Free From Scotland with Love by Katie Fforde

uncomfortable by faded cushions that smelt faintly of old shed. A little way away from the house, it was Mrs Langley’s favourite spot, close to a creaking arbour and threatened by a huge rambler, which, now it was June, bore hundreds of tiny, very fragrant flowers that scrambled beyond the arbour and up into the nearby tree. Bella couldn’t help thinking how much the Agnews would love it, if only they were millionaires and Mrs Langley wanted to move.
    Bella was handed a cup and saucer and a plate. ‘You must have known I was making lemon drizzle,’ Mrs Langley said, indicating the cake.
    Bella sighed happily. ‘You know I adore everything that comes out of your oven but lemon drizzle is a bit of a favourite.’ She took a mouthful.
    ‘My nephew’s been in touch,’ said Mrs Langley after a few moments’ contented silence.
    Bella swallowed and paid attention. It had been Mrs Langley’s great-nephew – although she missed out the ‘great’ when she referred to him – who had wanted Mrs Langley to move. Bella had always feared repercussions. It seemed Mrs Langley did too.
    ‘Oh?’
    The elderly woman nodded. ‘Yes. He’s going to stay the night here and wants to take me out for a meal. That’s nice, isn’t it?’
    She sounded just a bit desperate, as if needing Bella to think well of the stranger who had wanted his great-aunt to move out of her beloved home of fifty years and go somewhere ‘more suitable’.
    ‘It is,’ she agreed brightly. ‘Make sure you go somewhere really good. I suggest you get him to take you to the Dog and Fox. It has a lovely conservatory you can eat in, with wonderful views of the garden.’
    Mrs Langley wasn’t distracted by the thought of another gardener’s herbaceous borders. ‘I’m worried he’s going to ask me to move again.’
    Bella leant forward. ‘Did he say anything about it?’
    Mrs Langley shook her head. ‘No, but – you know – I worry.’
    Bella was firm. ‘You don’t have to move. There’s no reason why you should. I’m sure if you tell him you want to stay put he’ll say no more about it. After all, when you told him the first time he didn’t mind, did he?’
    Mrs Langley nodded. ‘It’s just, you know, my brother – his grandfather – was very forceful. It might be an inherited trait. Last time I wrote a letter. I might not be so brave when I see him face-to-face.’
    Bella put her hand on her friend’s. ‘No one can force you to move. If you did become too frail to live on your own you could have a companion. It’s not as if you haven’t got plenty of room, after all.’
    ‘That sounds terribly expensive. I may live in a valuable house but I don’t have much of an income.’
    ‘You could have the sort of companion who does it in exchange for a room. Some nice woman to be here at night, check you’re OK and then go off to work.’ Bella patted the soft, age-spotted hand. ‘But you’re a long way from that. Anyone who can bake as well as you do doesn’t need anyone making their Horlicks for them.’
    Mrs Langley chuckled, seeming cheered up. ‘That’s true!’
    ‘And if there’s any argument, I’ll tell him there’s absolutely no market for lovely old houses with loads of character with gorgeous gardens.’
    Mrs Langley smiled. ‘I’m sure he’ll believe you.’ She paused. ‘Have you time for another cup of tea and some more cake?’
    Bella looked at her watch. ‘I’m meeting Alice’s train at about half-past seven. So yes, that would be lovely. As long as I’m not holding you up?’
    ‘I’d be very glad of the company and I won’t need to eat later if I have more cake now. One of the joys of growing old is that you don’t feel obliged to eat healthily any more, if you don’t want to.’ She put a slice of cake on Bella’s plate.
    ‘So when is he coming? Your nephew?’ asked Bella.
    ‘Next week some time.’ Mrs Langley put out a hand. ‘I don’t suppose you’d like to come out with us? I could suggest