Page 109 of The Village of Lost and Found

Lucy told them what had happened.

‘I don’t believe it,’ said Belle, looking aghast. ‘I thought he was one of the good ones.’

‘It’s worse than that,’ said Lucy, beginning to cry again. ‘I think that I’m properly in love with him.’ She wiped the tears running down her cheeks. ‘God, why can’t I stop crying? Is it like all the tears I’ve ever saved up are coming out now?’

‘Look, yes, he’s been a complete and utter idiot and he will pay, believe me,’ said Belle, looking upset as she reached across to hold Lucy’s hand. ‘But you’ve got us, OK?’

‘I have?’ said Lucy.

‘I’m afraid so,’ said Amber, with a soft smile.

‘And you’ve got Keith too,’ added Molly.

At the sound of his name, Keith looked up and thumped his tail against the duvet, which made them all laugh. Lucy drew him in closer for a cuddle.

‘Well, you obviously need friends,’ said Molly, with a nod.

‘She’s right,’ said Amber.

‘Yeah, so we’re your friends,’ said Belle. ‘So you’d better get used to it, as you’re stuck with us.’

Lucy smiled at them all. ‘Thank you,’ she told them.

‘So what are you going to do?’ asked Molly.

Lucy sighed heavily. ‘I can’t face him yet,’ she told them. ‘I’ll try and keep busy today. Somebody’s offered us some play mats and rugs for the hub, so I’ll head over and see them. I dunno. Maybe I’ll talk to Tom later. If he can drag himself away from his beloved ex-wife,’ she couldn’t help adding in a bitter tone.

‘Do you want some company?’ asked Molly.

‘Thanks, but I’ll be OK,’ she told them, looking down at the dog, who had now closed his eyes and was snoring gently. ‘Besides, I’ll take Keith with me.’

‘How about we get together later,’ said Belle, reaching out to take Lucy’s hand and squeeze it.

‘That sounds good,’ she said.

‘Better make sure you do all your driving around this morning,’ said Amber, standing up. ‘Josh said that there’s a storm coming this afternoon.’

‘They always get it wrong,’ said Belle. ‘I bet it’ll be hot and sunny again.’

‘I hope so,’ said Molly. ‘My sister’s doing a barbecue tonight.’

As she got dressed, Lucy realised that despite her heart being absolutely broken she wasn’t alone any more. She had friends, really good friends. And Keith, of course.

Maybe she didn’t need Tom?

She just wished she could tell her broken heart that.

60

Tom had had a busy Sunday morning in the office.

Every once in a while, he would glance up at the empty desk opposite him. There was no sign of Lucy. Molly had popped by to say that Lucy was chasing up some items that had been offered for the community hub. So Tom kept busy trying to write the editorial for that week, as well as calling an estate agent to get the ball rolling on selling the cottage. He had closed the door on Andrea the previous evening and it was time to move on with his life. Hopefully with Lucy.

He had tried calling her a couple of times early that morning, but it had just rung out. Perhaps she was having a lie-in, he’d thought. She was probably exhausted after the fete.

By the time he had finished his paperwork, it was lunchtime and he decided to head to Cranbridge Stores for something to eat.

The sun had disappeared behind some threatening clouds and the forecast was for a summer storm to burst into life later that day. The wind was certainly gusting down the river as he made his way to the shop.