Chapter 6
After tidying the kitchen, and a whirl of washing up, Cath did a quick hoover in the lounge, in case they ended up back inside should the shed prove too chilly later.
A new roll of loo paper was placed in the downstairs toilet, and her tealight candles refreshed in the lounge and kitchen with cinnamon-and-orange-scented ones, to add some spiced autumnal notes.
She then headed upstairs to get changed, and put on a little make-up, brushing away a fleck or two of crumble mix from her hair with a smile and a heady sigh.
What to wear? Pretty top, or warm jumper and jeans – practical for the shed – or a dress, tights and boots combo?
Options, options … Gorgeous Will was flashing like a Belisha beacon in her mind after that steamy crumble session.
She knew she wanted to look her best whilst still casual enough to cook, plus also no doubt dashing to and from the shed.
She plumped for a dress, choosing a button-through ditsy-floral-printed navy-and-red cord number.
On a quick check in the mirror, she undid one more button at the neckline to reveal a little more decolletage.
Well, that was the nearest to living dangerously she felt she could manage just now.
All too soon, the doorbell was ringing once again, this time heralding the arrival of the evening supper clubbers. She dashed back down the stairs.
First to grace her threshold were Andreas and Dan.
‘Well, hello, my lovely. And aren’t you looking absolutely adorable tonight. Oh, that dress!’ Andreas gave a broad grin and made her give him a twirl.
The time spent on her outfit had paid off then; the dress teamed with thick tights and her charity shop long brown-leather boots.
She’d also spent more than five minutes on her make-up, miracle of miracles, with a sweep of eyeliner and a swish of black mascara to accentuate her green-grey eyes, and some daring-for-her red lipstick.
It was time to come out of the kitchen! Well, not quite, she actually loved the kitchen.
She just needed to feel a bit more glamorous whilst she was there.
Actually, thinking about it, she was rocking the Nigella vibe somewhat.
‘Oh, yes, love the dress!’ added Dan. ‘Stunning.’
These boys definitely knew how to make you feel good, bless them.
Dan handed over a bottle of posh French fizz, and Andreas a Rioja. ‘One to set us off, and one to go with the meal. A little bird told us beef was on the menu.’
‘No secrets around here, are there?’ Cath smiled.
‘Does the village have the entire menu by now?’ Village life was a revelation.
It was lovely in so many ways, with the community very much welcoming her these past six months, but blimey, you couldn’t lose yourself like you could in a big city.
Everyone seemed to want to be updated on your business, and though she felt the lads were generally discreet, having friends at the heart of it all in the village shop, could at times be the equivalent to a broadsheet update.
‘We saw Will,’ Andreas explained. ‘He was in the shop looking for a nice wine to pair with the meal, asking our advice.’
‘Ah, okay.’ Well, that was sweet of him.
She wondered how it would feel seeing him walking back in so soon after their ‘crumble’ kiss. The doorbell buzzed again, and oh, her answer might soon be apparent.
But it was Nikki with her niece, Lily, bearing floral gifts and a rectangular tin of something homemade, hopefully. It was wonderful to see, and sample, the baked creations Lily had made.
‘For you. Thanks for having us.’ The young woman handed over the tantalising tin.
‘Lily’s made petits fours for after dinner,’ shared Nikki. ‘Or, of course, you can save them and keep them as a treat for yourself another day. Not that we’d talk about you behind your back or anything, if you actually did that.’
Oh delicious, Cath couldn’t wait to peek in.
‘Hah, sharing’s caring. I wouldn’t dare deprive you all.
’ Cath gave a wink. ‘Thank you, and the flowers are gorgeous, girls.’ They were a bunch of autumnal blooms, with bold orange roses and peaches-and-cream carnations.
‘Come on through, and I’ll get these popped into a vase. ’
They made their way to the kitchen, where the others were waiting, greeting Lily and Nikki warmly.
‘Mmm,’ commented Nikki, ‘something smells absolutely delicious in here. And before you pipe up, Andreas, I’m talking about the food, not you,’ she added with a grin.
‘Now stop spoiling my fun.’ Andreas gave a wink.
‘Not that anyone could accuse Andreas of ever trying to steal the limelight,’ chuckled Dan.
‘Cheeky.’
‘Well then, I’ve got some Prosecco chilled in the fridge. So, Dan or Andreas, perhaps you could do the honours with that,’ Cath suggested, ‘whilst I quickly sort these lovely flowers. There are some flute glasses ready for the fizz, there on the side.’
‘It’d be my pleasure,’ said Dan.
As the cork popped jubilantly, the final guest arrived, announced by another ding of the cottage doorbell.
‘I’ll get it,’ called Lily, who happened to be standing nearest the hallway.
Cath, though busy at that point, felt slightly disappointed that she wouldn’t get to see Will in herself.
Just to have a second or two with him alone, before it was all go with the group.
Mind you, her stomach had started doing that washing machine thing, remembering their recent antics in this very kitchen, so perhaps it was for the best.
‘Hi, everyone.’ The man himself appeared, looking fresh and stylish, dressed in black jeans and a pale-blue chambray shirt under a thick navy jumper. He was holding a black padded coat across his arm. ‘I’m prepared for the outdoors.’ He gave a dashing smile.
‘Well, we’ll have a drink here first, and then we’ll head on up.’ Cath gave a nervous smile back, trying to still the fluttering that was going on inside. She was going to have to get a grip on herself. He did look absolutely gorgeous, mind.
They gave a ‘Cheers’, raising their glasses, with a ‘Here’s to a good night’ from Dan, and ‘Thanks for having me’ from Lily.
*
‘Well then, let’s head up to our supper club shed while we still have some daylight,’ Cath announced, as they reached the bottom of their welcome drinks.
‘I thought we’d try a last summerhouse blast before the autumn comes in good and proper.
I’m not sure how the cosy blankets I’ve put out will cope, if it gets any chillier.
We can always move back in here if it is too much. ’
‘I’ll be fine. I’ve got my thermals on underneath,’ quipped Andreas.
‘We’ve brought our fleeces,’ said Lily.
‘And I’m just your average hardy cyclist – used to all weathers,’ Will added with a grin.
Hmm, there was nothing average about him at all, mused Cath.
‘Okay then, let’s recharge the glasses, and we’ll head on up. And I’ll grab another bottle, for good measure. The lanterns are already lit, so even though it’s a bit dark out, we’ll be fine.’
Lily illuminated the way for them up the steps with her phone torch.
As well as the lanterns, Cath had earlier carved out the largest pumpkin with a spooky-toothed face, placing a tealight to give a glowing warmth from within.
It greeted the guests from outside the shed, along with its vegetable friends.
‘Ah, this is beautiful, Cath,’ said Nikki.
‘Love it. It’s so cool,’ added Lily, taking in the storm lantern and pumpkin display, and snapping a few photos on her phone.
‘Oh, and inside is fabulous, too.’ Andreas’s face lit up with delight as he stepped in.
‘You’re a marvel. The autumnal theme is perfect.’ Dan grinned.
Will looked proudly on, without commenting that he had in fact given a helping hand; the creative flair was all Cath’s, after all.
‘Oh yes, it’s “pumpkin fest” for us at the shop too just now, what with Halloween fast approaching,’ said Dan.
‘We can hardly keep up with the sweetie supplies for trick-or-treating. But hey, all too soon, it’ll be November.
That’s when things really start hotting up in the stores.
We’ve ordered in most of our Christmas stock already. ’
‘Yep, best be prepared. Christmas will be here before we know it!’ Andreas added animatedly.
‘We’re already thinking about Christmas cards, wrapping paper, local gifts, arts and crafts.
Then, there’s deciding which festive bakes I’ll be making.
And of course, we need to plan the store’s festive window display for this year.
Gotta get the theme just right.’ He was off in a world of festive planning.
‘Honestly, you’d think he was designing the Fenwick’s Christmas window, the way he goes on.’ Dan was smiling affectionately.
‘All right, Mr Killjoy. It’s all in the detail, I’m telling you.’
‘Well, we’ve been in the shop for eight years; we should know what we’re doing for the festive season, by now.’
‘No, Mr Boring. We don’t have to do the same thing, year on year.
I find the run-up to Christmas rather exciting, that’s all.
You can’t help but get wrapped up in a bit of Christmas spirit, can you, my lovelies?
The lead-up, the lights, the gift buying – everything.
It’s just such a magical time.’ He paused, and then gave a slow sigh.
‘Ah, but it’s going to be so much trickier this year … ’ His eyes had misted.
Dan reached for his hand, knowing what was coming.
Andreas drew a breath, then explained, ‘It’ll be the first Christmas without Mama.’
‘Oh, Andreas. That’ll be very difficult. She’d still want you to enjoy it though.’ Cath understood how hard losing a parent could be. Her mother and father had both passed away a few years ago, and within a year of each other.
The group had grown very fond of Andreas’s mother, Maria, Cath having visited her a couple of times at her nursing home in the nearby town, in the weeks before her passing.