The only thing Davina had ever shown Frannie was love . . .
BY TERESA ASHBY
FRANCES FINNEGAN!” Frannie froze. She’d know that voice anywhere and it made her knees turn to jelly.
She found herself sinking to the floor behind the counter, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps.
Laura looked down at her.
“Are you all right there, Frannie?” she asked. “Shall I call an ambulance?”
“No,” she replied. “I’m fine. I’m just going to sit down here on the floor for a bit and inspect the . . .”
She opened a cupboard door beside her.
“The pipework here under the sink,” she finished and turned round on to her knees, sticking her head into the cupboard.
They didn’t keep anything in there but a few cleaning materials.
“Is there a leak?” Laura asked.
“Well, that’s what I’m checking for.”
“Frannie, there’s a lady here – and I think she knows you.”
Frannie looked up. Not only was Davina here, but she was leaning right across the counter and looking down at her, her face red with the effort of it.
She’d hardly changed.
She still wore the same style of round glasses, and her eyes still had that eagle-eyed brightness that missed nothing.
There were a few fine lines round her eyes and mouth and some grey in her hair, but those were the only differences that Frannie could see.
“What are you doing down there on your knees, child?” Davina demanded. “Not praying, that I know!”
“Auntie Davina,” Frannie said as she got to her feet and straightened her apron. “How wonderful to see you.”
“Auntie Davina, is it, now?” Davina asked as she wriggled back to stand on her feet on the other side of the counter with a good deal of huffing and puffing.
She seemed smaller than Frannie remembered.
She looked around for Laura, but she was hurrying away to tend to customers.
“Not a day passes that I don’t think about you, Frannie,” Davina admitted, her eyes shimmering with tears.
“I’m glad to see you’re alive and looking well. How has life been treating you?” Davina asked.
Frannie delved into her pocket for a tissue and blew her nose.
“I’m sorry, Auntie,” Frannie said lamely.
It didn’t feel right to call her Auntie, but what else could she call her?
“I don’t have time to chat. Can I get you anything?”
“I’ll have a latte with caramel syrup,” Davina replied, looking at the cakes displayed along the counter
