Widows on the Wine Path by Julia Jarman

Author:Julia Jarman [Jarman, Julia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Published: 2024-04-03T00:00:00+00:00

38

LIBBY

‘Coffee, Mum?’ Eleanor had greeted her with a hug, which was nice.

Libby wondered if she’d misjudged the tone of the phone call as she followed Eleanor into the kitchen.

‘Sorry, Mum, if I sounded head-teachery on the phone.’

Gosh! Libby reminded herself that there were two Eleanors. One, the stressed-out teacher of term-time who couldn’t find time to speak to her mother, and snapped when she did. Two, the at-home-on-holiday mum, trying to make up for all the times she’d bitten her mum’s head off during term-time.

‘You go outside and sit down, Mum. Put your feet up. Have a snooze if you like. I’ll bring the coffee out. Ellie-Jo has a play date, by the way, so we can have a proper chat later.’

A proper chat – were they going to have a heart-to-heart? Libby suppressed concern and settled herself on one of the two comfortable-looking sunbeds on the patio. Side by side with a low table between them, they were perfect for a chat, close but looking out over the garden, so they weren’t eyeballing each other. She needed a few minutes of shut-eye first though – the lunchtime wine was kicking in – but, oh dear, here was Eleanor with the coffee, already.

‘It needs a few minutes to brew.’ She put the tray bearing a cafetière and cups and saucers on the table. ‘While we’re waiting you might like to look at that.’

That was a brochure for a holiday cottage in the Lakes. Had it been there all along? It was beside the tray. Yew Tree Cottage looked very picturesque, white with a slate roof, pretty front garden, a wicket gate and a background of sheep-dotted mountains.

Libby closed her eyes. I have been summoned for a purpose.

‘Derek and I were looking forward to it so much.’

Were, Libby noted – were.

‘It’s in the back of beyond, quite remote. We thought it would be restful.’

Libby kept her eyes shut.

‘But if we did want to go out in the evening, say for a meal, we couldn’t, unless we had someone to look after Ellie-Jo.’

Libby pretended she’d fallen asleep.

‘Who, of course, we wouldn’t dream of leaving with a stranger… Coffee’s ready, Mum.’

Libby opened her eyes. ‘What are you saying, Eleanor?’ As if she didn’t know!

‘That we took this cottage assuming you were coming with us.’

Assuming. She didn’t say that. Assuming that I wouldn’t have anything else to do.

She was determined not to have a row.

‘I’m sorry, Eleanor—’ she was sorry ‘—but I-I’ve made other arrangements.’

Silence, except for the birds twittering round the bird-feeder.

Then – ‘You mean you’ve had a better offer.’

‘Not better, earlier. So flights, accommodation, everything, has been booked.’

‘And you’d rather go with him than your own granddaughter.’

‘No.’ This was true – she wished Eleanor had asked first. ‘I’d love to go on a holiday with Ellie-Jo, I’d prefer to go with Ellie-Jo, but I have committed to this fortnight in Greece, so I’ve got to go.’

‘Even if…’ Eleanor looked at her wedding ring. ‘I didn’t want to worry you but…’

‘What? What’s the

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