‘I wonder if Tilly will get along with her.’ Tilly was Phoebe’s fourteen-year-old daughter, and she had a son too, Elliott, who was seven.
‘She seems nice.’
‘And you have no idea why she turned up like that?’
‘Like I said, we’re going to have a chat this evening. I can’t make my mind up if I’m looking forward to it or not.’
‘I would be because I’d rip her head off for leaving you in the lurch and not being in touch. Has she even said sorry for going off like that? I’ve a good mind to go over there and sort her out right now.’ She stopped mid-rant. ‘Does she know about your mum?’
‘Yes.’ Hannah closed her eyes momentarily as Phoebe continued to rant.
‘That’s even worse. Why didn’t she come home for the funeral?’
‘She found out afterwards.’
‘A likely story.’
‘Phoebe, as much as I love you, I really could do without this right now. I’m struggling to comprehend what’s happened.’
‘Sorry, Han.’
She smiled to herself, knowing that Phoebe meant well. She and Phoebe had been friends since they were young children. They’d been through every happy and sad event in their lives together. There was no one else who’d get away with bad-mouthing Livvy, not even if Hannah did agree with most of what she was saying.
‘What time are you meeting her?’ Phoebe asked.
‘Six o’clock. There’s no real food in. I’ll nip round to Somerley Stores and get some shopping in before I go across.’
There was a sigh down the line. ‘You’re doing it again, Han. Livvy can look after herself.’
‘So why has she come back then?’ Hannah couldn’t help but snap in defence.
‘I don’t know. But I want to find out the minute you do. I wonder what her story is. It’s quite intriguing, don’t you think?’
Hannah laughed inwardly. That was Phoebe all over. Having a go one minute and after the gossip the next. Still, their friendship had long outlasted her relationship with her sister.
Her sister. She never thought she’d see Livvy again. Of course she had hoped, wished and prayed that one day she’d return to the family but after so long, she’d accepted it wasn’t to be.
She recalled the last time she’d seen her. Livvy had left to study at a college in Manchester. She promised to call, but she never did. Her phone was disconnected after a few months of Hannah trying to contact her.
Now, she’d have to hide her anger until she learnt more about the whys and wherefores of Livvy’s surprise return. Because she needed to know everything – had to know.
Their family were extremely good at sending shocking letters to each other. Her mum had sent several after her death and it had shattered everything Hannah had known. And there was another thing she needed to tell Livvy too.
She’d have to broach that subject very carefully this evening.
Doug was back before she knew it. Strangely Hannah was really pleased to see him, as if she needed something familiar around her. The last hour or so had been fraught and she was all thought out.
She’d tried not to stare through the window at number thirty-four and wonder what was going on in there. What were Livvy and Pip doing, looking at; discussing even? It had obviously been a surprise for Pip.
But then, she had a niece.
A smile creased her face as she realised she might have time to get to know her. She seemed affable for a teenager who had been turfed out of one home to stay at another where she knew no one. If it was her, she would be worried about school, friends. It made her realise how much Livvy had put faith in her to come back here.
‘How are they?’ Doug asked as he came through to her.
‘I’ve left them to settle in. It seems strange, I guess, for us all.’
‘Has she said why she’s come back yet?’
‘No, we’re going to discuss it this evening.’ She grimaced. ‘It’s going to be tense, I guess.’
‘Can you forgive her?’
‘I’m not sure until I speak to her. But I will give her the benefit of the doubt. I’ll listen to her side of things and if there is a good enough reason, then we’ll see. I don’t even know if she wants to stay yet, or if she intended on a quick visit.’
‘Either way, it’s going to take some getting used to.’ Doug shook his head. ‘Imagine you with a brother and a sister now. It’s the stuff of a novel, don’t you think? Or a TV series full of secrets, lies, and revelations.’
‘We can certainly give Coronation Street a run for their money at times.’
‘I’ve always thought Hope Street was similar to a soap opera,’ Doug smirked. ‘But it leads me nicely on to my next question. People in Corrie are always swapping addresses. There’re only two bedrooms in these houses. Why don’t you move in with me while they’re here?’
Hannah smiled. ‘I was hoping you’d say that.’ She wrapped her arms around his waist. ‘Are you sure you won’t get fed up of me, not having a night off?’
‘Since when have I missed cuddling up with you in bed every night for the past two months?’ He hugged her back. ‘If we’re not here, we’re over the road.’
‘However did I manage to find you?’ Despite the situation, she gave out a contented sigh.
Doug laughed. ‘I’m sure I was for sale at a bargain price.’
‘That was lucky for me then.’ She looked up at him. ‘I’ll bring a few more clothes over. Not everything, just enough for a week or so.’
‘So you don’t think Livvy has come back permanently with Pip?’
‘I don’t know. She stopped Pip from saying something when she said it would be no longer than a week.’
‘What is Pip short for?’
‘Phillipa, I think.’
‘I like her. She seems quite well-balanced, considering she’s part of your family.’
Hannah punched him playfully in the arm.
‘Seriously, I’m sure you’ll do all you can.’ Doug kissed her. ‘Let me know if there’s anything I can do too.’
‘You could make your own tea?’
‘I think I’ll go to the pub for a swift half to while away the time. Steak and chips sound good to me.’
Hannah grinned. ‘Now I know why you’re so keen to get rid of me for a few hours!’
The sound of Doug’s laughter made her smile as he left the room. She breathed in the scent of him, his aftershave still lingering in the air even after a heavy day at work.
With a feeling of trepidation, she picked up the shopping she’d fetched and made the few steps across the cobbles to number thirty-four.
Chapter Five
Livvy was sitting on the settee waiting for Hannah to arrive. It had been a long day, she was exhausted, and all she wanted to do was have a bath and go to bed. It would take her mind off things in an instant.
But the day wasn’t over by a long shot. She had to give Hannah some home truths and for the past hour had been working out how much to tell her, and what to say to explain everything.
It hadn’t exactly been a spur-of-the-moment decision to leave that morning. Yet telling Pip had been something she’d wanted to do at the last minute, knowing she would be upset. She thought back to the look her daughter had given her when she’d told her of their plans. They’d been sitting ready to eat their dinner the night before.