Page 115 of Lessons in Life

Kamran smiled. ‘Beddingfield, like any other village, is a hotbed of gossip. Rumours abound. The Richardsons were quite open about someone else being after the place and their intentions for it. It won’t be an easy project and, as my two brothers are not remotely interested in opening a restaurant, I’d very much like someone along with me who is. My cousin’s son, Zain, wants to be in on it but he’s very young and only a pastry chef.’

‘But…’ Jess began.

‘Hang on, Jess,’ Fabian said again. ‘The white house rather than Hudson House itself?’

‘I think so,’ Kamran said.

‘An equal partnership?’ Fabian demanded.

‘I wouldn’t want anything less,’ Kamran said solemnly.

‘Does that mean the residents won’t be turfed out?’ Mum asked. ‘Eloise won’t have to find somewhere else to live?’

‘Certainly not for the foreseeable future if that’s what we decide.’

‘And what about St Mede’s?’ I asked, butting in, desperate to know. ‘Are your plans to knock the school down still going ahead?’

‘That’s something else entirely,’ Kamran said gently, but I could tell he wasn’t prepared to give anything away regarding his plans for the school.

I glanced across at Jess and Mum and finally towards Fabian. All three were looking animated, excited, but particularly Fabian who, I could see, was more than happy to have Kamran on board. Here was an exceptionally successful businessman, one whose family had a wealth of restaurant experience, wanting to be a part of Fabian’s dream.

‘How do I tell Eloise?’ Mum suddenly blurted out. ‘How on earth do I tell Eloise Hudson that she never had a son called Adam? That she had a daughter called Lisa. And it’s me! Will she believe me? Will it send her over the edge?’

‘We’ve been discussing this, Mum,’ Jess said. ‘All weekend. Perhaps best to speak to her brother, Michael, who’s been over quite a few times to see her. He seems a nice bloke. His wife’s pleasant too. Yes, I’d speak to Michael…’

‘Can I propose a toast?’ Kamran was saying, popping a bottle of champagne. ‘To Lisa and Eloise, may you soon share a relationship that’s been a long time coming.’

We raised glasses, murmuring, ‘Lisa and Eloise.’

‘My turn now,’ Mum said, wiping away a tear. ‘To the white house – may your plans come to fruition. I really, really hope they do. Goodness,’ she went on, smiling across at Kamran before reaching out one hand each to Jess and me, ‘this has been one hell of a January.’

* * *

Later, much later, when Fabian and I were back in the Dower Cottage, when, looking at my watch, I knew I had only six hours before I was back with 9CL, I turned to Fabian.

‘You sure about this, Fabian?’ I asked, raising myself up on my elbow and looking down at the beautiful man at my side. I gave him a gentle nudge. ‘How can you sleep when you’re about to make such a momentous decision?’

‘Already made it, Robyn.’ He smiled, his eyes still closed. He opened them then, pulling me into him so I could feel the steady beat of his heart, hear the resolution in his words.

‘Robyn, I love you and only you. I don’t want to be anywhere else but here in our lovely cottage overlooking the duck pond in this beautiful village with you and your mad family. And I can’t wait to get started with Jess and Kamran on the restaurant at the white house. Now, unless you want that horrible lot of kids in 9CL totally out of control in the morning, I suggest you close your eyes, tell me you love me and go to sleep.’

Which, knowing I was exactly where I wanted to be, and with the man I loved more than anything in the world, was exactly what I did.

* * *