A Springtime Affair: An utterly gorgeous feel-good romance by Katie Fforde

Author:Katie Fforde [Fforde, Katie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781803143514
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 2022-03-08T05:00:00+00:00

Gilly heard Helena come in through the back door and came downstairs, a bundle of dirty linen in her arms. “Hi, darling, how are you? You did so brilliantly yesterday! I was so impressed!”

They went into the kitchen, and Gilly put on the kettle for coffee.

“So what are you grumpy about?” asked Gilly when Helena had pulled out a chair and sat down.

“Cressida!”

Gilly felt slightly anxious. She hated it when her daughter was at odds with her daughter-in-law. She was also a bit worried about what Cressida might have said to Helena about Leo. “What?”

“She Marie Kondoed all the woven things I’ve given her over the years! They didn’t ‘spark joy.’”

“Oh, Helly! Don’t say she ‘regifted’ them?”

This made Helena smile. “I know how much you hate that expression but what she did was worse!”

“Is that even possible?”

“Yes! She gave them all to charity and she did it ages ago so I can’t even buy them back. Don’t you think that’s rude?”

“It is really horrible to have a present you’ve thought about, and in your case, made, but I suppose if they didn’t fit in with her décor…”

“I knew you’d stick up for her! And to be honest, if I didn’t need them I probably wouldn’t be so upset.”

“Well, you’ve given me loads of lovely things over the years and I’ve still got them all, and most of them have escaped the moths. Although one or two blankets are…” She paused, choosing her words. “Early work.”

“Oh, that’s fine!” said Helena. “Jago had a brilliant idea. I should cut up the ‘early’ or moth-eaten work and weave wall hangings from them. They’d be quick to do. I told him I liked things to be functional, but he said a wall hanging was functional if it was hiding something unsightly.”

“I do like Jago,” said Gilly. “He was so sweet to me yesterday—and asking to borrow a hot-water bottle! Adorable!”

“He is really kind, and a great housemate. Although if my next show goes as well as this one did, I’ll be able to afford my own place.”

“Aren’t you living together as a couple then? That’s lovely and old-fashioned of you.”

Helena looked discomforted. “Well, I want to pay my way. I don’t want to just latch on to Jago…”

There was definitely something odd going on. Gilly resolved to find out more.

“Here’s your coffee,” she said. “You must be so tired after the show.”

“I am. Too tired to be creative really, so I’m taking the day off.” Helena looked at her mother intently and Gilly realized she’d missed her moment. Helena was going to interrogate her and not the other way round. “Cressida said she was worried about you.”

“Why? I promise there is absolutely nothing wrong with me. I’ve never felt fitter.” She paused. “I think I may have lost a bit of weight—although of course I never weigh myself.”

“You look great, Mum. I don’t think it was your physical health she was worried about.”

“That’s even worse! Has she caught me talking to myself? Surely everyone does that.

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