Book Club Reads: 3-Book Collection: Yesterday’s Sun, The Sea Sisters, Someone to Watch Over Me. Amanda Brooke

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      ‘Yes, and that’s why there’s a price to be paid.’

      ‘I’m scared, Jocelyn,’ confessed Holly. ‘I’m scared that I have to spend the rest of my life paying the price. I’m scared the moondial intends to take away not just Libby but any other child I may have. What kind of life am I going to lead if I can’t ever have children? Will Tom still love me?’

      ‘I may have met him only once, but that man will always love you, I’m sure of it,’ replied Jocelyn firmly.

      Before Holly had a chance to dwell on her fears the bell hanging above the door of the teashop tinkled, announcing the arrival of new customers. Lisa was at the far end of the small kitchen, still busily chopping vegetables.

      ‘Duty calls,’ Jocelyn said with a sigh as she pulled herself to her feet. Wincing in pain, she added, ‘I think I’m still recovering from that walk of ours. I really shouldn’t put myself through these long shifts any more.’ Although she was in her eighties, Jocelyn worked just as hard as someone half her age and despite her creaking bones the teashop seemed to charge her energy levels rather than drain them.

      ‘You should get more help in here,’ Holly told her.

      ‘If that’s an offer, then I accept,’ Jocelyn said with an air of triumph.

      Holly opened her mouth to speak but did an impression of a fish on a line gulping for air, as she tried her best to think of a way to get herself out of the trap Jocelyn had set. ‘If I didn’t know better, Jocelyn, I’d say I’d just been set up.’

      ‘If you didn’t know better, you’d say no and go home to wallow in your misery.’

      Holly’s eyes narrowed as she thought about the offer and tried her best to ignore Jocelyn’s exaggerated moans and groans as she shuffled along the table.

      ‘I still need to keep my mornings free to work in the studio. And do you have any idea what a complete novice I am in the kitchen?’ warned Holly.

      ‘All the more reason to start putting in some practice,’ retorted Jocelyn.

      ‘Would you like me to start right now?’ offered Holly.

      ‘No, tomorrow afternoon will be soon enough.’

      Holly was reluctant to move. She glanced at the young family who had settled at one of the tables and were scrutinizing the menu. ‘I just have the full moon to survive tonight then,’ she said.

      Jocelyn sat herself back down with a thump. ‘How stupid am I? Sorry, Holly, I didn’t realize it was that close. Are you going to use it?’

      ‘No, absolutely not. I’ve seen enough of my future for one lifetime.’ Though she managed a brave smile, Holly’s heart felt heavy and her stomach leaden. ‘I’ve already wrapped up the dial in a dust sheet just to keep it out of sight. It can stay under wraps for the foreseeable future.’

      They both chuckled at Holly’s feeble pun.

      ‘Are you sure you’ll be all right?’ Jocelyn asked.

      Holly stood up. ‘Of course I will. I’ll see you tomorrow.’

      Jocelyn rose from the table for a second time and gave Holly a bear hug. ‘You’ll be fine. You’re a strong woman. Stronger than I ever was.’

      ‘I doubt that. I’d be happy to have half your strength,’ Holly said. ‘You’re a very special lady.’

      ‘Don’t be daft,’ replied Jocelyn, wafting her out of the shop with a flutter of embarrassment. ‘And don’t think buttering up the boss means I’ll be taking it easy on you. I want you here at one o’clock sharp!’

      As Holly left the teashop she was surprised to find she had a spring in her step. She practically sauntered back to the gatehouse with a sense of control she hadn’t felt in a long time. She had been strong once and she could be again. She wouldn’t drop her guard and she would get through this for her sake and for Tom’s.

      That evening, Holly won her first battle with the moondial and ignored its persistent pull from beneath its makeshift shroud.

      Holly clattered pots and pans as she raced around the kitchen trying to juggle over-boiled vegetables and burning roast potatoes. She had insisted on inviting Tom’s parents and Jocelyn around for Sunday lunch to welcome Tom home, but she was now seriously regretting the decision. It probably hadn’t been a good idea either to open a bottle of wine to give her Dutch courage.

      ‘Are you sure you wouldn’t like some help?’ Diane asked, peering around the kitchen door and doing her best not to show any visible signs of horror at the mess that Holly was in the process of creating.

      ‘No, I’ll be fine,’ insisted Holly as she dropped a tea towel over the scorch mark she’d made on the kitchen table. She had already confessed her mishap to Diane, who had taken it well.

      Diane looked at the tea towel and was about to say something but thought better of it. Holly was in no mood to be soothed. ‘If you’re sure?’ she said, more as a question than a statement.

      ‘I’m sure,’ replied Holly through gritted teeth and with only the slightest hint of hysteria. ‘You get back in there with Tom. I’m sure there’s still plenty of catching up to do.’

      ‘All right then,’ Diane told her with an unconvincing smile. She still didn’t look like she was going anywhere but then the doorbell rang.

      ‘That’ll be Jocelyn,’ Holly gasped, looking around in panic and wondering how long she could leave the oven unattended before the whole kitchen imploded. Jocelyn hadn’t met Tom’s parents and she barely knew Tom. Holly would be a poor hostess if she didn’t do the introductions. She did a little jig in the middle of the kitchen as she went to go one way and then the other.

      ‘Are you all right? I can take over if you like while you get the door,’ Diane suggested with enthusiasm.

      For a split second, Holly really was tempted to escape the kitchen with her opened bottle of wine and leave the cooking in more capable hands. There must be something Diane could salvage from the chaos, but she was going to have a hard job recreating perfectly formed sprouts from the green mush bubbling in a pan hidden at the back of the stove. ‘No, I’m the one who made this mess and I’m the one who has to cook my way out of it. Could you see to Jocelyn for me?’

      ‘If you’re sure,’ Diane conceded reluctantly. She backed out of the kitchen as if she was too scared to turn her back on the bubbling bedlam.

      Two minutes later, Jocelyn popped her head around the door.

      ‘Diane said you’re determined to do this on your own, but …’ Jocelyn cast a wary look over the kitchen. ‘Are you sure you don’t want some help?’

      ‘I’m fine,’ Holly replied with a fixed grin that was starting to make her cheeks ache. It was difficult enough keeping track of the countless miniature disasters that were appearing by the minute without the constant battle of keeping out the good Samaritans. ‘I’m just sorry I can’t come out of here to do some proper introductions.’

      ‘Oh, don’t worry about us. Diane and Jack are lovely and I’m getting reacquainted СКАЧАТЬ