Miles heard the good news about Lexi from Raina a few days later when he stopped in for a late lunch. His nostrils filled with the smell of cooked bacon and sausages, but in front of him, beneath the glass, was such an array of ingredients he just couldn’t decide what to have. Bright lettuce and tomatoes glistened; a bowl of fresh flaky tuna looked inviting next to a plate of sliced good quality ham and next to that was juicy and tender rare roast beef. Then there were all the cheeses: Stilton, Brie, feta, good old cheddar. Maybe he could get two baguettes and have one for supper. ‘I can’t believe it,’ he said, smiling. ‘So Vivien left her everything?’
‘Oh, yes,’ Raina replied in her soft Irish accent from the other side of the counter. ‘You’re not cross, are you?’ She eyed him suspiciously. ‘She’s a good girl and she deserves it.’
‘No. Not at all.’ Confusion pulled at his features. ‘Why would I be cross?’
‘I think Lexi was worried you might resent her as you and Vivien were close too, you being friends with her since you were young and all that.’
‘Of course I don’t resent her. Vivien and I were friends, but I didn’t do anything near what Lexi does – I mean did – for her.’ A lump formed in his throat, temporarily halting his mounting appetite. He still hadn’t quite got used to speaking about Vivien in the past tense. ‘I used to pop in when I could, but Lexi saw her every week, did her shopping, cleans for her too, sometimes.’ He’d done it again, he should have said cleaned. Miles swallowed down how much he was going to miss her. ‘Lexi deserves it. No one works harder than her.’
‘It’ll certainly make life easier for her. She’s a good girl. It’s nice to see things working out for the nice people for a change, isn’t it?’
‘It certainly is,’ he replied, finally picking out what he was going to have for lunch.
Raina placed her hands on the top of the counter. ‘Now have you decided yet, young man, I can’t wait here forever. I’ve got a business to run.’
Miles smiled. ‘It really is your own fault, you know, making everything look so great. But, I have decided and I’d like a roast beef and Stilton, please.’
‘I could have told you that’s what you’d order when you walked in here. You should just let me decide next time.’
‘Maybe I will,’ he teased. ‘In fact, I’d like another one for my supper later. Why don’t you choose that one for me?’
‘Right you are.’
Raina set about making his two baguettes and a few minutes later he took his carrier bag with him as he left. ‘Thanks, Raina. This smells delicious.’
‘Enjoy it. And be good.’
Miles left the shop, closing the door behind him. How could Lexi worry he’d be upset or angry that Vivien hadn’t left him her house or money? She’d left him her vinyl records and some of her books, including her poetry books, the one that contained her favourite he’d read at the funeral. That was more than enough for him. Lexi, kind as always, had offered to get them for him when she began sorting the house and Miles was happy to wait. He didn’t want to add any more pressure on her at the moment. He knew he’d get them eventually, and he’d treasure them. But Raina’s words worried him. Had he really come across as that sort of person who begrudged another’s happiness and good fortune? He was more relaxed now and, though he felt bad to admit it, happier since Kiera had left, but the thought that people thought of him as such a … such a … dick was shaming.
As he walked past Old Herbert’s Shop, the name making him smile once more, he realised he had a good excuse to pop in and speak to Stella. If he really had been coming across so horribly he needed to fix it. He walked through the already open door and smiled at Frank.
‘Hello, boy.’ Frank wandered over to him, stretching as he went, then sat at his feet, waiting for a fuss. The lead was only just long enough to reach him and as he bent down he saw more new stock, blankets and cushions this time piled high on the old wingback chair Vivien used to sit in. They were in muted golds and mustardy browns and very good quality. The price Stella was asking made them a bargain and he wondered again where she was getting her stock from. If he did open a business he’d have to ask her for some tips. After scratching Frank behind the ears, Miles turned to Stella. ‘He’s got used to me now, I think.’
‘I think he has.’
‘I just popped in to say Raina told me about Lexi. I’m really pleased for her.’
Stella’s eyes, warm and friendly, were sparkling at her friend’s good fortune and Miles felt the force of her kindness. ‘It’s such amazing news, isn’t it? I’m glad something good has come out of such a horrible thing.’
‘Yes. Vivien really was incredible.’
‘She was. I didn’t know whether to use her chair at first but I didn’t really want to move it either, so I kept it where it was and put it to good use. I couldn’t keep looking at it all empty; it was like I was still waiting for her to pop in.’
‘I think she’d be really pleased she’s still centre of attention,’ he joked, lifting the mood. ‘I bet they’re selling well. They look great.’
‘They are actually,’ Stella replied proudly. ‘I think the colours are a good choice. They’ll go in anyone’s homes and on nearly any colour sofa.’
Conversation was going well for once and Miles found he wanted it to continue. ‘It wasn’t until the day of her funeral I realised all Vivien’s stories were true. I’d always thought she made them up, or at the very least over-exaggerated.’
‘Me too.’ Stella’s eyes opened wide in agreement. ‘I felt so bad when all those old opera singers turned up—’
‘Giving it all, “Darling,” this and “Darling”, that,’ he said, waving his hand around like the Queen.
‘Yes, exactly!’ Stella laughed and her face illuminated with the warmth of her smile.
Miles searched for something to say, refusing to lose momentum. ‘How are the holiday lets going? Is that awful family still here?’
‘Yes, for another two weeks. They’re not that bad now they’ve settled in actually. The other flat is free this week and, to be honest, I’m quite relieved. With the funeral and everything it would have been hard to manage without Lexi’s help.’
‘It must be difficult doing it all on your own.’ Miles was careful to keep his voice and expression neutral and not sound at all judgy like he had done in the past. He was doing everything he could to control his manner and not let his nerves get the better of him, as he’d previously come across so badly.
After studying him for a moment she answered. ‘It is sometimes but I’ve got Lexi for moral support. That smells delicious,’ she said pointing to his carrier bag. ‘Late lunch?’
‘Yeah. Well, one is a late lunch; the other a late dinner, probably. I’m a bit lazy when it comes to cooking.’
‘It can be hard when you’re on your own.’ A fleeting look of sadness passed over her eyes and was then engulfed by a fierce pink blush that galloped over her cheeks. ‘Wait – sorry, I – I didn’t mean to remind you that—’
Miles laughed and held up his hand. ‘It’s okay. I know what you mean.’ To think that she was being nice and trying not to remind him of his break-up after how pompous and obnoxious he’d been to her – she must have the temperament of a saint. ‘Anyway I need to have something now because I’ve got to go away for a networking event this evening and the catering can be quite hit and miss. Those little canapés don’t fill you up and there’s never enough to go round.’
Stella’s face relaxed. ‘Do you need me to keep an eye on the place again?’
‘No that’s okay, I’ll be back in the early hours. Just not sure what time. Thanks for the offer though.’
‘Sure.’ Stella hesitated as if she was unsure about her next sentence. Her cheeks reddened even more and she picked up a pen, fiddling with it. After another glance in his direction, she seemed to make her mind up. ‘Miles, I wondered if I could ask a favour in return?’
‘Of course.’ Internally he could have fist-pumped the air; he was so pleased she felt she could ask him something. It meant things were moving on from the dreadful start they’d had.
‘It’s a bit of an odd one, but I’m really, really stuck.’
Miles smiled. ‘Go on, try me.’
Still tapping the pen she spoke quickly. ‘I was wondering if you fancied coming to a wedding with me? Not like my date but – it’s next weekend in Oxford and I haven’t got anyone else I can ask.’ The blush had spread over her neck and she kept her eyes down on Frank, still absent-mindedly tapping. ‘I still don’t know that many people here.’
He had to be honest, it wasn’t what he’d been expecting and he was taken aback. He’d thought she might ask him to walk Frank or help with a delivery; she had a lot more paintings coming in at the moment, he noticed. But Stella was nice and he really did admire her spirit in moving somewhere new and starting a business. And, despite being ridiculously awful to her, when he’d asked her a favour she hadn’t even flinched in saying yes. If he wanted a chance to prove to her, and the town, that he wasn’t a stuck-up idiot, this was it. ‘Okay, then. Yeah. I’d be happy to.’
The relief on Stella’s face was palpable. ‘Oh, good, thanks. You won’t have to drive. I’ll do all the driving so you can have a drink and relax. And I won’t introduce you as my boyfriend, or anything, just a friend.’
She was babbling a little and Miles felt his heart wriggle in his chest. ‘Okay, well, whatever you want. So you’ll text me when we need to leave and stuff, yeah?’
She nodded. ‘I will.’ Miles gave Frank one last pat and turned to walk away. ‘Miles?’
He spun back at the sweetness of her tone and saw again the genuine smile on her pale pink lips. ‘Thank you.’
As soon as he stepped outside he was accosted by the horrible family loading themselves into an enormous people carrier, parked on the double yellow lines out front. Josie sidled over and he felt his good humour begin to fade.
‘Hi, Miles. What are you up to today?’
Inside he groaned but made an effort to smile back. ‘Hi, Josie. I’m just off to work in a bit.’
‘Anywhere exciting?’
‘No, not really. You?’ He nodded to the car.
‘Oh. We’re off to the theatre this evening. We’re having an afternoon in that town, oh – what’s it called? The one with the theatre and museum?’
‘Halebury?’
‘Yes, that’s the one. We’re staying at a hotel there overnight.’ She leaned in and whispered, ‘I don’t see why when Roger could easily drive but he says he wants to drink and Hermione won’t drive at night.’
‘Couldn’t you drive?’ he asked. ‘If you really don’t want to stay overnight.’
She cocked her head like he’d just said something ridiculously stupid. ‘But then I couldn’t have a drink, and believe me these kids drive you to it.’
He wasn’t sure she should be talking about her employers, or their children, like that to a complete stranger. She must have thought they were on better terms than they actually were.
‘Come on, Josie. We’re ready to go,’ called the man he presumed was Roger.
‘Listen, Miles, I was wondering if you fancied having a drink together sometime?’ She placed her hands in the pockets of her jeans and was jutting her chest out.
Miles knew from the tension around his eyes his expression was that of a rabbit caught in headlights. Some men – men like Jay – might have been flattered, but she was so young the offer made him feel very uncomfortable. ‘Umm, Josie, listen, I’m quite a lot older than you—’
‘So? I don’t mind.’ She fluttered her eyelashes at him but all it did was cause another wave of panic and he answered bluntly without thinking.
‘I do though. Sorry.’ Her face changed in an instant and her eyes narrowed on him. It reminded him strangely of Kiera.
‘Fine,’ she replied, just as Roger called her again to get into the car.
Miles turned and began to walk away hearing her huff in reply to them both. With a sigh he knew he’d had a lucky escape, but the kids didn’t seem as fortunate as she chastised them. He felt a little sorry for the two boys who were clearly going to be on short shrift that afternoon until one of them called Josie a name ten-year-old boys shouldn’t know and he marched on before his ears turned blue.