A Taste of Home by Heidi Swain (the beginning after the end read novel TXT) 📕

‘I knew you’d like them,’ he said, pulling out a chair and making himself at home.

‘I do,’ I said, trying to sound grateful, even though the gaudy, tortured bunch wasn’t my cup of tea at all, ‘and actually I’m pleased you’re early, because although I haven’t got time to sit with you, I do want to talk to you. Just give me a minute.’

I ran back upstairs to tell Grandad who had arrived and that we were going for a walk. He looked about as impressed as he had the day he found out it was Anthony who had taken me out to dinner.

‘Have you got time for a walk?’ he frowned, looking at the clock next to his bed. ‘I know Judd’s early but you still have things to do.’

‘It’ll be fine,’ I reassured him. ‘It will help settle my nerves.’

I didn’t specify what the nerves were about and just let him assume the obvious.

‘All right,’ he said. ‘I’ll listen out for anyone else.’

I quickly kissed him on the cheek and went back downstairs to whisk Anthony away.

‘It’s about Eliot,’ I said, the second we were out of earshot of the house.

‘Oh yes,’ he keenly said, linking his arm through mine. ‘What have you found out?’

‘Nothing,’ I said, disentangling myself and turning to face him. ‘Absolutely nothing.’

‘I can’t say I’m all that surprised,’ he sighed. ‘He’s probably too clever to leave any hint…’

‘No,’ I said, cutting him off. ‘I don’t think it’s because he’s too clever to be the sneak you’re suggesting, it’s because there’s nothing to find. You did warn me, that what you’d heard was all supposition, didn’t you?’

‘I did,’ he hesitantly agreed.

‘And that’s exactly what it is,’ I forthrightly said.

The look Anthony gave me as he shook his head was extremely patronising.

‘He’s done quite a job on you, hasn’t he?’ he mockingly said.

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ I flushed, instantly riled.

‘Never mind.’

‘Look,’ I said. ‘Whoever was spreading those rumours has got things completely wrong. Eliot’s no conman, in fact he’s probably the best friend Grandad’s got and even if he did go off the rails when he was younger, he’s certainly made amends for it since.’

‘You seem very keen on the senior citizens’ saviour all of a sudden,’ Anthony laughed.

‘Not in the way that you’re insinuating.’

‘Well, that’s all right then.’

I didn’t ask why.

‘Eliot’s a friend,’ I said, meeting Anthony’s gaze and hoping the truth wasn’t written all over my face. ‘A good one and a trusted one.’

I knew beyond any reasonable doubt that I was in love with Eliot but I wasn’t going to admit it, especially not to Anthony. All I was interested in achieving, was getting through the evening without him mucking things up.

‘Well,’ Anthony said, letting out a long breath. ‘I’m relieved to be proved wrong and if I hear any more about it, I’ll be sure to set the gossip-monger straight.’

I wasn’t sure I believed he would, because I was beginning to think that the only person spreading the gossip, that I hadn’t even heard so much of a hint of, was him. That said, I supposed, as long as he kept his mouth shut that would be the end of it.

‘Fliss!’ I heard Grandad call. ‘Come on. It’s almost time!’

I hoped Anthony really was going to suit his actions to his words and I rushed back to the barn to make the final few adjustments. Our early arrival spent the whole time getting under my feet and didn’t offer to help once.

‘Why don’t you move your car?’ Grandad suggested when he realised I was getting wound up. ‘In fact, I’ll show you where you need to park it, Anthony and then you can stand at the gate and direct everyone else as they arrive.’

The look of disapproval on Anthony’s face soon restored my humour.

‘That’s a great idea, Grandad,’ I grinned as he took Anthony off.

There was an influx of cars just before seven and everyone congregated on the drive. I wanted to let them all into the barn at the same time so I could gauge their collective response. The only people missing were Eliot and Bec. Louise explained that Eliot had finished work and the pair had just had to rush off somewhere.

‘They won’t be long,’ she reassured me. ‘They’ll definitely be here before you want to start serving the food, but I’m here to help if needs be so don’t worry.’

I felt rather disappointed, because I’d wanted to have the pair of them with me when I opened the doors, but I couldn’t leave everyone standing about. So, before my nerves got the better of me, I took in the eager faces of my new friends, noting that they’d all dressed up for the occasion and were carrying bags bulging with bottles and blankets.

‘Evening everyone,’ I said, pulling in a breath. ‘Thank you all so much for coming tonight. I know that you were as keen as I was when I explained about the secret supper club plans in the pub last week.’

‘Hear, hear!’ quipped Jemma and everyone laughed.

‘But,’ I said, trying not to look at Amber and Jake, ‘what I want to find out is whether that was alcohol fuelled enthusiasm,’ everyone laughed again, ‘or if you really think I’m on to something.’

The group quietened.

‘What you’ll experience inside the barn tonight is just a small taste, no pun intended, of what I envisage the whole could eventually be and I’d really appreciate any feedback you’d be willing to offer. I want to hear the good and the bad, but more than that, I want you to enjoy your evening.’

With that, I pulled open the doors and led everyone inside. The collective gasp and excited chatter which followed me in released the air I’d been holding in my lungs, and I just knew that I’d made an impression and a good one. Whatever the Skylark duo decided, I’d given it my best shot.

‘Sorry,’ said Bec, as she rushed in a