Chapter 6
T hanks to Gideon’s no-show, I’d spent the night tossing and turning.
My brain had gone into overdrive, dissecting every conversation Gideon and I had had over the last couple of months.
Analysing every word for clues regarding his fidelity, like an emotional pendulum my thoughts kept swinging first one way and then the other.
One minute, yes, he was being unfaithful.
What other explanation could there be for his distancing?
In the next, he wasn’t. Gideon was too honest for that.
Once I’d opened up downstairs, I spent the rest of the morning tidying the shop and at almost lunchtime I could finally stand back to admire my efforts.
Row upon row, one on top of the other, every ball of wool now sat perfectly aligned.
Pattern files stood to attention, organised according to yarn, project type, man, woman and child.
After finding the perfect attention-grabbing spot near the entrance, the Christmas gifts I’d ordered were now in full display.
I let out a satisfied sigh. Whether they wanted them for their own stockings or someone else’s, I knew my regulars would find the little cross-stitch kits, DIY macramé sets and make your own finger puppet selection as irresistible as I did.
I looked out onto the street and, my heart melting at the sight that met me, it seemed I, at last, had a reason to smile.
Alex, well over six foot, looked like a gentle giant next to the little old lady he helped across the road.
Carrying her two-wheeled shopping trolley in one hand, his other rested against the lady’s upper back.
He was clearly happy to go at the lady’s slow and measured pace and his kindness in guiding her to safety struck me.
The two of them chatted as they went; a conversation that continued once they reached the other side.
Alex passed the shopping trolley back to its owner and I couldn’t help but smile as they said their goodbyes and went their separate ways.
Settledown was a world away from the city with its bright lights and fast pace, and Alex appeared to fit right in with the gentler way of living.
My stomach rumbled, reminding me I’d missed breakfast on account of not wanting to mess up my newly pristine kitchen.
But with twenty minutes still to go before I could close for my lunchbreak, food would have to wait.
Glancing around in search of something else to occupy my mind, my eyes fell on the till and the crochet project I was working on.
However, with thoughts of Gideon re-emerging in my head, I wasn’t in the mood. I’d only make a mistake and ruin it.
Taking my seat at the counter, I yet again insisted the very idea of Gideon having an affair was laughable.
The Gideon I knew had never as much as broken a speed limit let alone someone’s heart.
He never socialised unless it was a works’ do.
The few friends he had were back in his hometown and the mere suggestion of going out clubbing would bring him out in hives.
Thanks to his disdain for dating apps, Gideon had neither the will nor opportunity to do the dirty.
If I hadn’t contacted his office for assistance after Gran’s death, he’d never have met me.
The only chance he had to meet anyone was through his job.
A picture of Julia popped into my head and as my uneasiness snapped back into focus, I recalled the previous December when Gideon had first introduced me to his colleague.
It was at his office Christmas party, and outside screens or magazines, I’d never seen a woman so glamorous.
She put the rest of us in our more casual attire to shame with her coral flutter-sleeve jumpsuit and gold high-heeled sandals.
Her make-up was striking and unlike my recent and rather disastrous attempt at a chignon, her lustrous raven updo was styled to perfection.
I frowned. Realising Gideon had yet to mention that year’s upcoming office shindig, and I wondered if I should?
The shop doorbell rang and I was glad of the interruption. Wills Patterson burst in from the street bringing a blast of cold air with him. I pulled my cardigan tight across my chest.
‘Thank goodness I caught you,’ Wills said.
‘I thought you might be shut for lunch.’ He put a hand up to straighten his windswept hair, but thick and wiry, his follicles appeared to have minds of their own.
After every sweep they sprang back up into their original position.
‘I was just ribboning Mable’s dressing gown, and I ran out of thread, can you believe? ’
Very much able to, I smiled. Wills had been the costume designer for Settledown’s am-dram group Dramarama since forever and I’d yet to experience a production of theirs that didn’t involve at least one haberdashery emergency.
This was Wills’s third such visit in as many weeks, so their Pirates of Penzance inspired pantomime was proving no different.
Wills headed for the cotton display and perused the reels. ‘So how are things with you and your gentleman friend?’
Unfortunately, Joyce wasn’t the only one to enjoy a bit of hearsay. Aware that most Settledowners, including Wills, had an inquisitive streak, I knew better than to fall for his casual enquiry. ‘Fine, thank you.’
Also like the others, he wasn’t one to give up. ‘It’s just that we haven’t seen him around much lately.’
By we, we both knew he meant the whole town.
Settledown was a great place to live. Big enough to provide residents with all the necessary amenities, such as a bank, a grocery store, and a doctor’s surgery.
Yet small enough to maintain a village-like way of life with a real sense of community.
But while it was comforting for everyone to know everyone from a safety point of view, that came at a cost. Usually in the form of gossip.
‘It’s a busy time of year for him,’ I said, regurgitating Gideon’s claims. ‘What with tax deadlines, year-end reports, and new accountancy stuff to get his head around.’
Wills made his cotton choice and, fixing a smile on his face, brought it to the counter. ‘That sounds…’ He contemplated a moment. ‘I want to say interesting, but I’d be lying.’
I chuckled. Having listened to Gideon wax lyrical about assets, balance sheets and accruals, I couldn’t disagree.
‘It wouldn’t do for us all to be the same though, would it?’ Wills said. ‘Some people love playing with figures, equations and wotnots. Then there are those like you and me, who enjoy working with our hands.’
Again, I wasn’t about to argue. For me, anything mathematical was done purely out of necessity.
‘It makes me wonder what you and your young man find to talk about, being such opposites.’
Wills launched into a speech about creativity versus logic and as my confusion over Gideon’s relationship status with Julia again reared its head, my brain stopped listening.
A stab of jealousy pierced my chest as not only was she gorgeous enough to lead even the most loyal of men astray, she had to love number crunching as much as Gideon did. Why else would she be an accountant?
I pictured the two of them sharing a sandwich and some numerical joke that only fellow accountants could understand and while Julia threw her head back in laughter, my boyfriend admired her beauty. I felt a sudden urge to go and catch the two of them out. ‘If you must know, we have a lunch date.’
‘Sorry?’ Wills looked at me confused.
I blushed. He had clearly moved the conversation on. ‘Me and Gideon,’ I replied trying to sound casual. ‘I’m meeting him at his office. Of course, by the time I get there it’ll be a late lunch but…’
‘You’re closing the shop?’ Wills appeared surprised. ‘For a whole afternoon.’
Despite not having said that, I let his exaggeration pass.
‘Then again why not?’ Wills continued. ‘When you’re young and in love throw caution to the wind, that’s what I say.’
I wished my reasons were as simple as that.
‘I told Martin he was wrong. That the two of you hadn’t broken up.’
Ringing his items up on the till, I jerked my head. ‘Excuse me?’
‘Now I know what you’re thinking. That Martin and I have been tittle-tattling. Well rest assured, nothing could be further from the truth.’
I scoffed, aware that what Wills should have said was nothing could be nearer to the truth.
‘We’re just concerned friends. Looking out for a fellow Settledowner.’ He turned his attention to the crochet project I’d been working on. ‘This is beautiful. You have such talent, Hattie.’
His quick change of subject didn’t go unnoticed. Nor did the fact that he was loitering despite my claim I was about to go out.
He ran his fingers over the single and double crochet design, while I checked my watch. ‘It’s so delicate and intricate. Maybe I should join your club? Learn how to do this myself.’
‘I’d be more than happy to teach you,’ I replied, while he, at last, fiddled in his pocket for some cash.
‘Hattie, we all know that gathering of yours has more to do with bottles of vino than skill sharing. It’s not a crochet club; it’s a wine club.
Probably mulled this time of year.’ He chuckled at his own joke.
‘Anyway, Joyce and Erin wouldn’t know one of these…
’ He picked up my crochet needle. ‘If it poked them in the eyes. What’s it going to be anyway?
Another fabulous top? Oh, I know, a party dress? ’
‘A baby blanket. For Ruby Wentworth’s little one when the time comes.’
‘Oh, that poor girl.’ Wills’s face crumpled. ‘I still can’t believe that cad would desert her like that.’
The last thing Ruby needed was anyone talking about her and, eyebrows raised, I stared at him. ‘I thought you didn’t go in for gossip?’
‘You’re right.’ As if remembering himself, Wills straightened himself up. ‘I don’t. That was naughty of me.’ He finally handed over his money and retrieved the reel of cotton. ‘I’m just glad things between you and that man of yours are still good.’
‘Like I said, I have a lunch date to get to.’
‘Oh, yes. Don’t let me keep you.’
I stepped out from behind the till.
‘I wouldn’t want to get in the way of romance.’ He gave me a knowing wink, despite knowing nothing at all.
I refused to discuss my relationship any further and ushered him to the door.
‘Say hello to him for me,’ Wills said, as I eased him out into the street.
‘Happy sewing,’ I replied.
Locking the door behind him, I flipped the open sign to closed and hastened upstairs to get ready.