Zoe got up too and Haggis stretched his legs out, making the most of the extra space.
‘Thank you very much for inviting me here. I could not have enjoyed it more and you organised and ran it all perfectly.’
Fergus beamed and Zoe said, ‘It was nice you and Louis got on so well.’
I blushed. ‘Isn’t he lovely?’
‘We both thought so too,’ Zoe smiled at Fergus.
‘Now, now,’ he said, ‘let’s not talk about people behind their backs. Susie, I’ll take your bag.’ He stretched out an arm. ‘If you’re going all the way to Sussex you must get on the road.’
‘Haggis,’ said Zoe. ‘Time to say goodbye to Susie.’
She kissed me in the hall. ‘Thank you so much, Susie. Safe journey.’
‘Thank you for having me. I’ll be in touch about the drawing.’ I bent down to give Haggis a cuddle.
‘Oh yes, I can’t wait to see it.’
Fergus opened the front door and out we went.
‘I do hope you’ll make it home okay in this weather, Susie,’ he said as he put my suitcase in the car.
‘I’ll go slow. It’ll be fine.’ I kissed him on both cheeks. ‘Thank you.’
I waved goodbye as I left the yard and headed off down the long bumpy drive. Over a humpback bridge I went, saying a little prayer, Oh Lord, give the Muchtons strength to bear the bad news…and help me please work it out.
You never know, I might just crack it before Jamie Tumbleton-Smith visits. Easter weekend’s in my favour – national holidays and all that.
‘ENGLAND,’ I shouted out loud in my car. I’d crossed the border, it was time for a break. At last the outside temperature has risen above zero, the roads are motorways from here on in and, Yes, I’m definitely going to make it home tonight.
My most recently downloaded music has been on a loop, me singing and dancing in the driving seat, celebrating my first tutoring job. Will I do something like that again? Probably. The money’s good and although I’m jolly glad it’s over I did love spending time living with strangers.
A sign for a service station popped up and I took the next exit. The massive billboard in the car park boasted First farm shop in the UK. So, with my handbag over my shoulder I rushed in to find what goodies they had inside.
‘What can I get for you, duck?’
‘One of those sausage rolls, please. They look amazing.’
‘Don’t they just. Anything else for yourself? Slice of cake? Bit of flapjack? Double chocolate brownie? We have all sorts of beautiful things for yourself to choose from.’
‘A bottle of fizzy water and that’s all, thanks.’
‘Right ye are then. Enjoy. Michelle will take your payment at the till over there.’
I smiled. Why is it northern service stations have such friendly customer service? Perhaps it’s because there are fewer people in these parts and therefore those in services can keep up a fresh and friendly hello all day.
I paid Michelle and found a window seat. It looked out over a very muddy pond and on the vacant next-door table I spotted a coffee-stained business paper. I reached across and helped myself, hoping I’d find the Froglan-Home-Mybridge report.
I flicked the sheets – here we go. Lord Froglan-Home-Mybridge, husband of Patricia and father to Jonathan, Araminta and Harry – he was Minty’s father. It was too much of a coincidence not to be true. I thought as much, but looking at it here, reading like a death notice, filled me with shock. My stomach plummeted. I’d read enough. Poor Minty.
I dug my mobile out of my bag. I’m not the most communicative of people when it comes to modern means, but two days without reception and I was excited to see who might have been in touch.
1. Vodafone with an offer.
2. Friend, Sam, saying my mum’s invited him for Easter and will I please answer him.
He’d left a voicemail and two texts…You’d think he would have twigged I was out of reception. I’m sure I told him I was going to Scotland, but then again, we haven’t spoken for a while. I’d better send him a text…
Hey Sam, I’ve been away, heading home now. You must come for Easter lunch. It’s not like you haven’t been for the last 4 years. Speak soon, Susie x
3. An excellent message from Jenny, a really great high-flying friend who’s been working abroad for the last eight years.
Susie!!! I’m home. In London. For good. Let’s meet up v v v v v v soon. SO much to tell. Hugs and kisses. J
Jenny and I go back years, all the way to junior school, and ever since then she’s had her head down. I cannot wait to see her. Oooh, I wonder if her on/off boyfriend is coming over too. I’ll be so happy if they’ve finally made it work.
4. A text from Toby…
My sausage roll was more tempting than reading this right now so I turned my phone over and took a big greedy bite.
Arghhh, the friggin’ thing was absolutely piping hot. I spat into my napkin and looked around, luckily no one else was watching.
Bzzzz, bzzzz, my mobile vibrated.
1 new message Sam
Just thought you might not want me this year. I’ll say yes then. Please call soon, it’d be good to have a chat before x
Urgh, Sam. Why do you have to make it complicated? I knew exactly what he was getting at…our drunken kiss before Christmas, standing on the pavement as I was waiting for a bus. It wasn’t a long-drawn-out passionate number. Just a sort of whoopsie we-shouldn’t-be-doing-this affair. It’s never happened before, and why then, who knows? But surely we don’t have to discuss it? N.B. call him tomorrow.
The sausage roll was delicious but I’d finished it. Time to get going. I weaved my way through the stationary cars and jumped back into the driving seat with a rush of energy for the next leg. I slipped my mobile into what used to be called the ashtray
