‘The morning the village woke up to discover the bridge had collapsed was a shock to the whole community with potentially a devastating effect on our livelihood and businesses.’ Felicity felt her voice wobble; she glanced towards Fergus who gave her a quick thumbs up to settle her nerves. Allie and Rory were standing behind him next to Drew and Isla, all of her friends beaming.
‘As a community, we all came together to make sure everyone in our village was fed and we looked after each other, we all pulled together. I would just like to thank everyone that donated to the cause, we have had donations from all over the world and all those funds raised have been pulled together to build this amazing temporary bridge.’ The crowd cheered once more.
A member of the film crew passed Aidy a pair of scissors. ‘Felicity, would you do your community the greatest honour and cut the ribbon for village of Heartcross?’
Felicity nodded and took the scissors from his hand. ‘We finally declare the new bridge open,’ she said with pride, before snipping the ribbon.
Aidy gestured for Felicity to step onto the bridge first, and she was soon joined by Fergus and Esme.
The sound of clapping echoed all around as soon as they stepped onto the bridge. The crowd of villagers followed behind.
‘You did great!’ Fergus hugged her.
‘Thank you … but I still can’t believe it,’ said Felicity stopping in the middle of the bridge. ‘I can’t believe one video could have raised the funds to construct this bridge. It’s just amazing.’ Fergus lifted up Esme so she could take a closer look at the river flowing under the bridge as they moved with the crowds. Vehicles were now beginning to drive slowly across the bridge from Glensheil and toot their horns; drivers and passengers were waving out of their windows.
Aggie and Rona caught them up. ‘Back to normality,’ said Rona kissing her daughter on the cheek.
Fergus placed Esme back on the ground and Aggie cupped her hand. Alfie too stood by their side as they all watched the happy faces driving through in their cars and people walking from one end of the bridge to another.
‘Felicity … Felicity,’ a voice hollered.
Felicity spun round and squinted. ‘Surely not … it can’t be.’
‘Who’s that?’ asked Fergus, not recognising the woman hurrying towards them pulling a suitcase.
‘Polly … it’s Polly, my friend from London!’ Felicity squealed as they ran towards each other and hugged.
‘What are you doing here? You’re a very long way from home,’ said Felicity, hugging her friend to make sure she was real.
‘Everyone … this is Polly my friend from London. What are you doing here?’
‘It’s a long story … but basically the pub has been sold and I decided I needed a holiday before I look for work. Then I thought who better to visit than my best friend, who actually I’ve missed like crazy! And I’m hoping you can put me up?’ She screwed up her face in hope waiting for Felicity to answer.
‘Absolutely, yes … I can’t believe you are here! Mum, it’s okay if Polly stops with us?’
‘Of course, any friend of yours, is a friend of mine.’ Rona welcomed Polly to Heartcross.
‘Let me take your case.’ Alfie stepped forward.
‘Pol … this is Alfie.’
Polly smiled up at him. ‘Well, thank you.’
Felicity noticed that Alfie blushed.
‘Shall we start walking back?’ asked Aggie as Rona glanced at her watch.
‘We best had, we need to get back to the teashop to open up.’
Everyone began to weave their way back across the bridge, and it certainly felt like a carnival day, with everyone wearing a smile and music playing from the banks of the river.
Fergus hung back and chatted with Alfie while Felicity walked alongside Polly.
‘I’ve been following the Facebook page,’ said Polly. ‘I can’t believe the amount of money you raised … you are a superstar.’
‘I wouldn’t go that far.’
‘I couldn’t quite believe it when I saw the bridge collapse on the news then when I saw your video, and the attention it brought … and when you told me you weren’t coming back…’
‘I know, but once I was home I realised I’d missed this place and everyone here.’ Felicity looked over her shoulder and smiled at Fergus. ‘To open up my grandmother’s business again and work alongside my mum … it’s a dream come true.’
‘I can’t wait to see the teashop.’
‘You are going to love it, and we re-open in approximately thirty minutes.’
‘Well, I just arrived at the right time … will there be cake?’
‘There’s always cake,’ laughed Felicity, ‘and you my friend can have a slice on the house.’
As they walked up the track back towards the village with their faces tilted up towards the sky enjoying the atmosphere all around them, Felicity knew she’d made the right decision to come home, there was nowhere else she wanted to be.
‘Now tell me all about Fergus, is that the Fergus? Old flame Fergus?’ Polly asked in a hushed whisper.
‘It is but shh, not now, he’ll hear us!’
They both giggled as they sauntered up Love Heart Lane. ‘We have so much catching up to do!’ said Felicity.
As they reached Heartwood Cottage, Felicity and Fergus hung back while Rona and Alfie showed Polly into the cottage and dropped her suitcase inside.
All the other villagers were forming an orderly queue along the pavement waiting for the teashop to open its doors.
‘What a day,’ said Fergus. ‘The bridge is open and now the grand opening of the teashop.’ He narrowed his eyes at her and pressed a soft kiss onto Felicity’s lips.
‘You know whatever happens in the future, I will always love you,’ she whispered.
‘You sounded rather serious there, Felicity Simons.’
‘I am being serious and don’t you ever forget it.’
He wrapped his arms around her waist. ‘Good, I’m glad. You are an amazing woman,’ he said, with an intensity that made her whole body quiver.
‘You’re not so bad yourself, but carry on saying things like that and you’ll make me cry … I’m an emotional wreck today.’
Fergus pulled her in and hugged her. ‘I do love you, Flick.’
‘I love you too.’
‘Come on, you’ve got a teashop to open,’ he said, turning and slipping his arm proudly around her shoulder. ‘Your customers await.’
Esme was running around at the top of Love Heart Lane, holding a balloon and laughing with Finn. Isla and Drew were standing next to the pram and the entire village of Heartcross oozed with happiness.
‘We have a very special girl there,’ said Fergus, squeezing Felicity’s hand and glancing towards Esme. His words brought tears to Felicity’s eyes.
‘We have.’
‘Together forever.’ Taking her by surprise Fergus scooped her up in his arms and kissed her passionately sending her heart soaring. When they came up for air they realised that everyone standing on the pavement of Love Heart Lane was clapping and cheering them.
‘Come on,’ said Fergus, giving her a gooey smile, ‘let’s get you to work. I’m hoping Esme and I can be your very first customers in the teashop.’
‘Without a doubt.’ She grinned, taking him by his hand.
‘Daddy … Felicity … come on!’ shouted Esme, running towards them. ‘There’s going to be cake and Rona has promised me a sticky bun too.’
Esme grabbed each of their hands and both Fergus and Felicity swung her in the air as she giggled.
‘Well, if there are sticky buns,’ giggled Felicity, ‘let’s get that door open.’
They all walked through the teashop door together, holding hands, a new family unit, taking their first steps towards a new life together.
Return to Heartcross in…
Foxglove Farm
The second book in the Love Heart Lane series
A Letter from Christie
&
nbsp; Dear all,
Firstly, if you are reading this letter, thank you so much for choosing to read Love Heart Lane.
I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading this book. If you did, I would be forever grateful if you’d write a review. Your recommendations can always help other readers to discover my books.
I can’t believe my eighth book is being published; writing for a living is truly the best job in the world.
I’m particularly proud of this novel, the characters of Felicity Simons and Fergus Campbell have been a huge part of my life for the last five months but the good news is I won’t be leaving them behind just yet! There will be more books to come based around the little village of Heartcross in the Scottish highlands.
I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been involved in this project. I truly value each and every one of you and it’s an absolute joy to hear from all my readers via Twitter and Facebook.
Please do keep in touch!
Warm wishes,
Christie x
Acknowledgements
I really can’t believe my eighth book has been published and there is a long list of truly fabulous folk I need to thank who have been instrumental in supporting me in crafting this novel into one I’m truly proud of.
Huge love to my crew – Emily, Jack, Ruby and Tilly. I couldn’t do it without any of you.
Woody, my mad cocker spaniel and my writing partner in crime, who is always by my side and unquestionably the best company ever.
Nell, my lass – my labradoodle puppy that has disrupted my work without a doubt these last few months but is already a member of the fam I couldn’t ever imagine being without.
The clever team at HarperImpulse, Charlotte Ledger, Claire Fenby and Eloisa Clegg who are all utterly fabulous. I still pinch myself that I’m a part of this fantastic publishing family and am grateful for all your hard work turning my stories into books.
My editor, the wickedly smart Emily Ruston – thank you for your wise words of encouragement throughout the year and keeping me writing when times were tricky.
My agent Kate Nash, for your energy, vision and continuous support in me.
My second family, Anita, Aidy, Jenna and Kimberley Redfern who are simply the best and make me a happier human. I love you all dearly.
Big Love to my soul sisters, Jenny Berry, Lisa Hall, Natalie Emmerick and Charlotte Seddon. You lot rock!
Team Barlow! Huge love to my merry band of supporters and friends, Louise Speight, Catherine Snook, Suzanne Toner, Sue Miller, Sue France, Bella Osborne, Bhasker Patel and Sarah Lees who provide oodles of laughs along the way when I’m locked away in my writing cave for hours on end. I am truly grateful for your support and friendship.
Thank you to Rachel Gilbey who provides the best blog tours.
Finally, high fives to everyone who enjoys, reads and reviews my books especially Claire Knight, Lorraine Rugman, Sarah Hardy, Noelle Holten, Annette Hannah and Joanne Robertson. Your constant sharing of posts has never gone unnoticed and your support for my writing is truly appreciated.
I have without a doubt enjoyed writing every second of this book and I really hope you enjoy hanging out on Love Heart Lane with Flick and Fergus. Please do let me know!
Christie xx
Also by Christie Barlow
The Cosy Canal Boat Dream
A Home at Honeysuckle Farm
Christie Barlow is the bestselling author of A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother, The Misadventures of a Playground Mother, Kitty’s Countryside Dream, Lizzie’s Christmas Escape, Evie’s Year of Taking Chances, A Home at Honeysuckle Farm and The Cosy Canal Boat Dream. She lives in Staffordshire with her four kids, horses, chickens, labradoodle and a mad cocker spaniel.
Her writing career came as somewhat of a surprise when she decided to write a book to teach her children a valuable life lesson and show them that they are capable of achieving their dreams. The book she wrote to prove a point went on to become a #1 bestseller in the UK, USA and Australia.
Christie is an ambassador for the @ZuriProject, which raises money and awareness for communities in Uganda. She is also Literary Editor for www.mamalifemagazine.co uk, bringing you all the latest news and reviews from the book world.
She loves to hear from her readers and you can get in touch via her website, Twitter and Facebook page.
@ChristieJBarlow
ChristieJBarlow
www.christiebarlow.com
About HarperImpulse
HarperImpulse is an innovative, award-winning digital imprint. In the five years since launch, we have continually hit digital bestseller lists, hosted the UK’s first online romance festival, published into over ten countries and grown an exciting stable of commercial women’s fiction authors.
Readers, come and say hi to the team and your next read…
www.facebook.com/HarperImpulse
@HarperImpulse
www.instagram.com/harperimpulse
www.harperimpulseromance.com
Writers, our vision is to publish the very best in digital-first commercial women’s fiction and we are simply looking for good stories! So, what are you waiting for? To submit, e-mail us at [email protected].
About the Publisher
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United Kingdom
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United States
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Love Heart Lane Page 29