Second Chance Lane (Brockenridge #2) - Nicola Marsh Page 0,78

‘We’ve got a lot to catch up on.’

Jane agreed but she didn’t know where to start, which is why she’d asked Louise to meet her at Betty’s Bakery. Here they’d have stuff to talk about, at least, like the work she was doing with the redecoration.

‘Shame Bec couldn’t join us but she’s parent helper in the classroom this morning and couldn’t get out of it. She said she’ll join us next time though.’

‘That’s great.’ Jane wanted to make a fresh start in this town and what better way than getting reacquainted with her former best friends?

Louise placed her cup back in its saucer, eyeing her with wariness. ‘You know the last time we bumped into each other at the supermarket and you warned me your mum was inside?’

Jane dropped the pistachio macaron she’d reached for, her appetite gone. ‘Did you run into her?’

‘Yeah. No offence, but your mum’s a bitch.’

‘Tell me something I don’t know.’ It had been over a week since Jane had seen her mother. Gladys had capitulated forty-eight hours after their conversation and the sale of the shop to Betty and Mason had proceeded without a hitch. Though Jane still wasn’t clear on why her mother had given in.

‘You two haven’t been close since your dad died?’

Jane nodded. She didn’t want to resurrect bad memories, but Louise was making an effort to reconnect and she couldn’t shut her down immediately without appearing insensitive. ‘Yeah, we had a falling out back then and haven’t been able to patch things up since.’

‘Do you want to? I mean, you reached out to me and I think it’s great. And while Gladys seems horrible, maybe she’s lashing out at you because she’s hurt?’

Lashing out for a decade? Mighty long time to hold a grudge. Jane settled for a shrug. ‘Maybe, but the one time I tried to set things right she pretended nothing was wrong and ignored me for a month. In the end, I gave up.’

‘That’s tough. My mum’s been a godsend, helping me with the kids because Ed’s a useless arsehole.’ Louise gave a little shake of her head. ‘Anyway, tell me about the work you’re doing here.’

Grateful to her friend for changing the subject, Jane said, ‘I’m loving it. Over the last few days I’ve confirmed colour schemes, sourced materials and contacted suppliers for furniture. It’s going to be amazing.’

Mason had been pleased and signed off on her plans yesterday, giving her a sizeable budget to complete the redecoration. They’d agreed to meet here today to finalise preparations. She was relieved when he suggested they consult at the bakery, a perfectly safe environment where she couldn’t spring him practically naked. That towel fiasco had stayed with her, the image of all that bronzed, bare skin popping into her mind when she least expected it. Very distracting if not unwelcome. Tall, blond guys weren’t her type but there was something about Mason that rattled her on a level beyond the physical. And she knew what the attraction was: he expected the worst from her, but still had the capacity to tease her. He disarmed and terrified her, because she thought she could really like this guy given half a chance.

‘You practically glow when you talk about interior designing,’ Louise said. ‘I remember your folders being perfectly colour coordinated in high school, depending on the subject.’

‘Pity I spent more time decorating my folders than opening them to actually study.’

‘You and me both, babe.’

They laughed like they had many times in the past. At least Jane could appreciate this change in her life. Reconnecting with her bestie was the smartest thing she’d done in a long time.

Louise’s mobile buzzed and she glanced at the screen. Her face fell. ‘That’s the school. I dropped my three off this morning but looks like my eldest is wagging again. The school sends a text if they’re not there for roll call.’

‘Go,’ Jane said. ‘We’ll catch up another time.’

Louise stood and grabbed her bag. ‘Sorry about this.’

‘Don’t worry.’ Jane stood and hugged Louise, and for the first time since they’d started talking again, Louise hugged her back properly. ‘I know your life is way more hectic than mine, so text me when you’re free again, okay?’

‘Thanks, and I’ll make sure to drag Bec along too.’

As Jane watched Louise hurry out the door, she didn’t envy her friend the stress of dealing with three kids and an inept, cheating husband. But she had enjoyed catching up, however briefly, and valued the distraction. Because now she’d have