Page 92 of A Scottish Highland Surprise

Keeping occupied was the answer and so I was relieved when there was a flurry of customers mid-morning, followed by a delivery of craft products I’d ordered online for our autumn window display.

There was everything from pretty leaf stencils to rolls of crepe paper in burnt copper and russet, as well as the Halloween items I’d ordered. They consisted of small glittery pumpkins, witches’ broomsticks, flying bats, black and orange crepe paper and sparkly cotton spider webs.

“You’re organised!” grinned Cass, picking up one of the little pumpkins and admiring it.

“The early bird catches the worm,” I smiled. “Also, there was a ten per cent discount on this lot if you ordered now.”

I set aside the autumn leaves and complementary colours of crepe paper in one box, while switching the Halloween paraphernalia to another. “I thought we could make a start on ideas for the autumn display next week,” I called over my shoulder as I carried both boxes and manoeuvred them into the store room.

Cass agreed that was a good idea.

I heard the shop doorbell ring out and dusted down my hands before making my way back out.

It was Ophelia.

“Good morning,” I said, smiling at her, before bundling her into a fond hug. She smelled of lemon shampoo. “How are you today?”

She hugged me back. “I’m good. Very good. And you?”

I examined her. The edges of her face were taut. “Are you sure?”

“Of course,” she barked through strained laughter. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

I glanced across at Cass, who raised her eyebrows an inch.

“So, what can I do you for?” I asked her.

She glanced down at her wristwatch before fiddling with her dandelion chiffon neck scarf. “Oh, I thought I might as well just drop by and say hello, even though I’m busy. Well, very busy actually. You know how it is. You retire and then find you have no time! Well, you don’t actually know, do you, seeing as you’re still only a young thing… Ha!”

I blinked at her. “Oh. Okay.” I watched her shuffle from foot to foot. There was something preoccupying her. She was rambling and fidgety. “Ophelia, are you sure you are feeling all right?”

She had been studying a nearby gold and white Sara Miller Portmeirion porcelain cup and saucer set, inscribed with two love birds. She snatched her eyes away. “Oh, yes. Totally. Absolutely. I just dropped by to tell you that I spoke with Xander last night and he was more than happy to arrange the auction of the tea set on our behalf.”

I forced a smile. “Good. Great. That’s great.” Now that the tea set was back in Ophelia’s possession, I considered it unlikely that I would have to have much contact with him. I hoped not. The more space I could put between us, the better it would be, and I could just press on with concentrating on The Cup That Cheers.

Ophelia carried on chatting and I forced myself to concentrate on what she was saying.

“Xander is certain that with its chequered history, the tea set will sell for a significant amount of money.”

“Well, that’s great too,” I answered. And I meant it. “It will help you to get Annabel’s fellowship well established.”

Ophelia continued to hover.

I eyed her with renewed suspicion. She kept glancing out of the shop window, a pained expression flitting across her features.

“Are you waiting for someone?”

She whipped her head to me. She was sporting a maniacal grin. ” Waiting for someone? Like who? Why would I be waiting for someone?”

I cocked my head at her. “Well, if you aren’t waiting around for someone, there’s something up. This isn’t like you.”

Ophelia waved away my concern. “What isn’t like me? Nothing’s wrong. Nothing at all. Everything is fine. Great.”

She swivelled her attention to a puzzled Cass. “I have a few minutes to spare, so I thought I’d browse.”

“Right. Of course. Feel free.”

I shrugged my shoulders at Cass in a helpless gesture while Ophelia wandered off.