Page 34 of Winter at Wishington Bay
Pop down for a coffee if you’re not busy?
I’d cleaned the flat, nipped out to the bakers for a fresh loaf, in order to make some toast, bought a jar of locally made marmalade and was now sat on the sofa, feet up, reading a book. Outside the sky was leaden and held the promise of early snow, so although I knew I ought to get out for a walk, my cosy surroundings and novel were much more appealing at the moment. But it would be nice to have a catch up with Flora so I put the book down, stuffed my feet into trainers and jogged down the stairs. Scooting out of my front door, I raced out of the cold into her warm shop. There were a couple of customers browsing as I made my way to the till and gave Flora a hug.
‘Hello, love. I didn’t disturb you, did I?’
‘No, not at all. How are you?’
‘Not bad.’
‘Been busy?’
‘It’s starting to get busier now everyone’s beginning to shop in earnest for Christmas. I’m just trying to summon up the energy to start decorating the shop actually.’
‘Want some help?’
‘Do you mind? Aren’t you due at the restaurant today?’
‘No. Weekend off. Much to Corinne’s disgust.’ I winked and Flora smirked.
‘Goodness knows you’ve covered enough of hers since you started. I don’t know why you do it.’
I shrugged. ‘It’s extra money and it’s not like I have a lot of other plans. Unlike Corinne.’
‘I think she finds work an inconvenience,’ Flora said. ‘Spoilt from the day she was born, that one. And now she uses her looks to get away with more. I don’t know why Ned puts up with it. She never seems to do as much running around as the other waiting staff whenever we’ve been in there.’
‘Carrie’s not exactly a fan either but she said Ned’s known Corinne’s family since he was a kid. I guess it can be tricky when business and pleasure mix. Anyway, the important thing is I’m off today, so what can I do to help?’
‘Are you sure you don’t mind?’ Flora’s hopeful expression would have changed my mind even if I had.
‘Not at all.’
‘Oh! That’d be lovely, Sophia. Thanks ever so much. I feel bad taking up your weekend.’
‘No need. I enjoy doing things like this.’ That had been another new discovery. Last year was the first time I’d ever decorated for Christmas. I’d bought the biggest tree that would fit in my flat and still allow me access – which unfortunately meant it was pretty small – plus a bulging basket full of decorations and several strings of white fairy lights. I’d then spent a very happy afternoon decorating the tree and pinning up decorations and strings of soft white fairy lights round the place. The set I’d fitted in my kitchen looked so adorable that I’d left them up permanently. Of course, it wasn’t that my previous houses hadn’t been decorated for the festive season – in fact, the last house had four trees. And, of course, two more in the London flat. It’s just that they were done by the staff.
I’d always been a bit jealous when I watched Hallmark movies (in secret, obviously, as these most definitely wouldn’t have been approved of) and saw families decorating trees together. Even some of my friends kept at least one tree for decorating with their family. But my mother had never been into all that. It was a job for other people, and then she could enjoy the fruits of their efforts. And my husband wasn’t at home half the time anyway so he probably wouldn’t even have noticed if the trees were there or not, let alone ever have the inclination to decorate one.
As the customers she had been serving left, Flora studied me for a moment, an expectant look on her face.
‘What?’
‘OK, as you’re obviously not going to tell me outright, I’m forced to ask. Who was that extremely gorgeous man walking you to your door the other day? And was that Bryan he had with him?’
‘It was, yes. That’s Nate, Gabe’s brother. He’s over here house and dog sitting while they’re away.’
Flora looked at me expectantly. ‘And?’
‘And what?’
‘Oh, come on, love. I’ve been around the block enough to recognise when there are sparks between people.’
‘Oh, Flora, there aren’t any sparks,’ I said, laughing. ‘Have you been sniffing those Christmas candles again?’
‘Well, you looked good together so there definitely should be,’ she replied. She tilted her head. ‘Are you absolutely sure?’
‘Yes. I mean, yes, really there aren’t.’
‘Well, that sounds like a waste.’
