Chapter 33
Chapter Thirty-Three
FREYA
“Have a great rest of your day!” I call out as the woman leaves the shop, bag of yarn in hand. She gives me a knowing smile, eyes a little too curious before she goes. I sigh. There’s been a lot of that today.
I look around the space, taking in the disheveled units, odd balls of yarn on the floor, and a table in the corner where someone’s knocked over a mason jar full of knitting needles. Honestly, you’d think these customers were raised in a barn.
The store’s been busy today, and it’s not hard to know why.
I guess I should have realized moving back to a small town would mean everyone being in my business, but I didn’t appreciate just how nosy the residents of Cedar Creek could be.
At least two thirds of today’s visitors have awkwardly poked around the shelves, started to make idle small talk, and then done the fake-confused “oh, did you hear about what happened?” As if they haven’t already heard about the fire, and the subsequent scene that Oscar made in the parking lot.
I hadn’t seen the eyes on us in the moment, I was so wrapped up in him, in the relief of him finally being there, but apparently we made quite the impression. I’m glad this place doesn’t have a local newspaper, otherwise we’d be on the front page, based on the way some people have been acting.
The bell chimes and I look up, bracing for another round.
“Oh, Jesus.” Valerie chuckles, pausing in the doorway. “What have they been doing to you, huh?”
I collapse with relief at seeing her. But just as fast, I feel my cheeks turn pink as I remember this morning, her face when Oscar and I came down for breakfast. Her knowing smirk and careful silence that somehow felt louder than if she’d just asked outright what her son was doing in bed with me.
“You knew about the inquisition?” I ask.
“I’ve lived here long enough to guess.”
“What are people saying?” That nervous feeling bubbles, the idea that people are talking about me.
Valerie raises an eyebrow, the corner of her mouth creeping up into a little smile. “Well, it’s not every day that an apartment block catches fire, and then, when you add in everything else…” She can’t suppress the huff of laughter that escapes.
I drop my face into my hands. “Oh God,” I groan.
“People are just nosy. Give them a day and they’ll find something else to peck about.”
“They’d better.”
The bell chimes again and I jolt, getting ready for another round as I stand to greet whoever’s entering.
“Oh, Jesus,” I hear Valerie mutter from behind me, but I’m frozen, halfway up from my chair.
Joyce is in the doorway.
Joyce.
Joyce is in my store.
I scramble to get around the desk, taking in the mess as I see it through her disapproving gaze.
“At least you haven’t changed out the hardwood,” she says, her tone almost a sneer. I straighten, not sure how to respond to that. “I was worried you’d have gone for some kind of linoleum.” She drags out the final word like it disgusts her.
“Did you need something?” Valerie asks.
Joyce peers around me and scowls when she sees who’s sat there. “I didn’t realize I was disturbing you, I’m only a paying customer.”
I finally manage to snap myself out of my reverie. It’s hard to believe that she’s really here.
“Joyce,” I choke out, “it’s so lovely to see you. Welcome.”
Joyce gives me an imperious smile and smooths down her immaculate silver bob, tucking a strand behind her ear. “Well, I had a new project in mind, but nothing at home felt quite right for it.”
“Oh, fantastic!” I say, finally in my element. This, I can do. I may not be able to make small talk in any other context, but ask me about knitting and suddenly I’m a social butterfly. “What are you making?”
“A shrug.” She turns away as she speaks, and I suppose that’s me dismissed.
I feel like I should hold my breath as she moves around the space, inspecting the selection of yarns.
When she bends down to pick up an errant skein, I cringe, thankful that I at least swept the floor this morning and she’s not having to pick off dust bunnies.
What am I doing? I’m acting like the governor has come to visit. I force my shoulders to relax. She’s just another customer, and frankly a pretty rude one.
I turn to face Valerie and she pulls an exaggerated snooty face. I have to cover my mouth to avoid letting out an audible snort. Stop it, I mouth.
What? she mouths back, feigning innocence.
Joyce turns and I stiffen, feeling like a naughty school child caught talking when the teacher’s back is turned.
“So,” Joyce pipes up from where she’s looking. “I heard there’s been some incident in your building.”
Ah. There it is. The real purpose for her visit.
“Yes,” I say politely. “There was a small fire, but thankfully nobody was hurt.”
“Oh my,” she gasps. If she were wearing pearls, I’m sure that she’d be clutching them right now. “Do they know what started it?”
“I’m not sure.”
“What a terrible thing.” She shakes her head, but something about the gesture comes off rehearsed.
I nod down at the skeins she’s holding and attempt to steer us back to safer ground. “Is that what you’re looking for?”
She gives herself a little shake as if she’s forgetting where she is. “Oh, no, I’m going to think about it some more.”
“No problem.” I give her my sweetest smile, jaw clenched. “Come on back anytime once you decide.”
She huffs almost inaudibly, shuffling from foot to foot like she’s trying to find a reason to stay. After one final glance around, she turns on her heel. Only when the door’s firmly shut behind her, do I feel able to breathe again.
“Well, that was deeply unpleasant.”
I turn to see Valerie sat back on the stool, leaning against the desk and staring after Joyce with a glower.
“Valerie,” I chide.
“Tell me I’m wrong.” She crosses her arms in challenge.
I can’t. I may be many things, but what I’m not, is a good liar.
“Whatever, at least she came by.” I can stop wondering when she’ll finally grace me with her presence.
“I don’t see why you’d even want her here.”
I chuckle. “I’m not exactly going to ban her.”
“If you ever do, can I watch?”
“I think she’s just lonely.”
“I think she’s just an asshole,” Valerie mutters.
I run my thumb along my brow bone, rolling my eyes. “Yeah, that too.”
Valerie gets up, squeezing my shoulder as she goes. “Alright, I’ll see you soon.”
“You're going?”
She smirks, nodding toward the front window. “I don’t think you need the company anymore.”