Page 43 of The Christmas Fayre on Holly Field

She wished she had Sara with her, but the children were with Granny and Grandad for the day, so Harriet was shopping alone. On second thoughts, if Sara had been with her there was no way Harriet would have been able to buy a birthday present for Darlene. Or anything else, for that matter; she had already purchased a couple of tops and some leggings that she hoped Sara would like, and all for less than a fiver. Result! But she wasn’t having much luck with the birthday girl’s present. Sara was beginning to get anxious and had been nagging to go shopping, even though the party was a couple of weeks away yet. This damned party was all she could talk about, and Harriet was dreading it. Thankfully, she still had time to find something, so she renewed her search with vigour, muttering under her breath. The not-buying-anything-new vow aside, Harriet would still have an issue with regard to present-buying, because she didn’t want to spend a fortune and things cost so much these days.

Her phone pinged and, fully expecting it to be her mam, she wasn’t prepared to see Owen’s name come up. When she read his message, her pulse began to race.

Are you at the boot sale?

Yes. Are you?

I’m back at the van. Fancy a brew?

Would love one, but I’m present-hunting.

Still not found anything?

No.

Want some company?

Did she ever!

Yes, please. I’m standing next to a big white van with Union Jack bunting.

I know the one – it’s here every week. Stay there, I’ll come to you.

Harriet’s heart was thumping and she swallowed nervously, hoping she didn’t look as flustered as she felt and wishing she had made more of an effort with her appearance. She had been so eager to get going this morning that she’d not bothered with makeup, apart from a swipe of mascara, and had dragged her hair back into a ponytail. Consequently, she felt a right scruff.

Telling herself that Owen wouldn’t care what she looked like (why should he, when she was just an acquaintance – although, maybe they could be classed as friends now?), she focused on the entrance to the field, hoping to see him. And when she did, she took a deep breath before letting it out slowly, because he looked yummy enough to eat.

He was wearing a navy beanie hat and he had the beginnings of a beard. His hands were stuffed into his pockets and he was scanning the field, and when he saw her, his smile made her heart leap.

She hadn’t seen him since the meal, although he had messaged her to say thank you, and apparently he’d popped into the cafe last Monday, but Harriet hadn’t been at work because Bobby’s school had a teacher training day and she had stayed home to look after him.

Pen had teased her mercilessly, saying that Owen had looked quite crestfallen when Pen had informed him Harriet wasn’t in, and she had begun the extremely unsubtle offensive of trying to persuade Harriet that having a bit of fun with Owen might be just the thing she needed. No-strings-sex was what Pen called it, claiming that it was the best of both worlds; Owen would move on sooner or later, so Harriet could ‘cut her teeth on him’ (Pen’s words, not Harriet’s) and use him as a practice run before diving into the dating scene again.

Harriet didn’t agree. Dating didn’t appeal to her because she wasn’t interested in another relationship, and having a fling wasn’t her style. Although seeing Owen stride across the field, wearing a beaming smile on his luscious lips, was almost enough to make her change her mind.

Taking him to bed and having her wicked way with him was rapidly becoming more appealing. No one would even know, and what harm would it do as long as she was discreet? Maybe Pen was right? Not because Harrietwanteda relationship, but because shedidn’t. She and Owen could have a bit of fun, then go their separate ways, without running the risk of either of them being hurt.

Or maybe not. Harriet blew out her cheeks. Let’s not complicate things, she said to herself. Knowing her, she’d get too emotionally involved and it would be hard to say goodbye when Owen eventually moved on – which he would do, sooner or later.

Although she had been terribly upset, Declan hadn’t broken her heart when he’d walked out – they had been drifting apart long before that – so she certainly didn’t want to have it broken now. Because no matter how fervently she tried to convince herself that she wasn’t going to fall for Owen, she suspected she might. He already occupied more of her mind than she was comfortable with. The last thing she needed was for him to occupy her heart.

‘Hi.’ He was grinning widely and gazing into her eyes, and she couldn’t help but grin and gaze back, and as she did so, a wave of desire swept over her, leaving her feeling breathless and trembly.

It was quite a nice feeling and she would have enjoyed it immensely if she were a teenager. But she was rapidly heading towards forty and had two kids – she had responsibilities, and she shouldn’t be lusting after a man she hardly knew.

Harriet cleared her throat. ‘Hi. Had a good week?’ There, that was suitably polite and friendly without being flirty or encouraging.

‘Yes, thanks. You?’

‘It was OK.’

‘Where is everyone?’

‘Sara and Bobby are with my parents, and Etta is at home. I’ll take her for a walk later.’

‘Tell them I said “hi”.’

‘I will.’ She was still staring into his eyes, and when she realised, she hastily dragged her gaze away.

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