julia. Even after a terrifyingly short labour where Josh had been out on an emergency call, they were as in love as ever.
Julia’s tinkling laugh carried on the breeze, and Theasmiled. After meeting Felix at the wedding, Julia became one of his super fans. She often popped over to run recipes by him. She’d even persuaded him to judge the annual bake show for the Tottenbridge Women’s Club. Julia had an unspoken competition with Patricia Gore, the head of the W.C. She often came over with samples of food for him to try. Thea would tease Felix that either she was after a job or was trying to steal him away from her.
Thea shifted Ammy a little in her lap. She was diligently working on her corn dolly, dressing it in some fabric remnants from one of the many donations Kitty had picked up this week. Thea sighed. Kitty and Josh had put an offer on a cottage close by. She’d miss them being so close.
Amber and Daniel’s bartender, Daphne, had a sideline flipping local houses, and they’d lined her and her boyfriend Jesse up to help them renovate. Josh would still run his practice out of the farm, though, so she’d still spend lots of time with baby Hazel.
The baby’s cooing caught Thea’s attention, and she looked up to see Felix bouncing Hazel over his shoulder, her shock of dark hair moving in the breeze. He was texting on his phone and had baby dribble all over his expensive suit jacket. Thea chuckled. Even though he practically lived on the farm, he still loved his tailored suits. And Thea still enjoyed watching him remove them.
As if by telepathy or the fact that she was staring at him with no shame, Felix turned and caught her eye. He winked at her and sent her one of his cheeky smiles. She took a breath, letting it out slowly.
After Phil died, she never thought she could be so happy. And Felix had organised this entire party for her. She giggled under her breath. That wasn’t all he’d organised. He’d brought her some exquisite underwear and had already explained in great detail just how they’d celebrate later together.
“Oh, that’s fabulous.” Daniel’s voice interrupted her sinful thoughts.
“What do you think, Mummy?”
Thea shook her head quickly, dislodging the mental images of her and Felix tangled together on her bed. Ammy held her finished corn dolly up for approval. Thea took it, turning it around in her fingers. “What’s this?” she asked, stretching the white fabric that Ammy had dressed it in. She’d also woven daisies into the doll’s yellow hair.
“It’s a wedding dress.” Ammy grinned up at her, a gleam in her eye. Thea laughed. There was a war of attrition currently underway between the two of them. Ammy wanted her mum to marry Felix. She dropped little clues and brief hints daily. Thea had to keep reminding her that she and Felix had only been together a short time. It was no use, though. She’d already planned her bridesmaid outfit and suggested that Felix and Thea walk up the aisle to “Gangnam Style.”
“Look at mine,” said Lucas, waving his corn dolly in Thea’s general direction. Before Thea could react, though, Ammy put a hand on his arm.
“No, not like that, Lucas. Like this.” The little boy’s face fell, but Ammy reached over and tucked a loose straw end into its makeshift trousers. “There,” she said, looking at their combined handiwork. “It’s wonderful. I think yours is better than mine.”
At Ammy’s words of praise, his face cracked into a high-beam smile. Thea’s heart nearly exploded on the spot. The two of them truly were best friends. Ammy was helping Lucas overcome his shyness, and he doted on her.
“Come on, let’s pick some more flowers.” Ammy grasped his hand. Within seconds, they were off the blanket, running into the meadow, with Wendy barking at their heels in delight.
“Are you happy?” Daniel asked, gathering the scraps ofmaterial and leftover stalks of corn the children had left behind.
Thea turned to him. She tucked her hair behind her ear, and a slow curve grew on her lips. “I am.”
“Good. I had my doubts about Walsh, but he seems to have turned over a new leaf.”
Thea snickered. If anyone had needed to turn over a new leaf, it was Daniel. “We’re both lucky,” she said.
Both of them looked at Amber. She sat stoically on one of the large cushions, having her ear bent off by Rebecca, Thea’s new cleaner. Rebecca was another of Felix’s insisted improvements. The older lady had a habit of chatting for hours. Still, with her housekeeping skills, folded clothes were now the norm, and every nighttime trip to the bathroom was no longer a danger to life and limb.
Daniel grinned. “I better go rescue her. Happy birthday, Thea,” he said before getting to his feet and walking over to his wife.
Now, she was alone. Thea searched for Felix amongst the guests. He was handing Hazel back to Josh like she was a priceless artefact. Once he’d successfully transferred the wriggling baby, he joined her. His fair hair glowed in the late afternoon sun, and as he stripped off his dribbled-on jacket, Thea’s toes curled in her flip-flops. He really had that move down pat.
When he reached the blanket, he sank to his knees and leaned in to kiss Thea’s neck. Felix settled next to her, his fresh cologne mingling with the scent of the flowers in the marquee. “I thought I’d never get you alone.”
“Thank you for today. I wasn’t sure you were going to make it.”
Felix ran his fingers through his hair. “I know, I’m sorry.”
He’d only just made it to the party. Gemma had called last night, full of apologies, and he’d had to drive down to take care of some urgent business. He’d stayed overnight at his apartmentbut had called Thea in the early hours for a bit of mutual “relaxation” over the phone. The purple shadows under his eyes today testified to how relaxed she’d got him. Thea smiled to herself. Felix should patent his style of unwinding. She’d happily be president of his fan club.
