26. Lady luck is on my side

I had another shift scheduled at The Tea Spot for nine am until closing at five pm. Unlike the previous morning, it hadn't been so rushed. Alec brought us breakfast in bed, and we lay there cuddling and chatting until it was time for me to get dressed and head to work.

Last night was everything I hoped it would be and more. Alec and I didn't have sex, but I felt closer to him than ever before. A permanent smile was plastered on my face. Happiness coursed through me, which was apparent to everyone from the extra bounce in my step.

Layla waved off the last builder from the morning rush as I pushed the door of the Tea Spot open. A caramelised buttery smell wafted through from the prep room, making my mouth water.

Before I even made it around the counter, she threw a dishcloth over and asked if I could wipe down the sides while she grabbed a tray of shortbread out of the oven. With no hellos or niceties, she hurried out to the back as if the kitchen was on fire.

An elegant woman with a silver, wavy, shoulder-length bob glided into the cafe. Nothing about her gave her age away. Her skin was youthful and practically make-up free, yet her undyed hair showed signs of ageing. She stepped up to the cake display and flashed a set of perfect white teeth, her crystal blue eyes sparkling. She exuded warmth and charisma before she had even spoken.

"Hi, I'm Margie." She held a flawlessly manicured hand out. "You must be Nat. It's so nice to meet you." Her voice was honey-sweet, confirming my first impressions of her. "Where's Layla? I hope she's been kind to you."

I shook her hand and smiled. "She'll be out any second. She had to save some shortbread from the oven."

"What are you doing here? I thought you couldn't come over until lunchtime?" Layla shouted from the doorway. She sauntered into the tea room and greeted Margie with a kiss to the lips. Both women smiled and gazed lovingly into each other's eyes. "Nat meet Margie, my partner in business and in life. Don't let this sweet face fool you, you still can't let her near the oven or coffee machine."

Margie laughed and moved past Layla. "I thought it would be easier to work in the office. I need to go over Nat's contract with her and set her hours. I'm sure you never got that far?"

"I bake, you deal with the business side of the place. That was the deal," Layla said as she positioned a cup under the espresso machine.

"Meet me in the office when you get a spare minute, Nat. Maybe Layla will let us sample some of that freshly baked shortbread."

Layla made up a cappuccino, placed it in my hands and ushered me out into the prep room after Margie.

We sat in her tiny office as we read over my brief contract. With how varied the business could be, she asked if I minded working to a rota instead of having fixed hours. Coach trips and afternoon teas were often booked at least a week in advance, so I would have my schedule planned out on a weekly basis.

Wiping the tables down after the lunchtime crowd, I felt a dull ache in my abdomen and lower back. "You've got to be kidding me." I darted to the prep room in search of my phone. I opened the calendar app, and there it was, marked with red dots. My period was about to start. I was actually a few days late, but with the stress from my parents and being kicked out of the house, I'd forgotten about it. I guess my body did too.

How did I let it slip my mind? I had nothing with me and nothing for it at Alec's. "Can I take a break, now?" I yelled out to Layla and Margie, who were in the office.

Layla gave me a thumbs-up as she bit into her cheese and pickle sandwich. I snatched my purse and strolled down to the local corner shop.

I picked up a pack of Ibuprofen, pads and tampons. I dropped my items near the till and added a small packet of chocolate buttons to the pile. The cashier offered a subtle smile and started placing everything into a bag for me when the bell above the door chimed.

Joana Graham. I paid for my purchases, squeezed my eyes shut briefly and released a calming breath. I could do this. She had yet to see me as she browsed through the beverage options in the display fridge. If I went down the other aisle, I could avoid her but what use would that be.

I stepped into her path and waited for her to glance up. "Hi, Joana."

Her hand stilled in the fridge, on a bottle of pink lemonade, and she lifted her head. Her eyes grew wide, and her forehead creased. "Oh, hey Nat. What are you doing here?" She closed the door and rested against it.

"I started working at The Tea Spot. It's only my second day. I just came over to see if you're okay?" I asked, my voice wavering.

"Me? Yeah, I'm okay. Look, I should be the one checking up on you. I'm sorry for how I acted at the campsite. I've had time to think about it, and I can't be mad at you. Max, on the other hand-," she paused and scanned the aisle. "We're actually back together. Officially."

I tried to smooth my features to hide my shock, but my brows knitted together and my jaw tightened.

"I know what you're thinking. He isn't the same with me as he is with everyone else. We were on a break. I never told him he had to wait for me." She blushed as she pushed off the fridge and bit her bottom lip.

"You don't have to explain yourself to me." I reached over, clasped her hand in mine and gave it a squeeze. "I really wish you both the best."

I walked out of the corner shop, the weight on my shoulders lighter. I took a deep breath in and laughed. I didn't care. Joana told me she was with Max and I waited for that dread to appear in the pit of my stomach and it never did.

***

I lingered at the front of the tea rooms while Layla locked up.

"Do you want Margie and me to run you home?" Layla said, placing her bag over her shoulders.

I gestured down the road. "I'm going to walk. My sister's boyfriend's house isn't far, and I promised to pop in. I'll see you Friday." As I stuck my arm out, she hooked a carrier bag over it, placed a small brown paper parcel in my hand, and waved me off. I unwrapped the packet to find a freshly made ham, coleslaw and salad bap. I wandered down to Daniel's house, munching on my sandwich as I listened to the sounds of summer; pigeons cooing, dogs barking and the distant gentle hum of lawnmowers cutting grass.

Andy Jones answered the door after the fifth knock. "Hey Wilson, you always that impatient?" He moved to the side to let me in.

"Nice to see you too. Is Rosie around? She texted to meet her here when I got off work." I shuffled into the hallway and bent over to remove my shoes, placing the bag Layla gave me next to them.

"That food? Wouldn't leave it there if you don't want Samson to snatch it." As I picked it up, Andy prized the bag open to look inside. "What's in it? Can I have it?"

I pulled the carrier bag back and tapped his hand. "It's cake from work. And no, you can't. I'm saving it for Alec," I said, narrowing my eyes.

Andy crossed his arms across his chest and huffed, "Pfft, he doesn't need to know. I won't tell."

"I'll know. Hands off, Jones." I gave him a friendly shove and walked round him to the kitchen at the rear of the house.

Rosie flew down the stairs, her blonde hair pulled away from her face, and she was wearing jogging bottoms. Jogging bottoms? I gave her a once over. Long gone was my uptight sister who would have never been caught dead in lounge wear. The moment she approached, I wrapped my arms around her and held her tight.

She stroked my hair as she returned my hug. "Hey, you. Are you okay?" I nodded, my face buried in her shoulder, then shook my head. Rosie guided us into a small living room to sit down.

I rubbed the cool brown leather under my hand as a way of soothing my aching heart. Both of our eyes glistened as we glanced up. Rosie cupped my cheek and wiped her thumb under my eye. "Oh, Nat, what a mess. I rang home when we left the campsite. They're both so stubborn. I promise I'll talk to Mum when we fly up to Scotland tomorrow. The trip's going ahead regardless. Maybe away from Dad, I can knock some sense into her. By next week, it will all be a horrible memory."

I let out a deep sigh and checked the picture frames on the wall. A photo of Rosie and Daniel was among the family portraits. Relief washed over me, knowing she had a family to go to when ours seemed to be falling apart. "Hope so," I mumbled. "I don't think Dad will change. You should've heard what he said to her, Rosie. He was awful."

"He's always been grumpy."

I peered over and screwed my face up. "This was worse. He was spiteful. He belittled her for wanting to go back to school and then threw it in her face that he didn't get a son."

Rosie winced and popped her hand over mine. "I'll talk to her."

A large golden retriever bounded into the room and rubbed himself up against my legs. "Hey, Samson." His fur was damp and clung to my leggings. I scratched behind his ears as he panted and drooled on my clothes.

Andy ran in after him and pulled him off. "Sorry about that. Daniel just brought him home from the groomers and left him to run through the house. Come on, boy." He dragged Samson by the collar and ushered him out of the living room.

I stood up and brushed the dog hair off my legs. "That's okay," I shouted after him. "I should head out. Alec is waiting for me, so we can grab some dinner." I hugged my sister goodbye and wished her a safe trip.

As I left their house, Andy followed me. "Fancy a lift? I'm going that way?"

We arrived outside of the Hart's farmhouse a few minutes later. Andy leant over the centre console and wrapped his arms around me. "I'm really sorry about your mum and dad. I overheard Rosie and Daniel last night. I'm here if you need anyone to chat to."

I patted his back. "Thanks, Andy. See ya later." As I opened the car door, Alec stood in the doorway of the annexe, waiting for me. He raised his hand at Andy, who did the same back as he drove off.

"Hey, you." Alec pulled me against his chest and kissed my hair. "Why didn't you call so I could pick you up?"

"It wasn't far and then Andy offered to drive me." I looked down at my hands. I forgot to take my cakes. Andy got his wish. I shook my head and laughed to myself.

"I saw that."

"You're not jealous about that, are you?" I hesitated. A knot twisted in my stomach as it dawned on me. What if Alec thought the hug was more than just a friendly hug? I glanced up, waiting for his reply.

"What? Why would you ask that? You don't like Andy do you?" he said with a hint of amusement in his voice, as his eyes widened.

"No, not like that. But if it was Max, he wouldn't have been pleased." My own voice was weak as I chastised myself for bringing Max up and comparing both boys when they were so different.

"Well, you're forgetting something." He bent down and brushed his lips against mine before whispering, "I'm not Max."

"I can see that. Aren't I lucky?" I slipped my arms around his back, under his top, as I pressed into him and kissed him over and over again.

***

Alec and I sat on the corner sofa in the annexe with the TV on, leftovers from our Indian takeaway scattered on the coffee table in front of us. Alec absentmindedly drew lazy circles on my stomach as his eyes focused on whatever was on the screen. However, my mind was elsewhere. Like the fact that I felt as if someone was repeatedly stabbing me from the inside. I switched sides, facing away from Alec, to see if I could ease the pain.

When that didn't work, I shuffled over to the kitchen sink, filled a glass with water and threw back a couple of pain-relief tablets from the packet I bought earlier.

"You okay? Alec paused his show and rose from his seat.

"Yeah, just a sore tummy." I curled my hand over my lower abdomen as I said it. The dull ache had grown over the course of the day.

Alec stood in front of me and rested his hand on my forehead. "Are you sick? Do you reckon it's the food?"

I gazed up at him and smiled. Always so thoughtful and attentive. I wanted to smooth out the line that had appeared between his brows. "No, nothing like that. It's just that time of the month." His stare was blank as he tried to comprehend my words. "You know, my period."

"Ah well, do you want a hot-water bottle? Mum or Chloe will have one. Fancy some chocolate. I can even offer up a boxing bag." He raised his fists in front of his face and mimicked a boxer.

I swatted his hands down. "I was going to gush over how sweet you were until that last comment," I laughed as he squeezed his arms tight around me and rocked us side to side. He skimmed my lower back with his fingers and nuzzled his face into my hair.

"The pain relief should kick in soon." Alec led us to the sofa and propped some cushions behind my back. Relaxing into them, I grabbed his hand and played with his fingers to keep my mind off my discomfort. The girl on the TV show Alec was watching was starting to irritate me. I closed my eyes for a few seconds. My legs throbbed, and I had the sudden urge to walk around the room. I let go of Alec's hand so I could clench my fists as my stomach twisted.

"Actually, I'm just going to pop to the farmhouse quickly." I gathered some of the containers from our takeaway and made my way to the door.

"Why? No one's in. If it's to get a hot-water bottle, I'll do it." Alec grabbed hold of my wrist to stop me from going any further. "Leave that, Nattie. I'll do it." I dropped everything down and crossed my arms around my waist. How could I word it without grossing him out? I hunched over and felt a sheen of sweat on my forehead. I must have looked a right mess.

As I stood there in silence, Alec gazed up, his forehead furrowed. He tilted his head to the side, urging me to speak up.

"I need the loo, okay?" I finally confessed as I turned away and rubbed my arm.

"There's a toilet here."

"I can't go in here with you sat there," I muttered.

"Why not? I've known you since we were four years old. I think I know you use the toilet. We've been on camping trips, school trips, sleepovers and spent days on end together. It's never bothered you before."

"You weren't my boyfriend before."

"Boyfriend? Who says I want to be tied down? I'm still weighing my options out here." Alec scoffed and raised his eyebrows in horror.

My heart sank, and I could feel the blood draining from my face. Had I been reading this all wrong? After what felt like minutes but was probably only mere seconds, Alec winked and rolled over laughing.

My mouth fell open as my cheeks regained colour. I picked up one of the decorative cushions and threw it straight at his face, making Alec laugh harder. "Come here you," he said in my favourite deep voice. He tugged my T-shirt until I was on his lap.

His eyes swept over my face and landed on my lips. He massaged the back of my neck with one hand and stroked my cheek with the other. "How about I clear this up, make up that hot-water bottle and come back with some ice cream? I'll be gone ages so you can do what you need to do." He pulled me down and peppered soft, tender kisses on my mouth.

"I've already said it, but I will say it again. Aren't I lucky?" I whispered between kisses.

***