2 Heartbreak In Heaton Valley - Stephanie Poppins

When Ava Smith is offered a job in Market Heaton, she feels lucky for the opportunity to escape from her sad past, and Jack Riley, the man she never intends to see again. But to her dismay, Heaton Valley is not quite as removed from the outside world as she is led to believe it is.

In this episode, it's Daisy's birthday but an offer of a sleepover falls on deaf ears.

Transcript

Heartbreak at Heaton Valley Written and performed by Stephanie Poppins Have you ever noticed things never seem to happen when you're waiting for them?

And yet,

When you least expect it,

The most amazing things come along to remind you just how wonderful life really is.

Chapter 2.

A Birthday Surprise Daisy,

Have you got your bag?

I'm waiting.

Ava Smith was standing at the bottom of her stairs,

Counting the seconds,

Until her niece dashed down,

Flats flying,

Coat dragging behind her,

The new gap in her teeth on full display.

It was early Friday morning,

On the beginning of the last term before Daisy Smith graduated primary school and went up into Heaton Academy.

She'd already won the place hands down and would usually be the first to bask in her own glory,

But bigger things were happening today.

Daisy was turning 11,

Or becoming a big girl,

As Ava announced proudly.

Little presents tonight,

She whispered when Daisy hugged her,

But this one you can have now.

Daisy rubbed her eyes and looked at the long white box that appeared from behind Ava's back.

She'd been up all night wondering if it could possibly happen,

And now it had.

Are you sure,

Auntie Ava?

Yes,

Of course I'm sure.

Happy birthday.

After the discussion they'd had the week before,

Ava had been on the fence about whether or not an 11-year-old girl should have an immobile phone,

But with a little bit of divine intervention she quickly came to understand her sister's point of view.

Daisy unwrapped the packaging excitedly.

I can't believe it.

I'll call you when we finish rehearsals after school,

Okay?

It's amazing,

Auntie Ava.

Daisy looked as if she were about to cry,

And Ava wrapped her arms around her quickly.

You're our big girl now,

Daisy.

Mummy's and mine,

And you deserve it.

You got into the academy,

Didn't you?

It's the least we can do.

Then not for the first time that week,

Ava was the one fighting back tears.

She walked over to the mantelpiece and picked up her favourite photo.

Sometimes when I look really quickly I can't tell the difference,

She said reflectively.

They gazed at the scene together.

I remember that day like it was yesterday,

Said Daisy.

Mummy had an ice cream and you didn't.

I was wearing roller skates and we couldn't stop laughing at the man who fell off the donkey.

Mummy always made me laugh,

Just like you,

But that makes sense,

Doesn't it,

Seeing as you're twins?

Yes,

Said Ava slowly,

And she'll be funny forever in here.

Ava placed her palm on Daisy's chest.

Then she turned away quickly and said,

Now it's time to get moving before I change my mind.

Daisy checked her new phone one more time and declared,

Maisie's going to be so jealous.

She's only got an old one.

Maybe she'll get an upgrade when it's her birthday.

Maybe,

Ava replied.

Anyway,

It's all charged now,

Ready to go,

But keep it on silent and don't take it out at school.

Daisy rushed off to finish getting ready and Ava sat down on the boot box in the hall to wait.

You've got ten minutes.

She took in the view.

This cottage was lovely,

The kind that looked homely even when it was empty.

She ran her fingers along the wall behind her.

The clusters of warm Lincolnshire limestone had not been rendered,

So the bigger pieces jutted out here and there,

While the smaller nests of stone sat back compliantly.

Above her,

The ceilings were set low,

Emphasising the cosiness of the place,

And through the stone arch,

An old oak mantle matched the long beams running from the front of the cottage to the back.

Out there were two large butler sinks,

Above which hung various copper pans,

And overlooking the little courtyard,

Pretty with climbing roses and clematis,

Were tall wooden slashed windows.

Mayleaf Cottage was home,

At least for the time being.

This was the place Ava spent all her spare time in,

Sitting at the little kitchen island and daydreaming about how she would buy a place for herself and Daisy sometime soon.

Here,

Everything was crisp and new,

Just the way she liked it.

But nothing beat carving out your own story.

Nothing topped designing your own space with your own colour palette.

This was why Ava enjoyed her job so much.

Not only did she have to produce mood boards and visual stories,

She would sell the dream spaces,

Those places where the energy flowed freely throughout.

Her shared love of architectural interior design was what she considered must have drawn her to Jack when she first met him in Lincoln.

They had long discussions on the endless possibilities of his new development,

And she was ashamed to admit she'd fallen hook,

Line and sinker.

More so with the dream he sold than with the man himself,

But it hadn't taken long before his walls came tumbling down.

She couldn't believe it.

Now he was back again,

But this time in Market Heaton to do the same thing.

To create another development of over 70s apartments on a flood plain.

Where was that man's conscience?

He obviously didn't have any.

He couldn't have.

There was always another way around it,

Always a shortcut he could take to get the job done.

If only Mr Smart knew.

When brokering a development deal,

Jack would say all the right things at the right time.

That the correct drainage was in place,

That strategic measures would ensure no flooding or possible danger to life.

But he would do anything to save a few bobcats,

Just like he did at Lincoln Lakes.

Jack Riley was a ticking time bomb,

A gambler.

Only his currency of choice was people's happiness.

And why had he come to Market Heaton anyway?

Why was he so obsessed with her?

He was married for God's sake and his wife was stunning.

But he couldn't let Ava go because she was the only one to ever have turned him away.

It was just a pity her sister couldn't have found the strength to do the same thing.

Stop!

You've got to end this negative thinking,

Ava,

Jessica reminded her,

And do something positive today.

I think you'll have to tell Paul you've worked with Jack before on Lincoln Lakes.

That's the only way you're going to get him out of your hair.

And so be it.

Mr Smart's going to find out sooner or later anyway.

Ava thought about it.

Her sister was right.

She had to tell Paul what Jack was up to before he signed the paperwork.

She owed it to him,

Even if it cost her her reputation.

Paul Smart said he valued honesty above all else.

Well,

Now was the time to put that to the test.

She would go in this morning and spill the beans as soon as she saw him.

And with any luck,

Her boss would come to see Jack wryly for the sorry excuse of a man he really was,

And would hear her side of the story before Jack got a chance to feed him any lies or implicate her.

See you later,

Aunty Ava,

Said Daisy as she gave her a kiss and ran out the door,

Birthday croissant in hand.

Ava watched as Daisy jumped on the school bus and got out her new phone to message her best friend,

Maisie.

Ping.

Hi Maisie.

Ping.

Oh my God,

You've actually got a phone.

Ping.

Yes,

Now it's time to plan.

Ping.

Matchmaker's anonymous,

Laugh out loud emoji.

He's been such an old grouch since mum left.

Ping.

My aunt has trust issues,

Upside down emoji.

Ping.

But they would look so good together.

Ping.

OMG,

I know.

It was unusually cold in the office when Ava arrived.

Number one market terrace was usually kept at the perfect temperature that clients might hang around for coffee and commit to the purchase of a house they didn't even know they wanted.

Morning,

Ava said brightly to the girl at the front desk.

Is he not around yet?

Is he not around yet?

Not seen him,

The vacant face replied.

Would it have killed her to put the heating on?

Sniped Jessica.

Working front desk is hardly rocket science.

But then again,

Good staff must be hard to find in a town with this demographic.

Ava settled herself in her office with a hot mint tea and thought about what she would say to Paul when he came in.

She was settled here now.

Was it a mistake saying anything?

Daisy was happy for the first time in two years.

Did she really want to sabotage that?

But Paul wouldn't want a liar working for him,

Would he?

You have to tell the truth,

Said Jessica.

Right,

All right.

As much as Ava needed her sister,

Sometimes she wished her mind could be quiet for just one moment.

She opened up her laptop and scanned her makeup in its reflection.

Nice.

At least that was on point.

And her nails,

Too.

Not bad.

For a town hidden from the rest of the world,

Where high-speed Internet was nothing more than a Christmas wish,

Market heating boasted unexpectedly high standards as far as amenities were concerned.

There was even a Michelin-style restaurant.

Not that Ava ever had occasion to visit it.

She checked no one was around and picked up her mobile.

Hi,

Mum.

OK,

Love.

You sound a bit quiet.

Everything all right?

How's Daisy?

She loves the phone.

She couldn't believe it.

That's lovely.

I'll call her later.

But there's something else.

But there's something else.

Jack's here.

What?

Yes,

He's back again.

What's he doing there?

What he does best.

Developing land and having everyone over into the bargain.

It's Lincoln Lakes all over again.

I can't stand it,

Mum.

I thought I was rid of him.

How did he find you?

I don't know.

I've kept such a low profile,

And now he's approached my new boss with a deal.

I didn't want to tell him that I knew Jack and what he was up to last time.

That would just make me look bad.

And if he asks Jack,

He'll only lie to implicate me and say I was in on it.

You know how spiteful he is when he doesn't get his own way.

Well,

Yes,

Mrs.

Smith replied.

She didn't want to say any more.

Dragging up the past never did anyone any good.

The thing is,

Mum,

When he lays on his charm,

Everyone laps it up.

There's no way they'd believe me over him,

Even if I was brave enough to tell the truth.

For God's sake,

Why can't he just leave you alone?

What am I going to do?

There's only one thing you can do,

Love.

You've got to tell his wife.

What?

Tell his wife.

Not only did Jack ruin your life,

He ruined Jessica's too,

And it has to stop.

But she's got kids.

And so did I.

Now I've only got one.

The line went quiet and Ava thought carefully about what her mother said.

How shall I do it?

Letter.

You don't want to speak to her.

That'll only make you suffer even more than you already have.

You'll have to write a letter.

She's right,

Ave,

Said Jessica.

Mum's always right.

What shall I say?

Tell her the truth.

Her husband had an affair with you,

And when you found out he was married and dumped him,

He went on to your twin sister to rub the salt in the wounds.

It all sounded so simple when her mother said it like that.

Why couldn't I have just introduced him to Jessica in the beginning?

Then the whole thing would never have happened.

You always were secretive about that side of things.

It's not like you didn't share everything else,

Is it?

Ava's thoughts sank back to the time when she'd been seeing Jack Riley for about three months.

How shocked she was when she caught him picking up his pregnant wife from her hairdressers.

She'd had her suspicions about a month before,

Because she'd never been to his house and he was guarded about where he lived.

What sort of stable relationship only ever met at the weekend,

And always stayed overnight in posh hotels?

But the turning point was when she decided to ghost him and move on.

Her sister had been so sorry for her,

And had read much more into it than there actually was.

As Jessica saw it,

Ava had been investing in something for the future with this man.

And had gotten her heart broken.

But in reality,

Ava had suffered far less than that.

Having such high standards meant she'd developed a thick skin over time.

For no one ever really matched up to what they professed to be.

But Jessica was a completely different story.

She fell for Jack hard,

And suffered just as hard when it all went wrong.

Jack used her vulnerability to his advantage,

Just to pay Ava back.

What a snake!

And what about my baby?

When am I going to give her my birthday present?

Said Mrs Smith,

Keen to change the subject.

She can stay for the weekend soon,

How about that?

Lovely.

And what's it like over there,

Wet?

Mrs Smith chuckled,

And that made her daughter chuckle too.

We like it mum,

The school's great with her,

Extra kind,

And gives her time out if she gets overwhelmed.

They've even got a grievance counsellor.

I could do with her myself.

This time Ava's chuckle was empty.

It'll take time love for us all,

But Jess would want us to get on.

It'll take time love for us all,

But Jess would want us to get on.

Said her mother.

You know that better than anyone.

Then changing the subject just as quickly,

Mrs Smith said.

Are you getting out at all?

Ava knew where this was going.

They're all old here mum,

I've never seen a post office so busy on pension day.

How about at the school?

A picture of Maisie's father shot into Ava's mind,

And she dismissed it out of hand.

Married off with kids,

And that's just as well.

I've had it up to here with men.

Now I'd better draft up that letter before the boss gets in.

I love you mum,

I've got to go.

I'll speak soon,

Okay?

Love you Ava,

You take care now.

And there was Mr Smart.

Strolling in through the doors,

Carrying a large envelope.

Ah Ava,

There you are.

And why is it so cold in here?

Morning Mr Smart,

Said Ava.

File these please,

He said.

I've just been to the post office.

Everything's signed and sealed.

Mr Smart handed her the file marked Ryegrass Meadow.

And Ava sighed.

She was too late.

There was no point in saying anything now.

It wouldn't change anything.

Now I want you and Jack to work closely on this.

Mr Smart,

I'm sure you will.

Now I want you and Jack to work closely on this.

Mr Smart added.

It's going to be the complex everyone wants a piece of.

And personally,

I can't think of a better team to manage it.

It was getting dark in the car park when Ava arrived.

School rehearsals had gone on later than expected,

And the many parents eager to do the pick-up were pulling up in their Range Rovers and slick saloons.

Guess what?

Gushed Daisy as she ran out without looking.

I get to sing a solo!

Careful!

Yelled Ava.

But it was too late.

With one swift swerve,

A small green van ran into a puddle beside her and splashed them both from head to toe.

Then,

To Ava's fury,

Out stepped Maisie's father in what looked like yesterday's gardening clothes.

Daisy laughed hysterically,

But Ava was seething.

Filthy water dripped down her skirt and covered her jacket.

She bit her tongue.

She must keep it civil for the sake of her niece.

Mrs Smith!

Mrs Smith!

Can she stay please?

Can Daisy stay over tonight?

Maisie had her hands clenched tight and was staring up into Ava's eyes.

Ava couldn't believe it.

How could Daisy possibly sleep around her house?

If her father's appearance was anything to go by,

She didn't fancy the state of it.

Maisie's having a party on Saturday,

She said resolutely,

Refusing to look at Maisie's father.

You can stay over then.

Dad!

Begged Maisie.

It's okay with me for tonight,

The handsome stranger mumbled.

But Ava wasn't having any of it.

Well,

It would be,

Wouldn't it?

She said to herself.

Now you've doused us in drain water,

You have to be nice.

She snatched a look at him,

But the expression on his face did not match his words.

He looked as if he'd rather be anywhere else than talking to her.

We need to go home and change,

Darling,

She insisted.

And anyway,

There's presents waiting.

The cheek of the man,

She couldn't believe it.

It was Daisy's birthday.

Why should Daisy be entertaining his daughter instead of going home where she belonged?

Then turning her back on them,

Ava picked up Daisy's bag and waltzed off,

With Daisy waving goodbye frantically behind her.

What was it with these country men?

Didn't they own clean clothes?

And it wouldn't kill him to have a shave either.

Ava pitied his wife and thanked goodness she wasn't tied into a man like that.

She may be a wet and bedraggled mess at the moment,

But Ava Smith had standards and stooping as low as that was something she would never do.

Reviews

I’m looking forward to the next chapter! Thank you! ☺️