Page 62 of Falling in Love at Pennycress Inn

Slumping on the garden bench, she rolled her eyes. What was she supposed to do with the thing now? And what was so special about it that he’d wanted her to preorder it six months ago anyway? Who even waited that long for something they could buy down the local garden centre? Nathan, that was who.

Trixie jumped up onto her lap and nudged her head against Nicola’s chin, a long string of high-pitched meows escaping her mouth.

‘Come on then, let’s get you some grub.’ Picking her up, Nicola cradled her in her arms as she walked back into the kitchen before letting her jump down to the floor, where she continued her ravenous wails. ‘Oh, you poor thing. Starving again, are you?’ Rolling her eyes, Nicola glanced at Trixie’s food bowl, still half full of cat biscuits, before pulling out a tin of wet cat food. ‘I know, I know, how dare I leave biscuits for you to munch on throughout the day? Biscuits are only for the real emergencies, aren’t they?’

After spooning the chicken flakes into Trixie’s bowl, Nicola picked up the post from the work surface. Her mum must have been round today or else these would still be lying on the doormat.

‘So that’s why the biscuits got left, hey? Nanny popped by to give you some treats.’ Nicola smiled. After not having pets whilst she was running the inn, her mum was making up for it now by doting on Trixie.

The doorbell rang through the cottage, the noise too loud for such a small space. Laying the post back down, mostly leaflets advertising car washes and tyre fitting services, not that she needed any of those services now, Nicola walked through to the hallway and pulled the door open, a smile erupting on her face when she saw who her visitor was. ‘Charlie, hi.’

‘Hey, I brought dinner.’ Stepping inside, Charlie kissed her before nodding towards the pizza box in his hand.

Laughing, Nicola closed the door behind him and led the way through into the garden, grabbing a couple of wine glasses and a bottle from the fridge as they walked through the kitchen.

‘So I know we’ve not had the most important pizza relationship discussion yet, so I’m afraid I might just be begging for your forgiveness this evening.’

Sitting down at the garden table, Nicola began pouring the wine. ‘Let me guess, you’ve gone for a Hawaiian?’

‘Haha, that I have.’ Placing the pizza box in the middle of the table, he flung the lid open to reveal the ham and pineapple topped cheesy pizza. ‘Do you forgive me?’

Looking up at him, she waited until he was sitting in the chair opposite her before she passed him a glass. ‘I more than forgive you. I thank you.’

‘Phew.’ He dragged his forearm across his forehead dramatically. ‘I guess we are compatible then.’

Laughing, Nicola picked up a slice of pizza, pulling it away from the box until the string of cheese attaching it to the other slices had snapped. ‘Although, ironically, this was the one day you didn’t have to bring pizza. We could have made our own.’

‘Oh, yes?’ He took a sip of his drink.

‘Yep, I’ve just received that monstrosity over there.’ Nicola waved her hand behind her to encompass the huge box standing by the cottage wall.

‘What is it?’

‘A pizza oven. I’d ordered it months ago for Nathan’s birthday. It’s a special edition or something.’ She shrugged. ‘I don’t know, but I forgot to cancel the order, and it’s just turned up. I need to send it back.’

‘A pizza oven?’ Standing up, Charlie walked across to the box and lifted the lid. ‘Oh wow, that looks like a posh one. You should keep it. They’re supposed to be pretty good, the crème de la crème of the pizza oven world, so to speak.’

‘Oh, really?’ She scrunched her nose up. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to keep something which would just remind her of Nathan.

‘Supposedly.’ Joining her back at the garden table, Charlie picked up a slice of pizza and took a huge bite from it.

‘Maybe I will then.’ She tilted her head. If Charlie said it was good, then it must be. She’d certainly trust his judgement more than her ex’s. And he was right, she might as well make the most of it now it was here. And maybe she’d make a nice Hawaiian in it too – that’d be a good slice of karma for Nathan. She could almost picture the look of disgust on his face if he ever found out. Yes, it would be a little payback for always ordering what he fancied instead of thinking what she might enjoy too. ‘How was your day? Any other sightings?’

‘Of Claudette?’ Charlie smiled. ‘Yes, I saw her trotting along the road towards the farm on my way here.’

‘You did? What did you do? Try to usher her back in the direction of the village?’

Charlie shook his head. ‘I just let her get on with it.’

Nicola grinned. ‘She’s growing on you.’

Charlie shrugged. ‘Maybe. I mean, she’s not doing me any real harm, is she? There’s plenty of grass for her and for the harvest.’

‘Haha, you’ve so changed your tune. Next, you’ll be making up a permanent home for her in the corner of the hay barn.’

Charlie shifted uncomfortably.

Lowering her pizza slice, Nicola watched as he swallowed, his Adam’s apple bouncing up and down. Something had shifted. She could feel it. ‘Is everything okay?’

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