Page 50 of Winter Wishes at Pennycress Inn

Looking down at her thumb, she realised it was bleeding. ‘No, it’s not. I’ll explain properly when you get back, but it wasn’t a strong reaction.’

‘Okay, to me it sounds extreme, but I’ll take your word for it. And you really like him?’

Scarlett nodded as she wiped the tears that were beginning to fall. ‘I really do.’

‘Then why don’t you speak to him? Explain whatever happened.’

‘No, he doesn’t even want to see me, there’s no chance he’s going to listen.’ Scarlett shook her head. He wouldn’t. It had almost been as though he’d spoken about being able to trust her in one breath and then had it all taken away in the next.

‘Right, in that case, write him a letter. He’s more likely to take that and spend the time reading it.’

A letter? Why hadn’t she thought of that? It was a genius idea. ‘Yes, that might work.’

‘It’s worth a go. Just…’ Laura’s voice was drowned out by a tannoy message.

‘I didn’t catch any of that.’ Scarlett frowned.

‘Sorry, it was a message to say the coaches are waiting outside.’

‘You go. I’ll speak to you tomorrow?’

‘Yes, okay. Sorry. But, yes, the letter. Write the letter.’ The phone line went quiet before she came back on the line. ‘Sorry, Scarlett, I’m going to have to go. Good luck and let me know how you get on. Love you.’

‘Love you too.’ Ending the call, Scarlett placed the phone down before plunging the cafetiere, the aroma of coffee filling the room. Yes, she’d write a letter. She’d try to speak to him this evening too, but if she couldn’t, or if he wouldn’t listen, then she could give him the letter.

32

‘…jingle all the way…’ Holding the song sheet Miss Cooke had personally handed out as everyone arrived, Scarlett quietly sang along to the carol. This was her favourite one, and in previous years, she’d have jumped at the chance to attend a carol service like this, but this evening she had only one thing on her mind and that was speaking to Rowan. Or if that wasn’t possible then somehow giving him the letter she’d spent the afternoon writing.

As the carol ended a round of applause echoed around the green, resounding off the shopfronts surrounding them. It was a cold evening and the sky threatened snow, making Scarlett wonder if Laura’s warning would come true and the snowstorm that had delayed her and Jackson’s flight was making its way towards them. Hundreds of people were gathered beneath the large Christmas tree at the centre of the village, the fairy lights and old-fashioned Victorian-style streetlights illuminating the gathering. The sheer number of people had surprised Scarlett. There were faces she recognised as residents of Meadowfield from the village meeting, as well as new people she imagined were either family and friends staying with loved ones over the festive season, or else had made a special trip to Meadowfield for the carol service.

‘Here we go again.’ Nicola nudged Scarlett’s arm as she nodded towards the group of people heading their way.

Filling a takeaway cup with the rich hot chocolate mixture, Scarlett prepared for the onslaught of customers. She had no idea how long the carol service was supposed to last but they were only halfway through the song sheet she’d been given, and they’d already had three breaks between carols. Plastering a smile to her face, she raised her voice above the general hubbub of the crowds. ‘Merry Christmas, what can I get you?’

‘Just a hot chocolate and a slice of Victoria sponge please.’ The man spoke quickly whilst looking over his shoulder.

‘Certainly. Here’s the hot chocolate.’ Scarlett waited until he’d turned back to face her before holding out the takeaway cup. What was he looking at?

‘Thanks.’ Again, he turned back to look at something.

After cutting the slice of Victoria sponge, Scarlett held it between them and cleared her throat. ‘And your cake.’

Snapping his head back to look at Scarlett, the man smiled sheepishly. ‘Thank you. Sorry, I don’t mean to be rude, I’m just with the band and I’ve sneaked away for provisions.’

Ah, that made sense. She waved away the money he held out towards her. ‘It’s on the house, or the inn. Your music is lovely.’

‘Thank you. That’s really kind.’ The man grinned before darting back towards the bandstand, visibly relieved to have seemingly got away with his short break, making it back in time before Miss Cooke noticed he had disappeared.

Scarlett stood on her tiptoes as she caught sight of Rowan and his coffee cart, sighing as a cluster of people wandered over towards him and blocked her view. She’d offered to leave Pennycress early to ensure they were set up ready in time for the carol singing and had hoped she’d be able to catch Rowan before people had begun to arrive, but she’d failed in that task. He’d arrived with ten minutes to spare and in that time, Miss Cooke had spoken to him for seven minutes and then for the remaining three, she had held Scarlett captive discussing the origin of the cocoa in the hot chocolate they were serving.

Still, the night wasn’t over yet. With half of the carol singing to go, she was sure she’d be able to catch his attention at some point. Or at least she hoped so.

‘Hello, Scarlett, love. This looks lovely.’ Mrs Pierce paused beside the stall, further blurring Scarlett’s view. ‘Could I have three hot chocolates please?’

‘Yes, of course.’ Scarlett began ladling the hot chocolate into the cups. ‘Are you enjoying the evening?’

‘Yes, I am, thank you, love. My granddaughter and her husband have brought over my great-granddaughter for the evening. It’s her first experience of a carol service.’ Mrs Pierce beamed before twisting on the spot and searching the crowd. ‘Hang on, I’ll call them over and you can meet them.’