have to deal with the house sale at some point but it’s only just gone on the market. Then after that, I’ll need to find somewhere to live – I was thinking I might rent for a while. And of course, I’ll need to find another job.’ Damn that little wobble in her voice. She cleared her throat, noticing the small exchange of glances between her brother and Anna.
Molly knew they had been concerned about her and she appreciated being able to speak them but she’d done enough sobbing down the phone. She’d told them she’d love to visit them in St Andrews but on the proviso there was to be no post-mortem of her marriage. She really didn’t want to rake over the ashes of her marriage. She’d vowed she wouldn’t let her newly divorced status intrude on their family holiday and so she drew in a deep breath, determined not to falter. I’ll be fine.
‘We just wish there was something more we could do.’
‘Being here with you now is enough,’ Molly said firmly. She gave Stuart a pointed look. ‘And you don’t need to tiptoe around me. You’ve never done it before and don’t you dare start now,’ she told him. Stuart held his hands up in mock surrender, lightening the mood.
‘Okay, but remember I am still your big brother despite the fact you’ve bossed me about your whole life.’
‘That’s because you needed it for your own good,’ Molly countered with a grin.
‘Anyway, I’ll have Mum for back up when she arrives.’
Molly rolled her eyes. ‘You always were her blue-eyed boy,’ she said affectionately. ‘Do we know exactly when they’re arriving?’ she asked.
‘Dad managed to get them tickets for the last day’s play of the tournament at the old course in a couple of weeks.’
Molly took a gulp of wine, her mind calculating how long she had to shore up her defences before facing her mother’s barrage of concern.
A sudden high-pitched scream from outside indicated delight had turned to disaster and five seconds later Lily marched in followed by a sheepish looking Luke. They were both drenched.
‘Mum, he squirted the water at my face on purpose and hit my eye.’ Lily was close to tears, her face puce with indignation. Anna sighed, automatically rising from her seat to mediate.
‘Remember I said no faces, Luke? Say sorry to Lily, please.’
‘Sorry, Lily,’ he parroted. Then with all remorse instantly forgotten he turned to Molly. ‘Is Uncle Colin not coming to see us anymore?’
‘Shut up, Luke.’ Lily scowled.
The simplicity and unexpectedness of the question took Molly by surprise, as did the tears that suddenly welled in her eyes.
‘Right you two. Upstairs for showers now!’ Stuart interjected. ‘Tell you what,’ he said, turning to his wife and Molly. ‘Why don’t you two take a stroll? Go and have a drink somewhere and I’ll deal with these two little horrors.’
Molly wasn’t sure she was in the mood to go out. All her recent interactions with people had been confined to work colleagues and even having a meal with Stuart and Anna had felt slightly alien. But Anna was clapping her hands together, rushing over to plant a kiss on Stuart’s cheek.
‘Come on, Molly, let’s go before he changes his mind.’
After a quick freshen up – and in Molly’s case a few private moments to compose herself – the two women were soon strolling along the cobbled streets, the setting sun casting the last of its golden rays over the town. Most of the shops had closed but there were plenty of people milling around, choosing where to have their evening meal.
Anna turned her head towards Molly. ‘Sorry about Luke earlier. We didn’t say anything to him but he must have overheard us talking.’ She grimaced.
Molly waved her hand indicating it was nothing. ‘Don’t worry. Besides, he’s only five. It’s not his fault.’
‘I understand you don’t want to talk about things, but you are okay? Stuart has been worried about you.’
‘I know,’ Molly sighed, hating the thought of her family worrying about her.
She frowned, trying to remember the last time Colin had even seen her family, realising he had managed to extricate himself from any recent gatherings. She’d always hoped Colin and Stuart would have bonded but it had never happened.
‘Colin and Stuart never did have much in common, did they?’ she commented now.
‘They were very different people,’ Anna said diplomatically. ‘As long as you know we’re here for you.’
‘Thanks. But honestly I’m fine,’ Molly replied, forcing a bright smile.
Steering away from the main street and down a little lane, they found a rustic-looking pub and were soon ensconced at a table surrounded by the hum of conversation and the occasional peals of laughter erupting from a group sitting at one of the larger tables.
‘Cheers.’ They clinked glasses.
‘You’re going to love it here,’ Molly enthused. ‘What a great place for the children to grow up.’
Anna made a face, picking up her glass. ‘I’m not sure Lily would agree with you, she’s very unsure about the whole move.’
Molly had noticed Lily seemed a bit quiet, even for her. ‘Is she really worried?’
‘She’s a bit sensitive just now – I think that’s why she over-reacted with Luke earlier. It’s fair to say she resents us for dragging her away from all her old friends to a new school. I’ve tried to tell her everything will be fine but she’s so shy and you know how cruel children can be.’
‘I don’t suppose anyone wants to be the new kid at school, do they?’
Molly’s heart went out to her niece. She knew all the reassurances in the world wouldn’t stop Lily worrying about her first day at a new school not knowing anyone. ‘Hopefully being in a small community will make it easier for her to make new friends.’
Anna agreed. ‘That’s why I’d like to try and get a new house sorted as soon as possible – I think being settled before the children start school will help. Plus if I stay in the guest house too long I’ll feel like I’m on a permanent holiday and that won’t do at all.’
Molly looked affectionately at her sister-in-law. Her petite frame, elfin-cut blonde hair and large blue eyes belied the strength of the woman underneath. As well as being one of the smartest people Molly had ever met, she was one of the most driven with a work ethic that put lesser mortals to shame.
Anna had met Stuart when he had moved to work in Manchester. She worked for a high-tech company and did amazing things with computers that Molly didn’t understand. After the children were born she set up as a freelance software developer and was so successful that now people came to her. She didn’t do rest. For as long as Molly had known her, Anna had always been involved in some job, working long hours. And being your average everyday super woman, she appeared to balance it all.
Except looking at her now, Molly could see tiredness etched on her features, a lack of her customary sparkle. But then it was hardly surprising, she’d had a horrible eighteen months. She had lost both her parents and as an only child she’d taken the full brunt of the dealing with the illnesses that had claimed first her mother and then her father. Molly had met Anna’s parents at the odd family occasion. They had been lovely and Molly could only imagine how painful it must be for Anna to lose them both.
‘What about you, how have you been?’ Molly asked her now.
‘Oh, I’m fine,’ she replied breezily.
‘You don’t have a job on at the moment, do you?’
‘No, I’m taking a few weeks off for the move.’
‘I’m glad to hear it. I know things