Silver Christmas by Helen Scott Taylor

Author:Helen Scott Taylor
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Tags: family drama, pets, england, clean romance, holiday romance, sweet romance, christmas romance, second chance romance

Chapter Seven

Jennifer pulled up outside Rosemoor village school in Owen's four-wheel-drive with the estate angel motif on the side, and cut the engine. The luxury vehicle was a lot nicer than the rental car she'd returned. Owen had said there was no point in her keeping it when she could borrow an estate vehicle, so he'd put her on their group insurance policy.

It was strange driving Owen's car, strange coming to the school to pick up her daughter for the first time in her life. When she stepped down from the high vehicle, she felt awkward and out of place, like an imposter.

The closest people looked her way, curiosity in their furtive glances. The village was small and a hotbed of gossip. Most of the parents waiting probably already knew who she was.

She pushed her hands in the pockets of her coat. She'd picked it up as soon as she left the hospital and bought her normal size without trying it on, forgetting that after the accident she was skin and bone, so it was far too big for her. Every time Owen looked at her, she was painfully aware she didn't look her best. Did he still find her attractive? She shook her head to banish the thought. She didn't want to go there.

Sidling through the gathered parents who chatted as they waited, she found a quiet spot and leaned against the wall by the school bulletin board. Pinned in the middle was an encapsulated flyer with a picture of Mama Cat and her kittens, asking for the owner to contact the Rosemoor estate office.

Chloe had made flyers and Owen had put them up outside the church, in the pub, and in the convenience store. He had even taped one in the window of his car. So far nobody had come forward to claim the cat and kittens.

Jennifer had palpated Mama Cat's neck and couldn't feel a microchip, but it would help to get her scanned in case there was a digital record of the cat's owner. Although Jennifer was starting to wonder if someone had abandoned her.

Her thoughts of the cat fled as the school door opened and children streamed out, the smallest first, then a couple of minutes later the older children.

Jennifer stepped closer to the gate, her hands in her pockets, watching. When Chloe emerged, chatting with a girl with short curly hair, Jennifer stood on tiptoe to see over the heads in front.

Chloe looked her way, scanning the crowd of parents, and Jennifer felt ridiculously nervous. Would Chloe be disappointed Owen hadn't come?

"Mum!" Chloe's excited shout quieted the sound of conversation, and all eyes followed Chloe as she dashed through the other children and threw her arms around Jennifer.

Jennifer hugged her, blinking back tears, overwhelmed by the greeting. As they walked to the car, she was aware of those they passed staring, some whispering together.

"Is that Chloe's mother?"

"Is she Owen's wife? Where has she been?"

"My son works in the Rosemoor dairy, and he says she just turned up out of the blue.

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