Page 61 of The Winter Bride

‘I kept away after what she said last time. I did see Reggie, though, and that was as awful as always. Oh, and thank you for keeping an eye on everything, and looking after Alfred,’ Annie told her friend. ‘I believe Simon was very kind too, calling in to check on Ruth.’

‘Yes, I believe ’e was,’ Marie said, avoiding Annie’s eyes. ‘They appeared to get on very well. In fact, I believe ’e gave her a lift home a few times.’

Annie smiled. ‘That was very nice of him.’

‘’Ow do you feel about Simon?’ Marie asked tentatively. ‘Did you miss him while you were away?’

Annie paused. It seemed a strange question to ask. ‘Erm . . . I didn’t really think about him much, to be honest,’ she admitted. ‘After all, I was only away for a week. Why do you ask?’

‘Oh, I just wondered. You know the old saying, “absence makes the ’eart grow fonder”. I thought per’aps when you came back you might be ready to move the relationship on a little. I suppose as you’ve been going out together for a while now, I thought that you would be more romantically involved.’

Annie sighed. ‘Simon is a lovely man. But to be honest I look on him more as a good friend. I’ve tried to make it clear to him that I’m not ready for another relationship just yet. Not so soon after Monty.’

‘I see,’ Marie answered and quickly went on to ask after everyone in Nuneaton.

When she’d gone Annie wondered why Marie had asked about her relationship with Simon. But then it grew dusk and so she shut off the lights and made her way upstairs. It had been a very long day.

Over the next two days, Simon called into the shop daily and Annie found it strange that he didn’t ask her out, although he was as friendly as ever. Before she’d gone away, they’d got into the habit of going out for a meal or to the theatre once a week, but she supposed he was busy so thought little of it.

A couple of days later, she headed out to the warehouse bright and early to buy more stock, leaving the shop in Ruth’s capable hands.

It was just after lunchtime when she got back to the shop and found Simon there talking to Ruth.

‘Hello, you two,’ she greeted them. ‘Any chance of a hand getting all this new stock in out of the cab?’

‘Of course.’ Simon was as gentlemanly as ever, and carried the heavy boxes in for her while Ruth helped her unpack them.

‘Do you want to come upstairs for a cup of tea before you leave?’ Annie asked Simon when all the boxes were inside – he usually liked to go up and see Nancy and Adam.

To her surprise he shook his head. ‘Thanks, but I best get back to work,’ he said, lifting his hat from the seat of a chair. ‘Ruth, isn’t it your afternoon off? I’d be quite happy to give you a lift home. It isn’t out of my way.’

When Ruth glanced at Annie, she smiled at her and nodded. ‘Yes, you get off. I’ll see you in the morning. Goodbye both, have a good afternoon.’

Ruth went to fetch her coat, and she and Simon departed leaving Annie with a thoughtful expression on her face. There had been a subtle change in Ruth since she’d got back from Nuneaton, but for the life of her, she couldn’t figure out what it was. She was certainly taking more pride in her appearance and she’d changed her hairstyle to a much softer one. She seemed happier in herself too, but that was no bad thing.

Annie was kept busy for much of the afternoon until Marie appeared just before closing time and perched on one of the little gilt-legged chairs. She was looking very fetching in a jaunty new hat.

‘I was only saying to John last night that perhaps you should consider stocking ’ats to go with your gowns,’ she said. ‘And shoes and bags too so that women could choose a complete outfit. What do you think of the idea?’

‘I’d never have thought of it, but actually it’s a very good one,’ Annie admitted.

Marie glanced around. ‘And where is Ruth today? Not ill, I ’ope?’

‘Oh no, it’s her afternoon off and Simon was here, so he gave her a lift home. He’s a very kind man, isn’t he?’

When Marie lowered her eyes and blushed, Annie frowned. ‘Have I said something wrong?’

‘No, no, not at all,’ Marie assured her. ‘It’s just . . .’ She hesitated before plunging on. ‘I think Ruth is quite taken with Simon.’

It was as if the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle were suddenly fitting together. Now Annie understood why Ruth was taking such pains over her appearance. ‘And do you think he likes her?’

‘I sense ’e and Ruth are very drawn to each other. She seems to light up every time she sets eyes on ’im, and ’e visited the shop almost every day while you were away.’

‘Oh, I see.’ Annie was surprised. Now she understood why he hadn’t invited her out since she got back. While she hadn’t wanted a serious relationship it had been nice to be wined and dined. But it seemed that while she’d been gone, he’d transferred his affections. She supposed she couldn’t blame him. She’d held him at arm’s length, so it was no wonder he’d been attracted elsewhere. And Ruth was a very good-looking woman – capable and intelligent too. She smiled then as she saw Marie’s anxious expression. ‘Don’t look so worried. I’m not upset. And actually, I think he and Ruth could turn out to be quite a good match. They’ve both lost partners they love and they’re the right age for each other.’

‘So, you would not be upset about it if they became a couple?’

‘Not at all, but I don’t think that will happen while he still feels some loyalty to me. I think perhaps it’s time I was honest with him and tell him that I only see him as a friend. Hopefully they can start a proper relationship then.’