Page 10 of Winter Wishes at Pennycress Inn

‘Okay, if you’re sure.’ A loud thud sounded down the phone line.

‘Laura? Is everything okay?’ Scarlett frowned.

‘Yes, sorry. I’m just getting the suitcases down from the top of the wardrobe and I’d forgotten I stored a ton of books in one when I moved in here. I’d wondered where they’d got to.’

Scarlett flicked the windscreen wipers on as it began to rain. ‘I bet you can’t wait to get somewhere warmer and dry.’

‘Haha, no. You know me, I love winter and the run-up to Christmas, but I am looking forward to a break from Pennycress. As much as I love her, I’m shattered.’ Another thud sounded.

‘What was in that one?’ Scarlett grimaced.

‘More books, believe it or not. Huh, I’ve been thinking I need to get some books to put on the shelves in the sitting room for guests to enjoy. I can use these ones now. Ouch!’ Laura’s voice shifted an octave higher.

‘What happened? A book-related injury?’ Scarlett glanced towards her phone nestled in its holder and frowned. ‘Laura?’

‘Yep, I’m alive. And yes, a book-related injury. I tried to kick the suitcase aside and, well, it’s a bit too heavy for that.’

Scarlett bit down on her lower lip to stop herself from laughing. That sounded like something Laura would do. Although honestly, she’d have likely tried the same method herself. ‘Bet that hurt.’

‘It did. Right, I’ll let you go now while I attempt to get these two suitcases downstairs so I can fill the shelves.’

Scarlett grimaced. If they were heavy enough for Laura to hurt herself by kicking them, how on earth did she think she was going to be able to lift them down the stairs? ‘Isn’t Jackson there to help?’

‘Nope, he’s been called into the pub to cover a shift.’

‘Well, maybe take the books out and carry them down. I don’t want to pop by tomorrow and find you lying at the bottom of the stairs buried in books and luggage.’

‘Haha, I think one of the guests would find me before that. Or I hope they would.’ Laura laughed. ‘Don’t worry, even I know there’s no way I’ll be able to pick these up, let alone carry them downstairs. I’ll be sensible and carry the books bit by bit.’

‘Good.’ Scarlett grinned. It felt good to be able to show Laura she cared; it usually felt as though it was Laura looking after her. Yes, she was younger than her, but only by a year. ‘See you tomorrow.’

‘See you and good luck at the craft fair.’

‘Thanks, bye.’ As the phone line silenced, Scarlett turned into the small car park of the village hall the craft fair was taking place in. There were a good number of cars here already, and the opening time was still an hour away, which suggested there’d likely be even more stallholders arriving soon. Yes, this should be a good one. And perhaps the rain was a good thing; it might just drive more customers their way, people looking to while away an hour or so.

Pulling the handbrake up, she turned to Thelma’s cage on the passenger seat. ‘Right, Thelma, we’re here so I’m going to go and set up but I’ll be back to check on you at some point, okay?’ Scarlett looked around the car park, suddenly aware that someone might just spot her talking to herself. Not that it mattered; she was new here and didn’t know anyone. And it had hardly ever bothered her what people thought of her. Let them think whatever they wanted. Besides, they’d likely just assume she was on handsfree and if they didn’t, well, who cared.

After slipping behind the curtain into the living quarters of the camper, Scarlett picked up the first of the large boxes of merchandise and slid open the side door of the van. Yep, it was definitely raining. Stepping down to the tarmac, she shifted the box in her arms as she made her way towards the hall door. She could feel the raindrops dribbling down the neckline of her jumper, and she glanced up towards the sky. The dark, brooding clouds suggested the rain was here to stay for the day, so perhaps she should have thought to pop her raincoat on. She shook her head. There was no point going back now, she was already wet.

Reaching the door, she pushed it open with her hip and stepped inside before pausing and looking around. The hall was large, but despite the number of cars parked out the front, the stalls were sparse. In fact, she could count ten stalls in total, and that included one for herself and three other empty ones yet to be set up.

She slumped her shoulders, the box knocking against her thighs. She’d had such high hopes for her first craft fair in the Cotswolds, but she had a feeling this wasn’t going to be quite as good as she’d first hoped.

Taking a deep breath, she shook away the thoughts. The number of stallholders didn’t always predict the amount of customers they’d draw in. Yes, people tended to go out of their way and travel from a little further afield for an event they knew they’d be at for some time, but not always. There were always exceptions in the world of craft fairs. And perhaps today’s would be one of them. Perhaps the small number of stalls would be on her side; after all, there’d be less on offer to buy, which may just entice more people towards her stall.

Scarlett walked past the stalls closest to the door and greeted the stallholders who were busy setting up their tables and headed to the table with a Post-it displaying her name. Being set against the back wall of the hall, it wasn’t in the best of positions, but when the stallholders on either side of her had arrived, hopefully their area would look a little more inviting than it currently did.

She lowered the large box onto the wooden chair behind the long table and took the lilac tablecloth she always used to cover her stalls and laid it across the tabletop. She smiled. In less than an hour now every stallholder would have arrived, and with a little Christmas music blasting through the speakers, she was sure it’d be fine.

Lifting the stack of cards from the box, she watched as one fell from the pile and bent down to retrieve it. She’d unpack this box before going to fetch the other one. At least that way she’d feel as though she was making progress.

‘Hi, Scarlett, or should I say neighbour.’ The voice was friendly.

Standing up again, she came face to face with Rowan brandishing a cheery Santa’s face on his chest. ‘Oh hi, Rowan. Great jumper. Have you got your coffee cart outside?’

‘Nope. I’m here selling my range of ground coffee today. Different hat, same business.’ He chuckled as he lowered a wooden crate onto the table next to hers before pulling out the hem of his jumper and indicating the bold knitted pattern. ‘Or should I say different jumper, same business.’

‘Oh, you weren’t joking about being my neighbour then?’ Scarlett laughed. After stumbling back into his coffee cart and sending half his coffee cups flying to the floor the other day, she’d never wanted to lay eyes on him again she’d been that embarrassed, but now having him as her neighbour for the day might be quite nice. Plus, being business-minded, the more stalls set up at this end of the hall, the more customers would be drawn her way.