Lizzie's Christmas Escape by Christie Barlow

Author:Christie Barlow [Barlow, Christie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-78681-088-5
Publisher: Bookouture

26

‘So come on, Lizzie, what are you going to do with the money?’

We were sitting in the corner of the local pub, sipping on a gin and tonic each and sharing a packet of salted peanuts. It had been an hour since I’d won the money. Even though I couldn’t stop beaming, I felt all jittery and my heart hadn’t stopped thumping.

‘What a lovely end to the evening,’ I said.

‘How about buying a yacht or learning to fly? You could buy your own plane and fly off to Monte Carlo! You could sip cocktails all day long with the sun beating down on your face – and think of all the millionaires you could eye up!’ Ann joked.

‘It sounds amazing but I’m not sure £2000 would stretch that far,’ I said, smiling at Ann’s enthusiasm.

‘Or how about an exotic holiday? We could go abroad!’

‘We?’

‘Yes, us! I’d have to come on all these adventures with you as you’ve never been abroad. I’ve always wanted to visit Necker Island.’

‘Necker Island?’ I quizzed. ‘I’ve never heard of it.’

‘Richard Branson’s place. Seventy-four acres of sheer heaven. It’s in the British Virgin Islands I think.’

I laughed. ‘I think you think I’ve won a million quid!’

‘I dread to think how much that would actually cost.’

I looked at Ann seriously. ‘I’m not going to tell Henry about the money just yet.’

‘Why ever not?’ she asked, sitting up straighter in her chair.

‘Because I have an idea and I want to make sure it’s feasible before I tell him. Last Christmas I vowed things were going to change and maybe this little windfall will give me the boost I need.’

‘How do you mean?’

‘I’ve mentioned to Henry numerous times that I want to expand my sewing business, but he’s not been keen.’

‘Why?’

I sighed. Ann said nothing and sipped her drink, waiting for me to speak.

‘Because if I advertise my business, he thinks there’ll be hordes of customers traipsing through the house at the weekend. I could only dream of becoming that successful, but I do understand that if you work hard all week, that’s the last thing you probably need.’

‘Yes, it’s a difficult one.’

‘I want to make more of myself; I want to be seen not just as a wife and mother but as a successful businesswoman too.’

‘Tell me more,’ Ann said as she ferreted around in the bag of peanuts.

‘I feel like it’s my time now. I want to do something for me. Does that make me sound selfish?’ I blurted.

‘Of course it doesn’t. You’re amazing, Lizzie, and you’ve dedicated your life to the girls and Henry. Over the years you’ve always put them first. So why not make this your time?’

‘I think this money will give me the boost I need.’

‘So what’s your idea, Lizzie?’

I folded my arms on the table and leant towards her. ‘I noticed a sign in the sewing-shop window in town. They have a spare room to rent at the back of the shop that I think might be perfect for me. What do you think?’

‘I think that’s a marvellous idea.

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