Page 63 of Winter at Wishington Bay
‘Where would you like to go?’
‘I don’t mind. You said you wanted to do some Christmas shopping. Is there anything in the village that might suit?’
‘Only one way to find out. And even if not, I’m sure there’s somewhere I can buy you a coffee.’
I nodded. ‘There is.’
We turned and began to walk along the path that would take us from the edge of the sea towards the centre of the village. As I adjusted my bag on my shoulder, I glanced through the large plate glass window of “Ned’s”, my gaze catching Corinne’s who was, unsurprisingly, once again loitering around Nate. By the look on her face, me bunking off early had just earned me yet more popularity points in her eyes. I looked away, my gaze unintentionally meeting Nate’s. His eyes flicked briefly to Billy, then back to me before he raised a hand in a brief wave. I returned it before looking back ahead of me and asking Billy what sort of things he had in mind for possible gifts.
‘I don’t really know yet. I’m hoping for inspiration.’
‘Then you’ve come to the right place!’ I laughed.
‘I think I already knew that,’ he replied, giving me a direct look, which I met briefly.
‘Can I ask something?’ he spoke again after a moment.
‘Of course,’ I said, trying to inject a lightness into my voice which I didn’t feel. Those simple four words always sent a shiver of unease throughout my body, prickling my skin. I knew why. And I knew how to fix that constant worry. If you don’t have anything to hide, there’s nothing to be uneasy about. But I did.
‘The guy in the window seat back there.’
‘Uh-huh?’
‘Is there something… I mean, do you two… have some history?’
I looked up, genuinely surprised. ‘No, not at all. Why?’
‘I don’t know. Just the look he gave me.’
‘Oh,’ I gave a quick dismissive wave of my hand as I shoved it into my glove. ‘Don’t take that personally. He just has one of those serious faces.’
‘He was smiling at that other waitress enough while I was waiting for you.’
‘Well, yes, she seems to have that effect on a lot of men.’
‘I don’t think she’s my biggest fan.’
I looked up at him. ‘Somehow I think you’ll manage.’
He grinned back. ‘I’m not sure a year’s wages would cover the price of the watch I saw that bloke was wearing when he waved at you so, yeah, I think my ego will recover on that front alone.’
‘Well, that’s a relief.’ I flashed him a look and he laughed.
‘This is such a pretty village,’ Billy said as we approached the main street. ‘I can’t believe I’ve never really been here. I think I’ve driven through a few times.’
‘It’s lovely, isn’t it?’
‘They go to town on the decorations, don’t they?’
‘Yes. Everyone really gets into the spirit,’ I smiled, as I looked through the butcher shop window, itself decorated with tinsel and fairy lights, and waved at Pete.
‘The restaurant looks great. Especially those wreaths dotted everywhere.’
I laughed. ‘We made them ourselves, don’t you know?’
‘Is that so? You must have had a brilliant teacher.’
‘Oh, he was all right,’ I shrugged as Billy let out a good natured laugh.
