He shrugs. ‘We’ve both got aunts who were into pottery.’
‘True. Mine still is, actually. But she lives in the ScillyIsles with the rest of my family, so I don’t see her that often.’
He nods. ‘Lovely place.’
‘Beautiful. Yes, my auntie’s really talented.’
He smiles fondly. ‘Mine wasn’t. Peg’s vases were legendaryin the family. They were so cumbersome, they weighed a ton. Once, my mumdropped one on her foot and she had bruises for weeks.’
I laugh as I cut my Bakewell tart in two and push the platetowards Aidan. ‘You live in Torminster now?’
‘I do. I was staying with Mum but I just moved into my ownplace last week. So are you managing to find other shops willing to sell yourpottery? Sorry for firing all these questions at you, but I’m always fascinatedby people starting up a business. It’s so brave.’
‘Or stupid.’
He laughs. ‘Not at all. You’ve obviously got a lot of talentso why the hell not go for it?’
‘I suppose.’
‘What did you do before? In London?’
‘I worked in TV. Research.’
‘Really? Wow. Those jobs are like gold dust. I bet it was adream come true.’
‘It certainly was.’ I smile fondly, remembering how elated Ifelt the day I received the phone call to say the job was mine.
‘And yet you decided to give it up?’ He’s looking at me witha faintly puzzled expression.
I swallow and look away, picking up my spoon to stir mycoffee. ‘Well, I... I just got fed up with London, Isuppose.’ I look up, pasting on a smile. ‘You know how it is?’
He nods. ‘I do indeed.’
There’s a slightly awkward pause as we munch on our cakes insilence.
‘Fancy taking a stall at a fete? Selling your pottery?’ heasks suddenly.
‘A fete?’ I look up, relieved at the change of subject. ‘Where?’
He grins ruefully. ‘I’m not quite sure yet. I want toorganise some kind of fundraiser for charity but I’ve never done one before.’
‘What are you raising money for?’ I ask curiously.
‘The homeless.’ He looks down. ‘It’s a cause that’s close tomy heart and I’d just really like to make a difference.’
I nod thoughtfully. ‘So would you hold the fete here, inTorminster?’
He shakes his head. ‘I investigated that but there’s nowheresuitable around here, so I’m looking further afield.’
‘What about Sunnybrook?’ I say suddenly. ‘I’ve heard theyoften hold events like that on the village green there. So you’d probably getpermission from the council?’
‘Sunnybrook?’ He frowns. ‘I suppose that’s not too far.’
‘Twenty miles.’
‘Is that where you live?’
‘I do now.’
