“Thank you.” I smile.
“You’re welcome. Maybe see you around if you’re staying a while!” She smiles then tends to one of her boys who is wiping his sticky hands on the tablecloth.
I carry on walking around the stalls. I can’t help but think about what Hannah said about the soup my own granny had made. I think these women are more capable than they are letting on.
I bump into a table while lost in thought. I knock over a case of cured sausages and cheese.
“I’m so sorry.” I crouch down to pick them up.
“No, it’s fine, let me.” A familiar voice soothes over me followed by a large shadow which envelops me. I look up to see those large green eyes that have been visiting me in my dreams. Sam’s hand brushes mine as he picks up the fallen produce. Electricity tingles my fingers.
“I’m so clumsy. I really am sorry,” I say, looking up at him.
“It’s fine, no harm done, but are you OK? It looked like a nasty bump.”
“It’ll just be a bruise to the hip. Honestly, I’m forever bumping into things.”
“You should be more careful.” He brushes my hip with his hands making sure I’m OK. It sends the electricity down to my thighs.
“I should,” I whisper shakily.
He smirks and the dimples on his cheeks show themselves.
“I’m glad you bumped into me by the way.” His gestures to me with his hands.
“You are?” I ask surprised, blushing.
“Yeah, your aunt never picked up her pheasants that she wanted. They’ve been in the freezer at the shop all week.”
Of course, not about you, Harri! I feel silly and let out a smalllaugh. “Oh, right. Yes, of course, the pheasants. Want me to get them?”
“Nah, it’s OK. I’ll just bring them round tonight, if that’s OK? Once we’ve cleared this lot.”
I chew my bottom lip. “Sure, that’ll be fine.”
“So, Harri, wasn’t it? Are you staying here long?” he asks, still staring at me with his enchanting eyes.
“I’m not sure of that yet. I’m taking a break from city life, having some time with my aunt and granny and, well, just getting to know the place.”
“It’s a good place,” he says, looking around at the busy mini market.
“Yeah, I’m getting the vibe that it is.” I look around too. The gentle hustle and bustle of the villagers is just soul warming.
He rubs his neck with his hand. I admire him for a moment. In a pair of ripped jeans covered in mud and a black hoodie. Not a luxury label in sight. But he looks cute. We stand there smiling at each other when a small voice from behind his table speaks out.
“You look like a princess,” it squeaks. The little girl from the cafe pops her head up and looks at me with her big, animated eyes and flutters her little lashes.
“Ah, thank you! So do you, Lola, wasn’t it?” I ask softly.
“I’m not a princess. I’m a witch.” She cackles.
“You’re a grub.” Sam ruffles her hair and laughs.
“My brother has been asking everyone in the village about you,” she sings in a teasing tone.
“Oh, he has, has he?” I lean down to her.
Sam speaks up. “Yeah, not in a creepy way, about the pheasants, and I guess, just I’ve never seen you round here so didn’t know if you were just visiting or staying or moving.” He is rambling nervously, shuffling his feet in his trainers.
