Page 40 of A Snowy Seaside Christmas
Lark glanced around them to see four pairs of eyes looking back at her intently.
She paused a moment, making sure she felt comfortable to vocalise her concerns. Her hand went to the rose quartz crystal pendant hanging around her neck on the end of a silver chain, sending her bracelets jangling as they slid along her arm. She trusted these four women with her life. They’d been through thick and thin together, supporting one another along the way. They were, without a doubt, the best friends anyone could wish to have. She’d known all of them but Maggie since primary school and they’d been best friends since that time. Maggie had become part of their group after meeting Florrie at university in York. On her first visit to Micklewick Bay she’d met and fallen in love with Bear, moving to the town once she’d finished at uni. The differing personalities of the five friends had helped unitethem, rather than pushing them apart. Each one had a strong moral compass that kept them on the same track and pulled them together. And heaven help anyone who decided to give one of them a rough time; they’d face the wrath of the other four, which was a fearsome prospect.
‘I want you all to swear you’ll keep it to yourselves and not repeat it to anyone else.’ Lark glanced around her friends, an earnest expression on her face, knowing she could trust them to do exactly that.
‘’Course, goes without saying,’ said Maggie.
‘Absolutely,’ added Jasmine.
‘Are you okay, Lark?’ Florrie, who was sitting beside her, reached for her hand, giving it a squeeze.
‘I’m fine, it’s not me. It’s…’ She closed her eyes. Why was it so difficult to put it into words?
‘You’re scaring me now, Lark,’ said Jasmine.
Lark opened her eyes. ‘Sorry, don’t be scared, Jazz.’
‘Is it Nate?’ asked Stella.
The question made Lark’s insides squeeze with tension, and her breath caught in her throat. Had Stella noticed, too?
Lark nodded. ‘Yes. Why do you ask?’ Her heart was thumping as she anticipated her friend’s response.
Stella pressed her lips together, thoughts running behind her eyes. ‘I’ve just noticed he hasn’t been looking himself recently. Seems to look tired, has bags under his eyes.’
Lark felt her throat constrict and her eyes prickle with tears.No!She was hoping her friends would say they hadn’t noticed anything, that she was imagining things. Worrying unnecessarily.
‘Why d’you ask, flower? Have you sensed something?’ said Florrie.
Lark nodded. ‘I’ve just been getting the strangest vibes, been telling myself it’s because of him wearing vintage clothing andworking with reclaimed furniture so he’s been absorbing the energy from those.’
‘But…’ said Maggie.
‘I’d almost convinced myself of that but then I noticed the dark circles under his eyes and this feeling I can’t shake off that something isn’t right.’ Despite her best efforts, her voice wavered. ‘He’s my friend, it’s horrible having these feelings.’
‘Listen to me, lovey.’ Maggie reached across the table and took Lark’s hands in hers. ‘You yourself said the other day how he’s been rushed off his feet recently. He has loads of orders to get ready for Christmas, he’s been dealing with that grouchy Mr Thurston about Crayke’s Cottage and now he’s looking after a stray Labrador. There’s no wonder he’s got bags under his eyes. Anyone would.’
‘Mags is right,’ said Florrie. ‘Ed called round to his workshop the other day to pick up another bookcase for our cottage and?—’
‘How the heck can you fit another bookcase in your tiny little home, Florrie Appleton? You must have half a dozen already.’ Jasmine looked at their friend in disbelief, making the rest of the group laugh.
‘We measured up and worked out we can squeeze another one in the attic room.’
‘Where there’s a will there’s a way with our Florrie and her books,’ said Stella fondly.
‘I hold my hands up, guilty as charged.’ Florrie grinned before turning back to the conversation in hand. ‘Anyroad, it was clear to Ed that Nate was backed up with work. Said Nate had told him he had a big order from a couple who’d reserved a load of free-standing units for their kitchen which Nate needed to get ready for them, but that it was quite a big job.’
Florrie had a point. Nate had told her he’d taken a big order of reclaimed units he’d yet to have a chance to fix and wax. The couple, who were from Lingthorpe, had been hounding him toget them done before Christmas even though Nate had told them from the start there was no way he could get them ready until the New Year. He had too many other orders to honour before then. But rather than listening, they seemed to think being pushy and hassling him would get them to the front of the queue. They didn’t seem to understand it didn’t work that way for Nate.
Customers would regularly amble into his workshop where items awaiting repairs would catch their eye and they’d reserve them before they’d even got through to the shop. Most people were happy to wait their turn, but Lark was aware this couple were a little different. Though, with Nate taking everything in his stride as he usually did, she hadn’t realised it was starting to become a bit of a problem.
‘I’m getting a feeling of déjà vu here,’ said Jasmine. ‘It wasn’t that long ago you lot were saying the self-same thing about me having bags under my eyes and looking knackered. And, much as I know I denied it till I was blue in the face, you were all absolutely right. I was heading for burn out – not that I’m saying it’s like that for Nate; he’ll just be tired trying to keep on top of things.’
‘True.’ Stella nodded. ‘We were worried about you, the way you were running around and trying to keep so many plates spinning.’
Lark nodded her agreement.
‘And even I can see the dark circles have gone now I’ve got my life back under control,’ Jasmine said cheerfully.
