Chapter 8
The January food fayre at Crescent Park was a cold affair, but the smile on everyone’s faces warmed the event no end, and Rocco couldn’t help but smile himself, feeling a little more attached to his new home.
The large white marquees took the edge off the chill, and the delicious food samples on offer were warming in many ways, but not half as warming as Iris.
With a red woolly hat tucked low to cover her ears and a blue flannel jacket giving off snug-as-a-bug-in-a-rug vibes, it was hard not to snuggle to her side.
‘This certainly brings a cheer to the winter, doesn’t it, Rocco?’
‘Yep.’
‘Winter is a cosy time, don’t you think?’
He knew she didn’t really require answers, it was more about small talk, perhaps she felt awkward. He did. ‘I like summer.’ He perused the stalls showcasing conserves, breads, and pies, amongst other scrumptious treats. ‘I bet it’s nice around here then.’
Iris tugged his arm, bringing his face close to hers, and the sweet scent in her hair held him for a long moment. ‘Don’t let anyone hear you say that,’ she whispered, her breath tingling his ear. ‘It’s nice around here all year.’
Noted. He let out a small laugh, as he also noted she was still holding on to his arm, very much like a couple, which they weren’t, but he wasn’t about to move.
‘Ooh, do you fancy a hot chocolate?’ She tipped her chin towards the far side of the marquee. ‘I reckon I can squeeze in a few marshmallows before we check out some samples over in the cake tent.’
‘Sounds good. Not sure I’ll be having any dinner tonight though. Who knew samples could be so filling?’
‘To be fair, we’ve eaten a lot.’
And he did wonder if Iris stuffing her face was easier than spending time talking to him. Oh well, at least it was something to do rather than stare at each other, which he noticed happened often.
Iris was holding his arm as they walked, chatting away about which farms farmed what and which family lived where. There was even a mention of someone being a Capricorn, although he wasn’t sure what that had to do with anything.
He was usually good at taking mental notes, but there was so much going on around him, most of it went in one ear and out the other, especially each time she looked up at him and smiled.
Magnus was in the queue for hot chocolate, wearing a flannel jacket that matched the one Iris had on, and Rocco wondered if he should buy some flannel outerwear.
It certainly looked warm and cosy. ‘You two feeling stuffed yet?’ Magnus chuckled, patting his stomach.
‘It’s those pork pies for me. Bloats me every time, but I get a craving for them when Florrie makes a batch. Can’t be helped. I’m weak.’
‘We’re going to try the cakes next.’ Iris let go of Rocco’s arm, as if just noticing she was hanging there.
Missing her touch already, Rocco motioned towards Clint waving to him by the stand of red gingham, doilies, and sugar cookies. ‘Won’t be a sec.’
As soon as Rocco walked away, The Huxley twins appeared from nowhere, along with Josie.
‘How’s the mate date going?’ whispered Milly, winking so dramatically it made it look as though there was something in her eye.
Iris huffed. ‘Don’t say “date”, it makes things weird.’
‘Are you feeling weird?’ asked Josie, peeping around Allison at Rocco.
‘I’ve eaten more than I normally do at these things just to stop myself from rambling on and on. Seriously, even I’ve had to tell myself to shut up. I can’t imagine what’s going through his mind.’
‘I saw him smiling into your eyes,’ said Allison. ‘Seemed legit.’
Iris wrinkled her nose. ‘He did not.’ Although she had thought that at one point outside, but she put the dreamy look in his gaze down to the bitter wind bringing water to his eyes.
‘Has he made any moves?’ asked Milly.
‘Only towards the food samples.’ Iris giggled at her own joke.
‘Come on, Iris, get involved.’ Allison nudged her arm. ‘Life doesn’t change until you do, and all that jazz.’
‘Who says I want my life to change?’ The question lurked, niggling Iris to the point she realised she was scowling at Rocco, who was now frowning her way. She quickly smiled, then moved with the queue.
Magnus was up the front, placing his order.
‘Subject change,’ said Josie, subtly letting everyone know Rocco was coming back. ‘So, any news on Lady Vic yet? The park was thoroughly searched, and Cookie is on the warpath.’
‘Not heard anything,’ replied Allison, fluttering her dark eyelashes at Rocco. ‘Hello.’
Rocco smiled politely. ‘Hello.’
Iris introduced him to the Huxley twins before leaning on the wooden counter to order two hot chocolates.
‘When do you get your uniform?’ asked Allison, eyeing him up and down and showing no shame about doing so, but before he could respond, Milly tugged her away.
Iris turned from the counter to ask if he wanted whipped cream and marshmallows, glad her friends had left them alone.
Even Josie had walked off with Magnus. Rocco agreed to all the trimmings, then handed the seller some money before she had a chance to pull out her purse. ‘Hey, I was going to treat you.’
His smile was wide. ‘You’ve been very kind to me since I got here. Least I can do is buy you a drink.’
‘Thank you.’
They stepped outside, the cold air bringing their bodies closer until they brushed arms.
‘I’d like to cook you dinner tonight as well.’ A cloud of air blew out of his mouth as he laughed. ‘If we can fit any more food in.’ He leaned a little closer, the oaky scent of him filling her. ‘I make a mean steak and oven chips.’
Iris smiled into her hot chocolate, the cream hitting her nose. ‘It’s worth giving it a try, but if we’re too full, let’s have toast.’
He lightly wiped the tip of her nose, then met her eyes. ‘Deal.’
Cookie called out, looking flustered about something, and Iris guessed it was either news about Lady Vic or the judges had arrived.
‘Catch your breath, Cookie, before you have a heart attack.’ Iris offered a sip of her drink, which Cookie took.
‘I have some news about your gran,’ Cookie said to Rocco, but she wasn’t looking excited about it, raising Iris’s curiosity, and Rocco’s, judging by his expression.
‘What is it?’ he asked.
‘Reg wouldn’t tell me, but he wants you to go to his house tomorrow morning. Eleven sharp, he said.’
‘Reg?’ Iris and Rocco said in unison.
Cookie nodded, then strolled off, taking Iris’s hot chocolate with her.
‘Well that was cryptic.’ Iris tried to see deeper into Rocco’s thoughts, but he wasn’t giving anything away. ‘Do you want to find Reg now and ask?’
‘Nah, it can wait till morning.’ He poked out his elbow, offering her his arm, and Iris clung on, smiling.
‘I’m sure it’s nothing serious, otherwise Reg would have said.’
‘Look, Iris, whatever my gran got up to around here is way in the past, so unless she’s a Butterbrook most wanted criminal, I’m not too bothered.’
‘What a thought.’
‘All I’m thinking about right now, is getting you another hot drink and hoping I’ve got some oven chips in the freezer.’
Iris burst out laughing, no longer feeling one bit awkward about their mate date.