Page 94 of The Village Shop for Lonely Hearts

‘The tractor’s old,’ said Josh, giving Amber a wink. ‘But the produce is new and local. Very local. All within ten miles of our village.’

Josh had rushed out first thing that morning and had come back with a van full of fresh fruit and vegetables from the local farms. Potatoes, carrots and parsnips jostled for space alongside the apples and pears that Amber had filled into each separate crate. She had to admit to herself that it looked absolutely perfect.

‘Excellent!’ said Glenda, grabbing one of the paper bags to fill with apples. ‘I see I shall have to come in here more often!’

She wasn’t the only enthusiastic customer saying that they would be returning. As more villagers came in for hot drinks and yet more bin bags and everything else needed for the big clean-up, they too were noticing the new range of meat and vegetables.

Amber wasn’t at all surprised that the local produce was a huge hit with everyone who came into the shop. Each customer seemed to be running low and, being unable to get to the huge supermarket still cut off with the floods, everyone was rushing into the shop to try and restock their own cupboards.

Consequently, Josh had to head out for more stock from all the local farms.

He certainly appeared to be a lot happier, she thought, watching him restock the fridge and whistling to himself. It was like a completely different man. She wasn’t sure what had changed, but he seemed so much more relaxed for the past couple of days.

She was also secretly thrilled that her design idea for the fruit and vegetables had worked. She had arranged all the wooden crates around the tractor at varying heights. Where the crates were broken or looking a bit grubby, she covered them in the gingham cloth that she had found. Once covered, she built up the crates on top, artfully arranging the vegetables inside and then attaching a small blackboard showing the price. The final touch was some more dried leaves and fairy lights, as well as a few pumpkins for good measure, across the top of the tractor.

‘No plastic packaging either,’ said one customer, nodding her approval. ‘It’s so important for the carbon footprint.’

Amber nodded as if that was what she had intended all along. But, yes, she supposed it did also reduce the waste. Especially as the majority of customers brought their own bags with them anyway. Those that hadn’t, she’d had the inspired idea to use up the brown paper bags that Josh had found. He had seemed particularly thrilled with the fact that they could use them.

She had also made sure that the word ‘local’ was used as often as possible so that everyone understood where their food was coming from.

She was particularly pleased to see Stanley come into the shop at his usual time.

‘You’re back,’ said Amber, hesitating as to whether to give him a hug or not. In the end, she thought what the hell and gave him a brief hug. ‘How are you?’

‘All the better for seeing you, my dear,’ he told her, staring around the shop with wide eyes. ‘Well, you have been busy whilst I’ve been otherwise engaged.’

‘Do you like it?’ asked Amber.

Stanley nodded. ‘Some lovely-looking apples, I see.’

‘All local,’ Josh told him, looking proud of himself.

‘And there’s local meat and dairy products too,’ added Amber. ‘Take a seat and I’ll make you a coffee, if you’d like.’

‘Thank you, my dear.’

Whilst he drank his coffee, they updated Stanley on all the recovery efforts after the flooding.

‘I hear you’re moving into one of the bungalows?’ asked Josh.

‘Unbelievable stroke of good fortune,’ Stanley said. ‘By the end of next week apparently. I shall miss my old home, but I shan’t miss the stairs, I must confess. Although Belle is doing a marvellous job of looking after me at the pub in the meantime.’ He looked a little teary as he looked at Josh. ‘And I must thank you for coming and finding me.’

‘That’s what neighbours are for,’ said Josh.

‘Good neighbours,’ said Stanley, in a firm tone of voice. ‘I am most grateful for your kindness. I hope you’ll let me buy you a drink at some point in the near future.’

‘Of course.’

After Stanley had finished his coffee, he put on his hat and scarf ready to leave. However, the front doorbell rang as the next customer came in. It was Frank, the newspaper owner.

‘Stanley! How are you?’ said Frank. ‘Heard you had to be rescued.’

‘Oh, it was nothing,’ said Stanley. ‘Just a little bit of excitement in my advancing years. Nice to run into you like this. I haven’t seen you for weeks.’

‘Ships that pass in the night,’ Frank told him.

‘A little rusty round the edges after all this rain,’ Stanley replied.