‘He did what?’ Isla stared open-mouthed.
‘The other day, he caught me outside school and asked me,’ elaborated Jessica.
‘How bloody dare he go behind my back like this?’ Isla shook her head in disbelief, she was fuming.
At a loss for words, she gulped back her wine. This behaviour was so out of character for Drew. He would never normally go behind her back like this, but at the minute it was like she didn’t know him at all.
‘Why the need to get a job?’ asked Polly.
‘Your guess is as good as mine. Drew’s got a bee in his bonnet about me wasting money on breakfast and lunches while he’s out working on the farm.’
‘Maybe he’s just panicking with a new baby in the house and doesn’t want to struggle financially,’ added Allie, noticing Isla’s eyes welling with tears.
‘That’s all good and well, but if I do get a job, all I’ll be doing is earning money to pay someone else to look after Angus, and what’s the point in that?’ Isla knew leaving baby Angus with anyone would definitely pull at her heartstrings.
‘I watched a programme recently about a secretive gambler, it all spiralled out of control and his wife hadn’t got a clue about his debts, until the bailiffs turned up,’ said Jessica dramatically.
Isla sat up straight, ‘You don’t think Drew’s gambling, do you?’ she asked alarmed, feeling all panicky inside.
Everyone laughed.
‘Of course not,’ reassured Felicity.
‘He’s on his phone more and more though. You can get those gambling apps, can’t you?’
‘Isla, don’t be daft. Drew isn’t the type to risk everything he has or put his family in any sort of jeopardy.’
In spite of everything, Isla knew that Felicity was right, Drew would never risk his business or their family home. He had been working every hour possible and more than likely this was the reason he’d been so difficult to talk to recently. And with the new baby, he was probably just tired.
‘Maybe Martha is your fairy godmother, turning up when she did,’ smiled Felicity softly. ‘Having her around might help to defuse any tensions.’
‘Let’s hope so,’ answered Isla despondently, but attempting a smile.
‘Anyway, let’s put all this doom and gloom behind us and talk christenings,’ suggested Allie, lightening the mood.
Felicity clapped her hands together joyfully, ‘Have we got a date yet?’
It had been on Isla’s list nearly every week to visit the minister to confirm a date for the christening, but she just hadn’t gotten round to it. ‘Not yet, but I’m on it,’ she said, and her worried expression began to change into a smile. Feeling more joyful, the thought of an afternoon celebrating with all her friends and family lifted her mood. And maybe it was just what Drew needed too, to let his hair down and enjoy himself for a change.
‘We can take care of the catering between us,’ Allie flapped her hand between herself and Felicity, ‘obviously we can have the party at the pub.’
‘And I’ll bake the cake,’ added Felicity.
‘And I can ask the children at school to make some decorations,’ added Jessica.
‘And I’m on hand to help with anything too,’ smiled Polly.
This was just what Isla needed, all her friends rallying around her. They had a way of making her feel better about things.
‘And try not to worry about Drew, it’ll be something and nothing. We are all entitled to off days,’ said Felicity, her gaze drifting towards the second empty bottle of wine.
‘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