Page 9 of Hope and Happiness in Bluebell Wood
‘What a good boy!’ Jenny says, coming around the counter towards us. I feel myself stiffen as she approaches, but I try not to let it show. ‘May I fuss him?’
‘Sure,’ I say, standing back a little.
‘Would you like me to mind him while you get your shopping?’ Jenny asks, bending down towards Merlin. ‘Is there anything in particular we can help you with?’
‘I just need a few bits and pieces,’ I say vaguely. ‘I don’t want to put you out.’ I still clutch Merlin’s lead tightly in my hand.
‘Oh, it’s no bother. As you can see, we’re very quiet at the moment.’
I glance around the shop. Apart from us it’s completely empty. If I let her look after Merlin, I can probably scoot round much faster, and therefore make my exit before anyone else comes in.
‘If you really don’t mind?’ I say tentatively, holding out Merlin’s lead. ‘I’ll only be a couple of minutes.’
‘He’ll be perfectly safe with me,’ she says, attempting to take the lead from me. I notice she has to tug it a little when I don’t fully let go. ‘Baskets are just over there, dear,’ Jenny says, looking at me a little oddly. ‘Or you can fill your own if you feel happier?’
‘Is that okay?’ I ask, glancing down at my basket.
‘Of course! We’re very trusting here,’ Jenny says, already tickling Merlin on his tummy, while Merlin laps it up by rolling over on his back. ‘You go for it.’
I hurry off towards the aisles of groceries, where I quickly grab some basic provisions for me. I find some dog food in the small section of pet supplies and grab a couple of tins for Merlin and some dry biscuits. Then I head back to Jenny.
‘Find everything you need?’ Jenny asks, reluctantly passing Merlin’s lead back to me. She takes my basket and looks in it with interest as she carries it back to the counter.
‘Yes, thank you,’ I say, surprised at how much calmer I feel now I have Merlin back by my side. ‘Oh,’ I say, suddenly remembering what Bran had said outside, ‘I don’t suppose you have any bird food, do you?’
‘No, I’m afraid we don’t stock bird food – too specialised. Do you have birds as well as your little dog?’
‘Gosh, no; I meant food for garden birds.’
‘Ah, I see! You need to go down to Peacocks for that.’ Jenny puts my basket down on the counter and begins scanning the contents through her till.
‘Peacocks?’
‘Yes, the farm shop on the outskirts of the village. They have everything there we don’t – they keep a lot more fresh veg, and a much bigger supply of pet food. You’ll get all the wild bird food you need there.’
‘Great, thanks. Is it that way?’ I ask, pointing in the opposite direction to where we’d walked to the wood yesterday.
‘Yes, just follow the road along until you’re almost out of the village. Gavin will deliver anything you can’t carry. Are you local?’ she asks, trying to sound like she’s not prying, when clearly she’s desperate to know.
I’d been in the heart of the village less than half an hour and already two people were going to know I was staying here. I didn’t mind them knowing, they seemed friendly enough, but I really just wanted to keep myself to myself for a while.
I found it so difficult to trust strangers these days – allowing Jenny to hold Merlin had been hard enough. But she had been so helpful, I didn’t want to appear rude.
‘Yes, I’m staying at Bluebird Cottage,’ I hear myself reluctantly reply.
‘I wondered if you were.’ Jenny nods knowingly. ‘Evelyn said she hoped she’d get a tenant to look after the place while she was away. Dreadful business about her daughter.’
‘Yes,’ I reply, feeling that I should know all about it. Everyone else seemed to.
‘Are you staying long?’
‘I’m not sure,’ I reply cagily.
‘I expect Evelyn will be gone a fair while.’
‘Yes.’
‘Right then, that’s £26.74, please. Shall I put it back in your basket for you?’
