Meanwhile at Vanilla Cottage, Petronella woke from a restless night's sleep. She checked her phone and glumly found no new messages. To cheer herself up she went on Facebook and read the "Get in the Sea" page. Her snorting and cackling woke Scarlett, who was not impressed and the sister's began their morning bickering routine.
"What are you laughing at, you epic weirdo" grunted Scarlett. "Your hair.Your Face. You in general" sniped Petronella. Scarlett crashed out of bed and ran to the bathroom, Petronella following arguing it was her turn. Hearing the broohaha, Katherine diffused the escalating row by offering the use of the ensuite. "We're off to Trollbridge for the Market Day, make yourselves breakfast before you go" Katherine instructed.
The sister's made breakfast in harmony, their earlier argument long forgotten. Petronella offered Scarlett a lift to the stables and they set off in her VW Fox. The car had been a surprise 18th Birthday present and judging by her mother's reaction, it wasn't only Petronella who was shocked. In a rare moment of parental involvement, her dad had organised it by himself. Petronella suspected her mother preferred the control being insured on her mother's Volvo, but had said nothing and smiled along, albeit somewhat manically.
Arriving at the stables the sister's laughed at Dobbin who was nonchalantly trotting away from Buttercup. "Oh bless him. Follow your heart, Dobbin!" Giggled Scarlett. Seeing Jim she quickly thanked Petronella for the lift, jumped out of the car and attempted a nonchalant trot of her own.
Spurred on Petronella decided to take action of her own and drove to Carnation Cottage. She pulled up and as she was walking down the path the front door swung open. Susi began to cry as she ushered Petronella through to the sitting room.
"I'm sorry I--" Petronella cut in "sorry?!? You've been ducking my calls for days?" "It's complicated... It's your mum.." Susi snivelled. "You are involved with my mum?!?" Petronella was incredulous. For the first time in a week Susi began to laugh, which infuriated Petronella further. " I'm not finding this funny, WHAT IS GOING ON?" Her flailing arms caught the Victorian Screen and sent it crashing, the noise terrifying Susi's elderly Collie, Fenton. Fenton reacted by urinating on the handmade red rug. Even Petronella was unable to stay angry and began laughing and attempted to calm the rather disgruntled dog.
Once peace had been restored Susi gave her explanation. "She confided in me, something personal, I don't want to keep it from you, but I can't tell you either." Susi's tone was gentle but firm. "That's as much as I can say".
Petronella was blindsided, having assumed Susi had backed off due to the age gap. Weighing up the situation she knew if she demanded to know her mother's secret, Susi would be lost to her for good. "And if I promise not to ask?" Petronella's eyes were pleading. Susi drew Nell in to her arms "I've always tried to be straight with you, but somehow I keep ending up in an awkward position" They laughed together then fell onto the sweetheart sofa, kissing, unaware they were being watched through the window...