Lailey woke up the next morning realising she had slept like a log. It was one of the best sleeps he had in ages. She could smell breakfast from the kitchen and she arose quickly like a child and ran down the stairs. It was no longer raining but still overcast, the house was warm. Her mother was serving up hot cakes with syrup.

Laila dear you could have gotten dressed she commented looking at her daughter in her bed robe. Lailey looked down at herself, she was in her night gear and saw nothing wrong with them.

I will straight after breakfast and Ill head down to Mr. McGregors Lailey replied.

Celia didnt reply. Ricardo joined them and they enjoyed breakfast together as a family. Celia told Lailey she would be needing help with dinner preparations. Lailey agreed, and after breakfast put on some clothes and started walking to Mr. McGregors. Walking along the road made her think of how she used to walk to and from school each day with Malcolm. On days like this she would often jump in puddles and splash water all over him. He too would do the same to her, and when they got home Celia would be absolutely astounded.

Oh my god, look how dirty you both are! and she would bath them right away. Sometimes Lailey and Malcolm would deliberately get dirty because they loved the reaction their mother would give. Giggle at all the times she would have a fit over dirty clothes. Mr. McGregors house was only just down the road and up the hill. She liked his house because where he lived you could see the whole valley and the other farms and houses over the hill.

She approached the house and knocked on the door. No answer. It was open so she let herself in. She knew him very well so he wouldnt get upset if she went in. Plus he loved it when people came over.

Hello she shouted. Walking into his house it everything was covered with dust. Ever since Claire his wife died the house really didnt have much of a clean over. But it was still in good condition. Looking through all the rooms he wasnt there. But when she looked outside in the yard he was chopping wood and listening to the radio. No wonder he couldnt hear me. She walked out towards him.

Mr McGregor. It made him jump a little and turned off the radio.

Im sorry I didnt mean to startle you she apologised.

Nah its ok child, how are ya?

Good, Im here to invite you to dinner tonight

Id love to he sounded enthusiastic. Could you help me take this wood around near the barn love, please he asked

Sure and she grabbed some wood and followed up to the barn, which was directly on top of the hill. As she put down the wood she looked down at the valley and saw her parents house and the Wilsons.

Pretty sight eh? he asked.

Yes it is

The view is better on the other side she turned to look over the valley. There were a few houses a couple of farms. It wasnt as beautiful as the valley, and had twice as much people living there. There was also a local store there run by a cranky old man named Charles, he never liked children and would get angry at any sitting outside his store. Whether they were playing or sitting there eating their ice creams. She loved his ice-cream especially his chocolate ice-cream, no matter where she went they were never as good. She remembered all the people who lived there when she was here.

The same folks, live there except the Doroughs they moved just after you left for university, the Andersons live there now nice people  he began to tell her. But her mind was else where. The Doroughs she thought, oh my Howie. She closed her eyes and like instant every memory she had of him came flooding back. How could I ever forget you?

Getting ready for dinner she was a mess, her mind was flying with overloading memories of not just her childhood but the exact person she shared a big part of it with.

Laila, your guests are arriving go and great them please her mother yelled. Lailey walked down the stairs to see her brother Malcolm. He was smiling at her and she hugged him.

I have missed you so much Lailey! he said.

It is good to see you she replied. Leaving his embrace she saw his wife Jennifer she met her at their wedding a year ago.

Hi Lailey she said giving her a kiss on the cheek.

You look great Jenny.

Thank-you Jenny replies smiling. Jennifer was beautiful blonde, green eyes and her skin always seemed to glow. She was a gentle and sweet person. Lailey could tell Celia intimidated her. After all Celia intimidated everyone. After that Mr. McGregor arrived with a bottle of wine to share, which was his usual gift to bring to dinners.

Mr. Harrison came next. He was a large man with red hair and an infectious laugh. George came and Lailey was wrapped, he used to tell her stories of his travelling journeys. Although she knew most of them were exaggerated he was a great story teller and like a second father to her. Then lastly the Wilsons arrived they had twin sons her age and Harry one of the two came. Celia made Lailey sit next to Harry. Lailey knew she was trying to get them to set off some spark and begin a romance. Lailey had known Harry for years. He was a bully to her, him and his brother Scott. In her eyes he would forever be that mean cubby little boy.

The dinner was going swell, Uncle George was entertaining everybody with his stories. Mr. Harrison was loving Celias cooking, and Mr. McGregor was loving the wine. Celia and Mrs. Wilson, Patricia were gossiping as usual. But eventually everybody got wrapped in their gossip and tales.

Charles and Lydia had an affair for years Patricia commented. Charles the store keeper had been seeing Lydia the dairy farmers wife on the other side of the valley.

It was so obvious Celia piped in.

Lydia has had an affair with nearly every man in the town Mr. Harrison added

I wish said George. Everybody laughed he was so charismatic. While on the topic of those living on the other side of the hill,

I heard the Doroughs youngest son is quite famous now and doing very well as a singer Mr. McGregor mentioned. Lailey was listening to Harry talking but she tuned into what the others were saying.

Oh yes Howard isnt it? Patricia asked.

Yes thats right, he was friends with Laila and Malcolm right dear? You remember Howard? Laileys father asked her mother. Her expression on her face said it all.

No I dont remember Howard darling she said coolly. Lailey look at her mother who shot a death look at her.

Yes you do, he was nearly here everyday Ricardo replied.

Who wants dessert? Celia said changing the subject.

Yes please Mr. Harrison yelled. Celia got up and Lailey followed her grabbing some plates.

You do so remember Howard, I remember how much you disliked him and I never knew why Lailey said to her mother in a harsh tone.

Because I saw the way he looked at you and were too good for him, he was a dreamer always talking about becoming a musician there was no way my daughter was going to get involved with that Celia replied mimicking Laileys tone.

How dare you, you have never cared about how I feel, I loved him and you made me give up the only person I have ever loved Lailey said with tears welling up in her eyes.

Stop it, grow up you know nothing about love Celia grabbed the dessert and walked out of the kitchen. Lailey felt she couldnt hold in the tears and ran outside. As the tears flowed she knew she had never gotten over Howie. She didnt know if she ever will. But she also knew she couldnt have him after all she broke his heart.