Page 24 of Winter Wishes at Pennycress Inn

‘I think the guests here will probably be coming to visit the market, anyway.’ Jackson held up a plate piled high with what he’d been cooking. ‘French toast?’

‘Do you even have to ask?’ Scarlett laughed before a thought hit her. ‘Yikes! What will I do about breakfast? I can’t cook to save my life.’

‘Haha, don’t worry, Megan didn’t want to cook breakfast either, so we’ve got pastries for the week. We’ve made the guests all aware too and offered vouchers for the café if they want a cooked breakfast instead, but they were all happy with pastries.’

‘Phew, okay.’ Scarlett wiped her arm across her forehead for dramatic effect. ‘Then I’m more than happy to help out here whilst you’re away. Talking of which, are you both ready to go?’

‘Yes. Well, almost.’ Laura glanced behind her at Jackson, who was getting the cutlery, before turning back to Scarlett and holding her hand over her mouth and lowering her voice. ‘Jackson’s had his suitcase packed for the last couple of days. I on the other hand have a small heap of clothes in the corner of the bedroom. But I’m getting there.’

Scarlett grinned. ‘You’d best get cracking then, or Jackson will be going on honeymoon by himself.’

‘I will.’ Laura nodded as she took the cutlery from Jackson. ‘But we’ve got the travel money and our passports and everything else, haven’t we?’

‘We sure have. I can’t wait.’ Sitting down, Jackson began shovelling French toast into his mouth.

Picking up her own fork, Scarlett loaded it and took a bite. Staying here and working at Pennycress wasn’t something she’d foreseen, but now that the opportunity had been given to her, she was actually looking forward to it. After spending years waitressing, how hard could it be to help run an inn? Checking people in, making coffee, and cleaning rooms didn’t sound too bad, and it would give her the middle of the day to get up to date with her crafts.

Yes, it would be a breeze. And there’d be no sheep.

16

‘And you’re 100 per cent sure you don’t mind?’ Laura skipped from foot to foot as she stood on the garden path, the bag she had designated as her hand luggage bashing against her thigh as she did so. ‘A million per cent sure?’

Shaking her head, Scarlett laughed. ‘I’m sure. I’ll be fine. Besides, Nicola will be here too and I’m sure she could run the place with her eyes closed and her hands tied behind her back.’

‘I know, I know. I just…’ Laura scrunched up her nose as she looked behind Scarlett towards Pennycress. ‘I just feel bad. You’ve come all this way to visit us and now we’re not only going away but we’re leaving you to run Pennycress.’

Placing her hands on Laura’s shoulders, Scarlett caught her eye. ‘Laura, I’ll be fine, Pennycress will be fine, we’ll all be fine.’

‘But…’

‘Come on, I used to hold the fort down for Devon all the time when I worked at the wine bar. I promise I’m not going to burn her down or anything.’ Oops, that had been the wrong thing to say judging by Laura’s expression. ‘I said, I’m not. Most definitely not. I won’t even light a single match, won’t go near one. I’ll let Nicola light the fire.’

Laura turned as Jackson walked up the path from his car parked on the street.

‘I’ll take that for you.’ Holding out his hand, Jackson looked from Laura to Scarlett and back again. ‘Everything okay?’

‘Laura doesn’t trust me with fire.’ Stifling a laugh, Scarlett raised an eyebrow.

‘Fire?’ Jackson frowned.

‘I do, I do. I’m perfectly happy with you lighting a fire, candles even.’ Laura’s voice hitched an octave.

‘Okay, I’ll leave you both to say your goodbyes.’ Jackson took a few steps back before turning and heading back to the car.

Sighing, Scarlett placed her hands on Laura’s shoulders, turning her gently to face Jackson and the car. ‘I’m happy looking after Pennycress for you both and everything is under control. Now go and enjoy your holiday before you miss your flight.’

Nodding, Laura began walking down the path before pausing, turning and retracing her steps again until she was once again standing in front of Scarlett. ‘I do trust you, you know. I wouldn’t entrust anyone but you and Nicola with Pennycress.’

‘What can I say? I’m just so capable and reliable.’ Grinning, Scarlett flicked her hair over her shoulders.

‘I mean it, I really do. I’m just freaking out a bit at leaving her, leaving everything. This will be the first time I’ve been away from Meadowfield for more than a day since I moved here.’ Laura frowned.

‘And we’ll all still be here when you get back.’ Scarlett pointed towards Jackson, who, having placed her bag in the boot, was now standing by the passenger side of the car holding the door open for Laura. ‘But now you’re about to miss your chance to go on honeymoon with your husband and have the best time ever.’

Looking over her shoulder towards Jackson, Laura’s expression softened. ‘You’re right, why am I worrying about something I don’t need to?’

‘Exactly.’ Stepping forward, Scarlett hugged her cousin before pulling away and waving her hand towards Jackson. ‘Now go and have a wonderful time.’