Page 18 of Falling in Love at Pennycress Inn

‘Maybe, but…’ Jill sighed. ‘I don’t know. Farmer Williams was such a lovely, kind man. It’s difficult to think anyone who shares his genes can be that callous.’

Picking up her mug, Nicola took a sip before looking over the rim at her friend. ‘And he’s stolen my bike.’

‘What?’ Slamming her mug down on the table in surprise, Jill quickly mopped up a couple of droplets of coffee with the edge of her T-shirt.

‘I cycled to the farm last night, fell off on the way back home and he passed. He picked me up, drove me home, and he’s taken my bike.’ She shrugged. She left out the part where he’d helped her to the sofa and cleaned her up – she wasn’t even sure if she was remembering things right now. Those actions had seemed a far cry from the man she knew he was. Maybe it had been a blip? A temporary possession. Kindness flashing through the heart of an uncaring man, something like that.

‘Oh, wow!’ Leaning forward, Jill placed her hand on Nicola’s forearm before glancing over her shoulder as Laura entered the kitchen, a large pile of leaflets in her arms. ‘Hey, Laura. Have you heard this? Charlie, Farmer Williams’ nephew who has inherited his farm, stole Nic’s bike.’

‘He what?’ Slipping onto the bench, Laura opened her arms, leaflets cascading across the tabletop.

‘Well, he might have just forgotten it. I fell off on the way back from his farm and he put it in the back of his truck and took me home.’ Nicola picked up one of the leaflets from the heap in front of Laura. ‘Are these the ones you were talking about?’

‘Yes, the carousel stand for the hallway should be arriving tomorrow and then we can display leaflets of all the local attractions.’ Laura began sorting through the leaflets, stacking them into piles. ‘But tell me more. What happened? And where’s your car? I didn’t even know you had a bike, and it was raining last night, wasn’t it?’

Scrunching up her nose, Nicola began helping Laura, briefly glancing at the different leaflets before adding them to the piles. ‘Nathan. That’s what happened to my car. He stopped paying the finance even though we’d only arranged it through him as he owed me money.’

‘Oh, Nic. That’s awful. Have you tried speaking to him?’ Laura frowned.

‘It’s no use. Kerry says…’ Nicola rolled her eyes.

‘Ahh, the woman he ran off with?’

‘The very same.’ Nicola shook herself. She didn’t want to get into this. Not right now. Not at work. The less brain space she could give him – and Kerry – the better. ‘It’s fine. I’ve got my bike.’

‘Well, you haven’t. Not anymore.’ Jill spoke softly.

‘No, Farmer Grumpy ran off with it.’ Nicola burst out laughing. The whole scenario was just so insane. What was Charlie Williams going to do with a twenty-year-old teenage girl’s bike, complete with bright pink handlebar tassels and Boyzone stickers? She couldn’t exactly picture him cycling across his fields on it.

The tune of the doorbell filtered in through from the hallway and Laura stood up. ‘Ooh, I wonder if our leaflet stand has come already? It’s a bit early for this evening’s guests to be arriving.’

After watching Laura disappear into the hallway, Nicola picked up her mug and downed her now-lukewarm coffee before standing up. ‘Right, I’d better get on and actually get some work done.’

‘Me too.’ Pushing the bench back, Jill carried her mug to the sink. ‘After all the rain last night, it’s the perfect time to get some weeding done.’

Nicola looked across at the door as Laura peered round it. ‘Everything okay?’

‘It’s the farmer from Little Mead.’ Keeping her voice low, Laura hissed at her. ‘And he’s asking for you.’

‘Ooh, do you think he’s changed his mind about the carnival?’ Jill tapped Nicola on the arm, a grin playing at her lips. ‘Or else he’s returning your bike. Maybe he’s tried it out, and it’s not his style?’

‘Maybe.’ Nicola shook her head. She wasn’t sure she was ready to face Charlie Williams again so soon. ‘Why don’t you go and ask him?’

‘Nope. He’s asking for you.’ Gripping Nicola by the shoulders, Jill spun her around so she was facing the door. ‘Go on. Go and find out.’

Rolling her eyes, Nicola reluctantly began heading towards the kitchen door. He could keep the bike if it meant she didn’t have to have anything more to do with him and his awful attitude.

Stepping aside to let her pass, Laura smiled sympathetically at her.

And there he was, leaning against the reception desk, complete with muddy boots and checked shirt. As soon as he saw her, he straightened his back, running his fingers through his hair.

‘Hi. How can I help you?’ Keeping her voice calm, she forced a smile.Please don’t mention yesterday.If he did, she was sure she’d self-combust from the embarrassment.

‘Hey, I, err…’ He pointed towards the door. ‘I have your bike.’

‘Right. Thanks.’ She nodded as she watched him dither on the spot, unsure whether to go outside or wait until she’d said something else. ‘Can you just leave it outside, please?’

He nodded slowly. ‘Of course.’

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