Page 61 of The Village Shop for Lonely Hearts

Josh shuddered and quickly walked away. ‘I’m not staying around the scene of the crime. I’m off to the pub.’

Amber was quite glad in a way that he was going out again as she wanted to surprise him with the transformation, despite his less than enthusiastic response. With all the metal and leather already buffed and polished, all she had to do was paint the bodywork.

After a couple of hard hours’ work, she stepped back and nodded to herself. She knew it had been right to trust her instinct. It looked amazing. Almost like a large toy tractor. She still had the vision of Grandma Tilly’s photograph burning in her mind. And she could just see it surrounded by wooden crates full of brightly coloured fruit and vegetables. Maybe even some blackboard signs with prices on.

Clapping her hands in glee, she headed into the back room and had just finished cleaning her hands when Josh came through the door.

‘Is it safe to come in?’ he asked, peering through a gap in his fingers.

‘Let me show you,’ she said, leading him into the main shop.

Josh was looking quite relaxed until he saw the bright red tractor and stopped dead in his tracks.

‘Well?’ she said, watching his reaction. ‘What do you think?’

But Josh appeared to be lost for words as he began to move slowly towards the tractor, his eyes wide as he took in the polished metal and bright red colour. He had held out his hand as if to stroke the metal but quickly withdrew it.

‘Don’t touch the paint,’ she warned him. ‘It’s still not dry.’

He slowly walked the whole way around it as if in a daze until he came to stand next to Amber.

‘Well?’ she asked again, starting to feel really worried.

She had expected anger or even mockery but what she hadn’t expected were the tears that she saw appear in his eyes. He obviously absolutely hated it.

‘Oh, Josh!’ she whispered. ‘I’m so sorry.’

‘Why?’ he said, his voice hoarse.

‘You hate it, don’t you?’ She was horrified. She had never meant to upset him. That was the last thing she wanted.

But he smiled through his tears and shook his head. ‘No. I think I actually love it.’

‘You do?’ She couldn’t believe it.

‘I’m staggered. Speechless, in fact.’ He looked at her with blazing eyes. ‘Mum will love it as well.’

‘You really think so?’

He nodded. ‘I know so.’ He paused. ‘And my dad would have loved it as well. I think this was just how he had imagined it could look.’ He laughed. ‘Except with it working and being outside of course.’

They both looked at the tractor for a moment in silence. Amber hesitated, but seeing that Josh was still upset, she felt compelled to slip her hand into his and give it a small squeeze.

‘I think it might be good to have something so special of your dad’s inside the shop,’ she said, in a soft tone. ‘Like a good-luck token or something.’

‘I do too.’ He nodded and squeezed her hand back. ‘Thank you.’

‘You’re welcome,’ she told him.

But as she let go of his hand, Amber had a sudden urge to draw him in closer and give him a hug. But she held back. He was just emotional over losing his dad, that was all. This was absolutely nothing to do with something between them. Because there was nothing between them.

At least, from his point of view.

Hers was more muddled. Because, right there, right at that moment, she desperately wanted to kiss him and hold him. She wanted to take all of his pain away forever.

But she dismissed the notion as a result of the unexpected emotion of the moment. That was all.

Wasn’t it?