Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

A s she walked back across the green towards Scott again, Bea rubbed her hands together. The temperature seemed to have plummeted in the short space of time it had taken her to drop the mac and cheese off at the bookshop. Fortunately, Rob had been downstairs in the shop collecting some of their bags and so she'd been able to drop the food with him and run back out of the door before facing Adam.

Crossing the road, she watched as Scott walked around the corner from the chippy, two large cones of chips in his hands. He seemed a nice bloke and Bea was actually pleased she'd decided to join him for chips and a wander instead of traipsing around the town for a few hours alone just to avoid heading home.

He turned as she reached him and passed her a cone of chips before pulling a can from his bulging coat pocket. ‘I hope you like Coke? I wasn't sure what to get, but if not, I'm happy running back and grabbing something else.'

‘Coke's great. Thank you.' Taking the can, she slipped it into her own pocket before cradling the cone of chips in her hands, letting the heat warm her skin. ‘These smell delicious.'

Taking a chip, he popped it into his mouth. ‘They taste delicious, too. So, what delights can you show me in Nettleford?'

Delights? Now, what might he not have seen? She took a bite of one of her chips, letting the tasty mix of vinegar and salt explode in her mouth. ‘I'm sure you've probably seen all there is to see already, but maybe we could take a walk and I'll point a few things out to you.'

‘Sounds like a good plan.' Twisting on the spot, Scott began leading the way.

Bea pointed across to the green and pointed at the white wooden bandstand. ‘You see the bandstand? That's where Gregory likes to stand in the summer holding a loudspeaker. He hollers through it every few minutes to inform the tourists about any offers he has in the grocery store.'

Shaking his head, Scott chuckled. ‘I can just picture him doing something like that.'

She held her hand out towards the picnic tables scattered around the green and laughed. ‘I don't think the tourists are ever best pleased. Not when they're trying to enjoy a peaceful picnic or resting with one of Ruby's cold lemonades after a day of sightseeing.'

‘Well, I'm glad I've missed out on that this year.' Scott glanced across at her and smiled, his eyes shining in the light from the Victorian style streetlamps.

‘Yes, well, I can tell how disappointed you are, so I'm pleased to inform you that he does the same in the run up to Christmas.' Bea grinned as she watched Scott slap his forehead.

‘Great. Something else besides the meetings to look forward to.'

‘Yep.' Taking another chip, she wiped it along the side of the cone, taking up more of the salty goodness. ‘We do also have the local choir and band perform at the bandstand, so it does live up to its name.'

‘Really? That's cute.' Scott looked around him before locking eyes with her. ‘I think I'm going to enjoy living here.'

Smiling, she looked away, a flush of heat sweeping across her skin. She might just enjoy having him living here too. As a friend, of course.

‘So, what is it with our dear Gregory? Has he always been this interfering?' He picked up the pace as they walked past the grocery store, as if he expected him to open the door and usher them inside.

Bea shrugged. ‘I mean, I've only been running the bookshop for just over a year, but from what I've been told they always had the meetings, but they were scheduled for once a month rather than weekly.'

‘Ah, now that I could understand. A little at least. But weekly is just crazy. We're supposed to be running businesses, so he should let us.'

‘I know. Apparently, it changed when he found out his wife was seeing his brother behind his back. I guess he needed something else to focus on.' She shrugged as she bit into another chip.

‘I guess we must be doing a good job of being a distraction.' Scott nodded. ‘I almost feel sorry for the bloke after hearing about his wife, though. That's no fun for anyone, although don't suppose he was much fun to live with.'

‘No.' Bea spoke quietly. Adam had broken up with her. Did that mean she wasn't fun? She'd always had different passions than him. He lived for rugby, meeting up for drinks with his mates. Whereas she'd always been obsessed with books, devouring people's life stories or escaping into a new world through the novels she read.

Scott looked across at her, his eyebrows knitted together. ‘Have I upset you?'

‘What?' She shook her head. ‘No, not at all. My ex was the one to leave me, that's all.'

‘Ah.' He breathed out a slow breath, the warmth from his lungs hitting the cold air and turning to condensation. ‘I'm sorry I didn't mean anything by my comment.'

‘No, I know.' Seeing how worried he looked, she reached out and placed her hand briefly on the sleeve of his coat. She hadn't intended to make him feel bad. It had just been a throwaway comment. She knew that, she was just overthinking. ‘I didn't take it that way.'

‘Good, because I'm enjoying your company and the last thing I want is for you to think otherwise.' He smiled.

Nodding, she removed her hand and picked up another chip. Did he mean that? Was he really enjoying her company? It wasn't just because they'd been thrown into this mentorship programme together?

‘In fact…' A shadow formed across his face and he lowered his voice. ‘My…'

Bea looked up as a golden Labrador sprinted towards them, it's blue lead trailing behind him. She watched, as without thinking, Scott shot his foot out and stamped on the lead, securing the dog as it slowed to a stop, looking back at them with big brown eyes shining with adventure. She knew exactly who the dog belonged to. ‘Oh, Buster!'

‘Hey, buddy.' Kneeling down, Scott took the lead into his hand and fussed over Buster who immediately began wagging his tail.

‘Buster!' Sadie from the sweetshop came running around the corner, slowing down as soon as she spotted the dog was safe. Jogging towards them, she paused to catch her breath before sinking to the floor and wrapping her arms around the large Labrador. ‘Thank you so so much!'

‘You're welcome.' Standing back up, Scott grinned and passed her the lead. ‘He's gorgeous.'

‘Oh, he is. It's just a shame that's he's got this mischievous streak in him.' Sadie laughed and looked up at Bea. ‘This isn't the first time he's managed to get away, is it?'

Bea smiled as she remembered the last time Buster managed to rip the lead out of Sadie's hand. Almost the whole town had been out looking only for Sadie to return home with her cheeks tear-stained and her hands empty to find him sitting curled up on the doorstep to the sweetshop, the picture of innocence and completely oblivious to the commotion he'd caused. ‘Yes, and he had everyone out looking for him before you found him sitting outside the shop waiting for you.'

Giving Buster one last fuss, Sadie stood up and grinned. ‘Yes, that's it. It's a good job I love you, Buster, the amount of trouble you cause, isn't it?'

‘How couldn't you?' Bea leaned down and fussed his ears.

‘Anyway, I'd better get this one back before he forgets his manners again. See you around.' Sadie waved before tapping her thigh and, with Buster now walking to heel, turned towards the sweetshop.

‘Sorry, what were you going to say?' Bea looked back at Scott. He'd been about to tell her something and if his serious tone had been anything to go by, it had been important.

‘Oh, nothing. Another time.' Scott waved the question away before taking another chip from his cone and using it to point towards the patisserie. ‘I'll have to treat myself to one of those cakes in the window soon.'

Shaking her head, Bea glanced across towards the patisserie, whatever he'd been about to tell her, the moment had passed. ‘Yes, they're the best I've ever tasted.'