Page 81 of The Holiday Cottage

“Good, because you’re in charge of drinks.” He leaned forward and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Take care of yourself, beautiful. I need to dash. I’ve left Rick struggling in the store by himself and you know what it’s like this close to Christmas. He’ll be stressing. Hope the girls enjoy the party.” He headed for the door, and Sara finally took a proper look around her.

Someone had taken time to make the place as festive as possible. A huge tree sparkled in one corner, and curtains of tiny stars cascaded over the usually plain walls.

People milled in small groups, parents dropping off children, then pausing to chat and catch up.

Sara spotted Ava and Iris among the crowd and then Patrick, who was talking to Mrs. Parsons, the owner of the local riding stables. She was a brisk, no-nonsense woman, who had taught Sara as a child.

Sara found her as scary now as she had back then. Even though she was now a grown woman with a family of her own, she still called her “Mrs. Parsons.”

Patrick excused himself from the conversation and strode across to her.

“Edna says that Iris is a born rider, which is high praise coming from her. She thinks we should consider buying her a pony.”

“Edna? Why are you calling her Edna?”

“Because that’s her name? And because she told me to call her Edna. I could hardly say ‘actually, my wife is terrified of you and I’d rather call you Mrs. Parsons.’”

Sara rolled her eyes. “We are not buying Iris a pony. Thelma will do fine for now.”

“Great. You can tell her that.” Patrick saw her expression and grinned. “Just kidding. I already told her that.”

She batted her eyelashes at him. “You’re so big and brave.”

“What can I say? Edna and I are besties. She’s a great big pussy cat underneath that frightening act she puts on. Also, it helps that I keep her supplied with wine.” He drew her to one side, and his tone changed. “I’ve been worrying about you. How was it?”

Where to begin? “It was...interesting.”

“But not awful?” He studied her face, and she felt a rush of love for him.

“Bits of it were awful, but she did listen to us and she’s still here, so that’s a good outcome.” And more than she’d hoped for when Imogen had stormed off at lunchtime. She heard a shriek and saw Ava chasing Iris and their other friends round the room as they waited for the party to start. “How much sugar have they had?”

“Enough to keep them hyperactive until Christmas. Don’t judge.” He slipped his arm round her, ignoring the fact that they were in public. “That’s what happens when you leave me in charge. You’re the disciplinarian. I’m the fun parent. I say yes to everything.”

It made her smile even though she knew it wasn’t true.

“I’m not judging. I’m grateful to you for riding to the rescue. Hi, Ellen—” she greeted a mother from school who was dropping off her daughter. “Everything okay?”

“Great, thanks. Hi, Patrick.” Ellen’s gaze lingered on Patrick fractionally longer than appropriate and then she drifted away with a smile and a vague invitation that they should have coffee “sometime.”

Both of them knew they wouldn’t be grabbing a coffee anytime soon. It was small talk. But it didn’t bother Sara. She liked living here. Liked knowing that if she walked down the high street, she’d bump into at least six people she knew.

She slipped her arm through Patrick’s. “Why does she always look at you as if she wants to sweep you into a dark corner?”

“Because she knows I’m unavailable—” he lowered his head and kissed her briefly “—and therefore I’m a challenge.”

Sara had a feeling it was more than that, but she didn’t say anything. “Sadly for her I’m not letting you go anytime soon.”

“Because I’m all that stands between you and Edna?”

“Of course. Why else?”

“Seems I need to up my game.” His tone was light, but he gave her a searching look. “Are you going to give me the details of what happened today?”

“Yes, but not here. Too many listening ears.”

He checked his watch. “Their party starts in ten minutes. We have a whole two hours to ourselves. I thought we could go wild and go and have tea and cinnamon cookies at the Bakehouse.”

“I like that idea.” Even after so many years together, the prospect of spending time with him always lifted her spirits. “And I need to pick up a couple of things for Ava’s stocking if we have time. I’ll tell the girls we’re leaving.”

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