Page 45 of Winter Wishes at Pennycress Inn

‘Perfect. Here, let me take that in, and you can get back to your painting.’ Stepping forward, Nicola picked up the tray before Scarlett could protest.

‘Thank you. Are you okay telling Miss Cooke we’ll serve at the carol service too, please?’

‘Yes, of course.’ Nicola grinned as she walked out of the kitchen.

Sinking back into her chair, Scarlett smiled. Even if Laura and Jackson were happy to attend and serve at the carol service, she might just go along too and perhaps take her sketchbook. There was bound to be some gorgeous village-y scenes she could capture for next year’s Christmas cards.

29

Scarlett checked her watch before picking up her pace, her fast walk quickly turning into a jog and then a full-pelt run. She was going to be late for the village meeting, and she didn’t fancy her chances if she had to walk in late in front of everyone, particularly the esteemed mayoress.

As she rounded the corner, her heart sank. She was late. The street and green outside the village hall was empty. Everyone must have already gone inside. Slowing, she stopped and glanced behind in the direction of the safety of Pennycress Inn. Did she just go back to Pennycress and pretend she’d forgotten all about the meeting, or did she brave it and see if she could sneak inside?

She’d wanted to attend, she’d wanted to experience first-hand the charm and quirkiness of these meetings, and she’d have been on time if it hadn’t been for the O’Sullivan boys having trodden mud all across the rug in the sitting room. With Pennycress being fully booked and other guests likely to have been using the sitting room this evening, she couldn’t very well have left it to clean up later.

But now she was late. Lifting her thumb to her lip, she chewed on the cuticle. She’d just go back. In fact, in some ways, it’d likely be a blessing in disguise, anyway. If she wasn’t in the village meeting, then she wouldn’t see Rowan and she wouldn’t have to tell him about Tyler. Instead, she could continue living in her dream a while longer. Yes, she’d head back.

‘Scarlett!’

Frowning, she turned around to see who had called her name.

‘Over here.’ Charlie appeared from behind a parked car and waved towards her. ‘You’re late too?’

‘Yep. Well, to be honest, I was just considering whether to head back to Pennycress or not.’ Scarlett waved her hand in the direction of the inn.

‘Aw, really? And there was me thinking that for once I wouldn’t have to sneak past Miss Cooke and complete the walk of shame up the aisle by myself.’ Charlie chuckled. ‘I’m pretty sure I can get us in without having to pledge to sell our souls to raise money for a new bench or bunting or whatever else Miss Cooke is hoping to buy in next.’

‘Haha, well, when you put it like that, okay, I’ll come.’ Scarlett shoved her hands in her pockets.

‘Great. Let’s get this over and done with then.’ Charlie grinned as he stepped forward and pulled open the door to the village hall, ushering her inside first.

Stepping through the door, Scarlett froze. Literally every single person living in Meadowfield must be sitting in the chairs in front of her and every single one of them had swivelled their heads in slow motion to look at her. She blinked under their gaze before she heard a microphone crackle behind her. Turning, she spotted Miss Cooke standing on a low stage behind a lectern with a small microphone. She held her hand up in a slight wave before thinking better of it and shoving it back in her pocket.

‘My apologies, Miss Cooke and everyone else.’ Coming up behind her, Charlie held his hand up confidently towards Miss Cooke, whose stern gaze broke into one of familiarity and warmth. ‘My fault entirely.’

Miss Cooke smiled. ‘Evening Charlie. Come on in.’

‘Thank you.’ Charlie turned to Scarlett and spoke loudly, ensuring Miss Cooke could hear every word. ‘Again, my apologies, Scarlett, for keeping you.’

Scarlett nodded, unsure how to answer before following Charlie down the aisle until they spotted Nicola who, much to Scarlett’s relief, had saved them both a seat. Slipping onto one of the hard wooden chairs, Scarlett mouthed ‘thank you’ to Charlie before turning around to search the gathering for Rowan. Spotting him a couple of rows behind them, she smiled as he grinned back at her.

‘And on to one of the most important events of the year, Meadowfield’s Christmas carol service.’ Miss Cooke’s voice filled the old hall. ‘As you are all aware this takes place on Christmas Eve and enables all of Meadowfield’s residents to come together to sing carols and share the joy of Christmas.’

A slight murmur of agreement filtered across the audience before Miss Cooke held her hand up for silence and continued. ‘Again, we are lucky to have Pennycress Inn supply us with hot chocolate and cake, and we’re also blessed to have Rowan join us with his coffee cart so there’ll be refreshments for all. Of course…’

As the topic turned to other matters, such as missing post and the success of the Christmas market, Scarlett tuned out, letting Miss Cooke’s words wash over her as she recited the speech she’d planned to give to Rowan over and over in her mind. She knew she needed to tell him that she had, effectively, been having an affair with a married man, and she would – but however she planned to tell him, whichever words she chose, it all came down to one thing: whether he’d be able to see past the cold harsh truth and believe she’d had no idea or whether he’d just hear the surface level of it. Whether he’d even give her the time of day to explain.

Especially since he’d seen the other side of things. He’d been the one who had been cheated on. He’d been the one left at home alone and hurt.

‘…Rowan Pinter and Meadowfield’s newcomer, Scarlett Wynters.’

Scarlett jerked her head up towards Miss Cooke at the mention of her name. What had she missed? As a round of applause erupted around her, Scarlett turned to Nicola and raised her eyebrows.

Holding her hand in front of her mouth, Nicola leaned towards her as she whispered, ‘She’s talking about you and Rowan rescuing the new runaway sheep.’

‘Ah, thanks.’ After whispering back, Scarlett glanced over her shoulder, seeking out Rowan again, who gave her a thumbs-up. Well, this was the first time and likely the last time she’d even been or be mentioned at a village meeting. Wait until she told Devon!

‘And of course, huge thanks to the wonderful Charlie who has once again stepped in to save the village and agreed to give the deviant sheep a home. You could say he’s become Meadowfield’s very own lost sheep collector.’ Miss Cooke chuckled at her own joke before speaking again. ‘That matter brings us to the end of our meeting. Thank you, everyone, for attending and Merry Christmas to those who won’t be able to make the carol service on Christmas Eve.’