I start walking back to the cottage just as the sky is beginning to turn to night. I just make it past the village hall when I hear my name being shouted behind me. I turn to see Hannah standing there panting from running a few feet.
“I thought it was you! I was putting the recycling out and saw you.” She smiles. “Come in for a coffee. I need to apologise for last night.”
“You don’t have to apologise! I had a wonderful time.” I smile back.
“I was sloppy though, wasn’t I?” she whispers embarrassedly.
I whisper back, “Not any worse than I was by the end. Turns out I am not an attractive kebab eater.”
“You are funny, Harri.” She laughs. “Coffee?”
“I should really get back. Aradia really wants these chops.”
“Quick one?” Her beautiful hazel eyes are hard to say no to.
I look at my watch. A quick one will not hurt, plus Hannah seems like she would be a good friend to keep. Even if my days here at Brindlewood are numbered. “Sure, a quick one would be nice.”
I follow her back to the house where the familiar heat of the log burner warms my bones and the sound of her boys playing inthe background brings the comfort of a family home.
I follow Hannah to the kitchen where she flicks on the kettle and brings out two cups, placing them on the side.
“Soooo, did Sam get you home safe?” Her face is eager for some village gossip.
“He did.” I smirk at her.
“And?”
“And?”
“Oh, come on, Harri, did he stay over?” she asks excitedly.
“Like a sleepover?” a small voice asks behind us.
Hannah takes a biscuit barrel from the side and passes it to Alfie who is stood sleepily in his Spiderman pyjamas next to his mum.
“Why don’t you and Toby have a biscuit party in the front room while Mummy chats to her friend, OK? I’ll let you stay up a little later tonight as a treat!”
His little face lights up at the news of a later bedtime and biscuits. She ushers him off and he happily obliges.
“Sorry about that. Alfie loves asking questions.” She smiles. “So did he?”
“No, sorry to disappoint you, but he didn’t.” I laugh.
“Ohhhhh, man! I thought you really hit it off!”
“Did we?”
“Oh, come on, Harri. The man was drooling over you.” She makes a ridiculous kissy face.
Lois appears from the garden with a pile of firewood. She looks out of breath and sweating slightly in a big black duffle coat.
“Oh, hi, Harri. Didn’t know you were stopping by. How’s your head?” She laughs.
“Yeah, fine. Just having to let Hannah down with the lack of village gossip.”
Hannah’s face goes a slight shade of pink. “I was notgossiping! Just interested in the love life of my new friend,” she protests at Lois and me.
“Han, babe, you love gossip.” Lois dumps the pile of wood on the floor and makes her way back out to the garden. She stops at the back door and turns back at us. “I’ve got a load more to chop, so sorry for being rude and not chatting, but I want to get it done so I can come back in. Bloody freezing out there.” She quickly rubs her arms.
