female built in quite such a … strong way. She couldn’t have asked for a more perfect bodyguard. She smiled. ‘Well, shopping with me will soon change that. Nobody adores me.’
Joyce hooted with laughter. ‘I love her already.’
After ensuring Mat had everything within arm’s reach, Joyce and Ellie set off in the Premier.
‘Mat phoned me last night,’ Joyce announced as she clicked in her seatbelt. ‘She didn’t tell me why you left the Quartermaine boy at the altar, but she said you have your reasons. I want you to know Mat’s word is good enough for me.’
Ellie’s mood plummeted at the idea that Matilda might have told Joyce more, and nausea set in at the thought of Joyce flapping her mouth about town, of Flynn hearing it all on the grapevine. Butshe quickly relaxed, knowing her godmother would never break her confidence.
‘Thanks.’
‘Don’t mention it. Mat’s had a lot on her plate recently. She’s so happy you’re here but doesn’t want you being crucified just because she needs you. She wanted someone else in your corner.’ Joyce’s voice was serious in a way Ellie hadn’t thought possible, judging by her brassy manner back at the cottage. ‘And I want you to know, I’m in your corner.’
An alien lump formed in Ellie’s throat. She couldn’t quite get another thanks past it.
‘We all make mistakes,’ continued Joyce, ‘and I don’t believe in beating oneself up about them. But that’s your business. If you want to talk, I won’t tell a soul your secret, but neither will I press you about it. I just want you to know.’
‘Okay. I appreciate that.’ Ellie stared ahead at the road. She didn’t really want to make small talk but she didn’t want silence right now either. Besides, she wouldn’t mind deflecting the attention from herself. ‘So, what do you think of Hope? Do you like running the caravan park?’
‘Love it. I’m a social butterfly so I adore meeting all the people that come through. And I find the dynamics of small-town life fascinating.’
‘That’s one word for it,’ Ellie snorted. Suffocating and narrow-minded were others.
‘You obviously don’t miss it.’
‘Actually, I didn’t mind it,’ Ellie said, surprising herself. She’d forgotten. She’d let the horror of her drastic departure overshadow the fact that her years here were the best ones of her life. Busy years, with never a moment’s peace. There was always something going on in the town – whether it be a football game, a quiz night, someone’s party, a fundraiser for the Hospital Auxiliary. It was impossibleto be idle, and there was something about the way country people pulled together in an emergency that couldn’t help but warm your heart. She’d loved being part of that, even if now, looking back, she wondered if she’d merely imagined the act of fitting in.
‘I could never go back,’ Joyce mused. ‘Not to all those bright lights, crazy streets and people too busy to smile at a stranger.’
Ellie could tell from the affection in Joyce’s voice that Hope and its people had worked their magic on her. Joyce had fallen in love and the only way she’d ever leave was if they carried her out in a box.
As they found a car space outside the Co-op, Ellie fought the desire to bite her nails. People were already turning in her direction. Heads were shaking. Lips were twisting downwards.
‘You know, Joyce,’ Ellie said, ‘perhaps it’d be better if you distanced yourself from me inside. I don’t want my unpopularity to affect your business.’
‘Don’t be silly, girl. Most of my business comes from out-of-towners. Besides, if people are that narrow-minded, I don’t want their friendship or their custom. Give this town a bit of credit. Granted, we have a few silly biddies, but once they’ve had their moment, you’ll be old news. Come on, let’s get that moment over with.’
Ellie couldn’t deny that she felt better with Joyce by her side. As she locked the car –
Joyce hooted with laughter. ‘I love her already.’
After ensuring Mat had everything within arm’s reach, Joyce and Ellie set off in the Premier.
‘Mat phoned me last night,’ Joyce announced as she clicked in her seatbelt. ‘She didn’t tell me why you left the Quartermaine boy at the altar, but she said you have your reasons. I want you to know Mat’s word is good enough for me.’
Ellie’s mood plummeted at the idea that Matilda might have told Joyce more, and nausea set in at the thought of Joyce flapping her mouth about town, of Flynn hearing it all on the grapevine. Butshe quickly relaxed, knowing her godmother would never break her confidence.
‘Thanks.’
‘Don’t mention it. Mat’s had a lot on her plate recently. She’s so happy you’re here but doesn’t want you being crucified just because she needs you. She wanted someone else in your corner.’ Joyce’s voice was serious in a way Ellie hadn’t thought possible, judging by her brassy manner back at the cottage. ‘And I want you to know, I’m in your corner.’
An alien lump formed in Ellie’s throat. She couldn’t quite get another thanks past it.
‘We all make mistakes,’ continued Joyce, ‘and I don’t believe in beating oneself up about them. But that’s your business. If you want to talk, I won’t tell a soul your secret, but neither will I press you about it. I just want you to know.’
‘Okay. I appreciate that.’ Ellie stared ahead at the road. She didn’t really want to make small talk but she didn’t want silence right now either. Besides, she wouldn’t mind deflecting the attention from herself. ‘So, what do you think of Hope? Do you like running the caravan park?’
‘Love it. I’m a social butterfly so I adore meeting all the people that come through. And I find the dynamics of small-town life fascinating.’
‘That’s one word for it,’ Ellie snorted. Suffocating and narrow-minded were others.
‘You obviously don’t miss it.’
‘Actually, I didn’t mind it,’ Ellie said, surprising herself. She’d forgotten. She’d let the horror of her drastic departure overshadow the fact that her years here were the best ones of her life. Busy years, with never a moment’s peace. There was always something going on in the town – whether it be a football game, a quiz night, someone’s party, a fundraiser for the Hospital Auxiliary. It was impossibleto be idle, and there was something about the way country people pulled together in an emergency that couldn’t help but warm your heart. She’d loved being part of that, even if now, looking back, she wondered if she’d merely imagined the act of fitting in.
‘I could never go back,’ Joyce mused. ‘Not to all those bright lights, crazy streets and people too busy to smile at a stranger.’
Ellie could tell from the affection in Joyce’s voice that Hope and its people had worked their magic on her. Joyce had fallen in love and the only way she’d ever leave was if they carried her out in a box.
As they found a car space outside the Co-op, Ellie fought the desire to bite her nails. People were already turning in her direction. Heads were shaking. Lips were twisting downwards.
‘You know, Joyce,’ Ellie said, ‘perhaps it’d be better if you distanced yourself from me inside. I don’t want my unpopularity to affect your business.’
‘Don’t be silly, girl. Most of my business comes from out-of-towners. Besides, if people are that narrow-minded, I don’t want their friendship or their custom. Give this town a bit of credit. Granted, we have a few silly biddies, but once they’ve had their moment, you’ll be old news. Come on, let’s get that moment over with.’
Ellie couldn’t deny that she felt better with Joyce by her side. As she locked the car –
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