Chapter 8 #2
“Jim the grocer lives at the back of his shop and gets all his stock from Pete and your aunt. His wife Fi is in the hospital with cancer at the moment, so he’s not opening every day.
We all try and give some time each week to cover him so he’s not losing any income.
Fi used to teach at the school in the next village over so a lot of us have been taught by her.
Am I boring you? I do tend to go on about this place.
” He does his usual nervous neck rub and dimple smile.
“Not at all! I love it. You have such a little community here. I can’t believe that you know everyone’s stories and you actually care.
” I laugh. “I love that so much. You don’t get that where I’m from.
Let me know if I can do anything to help with Jim and his store.
That must be so hard for him, and all of you in fact. ”
“Yeah, it is. I can’t imagine the thought of losing someone slowly. Someone you’re utterly devoted too. It’s the worst kind of heartbreak. So, what about London then? You don’t rally around each other?”
“Well, I know everyone’s gossip, but I don’t know them like you all seem to know each other. You seem to help each other out of kindness. Where I’m from it’s always for gain.”
“Well, gain can be good, right?”
“I guess, but it’s more than likely a selfish gain. But anyway, please, carry on with the who lives here. It’s like a Hallmark movie. I’m obsessed with Brindlewood already!”
“To your city folk anything that has a bit of green is a Hallmark movie.” He gently pushes his shoulder into mine.
I think he might be flirting with me. Stop it, Harri.
This is temporary. “So, then we have us. Well, me, Lola and Nana. Then Lois and Hannah and their boys Toby and Alfie. Oh, and of course your aunt and grandmother. You know that house used to belong to witches. It’s in this weird book about the village that Kieran lent me once.
Spooky.” He makes a face like he’s trying to scare me, but I play it cool.
“Oh right. Well, I guess that’s pretty cool really.” I lean my shoulder back into his and he smiles down at me.
“Oh, it’s very cool! Brindlewood has quite a bit of history with witches and all things fantasy. Kieran also has a book on pixies and fairies that apparently live in the forests here. Lola often makes me take her for walks in hope of spotting one.”
“And have you?” I ask a little too seriously.
“Not yet. But there’s always tomorrow!” He smiles. “Come on, let’s help my nana.” He nods his head towards The Wandering Wisp.
We take the short stroll to the cafe where we can see Gloria cleaning down the tables through the window.
The sun is now long gone, and the temperature has sure enough dropped further.
The light from the houses and one streetlamp in the centre of the green are the only source of light around, drenching everything else in darkness.
I hadn’t noticed walking around but now standing outside the cafe it shows just how dark this place is.
We walk inside and the heat from the log burner burns my cheeks and nose from where the cold has left its mark.
“What a lovely surprise.” Gloria beams. “Please tell me my grandson has been behaving himself.”
“I always behave myself, Nana.” He smirks playfully.
“He’s been showing me around your little village and giving me the stories of everyone here,” I chime in.
She looks at her grandson. “Well, I hope he’s been kind about everyone.”
“He has,” I assure her.
Satisfied with my answer she continues to wipe down the tables. “I’m nearly done here. Why don’t you two grab Lola from Lois and Hannah’s and I’ll meet you at home? Harri, will you stay for some hot chocolate with us before you head back?”
“If it’s no bother, sure. That would be nice.”
“Wonderful, dear.” She gives me another soothing smile before looking back at Sam. “Can you give Hannah and Lois that crate of buns on the side, Samuel?”
“Sure you don’t want us to wait for you?” he asks.
“Anyone that’s going to bother me will end up in a worse way. I’ve been doing karate and yoga at the village hall, Harri. You should come and see sometime.” She flexes her arm under her floral dress.
It makes me laugh. “Wow, Gloria, nobody will be messing with you then.”
She nods smugly and Sam shakes his head joining in the laughter. He grabs the crate of buns with one hand and opens the door for me with the other. We get outside into the frosty night and make our way down past the stream to the houses on the side.
“Thank you, Samuel,” I mock with an edge of flirtation.
“Urgh.” He rolls his eyes in response. “She refuses to call me Sam. Anyway, you can’t talk! Your parents definitely didn’t name you Harri.”
“Harriet,” I mutter quietly.
“So, let’s make a pact. You don’t call me Samuel, and I won’t call you Harriet.”
“Deal.” We shake hands on it. His grip again makes me feel weak at the knees.
We make our way to the last cottage before the village hall.
The curtains are closed but the log burner’s smoke bellows out of the chimney and the glow of warmth can be seen in the windows.
As we walk over the small bridge leading to the front door I make note of the window boxes full of lavender and the pile of different sized wellies sitting just on the step outside the pink front door.
Sam knocks the silver flower knocker and stands back with me to wait for the knock to be answered.
Hannah from the market appears at the front door in a pink fluffy dressing gown and cow slippers, her blonde hair tied up in a scrunchie at the back. The sound of children laughing comes out into the night air. I can feel the warmth from the house coming out to invite us in.
“Sam! And, oh gosh, Harri, wasn’t it? Cerci’s granddaughter? Come in, she’s just finishing her rice pudding.” She smiles and moves to allow us into the warmth. I notice her give Sam a look, not a bad look, but a “talk of the village” cheeky look.
We stand in the hall and Hannah shouts for Lola. Sam places the crate of buns down on the side table.
“Er, Nana sent these for you guys,” he says, his voice gruff.
“Ah, amazing. Your nana, God send! And yours.” She turns her attention to me. “Both of them are the queens here in Brindlewood.”
Lola appears from round the corner, rice pudding around her mouth and down her school uniform.
She runs and gives Sam a hug and looks me up and down.
She turns to Hannah and gestures for her to come down to her level.
She whispers something into Hannah’s ear that makes her laugh then runs back towards the kitchen.
“Oh God, what did she say?” Sam laughs.
“She said that your new friend is the prettiest lady she’s ever seen, and you go all goggly eyes when you talk about her.”
Right on cue Sam’s face turns red. “Right.” He claps his hands together. “Lola!” He disappears into the kitchen to catch his sister.
Hannah and I laugh, my cheeks also blushing with the compliment from little Lola.
“Lois,” she calls. “Come and meet Harri.”
A woman comes from the kitchen door, wiping her hands on a tea towel. Her black hair is in a short bob around her petite face. She smiles, a little more reserved than her wife but just as kind looking.
“Nice to meet you, Harri!” She puts her hand out to shake mine and I oblige. “Hannah told me you bought her Japanese inspired blanket? Beautiful piece, right? She’s so talented.” She places a sweet kiss on her wife’s cheek. “How are you finding your time in Brindlewood?”
“Great, thank you. It’s a much-needed rest from the city.”
“Ah, so just a break then? You returning back to the city soon? I pop in for work myself now and again.” She places her hands on her hips.
“Erm, I’m not too sure to be honest. I mean, yeah, eventually I’ll have to return, I guess, but I’m not really in a rush.”
“What about work?” Lois questions.
“Lois…” Hannah touches her wife’s arm tenderly. “We don’t need to do twenty questions with Harri.”
“Sorry, I’m just interested, you know. It’s nice to talk with someone who isn’t afraid of the big bad cities.” Lois smirks.
“No, sure, I get it. I, erm, well…” They’re both staring at me waiting for the gossip on why I’ve run away to my grandma’s in the country.
I don’t know why it feels dirty to say, but it does.
But if I’m going to be staying here a bit longer, people are going to talk.
“I recently broke up with my fiancé,” I blurt out just as Sam comes back into the hall.
He stands there awkwardly. Oh God, he’s going to think I’m like a weirdo who ran away from my fiancé because I have commitment issues or something.
I carry on, making sure he can hear. “He was sleeping with my friend… well, I thought she was my friend.”
“Oh my gosh, how awful!” Hannah exclaims.