Page 38 of Falling in Love at Pennycress Inn

‘I’m okay, thanks.’ Pulling the list of jobs to do from her pocket, she looked up. ‘I’m looking for some of this paint, please? If you’ve not got any, can I order it in, please?’

‘Of course. Let’s take a look.’ Slipping his reading glasses onto his nose, he took the list from Nicola and stared intently at it before looking back up at her. ‘Yep, not got that shade. I have a cream and an off-white but not pure white. Would either of those do?’

‘No, sorry. It’s to patch up a mark on the skirting board.’ Stepping forward, Nicola placed the heavy canvas bag on the edge of the counter before taking her list back.

‘No problem. Leave it with me and I’ll order it in for you. It’ll be ready to collect in three days. How does that sound?’

‘Perfect, thanks.’ She pulled the bag back onto her shoulder.

‘I’ve got to say, you’re looking a lot happier these days. Working at the inn again must be agreeing with you.’ He took his reading glasses off and folded them before placing them on the counter.

‘Oh, thanks.’ Nicola smiled, a genuine smile this time. ‘I guess it’s spending time back where I grew up, and working with Laura instead of my cheating ex.’

‘Ah yes. Never much liked him, I didn’t. Of course, I couldn’t tell you at the time, but there were a few of us who thought the same.’ He picked up a cloth and began buffing his glasses.

‘You didn’t like him?’ Nicola frowned. ‘And there were others in the village who didn’t either? Why didn’t you say anything?’

‘Us oldies can’t go poking our beaks into other people’s business now, can we? Besides, what if we’d been wrong?’

‘Oh, you weren’t wrong, I can assure you.’ She glanced outside, hoping Nathan wouldn’t still be lurking around when she headed back to the inn.

‘No, we weren’t.’ Popping his glasses back on, Neil started up his computer, presumably to input the order. ‘You need to find yourself a nice young man who will treat you right. You do.’

‘I’m with you there.’ Nicola grimaced. It wasn’t as though she could really just magic one up, was it? Make a wish, blow out a candle and magic up a man who was kind, thoughtful and above all honest. Although maybe she had found one already. In Charlie.

She shook her head. She and Charlie hadn’t even had their first date yet.

‘Well, good luck, love, and I’ll let you know when your paint’s in.’ Neil briefly held his hand up before looking back at the computer screen.

‘Thanks, bye.’ Pulling the door open, Nicola gingerly stepped outside, half-expecting Nathan to be waiting for her. She breathed a sigh of relief when she realised the coast was clear.

20

Nicola smiled as she felt Charlie take her hand, and she looked up at him as they walked towards the pub door. ‘Thanks again for dinner. It was lovely.’

‘It was, wasn’t it?’ He leaned in closer and pecked her on the cheek. ‘The food and the company.’

‘Likewise.’ She grinned. She was really beginning to feel there could be something special between them. Yes, it was super, super early days, but she felt a spark each and every time she saw him, whether he was in his everyday flannel shirts or the smart jeans and pale blue shirt he was wearing this evening. And the way he just wanted to spend time with her. He made her feel wanted and interesting. He listened to her, answered her. He took the time to hear what she was saying. There was no noncommittal grunting or long silences as there had been with Nathan. And she’d not had that in a very long time. She’d not felt worthy.

‘Here.’ Charlie pulled the heavy wooden door of the pub open and stood aside, letting her through first, demonstrating once again how completely different he was to Nathan who would have eagerly pushed his way through first just so he didn’t waste any time drinking or catching up with his mates.

Stepping inside, Nicola looked around. It was busy and, by the looks of things, the darts competition had already begun, a crowd of people were clustered around the dartboard, with more people sitting at tables and glancing over at the excitement every so often.

The warmth of the pub was welcome after the chill of the clear summer evening and Nicola shrugged out of her cardigan, draping it over her arm. After taking Charlie’s hand again, his skin warm against hers, she weaved through the other punters towards the bar, where Jackson greeted them.

‘Evening, Nicola. Hey, Charlie. What can I get you both?’ Placing his hands on the bar, he leaned slightly forward, speaking above the chatter surrounding them.

‘A white wine and a lager please, mate.’ Charlie slipped his bank card from his wallet and glanced around. ‘It’s busy tonight.’

‘Oh yes. I must admit we knew the darts competition would draw a crowd, but we weren’t quite prepared for this amount of extra people.’ Jackson placed their drinks on the bar.

‘Are you going to be able to get away from the bar and watch Laura play?’ Nicola glanced towards the throng of people surrounding the dartboard as a raucous cheer swept through the pub.

‘I sure hope so. I’m not even supposed to be working now. We finished serving food an hour ago, but Nancy is running late.’ He looked up as the door opened, and Nancy, one of the bartenders, hurried through. ‘Ah, right on cue.’

‘Sorry, sorry. Had an absolute nightmare with the car. I didn’t realise the tyre was flat until I’d gone to get in it to come to work.’ Nancy rushed behind the bar, throwing her handbag to the floor as she did so and kicking it against the back wall.

‘No worries. Did you manage to get it sorted or shall I pop by sometime and change it?’ Jackson wiped the bar down.

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