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‘I saw him walking out of yours earlier with a stupid grin on his face. And for the record grown men make stupid decisions all the time,’ Hilda said briskly. ‘And do you really need help? Especially from the likes of a Brimble?’

Rita stood her ground. ‘The twins seem to like her already and I now have some time to myself, which can only be a positive thing for them and Jago.’

Hilda sniffed. ‘When I was younger, with your Archie, well, we just got on with it.’

Rita’s tiredness kicked in. ‘Please don’t start, Hilda.’

‘I’m just saying⁠—’

Rita cut in firmly. ‘You can say what you want but don’t call me out for being a bad mother.’

Hilda blinked, momentarily thrown, but only for a second. ‘I didn’t say that.’

‘You didn’t have to.’

A brief silence settled between them, broken only by the distant ma from the goats’ pen.

Rita’s voice softened slightly, though the edge remained. ‘And were you happy then, Hilda? When you were “just getting on with it”? Or did you feel like you didn’t want to miss out too?’

Hilda looked away, taking another drag to buy herself time. ‘That’s not the point.’

‘It is the point,’ Rita said quietly. ‘And as for Thom and Chloe, I’d bet the farmhouse on him not being interested in her. You know what he’s like. Always had a thing for women who are high maintenance.’

Then, almost casually, Hilda added, ‘On that note, I hear that that Poppy’s moved to the bay.’

Rita’s expression shifted to confusion. ‘Really?’

Hilda nodded, as if it were nothing. ‘Met a doctor. Works at the Polheron General, evidently.’

Rita blinked. ‘Oh… that’s a turn-up.’ Her mind drifted back to Betty’s comment. It would make sense, she supposed. That was what had been distracting him.

‘Mm. I liked her.’ Hilda gave a small, knowing look, then turned towards the door. ‘See how things can change on a sixpence.’

Hilda took one last drag of her vape before pushing the annexe door open, leaving Rita feeling as though she’d just been through a spin cycle.

Rita stepped into the kitchen and paused. Silence. No low chatter from the television, no clatter of toys, no raised voices or laughter. Just… quiet.

She set her bag down slowly, her mind already starting to wander. They’d probably all gone up to see the goats, or maybe Zenya was amusing them in the Nook.

She leant against the worktop for a moment, exhaling. Enjoying the moment. She felt that Hilda had been really harsh then. It wasn’t as if she’d abandoned them. She was allowed a bit of a life, wasn’t she? Something beyond feeding, changing, bedtimes and constant responsibility.

She walked through to the lounge, stopped in the doorway and felt a huge surge of love rush through her. All three children were curled up on the sofa, fast asleep. The twins tucked into either side, Alfie nestled against Chloe’s chest in a soft bundle. And Chloe herself was asleep too, an arm draped protectively around them. For a moment, Rita just stood there, taking it in.

Then, carefully, she pulled out her phone and snapped a photo. The movement stirred Chloe. Her eyes fluttered open, and she jolted, immediately flustered.

‘Oh, Rita, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep, I just…’

Rita waved it off at once, keeping her voice low. ‘Hey, hey, don’t worry about it.’

Chloe sat up a little, still clearly embarrassed. ‘I was just settling Alfie and then… I must have just dropped off.’

‘You’re looking after three children.’ Rita smiled. ‘Honestly, I’m a bit jealous you managed a nap amongst the madness.’

Chloe let out a small, relieved laugh.

‘Sorry I’m later than I said,’ Rita added. ‘Hilda caught me on the way in.’

Chloe smiled knowingly. ‘Say no more.’