Page 106 of The Village Shop for Lonely Hearts

‘OK. See you in a while,’ she said.

She watched him leave. It seemed as if they were destined to spend their last full day apart. But perhaps that would make it easier for her when she eventually had to say goodbye to Josh.

‘This is wonderful,’ said a customer, coming up to the counter with a full basket of goods to purchase. ‘I hate the shops at this time of year. But this is bliss. I feel I’ve got Christmas spirit again, as opposed to being ready to kill and with hatred filling my heart.’

‘I know how you feel,’ said the woman next to her, picking up a large slab of gingerbread cake and placing it in her basket. ‘This is such a nicer way to shop.’

Somewhere in the throng, Grandma Tilly was giving out baskets and helping people find what they needed. When there finally came a lull and the shop was empty for a moment, Amber encouraged her to head outside to see the stalls for herself.

‘I won’t be long,’ said Grandma Tilly. ‘And I’ll keep an eye out for Cathy as well. She landed over three hours ago.’

‘She’s probably stuck in the crowd out in the lane,’ said Amber. ‘Keep your mobile on you and I’ll call if she arrives here first.’

Once alone, she quickly rushed around the shop tidying up the depleted stacks of produce. Then, when the bell rang once more, she straightened up. It was Brenda, one of the villagers whose home had been flooded.

‘Hi,’ said Amber. ‘How are you?’

‘This is wonderful,’ said Brenda, smiling. ‘Well done for organising it all.’

‘Thanks,’ Amber told her.

But her good mood disappeared instantly as Kate stalked into the shop. ‘Is Josh here?’ she snapped, by way of greeting.

Amber shook her head. ‘No.’ She found herself automatically blushing.

She had seen Kate in the distance a few times around the village but had always managed to avoid speaking to her until now. That all too familiar sick feeling instantly returned to her stomach.

‘Pity,’ said Kate, picking up a jar of home-made pickles before putting it down again with disdain.

Amber decided to just take a deep breath and try to ignore her. ‘How’s the clean-up going?’ she asked Brenda.

Brenda rolled her eyes. ‘It’s just taking so long to sort out the insurance. Hopefully then we can order the new carpets.’

‘Oh! Were you one of the people that were flooded last month?’ asked Kate, getting out her phone and sticking it right in the woman’s face. ‘Do you mind if I ask you a few questions.’

‘Well…’ said Brenda, looking uneasy.

‘Great,’ carried on Kate. ‘So you were devastated I should think by the level of destruction in your home?’

‘Actually, we were one of the lucky ones,’ Brenda told her. ‘It was only ankle-deep in our home. Next door had it far worse.’

‘And who do you think should take the blame?’ asked Kate. ‘The council for not providing more flood defences? The farmers for ripping up their hedges?’

‘It was just one of those things,’ said Brenda, glancing around her as if looking for an escape. ‘I really must go.’

‘And what are the chances of your property flooding again?’ carried on Kate. ‘Will you ever be able to get insurance again? And what about if you ever want to sell it?’

Brenda looked upset. ‘I hadn’t really thought about it.’

‘I read that property prices can plummet once you’ve been flooded,’ Kate told her. ‘Do you think you’re in negative equity now? And have the bank been kind or unhelpful, would you say?’

Brenda cleared her throat. ‘Plummet?’ she repeated.

‘Oh yes, by at least half, they say,’ said Kate. ‘Had you plans to move? Would you say that your life will never be the same?’

Amber watched as Brenda’s eyes filled with tears and was so angry that she finally found her voice.

‘That’s enough!’ said Amber. ‘Can’t you see you’re upsetting her?’