done so much.’
‘We wanted to make it as cosy as possible,’ I say. ‘I hope you’ll be comfortable here, but do let me know if there’s anything else you need. We’ve tried to think of everything.’
‘We’ll be happier here,’ she says. ‘I know. Won’t we, Pen?’ She hugs her daughter to her.
‘Yeah.’ Penny looks relieved to be here too and that’s good to see.
‘You have friends who’ll support you through it,’ I remind her. ‘Don’t struggle with this alone. If you need to chat or to see a friendly face, you’re welcome at the farm anytime.’
She looks at the rest of the cottage and then we all sit to share lunch. There’s a nice, festive atmosphere and it’s good to see that Lucas and Penny are getting on famously. I even hear him laugh.
Matt looks across at me and winks. Well done, he mouths.
Thanks, I mouth back.
After lunch, we leave them to settle in. They wave at the door as we head down the long drive and back towards the farm. We pull up at the gate and I sit in the car next to Matt, enjoying his company. I have much to do, but am reluctant to get out of the fuggy warmth with the heater on full blast, toasting my toes. My eyes are heavy and I’m drowsy, feeling the effects of my missing night of sleep earlier in the week that is now catching up with me.
‘That was a job well done,’ he says.
‘I feel happier now they’re out of that situation. I hope they like it there. Shelby says they can stay as long as they like.’
‘That’s very generous of him.’
‘He’s a good man,’ I say honestly. This is a very kind thing for him to do.
‘Lucas seemed a bit quiet,’ Matt notes.
‘Long story.’ If there’s one person I can confide in, it’s Matt. ‘He’s no longer going to be a dad. The baby isn’t his. She has a much older lover. Married. It seems that Aurora was possibly already pregnant when they met. She’s been stringing him along all the time.’
‘That’s harsh, but there must be a part of you that’s relieved.’
‘There is,’ I admit. ‘But I’m hurting for Lucas. He’s devastated.’
‘Poor lad.’
‘A tough lesson,’ I agree. ‘But he’s young and I hope he’ll bounce back. I’m trying to spoil him a bit at the moment. Help him through it.’
‘Is Shelby supportive?’
‘He doesn’t even know,’ I confess. ‘Lucas won’t hear of it.’
Matt nods. ‘My lips are sealed.’
‘I know that I can trust you.’ And I do. I don’t think I’ve ever met a more straightforward, genuine man.
‘I’ll look out for him,’ Matt says. ‘If you need me to.’
‘I’m sure he’d appreciate that.’ I smile. ‘I know that he likes and respects you. With Lucas, that’s a rare thing.’
Matt laughs. ‘I take that as a very great honour.’ Then he glances at his watch. ‘I’ll have to go. One last job to do for today.’
That means I have to get out of the lovely warmth of his car and the comfort of his steadfast company.
‘I’ll see you soon, Molly,’ he says. ‘Not long until Christmas now.’
‘Do you know what you’re doing yet?’
‘Going home to my family,’ Matt says. ‘Just for a few days, but it will nice to see everyone. I haven’t been up there for a few months.’
‘I hope you have a wonderful time.’
‘My sister will make sure that I’m fed on the hour, every hour. I’ll come back as fat as a house.’
‘That’s what Christmas is all about.’
Matt laughs. ‘What about you?’
‘A quiet one. I expect it will just be me, Lucas and Shelby.’
We have both been studiously avoiding making plans. I don’t even know if he wants to spend it here or at Homewood Manor and I’ve yet to hear if the contract is signed – though I feel it’s a given.
We’ve still been Skyping each other while the panto continues unabated, but with less regularity. There are secrets hanging between us now and I feel that withholding so much from him makes conversation more stilted. We never really get beyond exchanging pleasantries. Perhaps this is the difficulty of long-distance relationships.
‘I’ll try to pop up again before I leave,’ Matt says. ‘I’d like to wish Lucas a merry Christmas.’
I look to see where Lucas is, but he came back with Bev and must have already disappeared into one of the barns. Having taken the morning off, we have a lot to catch up on this afternoon.
Reluctantly, it’s time for me to go out