Читать книгу The Guestbook at Willow Cottage: A feel-good, romantic comedy to make you smile - Holly Martin - Страница 19

24th - 31st May

Gemma, Sean and Charlie Chadwick

Saturday:

My maternity leave is coming to a close. Next week, after half term, I return to the classroom. I haven’t been a teacher for a year now, since Charlie was born and I’ve enjoyed just being a Mum. He has grown so much and I will miss not spending every day with him. Though I am looking forward to having my brain filled with other things rather than dirty nappies, poo explosions and nursery rhymes. Thankfully all the children I’ll be working with are toilet trained and have long since out grown nursery rhymes. They’re more bothered about who’s dating who and whether Harry Styles is fitter than Justin Bieber.

The weather is forecast to stay nice, at least for the next few days, so we’ll be enjoying the beach and spending the last bit of family time together. Next week I’ll be up to my eyeballs in marking and meetings and Charlie will be spending his days split between his grandparents and nursery.

Gemma Chadwick

Monday:

It’s very early hours of Monday morning now. Charlie has been awake all the night; he’s either teething or coming down with a cold. With nothing to do but comfort him I’ve been reading this book. It makes for a gripping read.

Annie, I can’t believe your brother-in-law is Oliver Black. I love him. His books and films aren’t bad either. Sean is completely in love with him as well, though apparently it’s more an appreciation for his work than for his body. I think it’s a man crush!!! Sean follows his progress more avidly in the gossip mags than I do.

I have to ask you, why are you not with him? It’s clear from his messages in this book that he has a thing for you. I’ve not seen this Barney but surely he can’t compare to the great Oliver Black. And you probably won’t answer this but did you stay over with Barney on Saturday night?

Tuesday:

Yes the guestbook has taken off in ways I never expected. It seems that not having the pressure of talking face to face means that people can put what they really feel in this book.

Oliver and I are good friends. We have been since we were little. What you perceive as him having a thing for me is nothing more than a fondness from him. He sees me as a little sister, especially since I married his brother. Since Nick died, Olly has looked out for me, but being with him is not an option. I’m sure you know from the gossip mags that Oliver has been engaged to the beautiful actress Vivienne Lake for over two years.

As for Barney he has been sweet, patient and a lot of fun to be with. Plus he’s very fit too. We had a nice time Saturday night, though I’ll say no more about it.

Annie

Curses! And you and I both know that the thing with Vivienne Lake is a complete farce. I have very close female friends but none of them are as close as Vivienne and her ‘best friend’ Darcy. If this thing between Vivienne and Oliver is real then he is either blind to the fact that his girlfriend is gay or maybe he’s ok with it and one of those men that likes to watch.

Wednesday:

As far as I know Oliver and Vivienne are very much in love with each other. You shouldn’t believe everything that you read in the papers. Oliver is a lovely bloke and the papers always make him out to be a complete tart, it simply isn’t true.

Annie

Spoken like someone who is completely in love with him.

Although comments in the papers can be taken with a pinch of salt, photos don’t lie. For months after your husband died you and Oliver were pictured walking hand in hand along the beach. He stayed in your house every night. Don’t tell me that nothing happened between you. Many critics believe this ‘relationship’ with Vivienne was Oliver’s attempt to get the press to leave you alone.

Nothing happened. We’re friends, that’s it. When Nick died I fell apart, Oliver stayed to help pick up the pieces.

Gemma, you are a guest in Annie’s house. Just because you have paid for a week’s accommodation doesn’t give you the right to give her the third degree about her private life or to be bitchy about her or Oliver.

Sophia Lorenzo, Cleaner.

It’s fine Sophia. People will always be interested in Oliver Black. Wells-next-the-sea and the people he grew up with will naturally be of interest too. People will make their own minds up about him with or without my help.

My apologies if my comments hurt you, that wasn’t my intention. My brain has become addled with worthless gossip since I’ve been on maternity leave and living next door to you for a week and therefore Oliver Black by proxy, is the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me.

Apart from getting married and giving birth to Charlie of course. Apologies Annie, my wife is not normally this blood thirsty for inane gossip. Sitting at home with Charlie all day has sent her doolally. Your house is lovely and we are having a lovely time enjoying the beach.

Sean Chadwick.

Thursday:

Speaking of Oliver Black, he has made it back into gossip in chief magazine ‘Purple Moon’ again. He and Vivienne were seen having a row in Covent Garden last week. Seems the ‘very much in love’ couple are not quite as in love as you thought.