‘Honestly, that was just the tip of the iceberg. We were behind with our bills and – Oh, listen to me. I don’t want to think about all that again. Not now the money’s in the bank!’ I wave it off, feeling lighter as I say it. ‘Suffice to say, the lump sum will come in very handy as well as the house. What about you and Simon? What’s your story?’
‘Well, quick potted history.’ Tilda blows out a long breath. ‘We lived in Newcastle and ran a loft-conversion company for ten years. We sold it three years ago.’ She taps her tall latte glass and looks towards the window. ‘We bought the barn, moved here, and now we’re enjoying the spoils of our years of hard work.’
I find her account disappointingly brief. ‘You worked together in the business?’
‘Yeah. I mean, we did have a few staff for a while,’ her smile dims a touch, ‘but we wound it down and, in the end, it was just the two of us paying freelance contractors and labour as and when we needed them.’
‘So what made you move here from the north-east?’
She blinks. ‘We just wanted a change. Somewhere away from where we’d lived and worked for so long. We’d visited Windermere a few times over the years, holidayed here, and we thought, Why not? Best thing we did.’
I sip my drink. Her answers to my questions seem slightly subdued but I know how it feels to have reservations about your past.
Tilda brightens. ‘You and Dev should come to dinner at ours this coming weekend. Unless you’re already busy? I know you’ve literally just moved in.’
I don’t hesitate. ‘No, that would be great. Thanks, Tilda … If you’re sure, I’d love that. I know Dev would too. The unpacking can wait.’
As I drive back to Lakeview House, the sun dips a little lower, casting long shadows over the winding roads. Inside, I feel light, buoyant even.
I’ve let the shadows of the past define me for so long, but now I intend to grab this second chance with both hands.
It’s time to leave the ghosts behind.
22
When I get back from shopping, we sit on the terrace, soaking up the afternoon sun while I fill Dev in on bumping into Tilda. The warm breeze stirs the leaves at the edge of the garden slope, and I take a sip of my tea, letting the rich taste settle me.
‘A weekend invite?’ Dev grins. ‘Sounds promising. This is the start of us getting accepted into village society.’
I laugh. ‘She was really welcoming. When you said we’d make some new friends, I didn’t really believe it. But here we are!’
He reaches over and squeezes my hand. ‘See? I knew you’d win them all over.’
For a minute, everything feels good. Like we actuallybelonghere. I lean back, closing my eyes, letting the sunlight warm my face as Dev talks about getting some colour into the planters on the terrace.
Then we stiffen, frowning at the sound of footsteps crunching on the gravel path at the side of the house. A figure appears, looking at the ground as he reaches the steps. I instinctively shrink back into my seat. This house has electric gates, so how has this guy just walked in on us?
Dev stands up. ‘Can I help you?’
‘Hey,’ the man says, his voice smooth and friendly as he peels off his beanie hat and ruffles his black curls with a hand. ‘It’s me … Jack?’
NowI recognize him.
‘I replaced your broken window a couple of weeks ago. Thought I’d come up and introduce myself properly.’
‘How did you get in?’ I say, ignoring his bold introduction. ‘Past the electric gates, I mean.’
‘Oh, they were wide open,’ he says easily. ‘Just walked right on up here. I did ring the doorbell, but when there was no answer, I thought you might be round the back.’
Unnerved, I glance at Dev. But he’s already smiling and extending a hand.
‘Nice to see you again, Jack. I’m Dev and this is my wife, Merri.’
Jack beams at me and I give a cursory nod. ‘I run Mower World at the bottom of the hill.’
Dev nods. ‘I saw the sign when we first drove up here.’
‘Yep, that’s it. I sort out mowers, strimmers or any other garden equipment you might need to maintain. I recondition stuff too, so you might find a bargain although …’ his eyes roam across the back of the house ‘… you’ll probably be buying brand new for a place like this.’
