Page 102 of The Village Shop for Lonely Hearts

‘Saturday, fourth December,’ said Josh, with a smile as he plucked a date out of thin air. ‘Two weeks from today. All afternoon and into the evening. We’ll be trying to raise funds for the recent flood victims.’

Grandma Tilly nodded in agreement. ‘That’s right.’

‘We’ll be there, won’t we, ladies?’ announced Rose. ‘We must support our local villages.’

There was a general chorus of approval.

‘Your carriage awaits, ladies!’ announced Del, who had just opened up the front door.

With lots of waves and goodbyes and taking their many purchases with them, Josh was left behind in the shop with Amber and Grandma Tilly.

‘A Christmas fair?’ he said, laughing as soon as they were alone and looking at his grandmother.

‘It used to be marvellous,’ said Grandma Tilly.

‘It’s a great idea,’ said Amber.

‘I’m glad you agree,’ said Grandma Tilly, picking up her handbag. ‘You’ll have great fun organising it.’

‘Me?’ said Amber, wide-eyed with disbelief.

‘I’m too old to cope with all that, dear,’ said Grandma Tilly. ‘Right, I’m off to look at my afternoon soap.’

She left the shop more quickly than Josh had ever seen her move.

‘What are we going to do?’ said Amber, looking at Josh.

‘I’m sure it’ll be fine,’ he told her.

She looked relieved. ‘You’re right. I’m sure you’ll be able to sort something really good out for the fair.’

He took a step forward. ‘Oh no,’ he replied, shaking his head. ‘This is all on you, Miss Green.’

‘Me?’ she told him, aghast. ‘I can’t organise anything like that!’

He smiled. ‘Of course you can,’ he told her. ‘In fact, you’re going to have to, because I sure won’t have the time!’

Amber was still looking horrified. ‘But…’ she began, her voice trailing off.

‘Why does Saturday, fourth December ring a bell anyway?’ said Josh out loud.

‘It was the date that your mum’s flying home,’ Amber told him.

‘That’s right,’ he said. ‘Well, she’ll love a Christmas fair being held in Riverside Lane.’

Amber was looking deep in thought. ‘I suppose I’ll have to stay until the fair and then I could always leave the day after.’

Josh felt as if someone had punched him in the stomach.

He reached out and lifted her chin so that she had to look into his face. ‘You’re really leaving?’ he said, searching her eyes for the truth.

‘I was always going to leave,’ she told him softly. ‘This was just a stop-off on the way through to my parents, remember?’

He abruptly let go of her chin and stared down at her.

‘I thought you liked it here,’ he said.

‘I do,’ she replied in a small voice.