Page 39 of New Beginnings on Railway Lane

‘So stay here,’ suggested Flora. ‘We’re happy for three to become four on our girly nights in.’

‘Yeah and then we can talk about those amazing boots,’ said Libby. ‘And what size they come in.’

Katy laughed as she looked down at her cream suede boots. ‘They’re the only pair I’ve got left with me that aren’t ruined. Christian Louboutins in a size five, if that helps.’

‘Oooh!’ said Libby, her eyes gleaming. ‘That’s my size!’

Meanwhile, Harriet groaned. ‘I curse my enormous size six feet!’ she wailed. ‘I’d love to wear something like that.’

‘It’s my treat to myself,’ Katy told them. ‘For all the hours and weekends that I work.’

Harriet made a face. ‘Sounds exhausting. Are you sure you want to go back to all that?’

‘Look, it’s really kind of you all to welcome me here,’ Katy told them. ‘But I don’t think there’ll be much reason for me to stay once I’ve finished the job.’

‘Ryan’s a good reason to stay,’ murmured Flora, with a sly smile.

Katy shook her head. ‘I’m sure he doesn’t want me to stay longer than necessary,’ she said.

Libby frowned. ‘Personally I’ve always found him far easier and nicer than his younger brother.’

Katy didn’t know whether to agree or not, but in any case, she found herself shivering. ‘Is it me or is it colder today?’

The others shook their heads.

‘It must be because someone’s hogging all the heat,’ said Flora, giving Paddington a look which he didn’t see because he was still snoring contentedly in front of the fire.

Still feeling cold, Katy guessed that perhaps they were just used to the lower countryside temperatures. Or perhaps she still hadn’t worn the right clothes that evening. Either way, she was looking forward to eventually being back in her own apartment with central heating and her own company once more.

Although, as she drank her gin cocktail, she did wistfully wonder how much more fun life might be with a few more cocktails and girly nights in it. Her apartment seemed very quiet and lonely as she sat in the crowded, cosy cottage with the other women.

And as she sipped her drink, she felt herself beginning to relax and join in with the conversation and laughter.

21

‘First time I’ve been able to catch up with you all week,’ Joe told Ryan as they sat down at the bar of the Black Swan Inn in Cranbridge.

They had become friends since Ryan had arrived back in Cranfield. They were of similar ages and had both spent the previous years working abroad. Sharing a love of football helped as well, as they both glanced up at the match playing on the large screen nearby.

Ryan sighed. ‘Yeah, I know. It’s been kind of busy.’

‘I’ll say,’ Joe remarked. ‘Between your dad’s accident and your new house guest, I should think you need that pint I’ve just bought you.’

‘Cheers,’ said Ryan, before taking a sip of his drink.

They chatted about Bob’s progress for a while before Ryan changed the subject.

‘So you’ve met Katy?’ he asked.

‘I bumped into her earlier on in the week. She’s nice,’ said Joe. ‘I mean, she’s pretty quiet and closed off when you meet her, but that’s hardly surprising given what Harriet has told me about what happened with her dad.’

Ryan looked up at him with surprise. ‘Why?’ he asked. ‘What happened?’

Joe’s eyebrows shot up. ‘She didn’t tell you?’ Joe frowned. ‘Well, from what I’ve heard, her dad’s business deals were pretty awful and they ended up homeless when she was eighteen or so.’

Ryan was shocked. ‘I had no idea,’ he said.

And yet, he had seen a vulnerability to her when they had spoken in the hospital the night of his dad’s accident. As if there was a whole different side to Katy that she deliberately kept hidden. He had wondered before why she would need a hard shell like that but was now beginning to understand.