Page 16 of Winter Wishes at Pennycress Inn

Scarlett nodded. She’d known she hadn’t, really. She’d met people like Miss Cooke before. People who just liked to complain because it was a van rather than a car. No one could tell it was a camper, not from the outside. That’s why she’d chosen it, because she’d wanted to be able to pull up on the side of a street and spend the night without worrying about people knowing she was inside. She’d realised long ago that when faced with a busybody like Miss Cooke, the phrase ‘kill them with kindness’ was usually the most helpful resolution. ‘Then how can I help you?’

‘I’d appreciate if you moved it at your earliest convenience. It’s taking up far too much room to be parked along the main road in and out of the village.’ And with that, Miss Cooke turned on her heel and walked out of the shop.

Looking down at the fuse in her hand, Scarlett pretended to be engrossed in reading the instructions explaining how to fit it printed on the back of the packet, as she felt all eyes bore into her. She hadn’t done anything wrong. She’d parked just as everyone else had. Yes, her van may be sticking out a little more than the smaller vehicles, but she’d not parked illegally and there was still plenty of room for the other road users. The sooner she could pay for this and order the other part so she could leave, the better. The last thing she wanted was to make enemies around here.

10

After paying for the fuse and ordering the other part she needed to fix the heater, she pushed the shop door open and stepped out into the cold, grateful for the fresh air and lack of judgement. Keeping her head down, she turned in the direction of the van, halting as she felt herself collide with someone. Looking up, she felt her face redden. ‘Rowan, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t looking where I was going… again.’

‘Hey, no worries.’ Kneeling down, Rowan picked up the takeaway coffee cup which was gently rolling across their path, leaving a trail of brown liquid in its wake.

‘Oh, I’m so sorry.’ As he stood up, she realised a large patch of spilt coffee had formed across the front of yet another brightly knitted Christmas jumper peeking beneath his open jacket. Shoving the fuse into her bag, she pulled out a pack of tissues, tore one out and stepped forward, wiping at the mark on his jumper. ‘What is it with me and drinks? If I’m not bashing into your cart and smashing a load of cups, then someone is smashing mine and now I’ve even managed to knock a takeaway cup out of your hands.’

Rowan placed his hand over hers, stilling her as she scrubbed at the stain. ‘No harm done.’

‘Right.’ As the realisation that they were standing there, his hand over hers, sank in, Scarlett froze. His touch felt good against her skin. She shook her head and gently pulled her hand away. What was she doing? Apart from making a complete fool out of herself, that was. ‘Sorry, I… Were you delivering that drink? I’ll come back to your cart and buy another one before taking it wherever you were heading.’

‘No, it was mine. And you’ve probably done me a favour. I really shouldn’t be drinking coffee on my day off, especially buying one from one of my competitors.’ He chuckled as he stepped towards a bin and dropped the cup inside before turning back to her and nodding towards the hardware store. ‘You’re doing some DIY?’

‘My heater broke last night. I think it’s the fuse or another part I’ve ordered in. Or else I’m hoping it is, otherwise…’ She shrugged. She wasn’t about to tell him that she’d have to put up with freezing until she’d saved up enough money to replace it. She hadn’t even earnt enough money from that excuse of a craft fair to fill the camper’s tank up, let alone to buy a heater too.

‘Do you live far? I can give you a hand if you like?’ He held his hands up, palms forward. ‘Not that I’m saying I don’t think you can fix it. I guess what I’m really saying is I’ve got a free afternoon, and would you like to hang out?’

Scarlett laughed. She’d seen enough of Rowan to realise he hadn’t meant it in the way he was worried it would come across. ‘I suppose I do owe you a coffee.’

‘Haha, that’s true.’ Looking down at the path, Rowan ran his fingers through his short hair before meeting her gaze again and holding his hand out in front of him. ‘Lead the way.’

‘Right, well, it’s not far.’ Leading the way towards the camper, she glanced around the street, relieved when she didn’t spot Miss Cooke lying in wait for her. Reaching the van, she clicked the keys to unlock it before sliding the door open to reveal her home on wheels.

Whistling through his teeth, Rowan stepped inside and turned on the spot before looking back at her and raising his eyebrows. ‘This is amazing.’

‘Huh, thanks.’ Following him in, Scarlett closed the door quickly behind her. She had a feeling not all of Meadowfield’s residents, especially Miss Cooke, would approve of her living quarters.

‘You live in here?’ Walking across to the back of the van, he opened the door of the tiny toilet.

‘For the last four months or so I have, yes.’ Kicking her boots off, Scarlett dropped to the floor in front of the electric heater and pulled the fuse out of her bag. ‘This shouldn’t take too long and then the place will warm up and I’ll get you a coffee.’

‘Okay, thanks.’ Sitting down on the sofa, Rowan turned to Thelma’s cage next to him. ‘You’ve got a pet, too.’

Shifting position, she glanced behind her towards him. ‘Yes, meet Thelma the guinea pig. Actually, could you open the cage door so she can wander, please? I rescued her just before I travelled down here. The poor thing was cooped up in a cage that wasn’t fit for a hamster, let alone a guinea pig, and forgotten about for her entire life, so, even though I got her a new cage, I like to let her free roam whilst I’m here. I’m going to guinea pig proof the van so she can have the freedom all the time when I can.’

‘Oh, bless her. That’s no life for a beauty like you, is it?’ Unlocking the cage door, Rowan held his hand out and grinned as Thelma nudged him with her nose.

‘Aw, she likes you.’ Smiling, Scarlett reached behind her and pulled her toolbox towards her. As she changed the fuse, they fell into a comfortable silence, only broken by Rowan as he spoke softly to Thelma. Scarlett felt a warmth growing inside her. She may have only met Rowan a week or so ago, but she felt as though she’d known him far longer. ‘So, have you been living in Meadowfield long?’

‘No, only a couple of years.’

‘Ah, what brought you here then? If you don’t mind me asking. Was it because you’d heard good things about the tight ship the lovely mayoress runs?’ Scarlett grimaced. She shouldn’t have said that; for all she knew he thought highly of Miss Cooke, or, worse, they were related.

Rowan chuckled. ‘I’m guessing you’ve had a run-in with her already? About parking the van in the village, by any chance?’

Twisting around, screwdriver in hand, Scarlett looked up at him. ‘How did you guess?’

Rowan shrugged. ‘She used to complain about my coffee cart too before I plied her with coffee until she granted me a street vending licence.’

‘Haha, good idea. Although I’m not sure what I could bribe her with. I could maybe start posting my cards through her letter box or something.’

‘Or else you could just start chucking mugs at her front door until she gives in and lets you be. You’re good at that.’ Rowan chuckled again, his laugh contagious.