The Inn On Bluebell Lane — Episode 39
The Inn On Bluebell Lane
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- 39. The Inn On Bluebell Lane — Episode 39
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- 42. The Inn On Bluebell Lane — Episode 42
Sometimes Ellie felt as if she didn’t even know what was going on in her children’s lives.
“Ava seems to have plugged herself right in, and Jacob has made a lovely friend.” She smiled.
“As for Craig and Jess, your guess is as good as mine.”
“It’s harder for them, since they’re that little bit older,” Gwen replied.
“And I know Jess is missing her best friend. Cora, is it?”
“Has Jess fallen out with Cora?” Ellie asked, startled.
“I think she feels Cora has forgotten her, since she’s moved so far away.”
Ellie sighed dispiritedly.
“I wish Jess would confide in me.”
“Sometimes your mother is the hardest person to talk to,” Gwen replied with a sad smile.
“Matthew hasn’t wanted to talk to me about the bed and breakfast plans much.
“I know he’s disappointed. I think he feels defeated.
“But you said you had some new plans?”
“Yes, but we don’t have to talk about them now.”
“No, no, I’d like to hear. Distraction, remember?”
“Well . . .” Haltingly, Ellie began to explain her dreams of having the bed and breakfast be something more homegrown and family-friendly.
“I thought it would play to the place’s strengths,” she said, “as well as yours.
“Letting people chip in, old-fashioned games nights and big breakfasts all together around the table
. . . but maybe it’s mad?”
Her voice held a hopeful lilt; she couldn’t tell anything from her mother-in-law’s face, although Gwen had been listening intently, a slight furrow between her brows.
“If you don’t like the idea,” she said quickly, “it’s fine.
“It’s your business, after all, and I really don’t mean to interfere –”
“Ellie.” Gwen smiled. “Enough with the apologies.”
“OK . . .” Ellie said.
“I love the idea. And Seth would have, too.”
She paused, a slight crease appearing between her brows again.
“But what does Matthew think?”
“Well . . .” Ellie tried to rally with a smile.
“I’m not sure, to be honest, but he was willing for me to pitch it to you, at any rate.”
“Ah,” Gwen said, and there was a wealth of understanding in her voice. Ellie’s smile wobbled.
“Be patient, Ellie. This is hard for him. He’s always been proud.” Gwen sighed.
“Just like Suzanne. I don’t know where they get it from.” She gave her the ghost of smile. “Must have been from Seth.”
Ellie smiled back.
“Yes,” she agreed, “it must have been.”
* * * *
Gwen was still feeling tired as they headed back to Bluebell Lane.
It had been nice to have a chat, and she was heartened by Ellie’s ideas for the bed and breakfast.
She also hoped that her relationship with her daughter-in-law was becoming a bit easier.
She knew they’d both been prickly and awkward at the start, and that was as much her fault as Ellie’s.
She hoped today had gone some way to smoothing things between them. She wanted things to be better for everyone.
As Ellie turned into Bluebell Lane, Gwen’s heart sank a little, for Suzanne’s battered Rover was already parked by the house.
Why had she come over, if she’d known Ellie was taking her to chemotherapy today?
Gwen hoped her daughter hadn’t been hurt by her decision.
“Suzanne,” she said as she came into the kitchen.
Her daughter, she saw, had been busy – there was a foil-covered casserole resting on top of the Aga, the sink had been scrubbed and the kettle was boiled.
“I’m making tea,” Suzanne announced in a brittle voice. “I thought you could do with a cuppa.”
Actually, Gwen’s stomach was churning from the chemo, but she gave her daughter a grateful smile.
“That sounds lovely, Suzanne. Thank you.” She glanced at Ellie, who was standing in the doorway uncertainly.
“Ellie? Would you like one?”
“Actually, I have a few things to do before I pick up Ava and Jacob. But thank you. Nice to see you, Suzanne.”
She gave her sister-in-law a quick smile before disappearing upstairs.
Gwen didn’t really blame her. She knew Suzanne could seem formidable.
