“Well don’t you look gorgeous!” Allie said that evening as Honey entered The Cosy Cottage Café.

“Do you like it?” Honey patted her hair.

“Like it? I love it! You must have had lots cut off though.”

Allie came around the counter and gently touched Honey’s hair.

“I did have a good cut. It felt like the right time to do it.”

“And the colour’s so lovely; it seems like it’s shimmering.”

“Jenny put in some silver and purple streaks and freshened up the pink and blue. I’m really pleased with it.”

“It frames your pretty face. Jenny’s so talented.”

“Plus my nails match!”

“So they do.” Allie smiled. “And I love your dress.”

“I don’t wear dresses very often, as you know, but this one’s been sitting in the wardrobe since I bought it and I thought, why not wear it tonight?”

Honey had fallen for the black silk tunic dress, with lavender embroidered along the knee-length hem, the moment she’d seen it in an online boutique. And with the fifty percent discount too, she knew she had to have it. Worn with black tights and knee-high suede boots, she was comfortable but smart.

“Great news about Dane, anyway, and thanks for inviting us this evening.”

“I thought it would be nice to have everyone there to help him celebrate… make him feel like a proper part of the community.”

“Good plan. Chris said he’d meet us there, as he’s finishing his copyedits on the latest book and he doesn’t want to stop until they’re done.”

“Another bestseller?”

Allie crossed her fingers. “I hope so. He’s very successful but always tells me that an author is only as successful as their last book, so he keeps the pressure on himself to write well and to please his readers.”

“Admirable.” Honey nodded, wondering how Chris could concentrate for such long periods of time on his writing. She admired his talent but didn’t think she’d ever be able to write a book.

“I know. I love reading but I don’t think I could ever write a novel.”

“Me either. But you could write a cook book.”

“Perhaps. In fact, I quite like that idea. Okay, everything’s off, so I just need to get my bag and we can go.”

Allie locked up the café then they walked arm-in-arm to The Red Fox. Camilla and Tom were meeting them there, as was Dane.

“Have you heard from Mandy today?”

Allie nodded. “A brief text this morning to say she was fine but I don’t believe her. What can I do though, Honey? She’s a grown woman so I can hardly go to London and force her to come back to Heatherlea can I? She’s so independent anyway that she’d be furious with me if I even tried.” Allie laughed. “I love being a mum but it comes with a lot of worries and overwhelming guilt. I wonder all the time if I’ve done a good enough job, if I’m doing the right thing for them and if I could be better.”

“You’re a wonderful mum to Jordan and Mandy. They’re very lucky.”

“Thanks, sweetie, I hope so. Chris tells me not to worry but I’m afraid it’s part of motherhood.”

Honey winced.

“Oh Honey, I’m so sorry. That was insensitive of me.”

“Not at all. Don’t worry about it.” Honey squeezed Allie’s arm.

When they reached the pub, Allie went in first and Honey followed her, scanning the bar for their friends. She spotted them at a table near the fireplace, so she waved.

“Shall we get some drinks in?” Allie asked.

“I asked Derek to put two bottles of champagne behind the bar, so we can take those over.”

“I bet he was delighted!” Allie giggled.

Derek and Gail Connelly were the owners of The Red Fox and Derek loved a celebration at his pub because it was good for his bank balance.

Allie went over to Camilla and Tom while Honey got the champagne and glasses.

“Hello.”

She turned to find Dane standing next to her.

“Hello yourself. Congratulations!” She offered her cheek as she was holding a tray. Dane kissed her then took the tray from her.

“Are we celebrating something?” He cocked an eyebrow and Honey laughed.

“Nah… just a regular Friday evening. Did I forget to tell you that I always drink champagne on Friday?”

“You did. That could be expensive.”

“I’m worth it.” She grimaced but Dane nodded.

“You certainly are.”

Dane placed the tray on the table and accepted congratulations from Camilla, Tom and Allie then Honey poured them all a glass of champagne.

“No Dawn and Rick?” Dane asked.

“No, they’re so sleep deprived they’d be snoring under the table after one glass.” Camilla shook her head. “It’s not easy having a new baby and two young children.”

“I bet,” Dane said.

Honey raised her glass. “Shall we get this party underway then? Well done, Dane, on getting your dream job. We’re all delighted for you!”

“Thank you.” Dane clinked glasses with everyone. “I’m so relieved. I love the school, the village and teaching and I didn’t want to have to move and start over again. I’ve just got settled.”

“Will you buy a house in Heatherlea now?” Camilla asked, her black eyebrows slightly raised.

“Uh… possibly.” Dane cleared his throat. “I haven’t thought much beyond getting the job and preparing for the next term. I suppose I should start thinking about that though… renting can be costly and it’s good to invest in a property.”

“Ignore Camilla,” Honey said. “There are lots of factors that go into deciding to buy… including having a hefty deposit. The days of getting a mortgage easy peasy are long gone. I was lucky that I didn’t have to try to get one because I inherited the cottage, but not everyone has generous relatives.”

“That’s sad but true,” Tom said. “However, some people leave their houses to animal charities these days.”

“Tom loves that idea,” Camilla explained. “He’s even got posters up in the surgery telling people how they can go about leaving everything to dogs and cats.”

“And donkeys, rabbits and hedgehogs.” Tom nodded. “It’s a win-win if you ask me and animals need love and support too.”

“They do,” Camilla agreed. “But it’s not for everyone.”

“Especially not if you have children.” Allie frowned. “Mandy and Jordan will get anything I leave behind… and Chris of course.”

“They’ll get Chris?” Dane chuckled.

“No!” Allie smiled. “Chris will get a share of my estate. Although they might well want to inherit him as he can keep their children entertained with plenty of stories.”

“Ah have I arrived during a morbid conversation?” Chris smiled down at them. “I thought this was meant to be a celebration.”

“It is!” Honey stood up. “Take a seat and I’ll pour you some champagne. Tom was just trying to persuade us to leave all our money to animal charities.”

“Guilty as charged.” Tom held up his hands.

“Did you finish your edits?” Honey asked Chris.

“Yes, thank goodness. I loved the story when I started but after three rounds of edits and copyedits, I’m glad to see that book go off to my publisher.”

They all laughed.

“It’s really good though.” Allie beamed with pride. “I read it and I think it’s even better than the last one.”

“You always say that.” Chris hugged Allie and she gazed at him, her eyes full of love.

“Honey, you look incredible this evening. That dress is beautiful and your hair… just wow!” Dane spoke quietly to her.

“Really?” Heat rushed into Honey’s cheeks.

“I love the new length. You could pull any hairstyle off.” He reached out and ran a finger over the curl that caressed her cheek and she shivered with delight.

“I’m glad you like it. Having it cut was nerve-wracking but I’m glad I did. Jenny’s a great stylist.”

“She certainly is.”

“More champagne?” Honey asked.

“Go on then. You shouldn’t have done this… gone to all this trouble, I mean.”

“I wanted to. I…” She paused and met his gaze. “I’m so happy for you.”

“I can’t stop smiling.”

“Did the meeting with the governors go well last night?”

He nodded. “But after two hours of polite chat, I was ready to drop.”

“I bet. And how did today go?”

“I got through it, let’s put it that way. The pupils were really well behaved, even though they could sense that I was exhausted. The head teacher gave an assembly this morning to officially welcome me to the school, which was nice, and lots of my class made me cards to say congratulations.”

“That’s so sweet.”

“One of the bonuses of teaching… I’m privileged to work with the next generation of Heatherlea. It’s amazing, Honey, wondering who will go on to be lawyers, writers, scientists, doctors and nurses, teachers and artists…” He smiled as he gazed into the distance, and Honey experienced a surge of affection. He really cared about what he did and she knew that any children he taught would be very lucky indeed.