Page 8 of Sunny Sundays at Primrose Hall

‘Hey, I can take no blame for that. It was all down to Jackson and Pia’s wonderful hospitality and the free-flowing champagne, but you know I think we should definitely raise a toast to them on Friday in light of their good news.’

Tom’s brow furrowed as he looked from Pia to Sophie.

‘Oh, I thought Jackson would have told you,’ butted in Pia. ‘We’ve set a date for the wedding – 21 December! Save-the-date cards will be coming your way very soon so make sure you put it on the calendar. We can’t wait to share our big day with all the special people in our lives.’ Pia grabbed hold of Tom’s hand and squeezed it tight.

‘Well, that’s definitely cause for celebration then,’ said Tom laughing. ‘On Friday night, we’ll raise a glass to you both and your future happiness, won’t we, Sophie?’

In the absence of any other plans, Sophie was only too happy to agree and was already looking forward to spending some more time with Tom.

8

It was the thing that Sophie enjoyed the most about her new lifestyle. The delicious sensation that her time was her own to do whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted, without having to report to anyone else. She was making the most of it while she could. Most evenings after work she would return to her little cottage, light a candle on the hearth, make herself a mug of tea and decide what she would have for dinner. She loved pottering about her small kitchen, rustling up a quick pasta dish or frying a fillet of fish to have with some salad, or sometimes, a simple cheese and pickle sandwich would hit the spot perfectly. After dinner, if she wasn’t too tired, she would head out to the back room to work on some of her designs. With her headphones in, listening to the radio or a podcast, her full concentration would be on her latest project. She was currently working on a range that was inspired by the elements, using a gentle hammered effect to create the illusion of movement within the pieces.

She was pleased to have sold a couple of pendants, a ring and two sets of earrings on Sunday at the craft fair. She’d known it wouldn’t be as busy as the first time she attended, which had been just a few weeks before Christmas and when she’d soldpretty much all of her stock. This time round it had been a more leisurely and relaxed affair with visitors browsing and chatting interestedly. It wasn’t Sophie’s style to go in for a hard sell. She was simply happy to display her wares and to build connections that she hoped might prove fruitful in the future.

She’d managed, in the quiet spells during the day, to have a look around the other traders’ stalls, and was amazed all over again by the breadth of talent on display. Josh, a friendly guy in his late thirties, sporting closely cut red hair and a matching full beard, had a beautiful range of hand-crafted wooden products including coasters, chopping boards and personalised cheese boards. Maddie was a crocheter and knitter, selling cute children’s jumpers and beanies, and beautiful patchwork blankets. Sophie definitely had her eye on one of those for the armchair in the living room, once she had enough spare money to buy one. Cecily made beauty products like soaps, bath salts and bombs, which filled the stables with a sweet fragrant scent that was a reminder of hot summer days. Mike was a photographer who took the most amazing shots of wildlife including magnificent red kites in flight, hares boxing in an open field, and beautiful wide-eyed deer on alert in the countryside. He framed his photos in simple black frames, allowing the strong images to speak for themselves. As well as those traders Sophie had already had the chance to speak to, there were a few more that she hadn’t yet met so she was looking forward to putting that right at their meet-up in the pub.

Unsurprisingly, Sophie felt a few jitters of nerves on that Friday evening as she got ready to go out. After a speedy dinner of a salmon fillet on some salad leaves, one of her favourites, she changed out of her work clothes, freshened up and pulled on some jeans, a black lace-trimmed vest with a floaty pink blouse over the top. She carefully applied some eyeliner, smudging it with her finger for a smoky look, brushed her lashes with somemascara and added a sweep of lip gloss. Running her fingers through her tawny-coloured hair, she gave one last glance in the mirror and took a deep breath, pushing aside those intrusive thoughts that were telling her she didn’t have to go, that she could stay at home with a glass of wine. One thing she’d learned since breaking up with Kyle was that she needed to push herself out of her comfort zone. Being introverted by nature, going to events on her own wasn’t something she found easy, but this evening Sophie had no excuses. The pub was literally a stone’s throw away from her house and if she found it too excruciating then she could always make her excuses and leave.

Even so, she was so relieved when she walked through the doors of the Three Feathers and immediately spotted Katy standing at the bar.

‘Hey, Katy, it’s good to see you,’ she said, the relief evident in her tone.

‘Sophie!’ Katy’s face lit up. ‘We’ve nabbed a table in the back bar. Unfortunately, I can’t stay too long. Brad is meeting a colleague who’s over from Australia so I’ve got to get back to look after the kids, but I just wanted to come and say hello to everyone.’ Katy picked up the tray of drinks she’d been served. ‘See you in a minute,’ she said, wandering off.

Sophie ordered a white wine spritzer for some Dutch courage, and made her way through to the other bar, where a group of the traders were sitting around an old oak table. Tom spotted Sophie and gestured for her to come over, shuffling up along the bench to make room for her beside him. Josh, Mike and Maddie were there along with Aysha, who Sophie knew by sight but hadn’t spoken to before. She sold a range of candles, incense sticks, essential oils and reed diffusers.

‘How long have you been at the stables?’ Sophie asked her.

‘Since the very beginning. I was lucky enough to get a spot when they first opened up and I haven’t missed a session since.It’s been good for me because I’ve seen a lift in my online sales as well and I’ve also attended some other craft fairs that I’ve heard about through meeting people at the stables. You’re fairly new, aren’t you?’

‘Yes, last week was only my second time at the stables.’

Aysha nodded, her brown eyes shining warmly.

‘You were fortunate to get a place. I think Pia said there was quite a waiting list now.’

‘I know. I feel very grateful that I was able to sneak in when I did. I’m really just starting out on my business so I’m still finding my way, which products are the most popular, how to price my items, the best way to package them, that sort of thing. There’s a lot to learn, and I think the stables is the ideal place to test the market. I know it might take some time but I’m hoping that I can grow the business so that one day it can become a full-time career. That’s the dream, anyway.’ Sophie gave a wry chuckle. ‘It has to beat working nine-to-five behind a computer screen in an office.’

‘Well, if there’s anything I can help with, then just let me know. You should come along to the business breakfast club hub. We meet at the Treetops Cafe on the first Wednesday of the month and it’s a great networking opportunity for small and medium-sized businesses. If you have any specific issues, then there are experts in different areas such as finance, marketing and sales who you can talk to. I’ve always found them to be really welcoming and supportive, and it’s a great way to spread the word about your company. You also get to hear about any local grants that might be available. If you let me have your number, I can send over the details if you like?’

Sophie found everyone around the table just as friendly and helpful, and she spent time chatting with Maddie, who told her about her life living aboard a narrowboat on the canal. As well as the crocheted and knitted garments that she made, she gavetarot readings, which Sophie found fascinating, although she didn’t fancy having the cards read for her. She had no desire to find out what the future held in store. She would much rather discover that as it unfolded. Besides, she was in control of her own destiny now so she wasn’t leaving anything to fate. She knew exactly what lay ahead; independence, security and her own peace of mind.

‘I wish I could stay, but I have to go.’ Katy jumped up, looking at her watch. ‘Next time, I’ll make sure I get a babysitter lined up for the whole evening, but I’ll see you all next Sunday.’

After Katy left, most of the others trailed away too, citing other engagements, with a promise that they too would make sure to come along for the whole evening next time. It left Sophie alone with Tom and a sense of deflation that now she was relaxed, and enjoying the wine and the conviviality, the evening had been brought to a premature end.

‘Well, I don’t know about you,’ Tom said, gracing Sophie with an engaging smile, which reminded her so much of his brother, ‘but I’ve got no intention of going home.’ He placed his hand around his empty beer glass. ‘I’m going to have another drink. Are you going to join me?’

It seemed like the most natural thing in the world to say yes and when Tom returned with the drinks from the bar, they picked up the conversation easily where they’d left off.

‘They seem like a lovely crowd,’ Sophie offered.

‘Aren’t they? And they’ve been very generous in welcoming me aboard. I know Pia has a great relationship with them all so I hope they don’t feel short-changed having to deal with me instead.’

‘Never!’ Although Sophie wasn’t about to admit that initially she’d felt a pang of disappointment when finding out Pia would no longer be in charge.

Tom laughed, but it wasn’t the first time she’d sensed an insecurity beneath his friendly, outgoing exterior. She liked that about him. As though he didn’t take himself too seriously. It made him seem approachable and maybe a tad vulnerable too.

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