People were going about their day as if everything was normal. No one had recognised her, and why should they? It was just her nerves playing up.
At the Hope and Anchor, Livvy stopped to wait for Pip, who was way behind her now. The pub had been a haunt of Livvy’s for several months after her eighteenth birthday. Being such a small town, no one could get away with drinking in there until they were old enough. Back then it had been the only one in the town too; she wondered if it was the case now. Her stomach flipped over involuntarily, and she closed her eyes for a moment while it settled.
‘Come on,’ she cried. Although she was trying not to show it, Pip’s dawdling was beginning to get her down. Even though the baggage they carried between them was heavy and cumbersome, it was equally a necessity.
‘We’re nearly there,’ she chirped as they turned the corner into Hope Street.
‘Nearly where exactly? From what I’ve seen so far, this place looks like it’s in the middle of nowhere.’
‘It’s not that bad.’ Livvy walked on, not believing her own words for a minute. She had left Somerley years ago. Now she wanted it to welcome her back with open arms on a fresh September day, saying how much it had missed her and come along inside now.
Actually, that’s what she wanted her sister to say when she saw her.
‘It’s going to be so boring staying here,’ Pip went on, dragging her feet as usual. ‘Why did we have to come in the first place?’
Livvy sighed. Pip wouldn’t understand even if she told her the cold, hard truth. She tried not to think of leaving everything behind, dragging her child away from everyone she knew. Life in Manchester wasn’t all that bad, but she couldn’t manage on just her wages any longer. Which meant the rent wouldn’t get paid, and she hadn’t heard from Kieran in months. So there had been no alternative but to come back with her tail between her legs.
‘This is the last place I wanted us to be, but it can’t be helped,’ she told her. ‘Unless you want to stay under the stars in a doorway, this is the best I can do.’
‘But Dad won’t be able to find us.’
‘I’ll send him the address if he contacts us.’ The lies came so easily she was almost ashamed of herself.
‘He won’t want to come here.’
Livvy stopped and turned to her abruptly. ‘Will you stop your moaning, Pip? I’m doing my best, okay?’
‘No, it’s not okay. Why should I have to start again here? I’ve left my friends behind because of you.’
Tears sprang to Livvy’s eyes, but she kept them at bay. She turned away from Pip and continued down the street. Her daughter was right; it was her fault. But it was Pip’s father’s fault, too.
Even though she hadn’t been there in years, Livvy wondered if there would be anyone she knew living behind the doors in Hope Street now. Some of them would have died, she was certain, but terraced houses like these, two rows opposite each other across a cobblestone road, would be full again soon after they became empty. And it was nice, no matter what Pip thought. It had a vibe to it. Although what Livvy was going to add to that was anyone’s guess.
Would she be welcome? There was only one way to find out.
As she drew level with number thirty-four, she popped a smile back on her face. It wasn’t just for Pip. It was to make herself feel confident. There was going to be one hell of a show down, if she was let into the house at all.
Pip came behind her and put her bags down next to the suitcase. ‘Is this it?’ she asked, wrinkling up her nose.
‘Yes, it is,’ Livvy answered. ‘Remember, be nice.’
Pip tutted and proceeded to examine her nails.
Livvy took a deep breath and, with a slight hesitation, knocked on the door, all the while rehearsing what she was going to say.
After a few seconds, she knocked again. Still no answer, and it stalled her. She hadn’t been prepared for no one to be home.
‘What are we going to do now?’ Pip flopped down and sat on the doorstep.
‘We’ll have to wait.’
‘But that could be ages!’
Livvy dropped down next to her and put an arm around her shoulders. She pulled Pip close, thankful there was no resistance. Looking up and down the street once more, she made a decision. She would leave a note and then go back to the high street. They could get something to eat and drink.
And then perhaps Pip might forgive her when she had something sugary inside of her.
Chapter Two
Hannah Lockley sat on the settee with a thump. She’d only finished stripping wallpaper a moment ago. It had taken ages to remove the seven layers that had been rolled on, painted over to make acceptable. Some of the plaster had come away in places, but her partner, Doug, was dealing with that.
Hannah had met Doug five months ago when he’d moved into Hope Street. He’d been the talk of the women as soon as he’d landed. After introducing himself, they’d become friends. A little matchmaking had gone on, and they’d finally got together after a hitch or two. Everything had been rosy for the past two months.
Doug had moved to Somerley when he’d needed a break from his job. He and his brother owned a construction company, a family-run firm that they’d grown into a multi-million-pound business. A workaholic, Doug had run himself into the ground and had a heart attack while in the office. It had been mild, but a warning.
Taking time out to recuperate had brought him to Hope Street, where he soon integrated with the community. Finding Hannah had given him a new lease of life, so he’d decided to stay.
Since relocating to Somerley, Doug had set up a new company, Peterson Property Services, which helped to maintain the properties he owned in Hope Street. Along with a team of qualified staff, he’d set on several apprentices and was offering his expertise and skills to train them up into permanent employees.
Having two houses between them hadn’t been a problem as Hannah spent most of her time with him now. She didn’t want her own home to be rented out just yet; she wanted her independence. Hannah was forty and Doug ten years her senior. The relationship suited them, and she had never been happier. But who knew where they might be in a year or two, even though she was besotted with him?
Hannah had wanted to play her part in renovating number thirty-five, but she hadn’t realised how long it would take to strip a wall. Even when she’d been offered help, she’d refused, coming across all martyr like. In all fairness, if she’d realised it would take forever, she would have left the apprentices to it.
‘Caught!’ Doug came in behind her and clasped his hands on her shoulders. ‘You’re always on a break.’
‘I’ll have you know I’ve uncovered at least a square metre of wallpaper.’ She grinned as he bent down to kiss her, his bristles tickling her. ‘What have you been up to?’
‘The lads are busy in number four. I’ve been helping them to fit the kitchen.’
‘So it should be finished soon?’
‘Yep.’ He joined her on the settee. ‘It’s going great, Han, isn’t it?’
‘It sure is.’
They both sat in silence for a moment, contemplating their futures together. Doug hadn’t mentioned the M word yet, but if he did, Hannah would say yes, even though she would be scared to commit so soon. It was a chicken and egg situation. But you have a feeling the older you are that things can work out, that you should take a chance, anyway. Life’s too short, and all that.