A Summer Fair In Lily Vale Village (Lily Vale Village Book 2): An uplifting, heart-warming and hilarious romantic tale set in the British countryside by Imogen Payne

Author:Imogen Payne [Payne, Imogen]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2020-11-15T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

It's Thursday afternoon, and while the weather outside is fine, I feel like there's a rain cloud pouring in my head, and a storm raging in my heart. I'm supposed to be monitoring the lounge, but I'm kind of zoned out, staring into space. A million thoughts are hurtling through my head, mostly involving what happened last Friday night. After sleeping on it, giving it a week and yet feeling no clearer about what the best course of action is, I've no clue what's next. Josh texted me straight after the terrible pizza incident to ask if I was okay, but I didn't reply. I mean, what was I supposed to say? With no better ideas in sight, I decided to skip the pottery class I had planned to attend last night. I didn't even tell Josh I wasn't coming, which is so unlike me, but I just couldn't bear to open up a dialogue again after the humiliation of last time.

The day drags past at snail's pace and before I know it, the book club ladies are assembled in the lounge and are chattering excitedly with each other, discussing the central themes of Lucy's latest book. Her boyfriend Alex is with her and though he doesn't exactly join in with the literary discourse, he's just happy to visit his mum Phylis and support Lucy. Ms Hickenbottom loiters on the edge of the lounge, not quite committing to joining in, but it's certainly a vast improvement from weeks of holing up in her room. Maybe Grace's influence really did help her come out of her shell a little!

By the time the book club is over, it's the end of the day for me. Even so, before I leave, I can't help but stay five minutes to tidy away the mugs and tea pot from the book club, though my shift finished about ten minutes ago.

'Here, I'll help you out,' Lucy offers as she collects the mugs onto a tray.

'Thanks. Seemed like an interesting discussion today! Sorry I didn't come over much.'

'It's fine,' Lucy gives me an understanding look, as if she can see what's going through my mind. 'And it was great, just talking through some insights of my new historical romance. I could see Ms Hickenbottom leaning in closer to have a little listen when she thought no one was watching!'

I smile to myself. 'She is a funny one, that Abby.'

'Abby?'

I shake my head with a chuckle. 'Don't ask.'

We walk through to the kitchen and set down the crockery on the counter top.

'Hey, how's the pottery stuff going?' Lucy asks. 'My friend Victor says you're one of the best in the class already!'

I wince. 'I think I'm going to quit. I just don't have time to commit to it. I can't even come to all the classes, not with my nutty shift patterns. Besides, I'm not sure it's good for Grace to be away from me so often.'

'I mean, I'm no expert on kids, far from it, but

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