Page 87 of A Scottish Country Escape

I found myself leaving Paper Roses after 6 p.m. each evening that week, longing for a long soak in the bath. It was lovely, lying there in the warm lavender-scented water. I would light one of my favourite scented candles and as I watched the small flame weave around by the bathroom mirror, I felt a small pang of pleasure from knowing I’d been working hard.

I had been so preoccupied, especially over the last week, that only occasional snapshots of Dexter’s handsome face came back to me. I waggled my toes in the bath, pushing them up and down in the lapping water, as a picture of Dexter, Nadia, and the striking brunette burned itself into my brain again.

Nadia was adorable. If things had been different, then goodness knows what might have happened.

I gave my head a fierce shake and splashed some of the bath water up against my face. Good grief! I must be even more exhausted than I thought if I was imagining myself assuming the role of Nadia’s step-mummy!

I sat upright and reached up to my hair, tightening my topknot.

Dexter had made no attempt to contact me since I’d seen him, Nadia, and her mother together. Rumours were rife that he had abandoned his plans for selling Hawk West Hall and that he was intending to remain in Fir Haven after all. They must have decided to make a go of things together for Nadia’s sake.

The prospect of that sent my heart spinning down to my toes. Hopefully, I wouldn’t have to see much of him from now on anyway.

I let my body sink lower under the bath water again. ‘Right! Enough wallowing!’ I said out loud. My main priority right now was ensuring that Saturday was as successful as I could possibly make it.

Chapter Fifty-Four

The bunting flapped above our heads, in triangles of various shades of blue and green. The hired stalls, constructed out of white canvas and wooden shelving, hunched side by side down the centre of the main street. Above us, the sky was pearly grey, but the temperature was mild and faint traces of September sun were beginning to wriggle through the trees.

Vans were parked at the top of the pedestrianised walkway and I watched the stream of stallholders buzzing backwards and forwards, collecting boxes of their wares to sell. Everything from sparkly cupcakes, topped with blue sugar roses, to silky chiffon scarves and woollen handbags were being laid out with great care.

About halfway down the line of stalls was Cate. She was draping her jewellery over a series of large polished stones. Beside her was Lucy, all red gleaming hair and adoring smile.

I hurried over to marvel at the swathe of spangly earrings which dripped from a makeshift gold ribbon Cate had strung either side of her stall. ‘All of this looks beautiful.’

Cate grinned her appreciation. ‘I think you might be a bit biased.’

Beside her, Lucy rolled her eyes and touched her girlfriend’s arm. ‘I’ve known this woman for three years and yet she still can’t take a compliment.’

Around us was the buzz of voices – van doors clanging and the odd rumble of a mobile phone. I took a moment to gaze down the parade of shops, their sleepy windows stirring in the early Saturday morning light. ‘I just hope we get a good turnout.’

Lucy took a sip of her coffee. ‘It’s going to be better than good, Elle. It’s going to be phenomenal.’

I rubbed my sweaty palms down the front of my faded jeans. I wished I could be as confident.

From further up the cobbles, I heard more commotion and spun round.

Dean Ellwood was emerging from a black transit van with a couple of his band members. He strode towards us, an appreciative smile on his curious face. ‘So, this is where it’s all happening?’

‘I certainly hope so.’

He gestured to the makeshift stage, which a few of his roadies, who had arrived much earlier, had already got set up in preparation for him. On hearing Dean arrive, they emerged out from behind the two columns of white canvas background and Dean high-fived them, before they all exchanged a few jokes.

I glanced down at my watch. Crikey! We only had about an hour or so till the fair was due to start! ‘I’d better get back to Pebble Brook and have a shower.’

Cate insisted there was no need. ‘You’ve brought a change of clothes with you, I take it?’

I nodded that I had. ‘I wasn’t going to bother showering again, but I’ve been dashing about so much.’

‘In that case, let yourself in to our place,’ said Cate, reaching into her bag and handing me their flat key. ‘You can get showered and ready at ours and it means you won’t have to schlep back to Pebble Brook.’

The relief on my face must have been evident. I didn’t fancy driving back to Pebble Brook now, just to have to make the drive back again.

‘Thank you! You’re a star!’

I’d brought my change of outfit, thinking I could throw it on right before the fair began at 10 a.m., but the prospect of freshening up was growing more appealing by the minute. What with my jangling nerves about the whole day, I didn’t exactly feel fragrant.

I dived back in to Paper Roses to collect my change of clothes, satisfied at least that the arrangements so far seemed to be going well.