New Beginnings at the Old Bakehouse by Christie Barlow

Author:Christie Barlow [Barlow, Christie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780008413101
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Chapter Nine

All the way to Foxglove Farm, Molly had mulled over the way Cam had hugged her. She couldn’t get it out of her mind and had an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach, but as soon as Isla swung open the front door to the farmhouse with her usual welcoming smile Molly tried to push that feeling to the back of her mind.

‘Look at you, every time I see you that baby gets bigger,’ exclaimed Isla, taking a step forward and admiring Molly’s round stomach.

‘Believe me, it has,’ Molly replied, hanging her coat on one of the hooks in the hallway.

Hearing Aggie and Rona’s laughter filtering from the living room, Dixie was determined not to miss out on the fun and soon joined them, leaving Molly and Isla standing in the hallway.

‘I’m not sure it’s all baby. Honestly, I’m expanding by the hour. I can’t stop eating, I’m like a human hoover,’ said Molly, patting her stomach and smiling.

‘Make the most of it whilst you can. But I have to say, you look like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders.’

‘Nothing gets past you, does it?’

Surprised, Isla narrowed her eyes. ‘What’s up?’

Molly didn’t want to go into the ins and outs of the phone saga, Bree, and the fact she was worried something was bothering Cam. She just wanted a change of scenery and to try enjoy the night so she shrugged. ‘Ignore me, I think my baby blues have arrived before the baby.’

Isla enveloped Molly in a hug. ‘I can remember it was the same with my pregnancies; I was an emotional wreck. I cried at absolutely everything and still do.’ She squeezed Molly’s arm. ‘Us women have to put up with so much, so it’s a good job we all look out for each other. Come on, let’s get you a drink. I’ve got some of that flavoured water you like, or there’s a pot of tea on the go. Not long until you can drink again.’

Molly followed Isla into the living room. Despite the weather, everyone seemed in good spirits. Allie was sitting next to Felicity and enjoying a glass of wine, whilst Dixie had squeezed onto the sofa next to Aggie and Rona and the three of them were chatting about Martha, who appeared dramatically in the doorway, causing Molly to chuckle as she slipped into the spare chair next to Allie.

Martha was barely recognisable as Isla’s grandmother and Molly was taken in by her appearance. Her hands were wrapped in fingerless gloves, her wrists laced with bangles and her bony fingers stacked with silver rings. Draped around her shoulders was a black shawl and from her tiny waist hung a black skirt covered in gold crescent moons. There was no denying she played the part well.

‘She really does take this seriously,’ whispered Molly to Allie.

‘You better believe it,’ replied Allie.

‘Remember that whatever I tell you tonight, you are in charge of your own destiny and the future can be changed,’ spouted Martha, casting an eye around the room.

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