Page 31 of Christmas in Mistletoe
Ruby nodded. “We could just use another push. It’s rough having so much of your money earned in a single month.”
Victoria grunted.
It wasn’t a new issue.
“How were things with Fran when she left? You two looked like you were getting on better than when she spat her sausage roll on you.” There was a smile in Victoria’s voice as she spoke.
“It could only really get better from there, couldn’t it?”
“That’s a hard yes.”
Ruby took a fruit panettone from her sister and put it on the festive shelf swing. “Did Eric do this?” Ruby patted it. The shelf bobbed from side to side, the chains clanking.
“He did. Very happy with himself.”
“I can see why.” Ruby took another panettone, then another. “Do people actually buy these?”
Victoria nodded. “They do. Whether they eat them or know what to do with them is another matter. Audrey said she bought one last year but was baffled by it. She was thinking of using it as a small stool.” Her sister laughed. “Might be the last Christmas we sell them with Brexit looming.”
Ruby harrumphed. “Next year, it’ll be suet pudding and other grimness. Back to the 40s. I’ve never eaten panettone. Maybe I shouldn’t try, in case I love it and then I can never buy it again.”
Victoria made a face, and passed her more Italian cakes. “Anyway, back to Fran. You two were working together at the farm on Saturday, weren’t you?”
Ruby nodded. “We were. It was a little rocky to begin with. She doesn’t trust singers because…” Ruby paused. She’d made a promise not to say anything about Fran and Delilah. “She’s had her heart broken before. I don’t trust music execs because I’ve had my trust broken before. We had some hurdles to overcome. But once we did that, it was fine.”
More than fine, but Ruby wasn’t about to tell Victoria that. Her sister had a way of running her mouth off to their parents. Ruby was still processing what had happened between her and Fran. The last thing she needed was Mum and Dad’s curiosity piqued.
“Is she dating?” Victoria’s tone was light, but Ruby knew the question behind it.
“She’s not. She’s single and happy with that.”
A pause, some rustling, then Victoria passed Ruby two packs of Florentines. “Can you put them at the front? I’ve got some tinsel to pack around it all, too.”
Ruby held the display with one hand and arranged the festive treats.
“She’s gay, though? I mean, she didn’t come out and say it, but I got the impression she was.”
“The impression?”
“Yes,” Victoria replied. “Just something about her. Plus, she was wearing those cool, arty shoes.”
This was new. “I don’t wear those, and I’m gay.”
Victoria waved her hand. “Yes, but you’re a musician. You wear all manner of weird and wonderful things and nobody bats an eyelid. Fran, on the other hand…”
“Looked like a hipster? Those shoes are in.”
“Not in Mistletoe,” Victoria replied.
“Last time I checked, our little town was not the height of fashion. Or did I miss something? Is Milan planning to forego its slot on the European fashion circuit and base it here instead?”
“It would be a great plan for getting customers to the village year-round.”
Ruby snarked an eyebrow. “If you’re asking is Fran gay, the answer is yes. At least, her last relationship was with a woman.”
Victoria gave Ruby a wide smile. “You see, I can still pick them. I may be boring and married to a man, but I’m still up on the game.”
“So long as you’re not on the game.”
