Page 21 of A Scottish Christmas Hideaway
‘Nice to meet you, Moira. And what a brilliant shop you’ve got here. I can’t believe I’ve not been in before.’
The woman smiled, clearly delighted at the praise. ‘Thanks, dear. There you go,’ she said, handing her the bag of gifts.
Jessica tapped her card against the machine. ‘Thank you. That’s made my shopping to-do list a whole lot easier.’
‘You live in London, don’t you? I bet you’ve got some great shops there.’
Jessica considered the question for a moment and realised Moira was right, but she never had the inclination to go shopping. ‘This has been a far nicer experience, Moira. Thank you.’ She waved bye, opened the door and walked past the art gallery, which had some beautiful pieces hanging in the window.
The watercolour of Loch Lomond caught her eye. The artist had captured it perfectly using just the right shades of blue and green. As she stopped to study it, she found herself transfixed. It was as though she was actually inside the frame and she was reminded of everything she loved about home. The colours, the scenery, the sounds, and the smell of fresh, crisp air. She was almost tempted to go in and buy it. But just as she reached for the door handle, a thought struck her. Where would she hang it? Although the room at Kristen’s had been the ideal solutionfor Jessica when she had broken up with her ex, she didn’t think she would still be there several years later. She had saved a lot of money over the years and was in the process of viewing property to buy when she’d met Tim. After he died, sticking with the status quo was just easier. She couldn’t face any more upheavals or change. She turned away before she changed her mind and made an impulsive buy.
Glancing at her watch, she saw she was just about on time to take Reuben back his coffee. She walked the few steps along the road to the bakery. Pushing the door open, she joined the queue. Gillian spotted her immediately and gave her a smile. Normally, Jessica had no patience waiting for anything but she noticed that she didn’t mind so much. It was warm and there was a heavenly aroma of burnt sugar and coffee. It made her realise how much she was always rushing around. She never stopped to smell the coffee or the cakes. Speaking of which, there was a mouth-watering selection to choose from. The festive range was well and truly on show and there were new Christmas cupcakes with green icing and Smarties which made them resemble trees, and mince pies dusted with icing sugar which looked like they had been sprinkled with snow.
‘Hello again,’ said Gillian, grinning from ear to ear. ‘Nice to see you, Jessica. What can I get for you today?’
‘Hi, Gill. Can I have two lattes please? And . . .’ She looked at the cakes and treats and then the cinnamon buns. There were two left. It was surely a sign.
‘Two buns?’ said Gillian suggestively.
‘I’m taking Reuben a coffee,’ she said by way of explanation, even though she knew she didn’t need to expand.
Gillian gave her a look. ‘Mm-hmm?’
‘Just trying to be neighbourly,’ she said, trying not to sound flustered. Even when they were younger, Gillian had a knack of seeing right through her.
‘He does like a bun,’ she said knowingly.
‘Two buns it is then, please.’
Gillian added the pastries to a paper bag and turned to make the coffees, which she put in a recyclable cardboard holder to make it easier for Jessica to carry. ‘Oh, listen, before I forget. Do you fancy meeting me and my friend, Lily, for a drink sometime? She’s the manager at the inn. I think you’d like her?’
Jessica was momentarily stunned. ‘That sounds, er, nice,’ she managed to say. Then more decisively she said, ‘Thanks. I would like that. Just text me?’
‘I don’t have your number,’ she said. ‘But Reuben has mine. Ask him for it when you make your home delivery.’ She winked at her.
‘Will do,’ said Jessica. ‘Thank you. I’ll see you soon.’
Clutching the coffee cups and buns, she walked back up the street towards Rowan Lane, now feeling slightly nervous. When she reached Primrose Cottage, she set the drinks holder down on the doorstep and knocked on the door. Her heart started to beat a bit faster and she wondered if it was too late to run away.
Chapter Thirteen
‘Perfect timing,’ said Reuben, swinging open the door. He pulled off his cap and ran a hand through his hair, suddenly conscious of what a state he looked.
Jessica smiled at him tentatively and handed him his latte from the drinks holder. ‘I’ve brought you a cinnamon bun too.’
‘How did you know I was in the mood for one?’
‘A hunch,’ she said with a shrug.
‘You’re an angel, Jessie,’ he said with a grin. ‘Oops, sorry, Jessica.’ He didn’t think she would be very amused to know that he had just saved her number on his phone under Jessie. ‘Do you want to come in and have your coffee with me? I could do with taking a break anyway. And it would be nice to have someone to talk to.’ He laughed. ‘I think the birds in the garden are getting bored of my chat.’
‘Sure,’ she said, raising her eyebrows at him.
He held the door open as she brushed past him and made her way into the cottage. He’d forgotten what a tight space the doorway was and tried to push away the rush of excitement he felt as her hand grazed his. These were unfamiliar feelings which he wasn’t quite sure what to do with. He gulped as he tried to regain some composure. ‘Come through to the kitchen.’
‘Should I close my eyes until it’s all finished,’ she said, handing him her coffee while she slipped off her shoes and set down her bag of purchases from the gift shop at the door.
He grinned. ‘It’s up to you. This room is finished, though you can come back and get a proper tour. I’ve thrown dust sheets over everything as I’m still doing some sanding upstairs and it seems to get everywhere.’
