Tying the Knot by Amanda Bateman

Author:Amanda Bateman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd
Published: 2021-04-22T00:00:00+00:00

Anne had slipped out of the room and had gone to check on Freddy and Ida in the adjoining annexe. She hadn’t noticed that Penny had followed her.

“Anne,” she called as Anne placed her hand on the closed door into the annexe. “Can I have a private word please?” she asked. Anne nodded and turned to face Penny in the glass corridor that linked the annexe to the cottage.

“You come into the shop all the time, buying fabric which you turn into beautiful dresses for yourself and Ida. You buy wool too and knit lovely garments.” Anne could see that Penny was struggling to say something.

“Thank you, Penny. I didn’t learn to sew or knit until I was pregnant with Freddy. Aunt Bea taught me then. Said you couldn’t have a baby without knitting it a matinee coat, bonnet and bootees and making a quilt for its crib. I seemed to take to it like a duck to water.”

“You’d never know you’d not been properly trained,” offered Penny.

“If you’re going to do something, do it to the best of your ability, Aunt Bea used to say.”

“You certainly do that,” remarked Penny.

“I don’t think you followed me to discuss my crafting skills did you, Penny?” Penny blushed.

“No, Anne, I didn’t.”

“If you’re going to ask me if Charlie is gay or straight, I’m afraid I’m as in the dark as the next man.”

“Oh, no, Anne, nothing like that,” responded Penny, her cheeks turning an even brighter red.

“Then how can I help you?” asked Anne.

“I wondered if you’d like a little part-time job helping me out in the shop. Mum’s going to live with her sister in Peterborough. They’re both widows now and, well, they’ve decided to take care of each other. I’m going to need some help and Charlie told me that you’d run a shop with Eric in the past and what with your sewing and knitting skills, I thought you’d be a great help to me.” Anne thought she was going to burst with excitement.

“Really, you mean it, a job, for me?” Penny found herself laughing.

“Yes, Anne.” Anne strode the short distance between herself and Penny and grabbed her in a bear hug. Pulling away but still holding her by her arms, Anne looking into Penny’s eyes.

“Oh, yes please, Penny, yes please,” she yelled. The door into the annexe opened behind her and two puzzled faces appeared in the doorway.

“What’s going on?” asked Freddy. Releasing Penny and turning to face her children, grinning from ear to ear, she spoke to them.

“Mummy’s going to work in Penny’s shop,” she excitedly informed them.

“Oh,” they replied in unison, and closed the door on their mother.

“They soon grow up,” remarked Anne.

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