Page 79 of Knots About You
‘I’m fine,’ I said from Jim’s knees, breathless, maroon jumper now accessorised with a tasteful dusting of granola bits. Inspector Meowrse stared from under a trestle table like I’d disgraced him.
‘Oh my god, are you okay?’ I asked Jim, worried I’d just flattened Owen’s frail father.
Jim hooted. A proper belly laugh that made us jiggle. He patted my thigh, utterly delighted. ‘Most fun I’ve had all week. Jean’s been treating me like I’m made of eggshells, and here you are, sitting in my lap like I’m Father Christmas.’
‘I fell.’ My face felt like it matched the maroon of my jumper. ‘The wind… the bottles… I… Sorry, Mr Harris.’
‘Jim’s fine. No need to go getting all shy,’ he wheezed, wiping his eyes. ‘Now up you get, lass, before Jean strings you up for making me laugh.’
Jean, to her credit, only looked a little murderous. ‘Are you hurt?’
‘Only my pride,’ I said, scrambling upright when Owen held out a hand. I lowered my eyes when Jean stared. ‘I’m so sorry?—’
‘Don’t apologise,’ Jim said. ‘Best bit of the morning so far.’
‘Nobody move.’ Isla barked. She sprinted over with a handful of cable ties. Her eyes fell over the intact bottles, the banner that had fallen and wrapped itself around a bench, Jim grinning ear to ear, and she sighed. ‘Jeff and Owen, secure that banner. Claire, stop using my dad as a seat. Come on, folks, get your fingers out of your arses. Let’s go.’
Morag stumped past with arms full of paper cups, printed with leaves, spying our matching outfits. ‘Look at the two of you, you’ll be married by Christmas.’
Alastair nodded. ‘At the very latest.’
A tingle crept up my spine at the idea of Owen and me promising each other a life together. It was certainly too early to be thinking about that before Christmas, but maybe one day.
Hopefully.
Owen squeezed my hand. ‘You all right?’
‘My arse is going to get me in trouble one of these days,’ I said.
He tucked a strand of unruly hair from my face, his thumb brushing my cheek. ‘I’ll happily help you tame it...’
‘Now’s not the time for spanking talk. I just sat on your father.’
‘Highlight of his year.’ Owen lifted a brow.
The square settled back into a hive of preparation. Excitement rippled through the village, filling me with a warm glow. All around, neighbours helped one another, smiles and chatter abounded.
Jean handed me a steaming coffee with the Coffee & Crumbs logo on the side and pressed Jim back into his chair when he dared to try to resume helping.
‘Can I help with anything?’ I asked Owen.
‘Got anything for reducing stress?’
‘Nothing I can do in front of your mother,’ I said with a wink. ‘But later I’m more than happy to assist you with your… kilt.’
‘Aye?’
‘Aye.’ I slid my hand through his elbow and sneaked a kiss.
‘It’s a date.’ He captured my jaw and turned my stolen peck into a sultry kiss that set my temperature soaring despite the cool morning.
‘Right!’ Isla shouted, looking like a tiny, angry drill sergeant. ‘Fair opens in T-minus forty minutes, Cosy Country will be on site in an hour, get those last-minute bits sorted and get ready to sell your wares.’
There was a host of different stalls, and I realised how much more of Otterleigh Bay I needed to explore. A stand for the Walking Tour society, which had half a dozen different sets of maps, and a healthy glow to their cheeks. Lola had a stand where she signed up new people for the library, with books piled on her table that were no longer needed, and on offer for fifty pence each. Eilidh had the most delicious-looking cake stand, complete with the coffee machine pulled out from inside. There was a stand from the current artist-in-residence, Emma, with beautiful local landscapes. The Tipsy Otter set up a host of outdoor games and a bouncy castle to entertain the kids, while having beer and cider on tap for the grown-ups. The school had a bottle stall, and one selling wonky-looking pottery that was as odd as it was sweet. There was a rather dishy-looking blonde man with a table that heaved with local produce, and beside him stood a tall woman with a host of jars of honey.
‘He already did,’ I groaned.
Isla stopped beside us and scowled. ‘Right, Owen, you need to change, and Claire, we’re short two extension reels. There’s a heap in the pub. Can you grab some and take them to Jeff? Please?’
