The Fire House on Honeysuckle Street Read online

  ‘Come on, love, I’ll take you home. We’ll pick the lad up on the way.’

  Chapter 14

  Two days had passed since the charity auction, and Lucy woke up with the heaviest sense of dread she’d had since arriving. Today was the day she went home.

  She’d holed herself up since Taylor had dropped them both off that night, trying to make sense of what had happened, what it meant. She felt like she’d ruined everything, and brought Sam along for the ride and hurt him too. Now he didn’t want her at all, and he had no family left to find. It was all a huge mess.

  She’d rung Iain the day after, and had it out with him. They’d talked on the phone for hours, hashing it all out, but, ultimately, they knew it was over. She’d known before she left, she just needed to work it out in her head. He’d agreed to move out into one of the company apartments in central London, to not disrupt Xander any more than he needed to be. He was already going back to a school he hated, and now his parents were splitting up. They’d put the house up for sale, and go their separate ways. She needed to go home, to sort everything out, and escape Sam. She just couldn’t live in a village where he was every day and cope. She had to sell up and move on. The deli owners had been lovely, and she had a job as long as she wanted. It wasn’t teaching, but it would do for now. Once they were settled in a new house elsewhere then maybe she could find something better for Xander AND her. Marlene had tried to talk her out of it, but Lucy couldn’t be swayed, so that was it. She’d even refused their lift offer to the station. She’d get a cab, and get out of Westfield as fast as she could, new train tickets in hand. She looked out of the window for a long time, at the views beyond her window, taking them in and sealing them in her memory vault. This was her last day in Westfield, and she would miss it dearly.

  ‘What’s wrong, Agatha? You look like you’ve seen a ghost!’

  Amanda ran to doorway of New Lease of Life and ushered Agatha into a nearby comfy chair. The four ladies all looked at her. She was dressed in canary yellow today, looking rather like the Queen, and the colour palette was currently doing nothing for her complexion.

  ‘Ahh, nothing really. A bit of a late night with Taylor, that’s all.’

  Grace tittered. ‘I bet you did, you filthy woman! Use some of the props from the auction, did ya?’

  Agatha didn’t raise a smile, just sagged into her chair.

  ‘Lucy’s leaving today, with Xander,’ Marlene said sadly. ‘I offered to drive them to the station, but she wouldn’t hear of it. I’m going to miss them so much. They’ll be gone in an hour.’ She sniffed, and Dot passed her a silky hankie. ‘I’ve tried Sam, but his phone’s just going to voicemail. I had such high hopes for them too.’

  Agatha sat forward. ‘Lucy’s leaving today?’ She rose to her feet, her colour returning a little. ‘She can’t go! Sam … er … er …’

  ‘What?’ Grace said. ‘What?’

  Agatha stuttered again, her head bobbing as she tried to form the words.

  ‘What is it?’ Grace pressed. ‘Timmy stuck down the well? Spit it out, woman!’

  She took a deep breath, and hung her leather handbag, also yellow, over the crook of her arm.

  ‘To the car, ladies, now!’

  They got in the car, Grace throwing a stack of knitting pattern books into the footwell. ‘Sorry, had a bit of a charity shop binge.’

  Agatha practically shoehorned the women into the back seat, slamming the door on them, and grabbed her mobile from her bag. It rang twice before someone answered.

  ‘Taylor darling,’ she said, her telephone voice coming into force despite her heightened state. ‘Come to the fire house now, my darling, Lucy’s leaving. It’s time.’

  She didn’t wait for a response, shoved the phone back into her handbag and jabbed Grace none too gently with her elbow, making the car swerve. ‘You heard me, the fire house! Quick! Try bloody sixth gear!’

  ‘I don’t think it has a bloody sixth gear!’ Grace bellowed. ‘And watch my tit next time! You’ve got elbows like Gollum!’

  They careened up to the fire house, straight in front of one of the fire engines. Chief Briggs came running out, waving his arms.

  ‘Move your car, you’re blocking the engines.’

  Grace ignored him, pointing to indoors. ‘Sam here? We need him.’

  ‘He’s just getting ready to go out. He and Norman are taking part in a fun day in Leeds, showing the kids in the local area our Bessie and teaching them about fire safety.’ He looked proud. ‘Our Bessie will turn some heads I can tell you! Now move please, unless you have a fire emergency or a crowning baby!’

  ‘I shall crown you, Alan Briggs, if you carry on,’ Agatha cut in, getting out of the car and heading into the fire station. ‘Grace, park in the car park, but don’t you let Sam leave without me seeing him.’

  ‘Aye aye, captain,’ she said, saluting her out of the window and sticking her tongue out at Alan. ‘Have that Briggsy!’

  Sam was just heading out of the door to the engine bays when Agatha came around the corner, smiling warmly at him.

  ‘I never saw it before now, Samuel, but I see it now. You have his eyes.’

  Sam stopped, swallowing hard. ‘Do I?’

  She came closer, and held out a hand tentatively. ‘May I?’

  He gave her a sign of assent, and she reached up, touching his cheek. ‘Ah yes, you are more like him than you know. He’s a good man, you know.’

  Taylor walked in behind her, looking as though he’d run a marathon. Agatha waved him over.

  ‘This is my husband Taylor, you’ve met, of course. My second husband that is. He worked at the estate with myself and Charlie, my first husband, God rest his soul.’

  She reached for Taylor’s hand and Sam’s and put them together, wrapped in hers.

  ‘He worked with your mother, Mary too,’ she added gently. ‘He really liked her, actually. Charlie’s not your father, sweetheart. Taylor is.’

  ‘What?’ Sam was standing on the corridor at work, being presented with a father, something that he thought he had lost forever. ‘How do you know?’

  ‘I heard what you said to Lucy, at the auction. I was seeing your mother, but our families were never keen really. My dad was all about the work and the traditions. Me courting the maid wasn’t acceptable to him, and I was destined to take over when he retired. She just upped and left one day, I swear I never knew.’

  ‘Charlie and I both looked for her,’ Agatha said sadly. ‘She was a big part of the house, but she just didn’t want to be found. That night, I looked through all the newspapers, the stuff my father kept, and I found this.’

  He held out the same newspaper clipping that Sam had seen many times before, the story of his being found. ‘I think my father suspected, or she told him. I think he paid her off, and she took the money and went to London. Last time we heard news, it was of her death.’

  Sam leaned against the wall, bending over and resting his hands on his knees. He couldn’t believe it.

  ‘I didn’t know, Sam. If I’d known, there would be no way I wouldn’t have raised you.’

  ‘We,’ Agatha added. ‘We would have had you in a heartbeat.’ She looked at the tiny ornate gold watch on her wrist, and tutted. ‘We don’t have time for this now, Sam dear. Lucy and little Alexander are heading to Leeds Station as we speak, in a taxi. They’re going back home.’

  ‘What?’ Sam yelled. ‘She’s not supposed to leave yet!’

  Taylor took his keys out of his pocket. ‘I’ll drive you there, if you let me. It’s none of my business, but you can’t let her go, son.’

  He winced at his use of the word ‘son’. ‘Sorry, didn’t mean to.’ Sam reached forward and pulled him into a hug. ‘It’s okay. I guess we have a lot to talk about.’

  ‘Later,’ Agatha said, chivvying them both along towards the door. ‘Come on, we need to go!’

  ‘I have a better idea,’ Chief Briggs said when they told him. ‘The event doesn’t start till two. Leeds tra
ffic at this time? We’ll give you a lift. Gary can fill in for you. He’s been somewhat of a celebrity since his nude baking thing. He’ll be a big hit with the mums!’

  Bessie flew through the traffic, sirens blaring. The cars and trucks on the road parted for them, making their journey fast and exciting. Behind them, staying close and keeping pace were Dot, Marlene and Grace. Grace had asked for a stick-on siren for hers but Chief Briggs had politely declined her request. Agatha and Taylor were in the fire truck, sat in the back with Sam, Gary and Norman up front.

  ‘Woo!’ Taylor said, looking out of the window at the traffic scattering. ‘This is some adrenaline rush!’

  Sam laughed as he whooped and cheered, Agatha clinging to him, whimpering slightly. Taylor grabbed her tight, comforting her, and Sam’s heart shifted, as though something had clicked into place. He was a good man, Agatha was right. He found himself looking forward to getting to know him, to hearing about his mother when she was young and in love. They pulled round to the side of the train station. Sam jumped out and helped Agatha get down with her canary yellow class intact.

  ‘Good luck, Sam, bring her home, eh!’ Gary shouted out of the cab as Norman pulled off. ‘The chief’s going to send you a ride, so keep your phone on, eh?’

  They tooted on the horn, and drove away. Sam looked at the pair stood next to him.

  ‘Go Sam! Run!’ Agatha screamed at him.

  ‘We’re right behind you,’ Taylor added, their eyes locking. Sam nodded once and was gone, racing to the train platforms.

  Lucy settled Xander onto the train, making him comfy and giving him his iPad, snacks and Hedwig. He hadn’t said much all morning, and even his pancakes had been left untouched. She knew that he was thinking of the bustle of home, the school he hated, his dad. They had called a truce for now, deciding that legal help was needed to sort everything out, but it was still going to be hard on him, to move house again. He’d lit up in Westfield, and she couldn’t help adding his mood to the list of things that she had destroyed this summer.

  ‘It’ll be fine, honey. We’ll look for a new school. You won’t be there forever, and we can decorate your new bedroom how you want it.’

  ‘I want Great Auntie Marlene back,’ he said honestly, his open innocent eyes boring into her with their disdain. ‘I liked it there, and Mrs Holliday said—’

  ‘I know what Mrs Holliday said, but we can visit, for Christmas maybe?’

  She hated lying to him, and promising a child, especially a child like Xander, anything and not following through was terrible. He would remember. Maybe that’s why she said it. Truth be told, Xander, I don’t want to leave either.

  ‘Sam!’ A shadow fell over them both, and Xander hurled himself out of his seat, headphones flying everywhere, and barrelled straight into him. Sam picked him up easily, tucking him into his side.

  ‘Hey, buddy! Where do you and your mummy think you’re going?’

  ‘Home,’ he said glumly. ‘I don’t wanna go though, and Mum cried all night.’

  Sam’s eyes fell to her. ‘Is that right?’

  ‘Might be,’ she said cautiously. ‘Why are you here?’

  Sam put Xander down and squeezed himself in the vacant seat next to her.

  ‘Sebastian Taylor is my father, not Mr Mayweather. He didn’t know about me. He heard us, the day of the auction.’ He pointed out of the train window, where a bright dollop of sunshine stood with Taylor, platform tickets in their hands. They waved wildly, hugging each other tight. ‘They brought me here to get you.’

  ‘Get us?’ Xander checked. ‘To go to Great Auntie Marlene? Cool!’

  Xander grabbed his bags and off he ran to the doors, fluffy owl in hand. Sam looked at the pair on the platform but they were already running to meet him. Watching them walking him over to a doughnut stall, his bags tucked under his father’s arms, he relaxed and focused on what else he came here for.

  ‘I was a dick,’ he stated, for lack of anything else to say. ‘But I love you, Lucy. I love you and your son, and I don’t want you to leave.’

  ‘You were a dick,’ she confirmed, before a small smile played on her lips. ‘But I love you too. I’m so sorry.’

  ‘Will you stay, with me? I know it’s hard but—’

  ‘Yes,’ she said, crying now. ‘I’ll stay. I never wanted to leave in the first place.’

  He kissed her, and the train carriage broke into applause as he picked her up, bags and all, and carried her off the train.

  Acknowledgements

  This is the eighth book I have completed now, and I still pinch myself that I get to write the books I loved as a child, and adore as a woman. My first thank you goes to my readers, who have loved this series and kept me writing more. I love you all, and you are welcome for a cuppa in Westfield whenever you like. Xander might even let you have a piece of cake. Watch this space, more books are coming!

  A huge thanks to the wonderful, energetic team at HQ Digital, who worked on this book with me and made it what it is. Gratitude to Nia Beynon, Manpreet Grewal, Cara Chimirri, Helen Williams and Dushi Horti at HQ for dealing with my rambling emails and occasional brain fart and also to the design team who create the wonderful eye-catching covers I adore. Big thanks to you all, and keep doing what you are doing.

  A huge shout out to my author buddies in crime and the RNA, my Yorkshire writers, and my school mum friends Gina, Nicola, Rita, Sara, Tracy, and Waseela. Thanks for being there.

  A big hello to my agent Lina Langlee from the Kate Nash Literary Agency, who is currently banging her head against a wall somewhere because I sent her another rambling email, or wacky book idea. Thanks for taking me on! #sorrynotsorry

  Autism is something that is present in my life every day, as a mother and a teacher, and I wanted to tell Xander’s story. Every autistic child is unique, so I modelled Xander on my own two boys, and their uniqueness. The hardest thing is the judgement of others, and hopefully this book will go some way to combat that, and help a parent struggling realise that they are not alone. Hit me up on Twitter if you need a friendly face, or a rude joke. You got this. They haven’t walked in your shoes, so you don’t deserve their judgement. Keep fighting, let them hear you roar.

  Also thanks to WHSmith for hosting my book signings, to Rickaro Book Shop in Horbury, Wakefield for being my local champion, and to Stanley Library, who are utterly amazing, and make us feel right at home whenever we step through the doors shouting ‘sanctuary, sanctuary!’ Wakefield Library Service rock in general, and I am honoured to have my books on your shelves.

  Finally, as ever, the biggest thank you to my family, who put up with me and cheer me on. I love you all very much, even the ever elusive resident Phantom Pooper.

  Turn the page for an exclusive extract of

  The Wedding Shop on Wexley Street …

  Chapter 1

  August

  The heat from the summer sun kissed the tanned and freckled skin of the wedding guests as they walked up the long path to the beautiful Grade II-listed church, the best Harrogate had to offer in terms of the ultimate IT wedding venue. One where God had a front-row seat anyway. Behind an oddly discreet line of police tape, a scoop of journalists jostled against each other, all dressed in their best uncrumpled clothes. All eager to snap the incoming guests, the first glimpse of the happy couple.

  Quite the guestlist was walking up this pebbled drive too. The hottest reality TV stars, fresh from the villas and beaches, the latest hot things to rock football shorts on the field, today all suited and booted with the local glitterati, were all here to see the modern love story. Meghan and Harry had nothing on Harrogate’s very own playboy and tea baron, Darcy Burgess, who was today set to marry the girl of his dreams or, as the press had come to know her, the elusive girl next door. Uncharacteristically, Darcy had kept his lady out of the spotlight, so today, in the sumptuously beautiful and historic surroundings of St Wilfred’s, all eyes would definitely be on the bride.

  Past the line of paps, inside the
church, the pews were festooned with flowers, laced into intricate ribbons and designs at the end of the aisles. A large, imposing centrepiece full of calla lilies, white roses and the best that taste and money could buy stood on a pedestal near the altar, and the whole church was fragrant with the scent of expensive perfumes and the ambience of flowers. Everything shone and gleamed, from the brass lectern to the cheeky sparkle in the excited guests’ eyes.

  Today would be talked about for months, a real gem on the Northern social calendar. Taken up by the South, the Burgess wedding was certainly a networking event like no other. No one could wait to finally see the girl who had tamed the great player, Darcy. The girl next door. The young lass from the little village shop. A day of new beginnings, in more unexpected ways than one.

  New beginnings came in all shapes and sizes. The day Maria Mallory was due to be married would be the first day of her new life too, but for reasons very different to those the average bride would ever think of. In fact, had she known what was coming, she might have stayed in bed that day, quivering under the duvet and throwing holy water on her wedding gown to expel the demons.

  Ask any beaming child in the playground what they wanted to be when they grew up and you would get an enthusiastic answer. Thomas wanted to be an army man, Benjamin a vet just like his dad. Cassie wanted to be a ballet dancer, Alex to help sick people.

  Kids wanted to be everything, from astronauts to bakers. But Maria had always been different. She didn’t dream of a job. She dreamt of a status, a milestone. Maria Mallory had always wanted to one day be a bride. She’d spent hours at home poring over her parents’ wedding albums, legs dangling off the couch as she studied the happy, radiant faces of her mother and late father on their special day. While other kids played video games and rode bikes, Maria made scrapbooks filled with magazine cutouts, scraps of fabric from her mother’s workbox, recipe ideas for the wedding breakfast. Elizabeth Mallory worked from home as a seamstress, and her daughter would check her diary fastidiously, looking for bridal appointments. Women would come to their house all the time, requesting custom gowns, having their dresses altered, looking through her mum’s designs for the perfect bridesmaid dress to match their perfect white gown. Maria loved every minute, and couldn’t wait to get married. When she hit her teens, her determination to be a bride hadn’t changed. She helped her mother after school, and eventually took over when her mother got sick, running the business and helping at home while doing her own business degree. Even with the bumps in the road, Maria had never once lost sight of her goal: to get married. To have the life her mother and father once had. In sickness and health, true love, till death do us part. To have the wedding of her dreams.