Page 108 of Two Hit Wonder

"I'm holding a box," Maeve said.

"Best put it down then," advised Glinna.

Maeve put the box down just as Charity launched herself from Neil's arms, Maeve catching her deftly. "Heavier than last time," she said.

"Biscuits," Charity said gravely.

"That would do it."

Neil went off to find himself a beer, and Glinna beamed. "Nice place," she said. "I would have brought Eejit, but she doesn't like trains. She’d have bitten the conductor and got us all thrown off."

"Right," Maeve said, weirdly missing the sheep. Not that she wanted a sheep in her house.

"So I got you this instead." Glinna produced something from behind her back. It was a framed photograph, printed on canvas, approximately two feet tall. It was Eejit. Glaring directly at the camera with an expression of pure malevolence.

"You got me a portrait of your sheep."

"She's your sheep too, really. Spiritually speaking."

"She bit me last month when I came up to write in peace for a week."

"That's how she shows love."

Maeve looked at the portrait. Eejit looked back, frozen in perpetual judgment. "Where am I supposed to hang this?"

"Somewhere prominent. Living room, maybe. Or the bedroom, if you want her watching over you while you sleep."

"That's horrifying."

Glinna grinned. "I know. Isn't it perfect?"

Charity wriggled and Maeve put her down. She promptly ran off toward the kitchen.

"Knows where the biscuits are," said Glinna with a grin. She looked Maeve up and down. "You look well."

"I look exhausted. We've been moving boxes since six."

"You look well and exhausted." Glinna tilted her head. "Happy too, I think. Are you happy?"

Maeve considered lying. Decided against it. "Terrified, mostly."

"Good. Terror means you've got something to lose." Glinna reached out and squeezed her arm. "I'm proud of you, you know. For all of this. The albums, the tour, the moving to London to be with a woman you've loved since you were fourteen. The whole terrifying mess of it."

"Glinna…"

"No, hush, let me say this." Glinna's voice was firm but warm. "You spent fifteen years hiding in my cottage, convincing yourself that safe and small was the same as happy. And now look at you. Actually living. It's about time."

Maeve tried to deflect. "You just want the cottage back."

"I do. I'm converting it into a chicken coop." Glinna's eyes sparkled. "Let yourself be proud, Maeve. You've earned it."

Before Maeve could respond, there was a crash from somewhere deeper in the house, followed by a child's shriek and Cam's voice yelling, "That's fine! That's completely fine! No one panic!"

"Speaking of terrifying messes," Glinna said, and went to investigate.

✽✽✽

Iona found Ellie in what would eventually be the kitchen, once they had things like a table and chairs. At the moment it was mostly empty floor space and a folding camping table covered with plastic cups alongside coolers of drinks. Ellie was navigating carefully around one of the coolers in her wheelchair. She'd decorated it with stickers.