Page 43 of The Holiday Grump
An older lady I recognized as Ida from the bus stood. “Of course. We’ll focus on the crafts this week!”
A dissatisfied murmur fluttered around the table.
“Oh, shush now!” Ida raised a finger. “You’ll be happy when you finish those beautiful Christmas gifts. You’ll thank me later!”
Felicity pulled out two chairs for us. I sat between Kailee and Ida and declined the drink they offered, hoping Kailee wouldn’t feel left out if I wasn’t drinking either.
Ida ran through the introductions. “You already know Felicity and Eileen, who owns this café. And this is Astrid Wilde. She owns the tea shop down Main Street.”
“The Wilde Kettle? It looks so cute!” I exclaimed. I’d peered through the window on my nightly walk.
Astrid raised her glass, grinning. She looked well into her sixties and wore more color than I did. The crystal chandeliers hanging from her earlobes jingled as she tilted her head in my direction. “Next time, come in, and I’ll mix you something to regulate your cycle and calm that restless spirit.”
I took a deep breath, trying to look less restless. “Sounds… great.”
Ida turned to the next stranger at the table. “And this is Lola Monroe. She runs a… business in town.”
A woman with voluminous blue hair who looked about my age smiled, casting a tired look at Ida. “It’s an adult toy store called The Perfect Package. Come for a visit! I’ll give you my friends-and-family discount.”
I stared at her wineglass, wondering if I’d been too hasty to turn down alcohol. “That’s… exciting.”
“And this is Erica Locke,” Ida continued around the table.
A middle-aged woman with a sunny smile waved at me from across the table. “Lovely to meet you! Are you new in town, Noelle?”
Erica reminded me of my own mother, down to the deep dimples on her cheeks when she smiled, and I instantly felt at ease.
“She’s right next door to Fredrik,” Eileen added. I could almost see little hearts floating out of her eyes.
“How wonderful!” Erica’s smile turned a little misty. “It’s so lovely to see young people coming in. Maybe settling down… finding love.” She blinked away tears.
Settling down and finding love? Did they not know I was running a pop-up shop for one month? I cast a panicky glance at Felicity, who offered an apologetic smile.
“Erica’s daughter lives in Brooklyn,” Eileen explained, making Brooklyn sound like the International Space Station. She patted Erica’s hand. “Piper will settle down soon. I can feel it! Didn’t you say she’s bringing a boyfriend home for the holidays?”
Erica wiped her eyes, smiling. “We’re so excited!”
“If you have any issues with the town, you can take them up with Erica. She’s married to the mayor,” Felicity said briskly.
Erica nodded, looking a little cheerier. “I’m more popular than the suggestion box at the town hall.”
“How did you end up in Hideaway Harbor, Noelle?” Astrid asked.
Everyone leaned in, and my insides spasmed.
“I’m here to run the Christmas shop on Hideaway Ave,” I said. “It opened today.”
“Oh, I saw that!” Lola exclaimed. “Do you sell anything naughty? I’d love to get something with cocks, but seasonal.”
I stared at her, my cheeks a little hot. “Sorry. I haven’t seen any penises. It’s not my store. I’m just here to run it for four weeks. Then… I’ll be off.”
It was better that they knew the truth—that I was a rootless, lost soul and not the future of Hideaway Harbor. I cast a nervous glance around the table. Would they ask me to leave?
The older ladies nodded in unison, smiling like they were in on some big secret.
“Of course, dear.” Eileen shrugged oh-so-innocently. “Unless love throws a wrench in your plans.” She gazed out the dark window. “You might end up staying for forty years. I can usually sense these things, and I have strong?—”
“Maybe she’ll stay with us for the next two hours if you all behave,” Felicity shot back, then turned to her daughter. “Did you have fun with the Christmas decorations earlier?”
