Page 57 of Cosy & Chill
Moving Forward
Stopping Roisin long enough to talk turned out to be next to impossible. The woman came and went, often without either of them noticing, and getting information out of her was like squeezing jellyfish. A week later, they were no wiser than they’d been seven days earlier, but since he’d shared his misgivings with Leo—and Leo hadn’t outright laughed at him—Finn felt a tiny bit better.
They checked all the rooms every night. Leo kept spreadsheets listing Roisin’s work and made detailed notes of all the furniture and furnishings she installed. If there was anything dodgy about any of the pieces, at least they could prove when they’d come into the house, and hopefully convince anyone asking that they hadn’t ordered them.
“You look ten minutes from hypothermia,” Finn said, when he met Leo at the market on Tuesday afternoon. The streets, roofs, and trees had been white with hoarfrost that morning. The sun had come out around lunchtime to burn off the chilly mist, but the temperature hadn’t risen much all day. Leo wore the hat, scarf, and gloves Finn had knitted for him and bounced on the spot to keep his circulation going. While he was no doubt cold, he was also grinning.
“I’m freezing, but it’s been a good day. I’m almost out of stock, and I’ve signed a supply agreement with the Golden Ball Inn in Kingston!”
“That’s excellent news. I knew you could—”
“Finley?”
Finn turned so fast, he almost gave himself whiplash. He’d never known his mother to shop at the market, but here she stood, handbag over one shoulder and carrier bags dangling from her fingers. She’d had her hair done and seemed more cheerful than when he’d seen her last. “Hi Mum.”
She looked him up and down, then turned her head to regard Leo and the ice cream stall. “You are well?” she asked finally.
“I’m fine. We’re opening a knitting and ice cream store on the High Street.” He wasn’t sure why he told her.
“I see. You and—”
“Leo is my business partner.”
She nodded. “You should have moved out sooner,” she said. “Your father is so much calmer since you left. He used to blame himself, you know? For raising a gay son.”
Finn ignored Leo’s gasp. He’d always known where he ranked in his mother’s affections, even if he’d not guessed what drove his father. In the past, he might have apologised or tried to smooth things over. Now he saw no need for it. He gripped the strap of his messenger bag a little more tightly and waited.
It seemed she had nothing else to say to him, because she lifted her bags. “I should be going,” she said, turning away. “Goodbye Finley.”
He watched as she disappeared into the crowd of shoppers before he shook his head and returned to the real world. “Are you almost done here?” he asked.
Leo hesitated for just a moment, then took his cue from Finn. “I was just starting to pack up.”
“Let me help. Oh, and here.” Finn pulled a thermos of hot chocolate from his messenger bag and held it out. “I thought you might need something to thaw you out.”
“Oh, I love you forever!” Leo unscrewed the top of the flask with clumsy fingers. “Caroline. I have hot chocolate.”
The lady from the next stand was beside them in a flash. “You’re a life saver,” she said as she cradled the cup Leo poured for her. “I feel like an icicle.” She sipped the chocolate, watching Finn over the rim of her cup. “You’re Finn, right? Leo said you knit. Do you still take commissions now you have your store?”
“I’ll always take commissions, store or no,” Finn said, gaze raking her petite frame and grey eyes. He couldn’t see her hair under hat and hood, but he thought purple might be a good colour for her. Or a dark red. “What do you have in mind?”
She laughed and the sound teased an answering grin from Finn. “Oh, I have a list. Top of that would be a scarf, hat, and glove set like you’ve made for Leo. That’s epic. I’m not sure my logo would fit, though.”
Finn tilted his head to catch sight of the sign over her stall.Dishedit read.Home-made dinners for busy people.“Maybe not all of it,” he said. “Dishedshould fit. Let me see what I can do. Do you have a business card?”
She held out one of her flyers. “Take this. If you need colours and such, I’m using the same graphic designers who did Leo’s logo. I’m sure they can tell you.”
Finn wouldn’t need help choosing colours. He’d been spot on with the dark red, and he already knew what kind of hat he’d knit for her. “Leave it with me.” He helped Leo pack up his coolers, collect leaflets and order forms, and fold the drop cloth into a neat square.
On her stall, Caroline did the same. “Don’t forget your dinner,” she called, when Leo grabbed a cooler in each hand and started towards his van.
Finn went over to take the bag she held out. “I love your dinners. What do we have tonight?”
“Beef stew in red wine gravy. Leo said you liked mashed potatoes.”
Finn moaned at the very thought. “That will be soooo blissful. Thank you! Thank you! I’ll get started on your hat and scarf right away.”
She blushed. “I didn’t mean it as—”
