Chapter 41

Annette was waiting for her and greeted her on the patio with a big hug. Tears stung Josie’s eyes and she blinked them away.

“It’s so good to see you. Where are Macy and Charlie?” She’d expected them to be bounding all around her by now.

“Out for a walk with Heather. I imagine she’ll be back with them soon.”

It was a strange feeling that came over Josie. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it. Jealousy, perhaps. It was hard to think of Heather doing her job. She wondered how Charlie and Macy had taken to her then brushed the thought aside, realising how ridiculous it was.

Walking into the house, Josie was hit by the familiar smell. She’d never noticed it when she was there every day, but it was distinct, the way all houses have their own particular scent. She’d only been gone six weeks, but it felt like so much longer, and she was hit by a flood of memories.

Annette put the kettle on and peppered Josie with questions about London. Josie tried to concentrate, but she was tired from the early start and the long drive and only just kept up with the conversation. Glancing out of the window she caught sight of Heather outside the barn. She froze at the sight of Sam. He was bending to stroke Charlie but looking up to chat to Heather at the same time. So not only did she have Josie’s job, but she’d befriended Sam too. It was like Heather had taken her life. Josie felt sick as she watched them. They looked so relaxed as they chatted together.

“Sam’s here,” she said quietly.

Annette moved beside her at the window. “Have you spoken to him much since you left?”

Josie shook her head and couldn’t take her eyes off him. “We don’t speak.”

“He’ll have seen your car. No doubt he’ll come in and say hello.”

Josie wasn’t so sure and stayed at the window while Annette made tea. She suspected he wouldn’t hang around when he realised Josie was there. It was agony just seeing him from afar. When he moved away from Heather and headed to the house, Josie ducked away from the window.

Her pulse sped to a rate which she was sure put her at risk of a heart attack. The hammering on her chest was powerful and overwhelming. Quickly, she took a seat at the table and tried to control her breathing. Surely he’d leave pretty quick. It would be far too awkward between them.

His knuckles rapped on the doorframe as he walked in. Josie felt faint at the sight of him. She shouldn’t have come back. There was a sparkle in his eyes when he smiled at her. It reminded her of the day they’d met at Lizzie and Max’s wedding.

She felt so uncomfortable, but he seemed completely relaxed. With a breezy hello, he kissed her cheek and told her it was good to see her. She mumbled a response and felt her cheeks heat up.

He didn’t leave quickly as she’d expected but helped himself to coffee and took a seat opposite Josie.

“So Annette tells me everything’s going well with the new job? She reckons you’ll be a big star before we know it.”

“I don’t know about that.” She sipped at her coffee.

“You’re enjoying it, though?”

“I love it.” What else could she say? That she hated the acting job but had a nice job at a café. It was hardly what she’d planned when she left. Chasing her dreams and her career wasn’t quite working out as she’d hoped. There was no way she was going to admit to that, though.

“I’m glad.” Sam’s smile was warm and genuine.

She’d been so sure that things would be awkward between them, that he’d be angry and uncivil. And now he was looking at her like they were old friends catching up.

“How’s work?” she asked to fill the silence.

“It’s good.” He leaned back in his chair and she was amazed by how casual he was around her. Why did she feel such a jittery mess when he was so confident? “I’ve had a few orders for furniture recently so that’s keeping me busy.”

She forced a smile.

“Keeps me out of mischief,” he added.

Heather walked in then. Charlie and Macy bounded in too and went straight to Josie. She slipped off the chair and crouched to them, hugging and stroking them as they eagerly bounced around her. She finally relaxed and giggled as the dogs vied for her attention.

“Looks like they missed you,” Sam remarked.

“I missed them too.” She hugged Macy to her and then ruffled Charlie’s coat as he panted in front of her.

Heather hovered awkwardly in the doorway, and Josie dragged her attention from the dogs to say hello.

“How’s everything going here?” Josie asked. “Are you enjoying it?”

She nodded shyly. “It’s going really well.” She was hardly going to say anything else. Her gaze drifted to Annette. “Do you need me to do anything else before I leave?”

“You could just check the emails and all that internet stuff.”

“Okay.” She slipped off her shoes and headed through the house in the direction of the study.

“She’s working out well, then?” Josie asked casually once she was out of hearing.

“Yeah,” Annette said. “She gets the job done.”

“That’s good.”

Heather appeared again a moment later. “There’s an email enquiring about a booking,” she said to Annette. “It’s for a week in October. For their Dalmatian. Should I reply?”

Annette smiled at her. “Yes, please, love. You need to check the diary but I’m certain we’re not booked up in October.”

“Okay.” She didn’t move. “There’s also a Twitter notification. Someone tweeted to say thanks for taking care of their dogs.” She glanced at Sam, who gave her a reassuring smile.

Josie shifted in her chair. “Like the tweet, reply to it and retweet it.” Surely she was stating the obvious. “Do you want me to come and give you a hand?”

“That would be great, if you don’t mind. I’m still getting the hang of things.”

Josie smiled sweetly. “It’s no problem.” Anything to get Heather away from Sam. Why was she looking at him with big pathetic eyes? He better not be falling for the shy and helpless act.

Josie took a deep breath as she followed Heather through the house. She was being paranoid. Sam was far too old for Heather anyway. She’d probably never once thought of him that way. Josie certainly hoped not.

It was strange to sit in front of the computer in the small study. She flicked through the diary, checking the bookings. Things were looking steady.

“Do you want me to just do it?” she asked Heather, who hovered at her shoulder. She moved the mouse to click on the Twitter notifications.

“If you don’t mind. I’m terrible with social media. I never know what to reply. And I’m always nervous that I’ll make a mistake with the bookings.”

“I can do it.” Josie was increasingly annoyed. She could get it all done in a few minutes if Heather wasn’t leaning over her shoulder. “I don’t mind at all.”

“Thanks,” Heather said. “Sorry for getting you to work when you just came for a visit.”

“It’s fine.” Josie glared at her and hoped she’d leave.

“I’ll get going then. It was good to see you again.”

“You too.” Josie forced a smile and felt bad as soon as Heather had left. She could’ve been nicer to her. It was hard seeing her here, though, doing everything that Josie used to do.

Sam and Annette were chatting in the kitchen when she returned.

“No rest for the wicked, is there?” Annette said. “You’re only back five minutes and you get put to work!”

“I don’t mind.” She reached for her coffee and finished the lukewarm liquid quickly.

“I should probably get off.” Sam stood and Josie felt uncomfortable under his gaze. “I’ll see you again before you leave. How long are you around for?”

“Just until tomorrow afternoon.”

“Okay.” He patted Charlie gently on the back. “Have fun.”

She watched him go, then sank into a chair. Her head automatically dropped to the table.

“What’s wrong?” Annette asked when she lifted her head.

“It’s so awful seeing him.”

“I thought it was all very relaxed.”

“He was very relaxed! Does he even miss me at all? Tell me that was all an act and he’s usually completely miserable!”

“Of course he misses you. We all do.”

“He didn’t need to look so bloody happy.”

“Maybe he was just happy to see you.”

Josie sighed. She’d been wanting to visit for weeks, but she’d put it off because she was sure it would be awkward. Apparently it was only her who was uncomfortable. She almost wished there was an atmosphere between them. Sam carrying on as though nothing had happened between them was just weird. And he’d said he’d see her before she left. So now she was going to spend the whole time wondering when he might turn up. Wouldn’t it be easier if he stayed away and avoided her? She wanted to have a relaxing weekend with Annette, not spend all her time panicking about seeing Sam.

“Are you going to see Amber and Tara while you’re here?”

“Yes.” She’d messaged them as soon as she knew she was coming and was excited to see them. “I said I’d catch up with them tomorrow. I wanted to see Lizzie and Max but they’re at some family do. His mum’s birthday or something.”

“Oh, yes.” Josie watched Annette’s reaction with intrigue. There’d been some feud between Annette and her sister-in-law, Max’s mum, years ago. Josie always thought it was odd that Annette was only really in touch with Max. She’d asked Annette about it once but didn’t get much of a response. Max didn’t even seem sure of what had happened. “You’ll just have to visit again soon. When Max and Lizzie are free.” Annette’s voice was light, not reacting at all to the mention of her estranged extended family.

“I’d definitely like to get some more beach days in before winter arrives.” She glanced outside and caught the sway of branches in the breeze. It was gusty but bright and sunny. “I might take Charlie and Macy out for another walk. Get a bit of exercise and fresh air after being stuck in the car for so long.”

“I’ve made lasagne for later.” Annette stood and put the mugs in the dishwasher. “I wouldn’t mind a breath of fresh air too. If you don’t mind the slower pace.”

Josie insisted she didn’t and they spent a good hour wandering the familiar hills and fields. She couldn’t help but glance in the direction of Sam’s house when they were down that way. She wondered what he was doing and imagined him working on some furniture project with that intense look of concentration on his face.

By the time they got back to the house, she was ravenous and devoured a huge portion of lasagne. In the evening, she curled up on the couch with Charlie and Macy and told Annette tales of working in the café. She tried very hard to drop the TV work into the conversation, but she was happier talking about Brenda and Stella and the regulars who frequented the café.

She was exhausted when she crawled into her old bed that night. After six weeks on Emily’s couch it was absolute bliss, and she was asleep within minutes.