had broken hearts for miles around? Maybe it was her previous form with losers that made her seem like an easy target. If that was the case, then she was really cross. It implied Joel thought she was a pushover. And she wasn’t. Not any more.
Although … she had to admit. Despite her better judgement, Troy was beginning to win her round. He was kind and considerate whenever she worked in the pub, he had not missed a single day with the girls, who were really enjoying having him around, and she had to admit she’d been impressed by his plans for a community centre. Maybe he’d finally grown up and was preparing to settle down at last. If he was … Lauren allowed herself a brief wild daydream of them getting back together. All she’d ever wanted was the girls to have their dad, and Troy to want her again the way he’d wanted her when they first met.
The doorbell rang and Lauren immediately revised her opinion of Troy’s grown-up status.
‘You look a right mess,’ she said, surveying him with dismay. He hadn’t shaved, he was still in the clothes he was wearing the previous day, and he stank of beer and fags. She didn’t want the kids seeing him like this.
‘That’s a nice welcome,’ said Troy.
‘Well, it’s true,’ said Lauren in exasperation. ‘Have you looked in a mirror lately?’
‘Haven’t dared,’ said Troy. ‘Any chance of a cuppa?’
‘Not until you’ve had a shower,’ said Lauren, ‘you stink.’
‘But you love me really,’ said Troy, with a cheeky grin. ‘Care to join me?’
‘Don’t push your luck,’ said Lauren. She put the kettle on while Troy showered, feeling all at sea. Joel had unsettled her last night with his declaration of undying love. She was sure he didn’t mean it really, it was the booze talking, but now, holding him in the light against Troy, she felt confused. Lauren had been on the verge of letting Troy back into her life, but seeing him like this had put her off again. And while she didn’t think she wanted Joel either, there was a part of her that didn’t know what she wanted.
Troy emerged twenty minutes later looking much better, though he hadn’t shaved, and his stubble made him seem that bit more attractive.
‘Good night was it?’ Lauren kept her tone light to cover up her inner turmoil. Why did Troy make her feel like this? If only it was as straightforward as saying, he’s no good, I don’t fancy him.
‘So good, I crashed next door,’ said Troy.
‘Who’s the unlucky lady?’ said Lauren.
‘Why do you assume there has to be a lady?’ said Troy in plaintive tones.
‘Because you’re a predictable tosser,’ said Lauren. Despite herself, she felt disappointed. She’d thought Troy was on the verge of changing and becoming responsible, she’d clearly thought wrong.
‘I found a sleeping bag which seemed spare and crashed on the floor if you must know.’
‘Yeah, right,’ said Lauren. ‘I so believe that.’
‘It happens to be true.’ Troy looked quite hurt that she didn’t believe him.
‘Whatever,’ said Lauren, trying not to show her relief, ‘it’s none of my business. Where’s everyone else?’
‘They’re all back at the Memorial Gardens,’ said Troy. ‘I just thought with it being a sunny day, you and the girls might like to go for a picnic. If you get everything ready, I’ll pop home and come back and pick you up in half an hour.’
Though irritated with his assumption that she would prepare the picnic, Lauren couldn’t help being pleased that Troy had asked. It was worth it to see the girls’ faces as well.
‘OK, then,’ she said. ‘Lucky for you, I went shopping yesterday.’
‘I’ll be back soon,’ said Troy. ‘Don’t you go anywhere, now.’
‘And where would I go in Heartsease?’ said Lauren, laughing. ‘Go on, we’ll see you later.’
Chapter Twenty-Three
‘Come on, Sam,’ said Joel. ‘Here’s Nanny. We’re going to take her out for the day.’
His mother was waiting outside her flat, leaning on her stick. He always told her not to do that, but she nearly always insisted on being ready at least half an hour before he arrived, ‘just in case’. She never explained in case of what, and in vain Joel tried to persuade her it wouldn’t be much good if she tripped over, but she dismissed him with a ‘Don’t be daft, I can still get out of the house on my own, you know.’
‘Nana!’ said Sam, clapping his hands as Joel helped his mother to the car.
‘Who’s my beautiful boy?’ Joel’s mum kissed her grandson.
‘You do realize he’s actually saying banana, don’t you, Mum?’ teased Joel. ‘It’s his favourite fruit.’
‘Shh,’ said his mother. ‘He knows his beautiful nana when he sees her, don’t you, darling?’
‘Nana, Nana!’ Sam said again.
‘See,’ said his mum with a smug smile, ‘he does know it’s me.’
When they’d got to the old country pub Joel had chosen for lunch, he produced a folder with some of the documents he and Kezzie had found.
‘Oh, Mum, I thought you might be interested in looking at some of the stuff Kezzie and I have found out about Edward Handford,’ said Joel. ‘We’re going to put together an exhibition for the Heartsease Summer Fete. Or rather Kezzie is. She seems to be pretty good at that kind of thing.’
‘That’s wonderful,’ said his mum. ‘And how’s the garden getting on?’
‘Brilliant,’ said Joel. ‘Kezzie’s done a great job. Next time, I’ll bring you over to have a look. Anyway, we’re a bit stuck with some of the photos, I’m not sure who everyone is and I wondered if you’d know.’
‘Show me,’ said his mother, as she put her reading glasses on.
‘Ah, now, that,’ she said, pointing out a picture of the family in the garden, ‘that picture I remember. My grandmother had a copy on her wall. She was Lily’s youngest daughter, you know. Her name was Tilly. That’s her, there,’ Joel’s mother pointed to a young woman who looked very sombre, ‘and that’s Connie, the eldest, and Harry the son. Very sad, that. He’s the one who died in the First World War. Edward and Lily are sitting down.’
‘Do you know who this is?’ Joel pointed to a young man in military uniform, standing next to Connie.
‘Oh, that must be Connie’s fiancé,’ said Mum.
‘I thought Connie married a bank manager,’ said Joel.
‘Oh, she did eventually. Uncle Phillip,’ said Mum. ‘But she lost her first fiancé at the Somme. Very tragic.’
‘Why didn’t
